The LORD God said: “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him.” Genesis 2:18
If you read any decent books on men-women relationships, they’ll tell you that men seek companionship. If you’re a guy, you might think, “Well, duh.” If you’re a woman, you might think, “But I hate taking him shopping.” The trick, of course, is in finding shared interests. Strangely enough, men don’t think the kids or the work around the house counts.
I am not capable of feigning interest in guns or cars or military history long enough to outlast my husband’s capacity to discuss them. Current events and politics and the Just War Doctrine are topics best left alone in this household. If you want to see tempers flaring and cast iron skillets flying, casually bring up capital punishment.
Cards? I handily beat him most of the time. Scrabble? He is so mean to me.
We do like to do things together. We’ve played tennis, and since we’re both bad, it’s okay. We ran in the Army Ten Miler together in 2006, and, except for the last mile or so, it was nice. Walking, hiking, biking, exploring, spelunking, going to museums, trying new restaurants, even window shopping and discussing ways to spend that lottery money we’ll never win are all things we can do together. But most of these activities require a babysitter or taking the children along.
So, we watch old movies instead.
But I think it would be really nice if we could have a common love. And I’m not so sure I want a husband who loves sewing…or reading Charlotte Mason…or pouring over cookbooks.
No, I need to cross over to the other side.
Assuming that some tastes are acquired, I am going to attempt to acquire the taste for beer this month. I resolve to drink a little bit of beer every day, hopefully working my way up to a whole glass by the end of the month. Bill is excited beyond measure and has been plotting for weeks the best program by which to introduce his favorite beverage. He writes, “If I do this right, I will have a lifetime drinking partner.” The prospect makes my heart go pitter-pat.
I have a feeling that this month’s resolution will make for some interesting supplemental blog posts. Wish me luck.
What is a New Month’s Resolution? Every month I look at where I need to focus my attention. Perhaps I’ve been procrastinating on certain chores. Perhaps I need to spend some extra time with one or more of the kids. Perhaps I’d like to try a new habit. New Month’s Resolutions are not grandiose plans to lose ten pounds or declutter the entire house or give up smoking (of course, I don’t smoke, but if I did, this would not be the venue in which I would give it up). New Month’s resolutions are short-term commitments; they are easily attained goals; they focus on what is needed right now, instead of what is best for a lifetime.
Do you have a new month’s resolution?
Reit This Way 
You know why my hub beats me at scrabble every time? He is definitely mean and I am too compassionate. If he is struggling with all vowels or all consonants I try to leave a word he can build on. He is RUTHLESS and never leaves openings for me. The guy actually plays defense!Any hoo, I love your new resolution. Maybe my hun and I need to explore outside old movies, too. I already like beer. Hmm, cigars???
Ah, beer. As an erstwhile dabbler in the art of homebrewing, I think that you’ll probably enjoy this resolution. There’s a beer for practically every palate out there, and if the wheat and barley aren’t your style then there’s always cider!It’s a wide, wonderful world. You love it here. 🙂
Good luck with acquiring the taste for liquid bread. I think some of us were born with it though. Hope you at least enjoy some of it if you can’t acquire the taste.
<>or pouring over cookbooks<>My husband does that sometimes. Except they are exotic Chinese cookbooks with recipes so complicated only an Iron Chef would attempt.Recipes that include aubergines (turns out they’re little eggplants) and raw octopus (which is…raw octopus. Blech.)Old Chicago has a punch card for their beer – so you can keep track and try them all!
Yummmmm! That sounds like some kind of resolution I might like! I’m starting to treat beer like I do wine and savoring the flavors and judging if I like them or not. I’m finally growing up! Heehee. I’ve always liked the richer, dark beers but now I’m starting to see the differences in different brews. So far, I’ve really liked them all so I guess I’m not really all that discerning!
Beer goes down with much more enjoyment for me if there is a lime or lemon in it. Now so many people are drinking Blue Moon with an orange in it that it has become a common practice.Resolution?mmmmmI would like to learn to cook one new meal a week. Your steak salad is most definitely happening.I will let you know how it goes.
I told David about this last night. Apparently, he’s been thinking about it, because somewhere in Kentucky, he asked, “So are YOU going to take up beer?”
Oh, my friend, how I’ve missed you.I’ve thought of you, because on about August 5th (and every 30 hours after), I realized that for the first time in a year I forgot all about a new month’s resolution!Your resolution has made me start hiccupping from laughing so hard.No, it’s not a bad one. It’s a GREAT one. Just hilarious in that wonderful Bill-and-Michelle way. 🙂
I’ve missed you too, Sarah. The best thing about this resolution is < HREF="http://quaffsandquibbles.blogspot.com/2008/08/important-day.html" REL="nofollow">how successfully it is turning out<>.