Tag: marriage

Posted in Writing Prompts

Simply 6-Minutes 5/2/2023-A Time Extraordinaire

Posted on by Susan St.Pierre

Swing dancing in the 1940s

A Time Extraordinaire

Ralph and Ruth had been married for almost 70 years. When Ruth came across a photo of them swing dancing as a young couple, they joined hands and bowed their heads.
The night before the couple had reminisced about those ‘classier’ times.
They agreed that architecture, clothing, and dance were works of art in ‘their day’ and that the ‘modern’ world was growing increasingly ugly reflecting the moral decay in a society once vibrant and hopeful.
A tear rolled down Ruth’s cheek at so much loss they had witnessed but Ralph, in his own beautiful fashion, tickled her behind the ear and turned on the Turner Classic Movie Channel. Their hearts soared watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as Ralph sang along softly in Ruth’s ear.

https://christinebialczak.com/2023/05/02/simply-6-minutes-welcome-to-the-challenge-05-02-2023/

Posted in Writing Prompts

Simply 6 Minutes-2/28/23 Perfect Plans

Posted on by Susan St.Pierre

We’re asked to use the photo below as inspiration for a story and we have only six minutes to write it.

They had made it!
Two young urban professionals who were a ‘perfect’ match.
They’d met in the workplace, of course. Were on their own ‘perfect’ trajectories for advancement too.
They had an apartment that suited them both only minutes from work AND had planned their lives together right down to having car rental agreements that alternately expired for a well-planned system to avoid even the smallest financial conflicts.

The wedding was the crescendo! “Perfect” couldn’t even have described it. The sun shone, the guests had been generous, and the photo shoot outstandingly artful.

A week later, a home pregnancy test was positive.
Nine months later, their marriage was ‘on the rocks’ and their ‘planned lives’ in shambles.
Having discussed everything, how had they overlooked the possibility of unplanned children?

It only took one of them to want to leave thus ending their ‘perfect’ marriage. She certainly had no choice but to sue the birth control manufacturer for ruining her life!

https://christinebialczak.com/2023/02/28/simply-6-minutes-welcome-to-the-challenge-02-28-2023/




Posted in In my humble opinion..., Sideshows

What’s in a Name?

Posted on by Susan St.Pierre

This is for you guys out there. Something that you may not have considered.

This was inspired by my Facebook connection to my High School graduating class of 1974, since, the women are much harder to identify. It reminded me of something.

The social convention of women taking their husband’s last name is common and seems quite mundane, especially to the husband.

It wasn’t really easy for me, and I suspect, it hasn’t been easy for many women. We create an individuality, a reputation and a persona as we grow up then our “identity” is renamed, changed, in one day.

At first, my biggest fear was accidentally misspelling this name but it felt like I was hiding my true identity for years. Soon, came the ordinary questions from locals about this family, which I really had no history with. Few asked about my “maiden” family because it was hidden but I had been THAT former person all of my life. There was a brand new persona that was in its infancy and I felt a little lost.

In my case, we lived (and still do) in a small city where our families had an equal recognizability. I was not as much an alien, as a bipolar person. For years, I was introduced with two names, by folks who were “in the know”. The old person and this new one…I hadn’t changed a bit though. Creepy when you really get down to it.

I realized that this was a sore point for years, when I uncharacteristically made a snipe at friend of my husband’s family. About two years into our marriage, our first child was born. My husband’s family friend was admiring our beautiful daughter and commented, in jest, “You should had named her Edwina after her father.”

I felt flushed for a moment, then said, “Why would I? She already has HIS last name!”

The rush of resentful emotion startled me, as much as, the poor woman.

Now, I’ve been married for 34 years and I’m no longer the “maiden”. I have built one fine new reputation and persona and I’m comfortable. But when I try to relate to friends who knew me by an ancient name, there’s still a pinch…a moment of mourning, about that not so mundane name change long ago.

23612_411477303827_530328827_5007867_4476253_nSusan

Happy Valentine’s Day… whomever you are?

Posted in Sideshows

Happily Ever After

Posted on by Susan St.Pierre

February xxx 019My husband grew up in a pet-free environment, so when he married me, we had many battles over living with pets.

We will be celebrating our 35th anniversary in July but the pet angle was a great big “bone” of contention for the better part of those years.

To the non-pet people, they are messy, costly and really get in the way of vacationing .

To a pet person, they are comforting, fun, and who needs a vacation, when the pet has to be left behind?

It took many years (about 26) for my husband to finally “see the light”. I can thank Ollie, my Jack Russel, for this transformation. Getting Ed to accept a new puppy took cunning and some deceit (I came clean eventually.), as well as, a sister who was willing to be an accomplice. My need to have a puppy took top priority. My heart was saddened by my husband’s inability to recognize how desperate was my desire for a dog. I could not imagine why anyone, who loves me, would deny me something so critical to my happiness.

Well, there was a power issue. “Who’s the boss?” plagues many marriages. BUT, it was mostly due to the fact that he had never felt the bond of a dog. He couldn’t place any importance on an “imaginary” need.

Then came Ollie. The little guy and Ed became fast friends. Ollie would lean against Ed and beg to sit with him. I would refer to Ed as “Daddy” and pointed out how much Daddy was missed by Ollie.

All things considered it was a very successful effort. Yes, I’ve gotten my way but the best part is having given Ed the love of a dog.

Now I catch Ed talking to Ollie on a regular basis, “What do you think of THAT, dog?” is a heart-warming phrase repeated daily. Ed invites Ollie under the bedding at night too. “Come on dog, want your blanket?” (For you wise guys-NO, he’s not talking to me.)

Above, they are pictured in a familiar camp posture. A man, a beer and his dog…Happily ever after. 😉

Posted in Sideshows

Marriage: Just What’s in the Cards?

Posted on by Susan St.Pierre

A standard deck of 52 playing cards was hanging out on a lovely table in a  worn but comfortable case when a deck of Star Wars collector cards came along. The Star Wars cards were the same size and weight as the playing cards.

“We know you play rummy and it’s a popular game indeed. You get to have a fine cover and are better cared for than we because Star Wars cards are not as popular. Actually, we are just starting to become noticed and desire the same treatment as you. Being kept in a case and played on a felt table is the dream of all cards. It is the best way for cards to be treated.”

The 52 looked at the Star Wars cards. “I had not realized that all cards were not cared for in the same manner. You certainly deserve fine treatment. Come sit beside me. I’d like to help you find a nice case to hold you too.”

The Star Wars cards frowned. “I want to be just like you. Let me slip into your deck and share YOUR case.”

“I don’t understand?” said 52. “If you slip into my deck all the rules will change. I will have to become crowded and the old games, that I love, will take on a new meaning. The new games will take years to develop and we will both lose our original identity.”

“I don’t care. I am as valuable as you and want what you have, NOW. You are so arrogant 52. If you do not give me your comfort, I must assume that you just hate Star Wars cards. I thought you were nice?”

“Please, it is unkind of you to think in order to have a nice case and fine table that you need to take mine. I would be happy to help you establish your own table and I want you to know all the same “card comforts” that I enjoy. But taking mine is not the answer. I’m comfortable with rummy and, in time, you will be comfortable with your own game.”

The Star Wars cards stormed off while calling 52 a prejudiced, selfish deck.

The End

BTW- The Star Wars cards went to court and were awarded occupancy in 52’s case, at least in Massachusetts. Needless to say, 52 decks everywhere are angry and no one is exactly sure how to play rummy in Massachusetts. At the very least, the games are way more complicated now.