The Rural Voice, 1983-09, Page 591
GISELE IRELAND
Off my chest
There is a direct correlation bet-
ween responsibility and nagging. If a
woman nags a lot, you can be sure
that she is responsible for a lot. When
you are held accountable for the ac-
tions of the entire family, you have a
right to let them know about it.
I know that I am the only person
living in this house who can find
anything. This goes for lost white
slips, toads that should be in a jar and
machinery insurance policies that are
needed right now. If I don't want to
be accountable for these things, I of
course have the option of telling them
what they should have done in the
first place—not to misplace the items.
This is nagging. I have reminded one
daughter so often that it would be
nice to go into her room without a
hard hat that she, in desperation, has
offered to buy the room to shut me
up. I could do that, but would still be
responsible for the wrinkled look that
all her outfits have because she stores
everything under the bed.
Sitting in church gives you time to
reflect on your responsibilities. Super
Wrench had a tie on that looks like it
got caught in an accordion at a polka
party. He yanked it off right after
church last Sunday and stuffed it in
his pocket, exactly where he found it
to put it on again this Sunday. My
son is having trouble reading the
hymns because of the hair in his eyes.
He should have had a trim two weeks
ago, but short of tying him up and
throwing him in the car for a ride to
town, nothing else has worked. I also
notice he's trying to clean his finger-
nails with a jack knife. I hope that
people behind us don't check his ears.
If they do, I hope they tell him, and
not rite about it.
Women are held responsible for
their families in other ways. I know
of one who has produced three sons
with taxi cab door ears and an
overbite. They have sandy hair and
freckles and are really cute. Her
husband next to her, also has large
ears and an overbite. She did the best
with what she had. If they looked like
the guy that picks up their milk, then
she should feel responsible. I'II wager
that the husband would also have
liked a daughter along -with the three
sons. I know that my husband holds
me responsible for producing three
daughters and one son. That was his
department and he blew it. To make
his wish of three sons a reality I
would have had nine daughters to go
along with it at the rate he was
producing boys. I didn't feel
responsible, so I quit co-operating.
He'll have to start wishing for
grandsons.
I just detest remarks about how
nice a woman is but her housekeeping
leaves something to be desired. They
never hold the other slobs in the
household accountable for the state
of the teepee. That song about give
me a home where the buffalo roam
applies to just that, the buffalos that
roam throughout every room. The
alternative is to boost your popularity
and use the rough side of your
tongue. It's a toss up whether you
want to be known as a slob or a nag.
I have this fantasy where I imagine
that everyone will do his/her job with
no fighting and that everything is
where it is supposed to be without me
having to have my tongue retreaded. I
can just sit back and enjoy the com-
pliments and feel responsible. In the
meantime I will alternate between a
slob and a nag.
Gisele Ireland is a pork producer
from Bruce county and has a regular
column in The Rural Voice.
Reach
for the Stars
with
Challnel
Master®
Satellite
Reception
Equipment
Tower Sales and Installation.
We have a full line of Boosters
and Rotors in stock to suit your
needs.
B & T
ANTENNA
Sales and Service
Brian McAsh
Varna 482-7129
2 Way FM Communication Equipment
for farm and commercial businesses
Y'feezitti,e4 eYeefilic
For all your electrical neer;
Industrial - Residential - Commercial
Pole Line Construction Hydro Poles for Sale
Custom Trenching
JIM SWEITZER
R.R. #2, Dashwood 519-238-8354
THE RURAL VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1983 PG. 57