Friday, July 24, 2015

Incessant Divigation


“CLINT EASTWOOD, THE GREAT UNIFIER” 
by Rick Jones, Husband of the Minister's Wife

I'm not known for “high brow” tastes. When Lois and I married, she brought to our new home a massive hardbound volume of The Complete Works of Shakespeare. I had an oversized paperback edition of The Annotated Dracula. And at least six dozen Perry Mason mysteries. The closest thing to “classic literature” I owned was probably A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. And I hadn't opened it, I just owned a copy.

Our film preferences weren't exactly compatible, either. It wasn't just the usual “chick flick vs. guy stuff” scenario. Almost every year, our anniversary activities include going to a movie. Our anniversary is next week [WA-HOO! THIRTY-ONE YEARS]. The “which movie” discussion has been going on since July 2nd and is still not resolved.

The argument – I mean, discussion – never gets heated, though, because we're used to it. We go through the same process at home over television shows every week. She likes several British comedies on PBS, mysteries with Jane Marple and Hercules Poirot, Midsomer Murders, and can barely wait for the next season of Downton Abbey. The only British TV series I really enjoy are some of the Sherlock Holmes shows and Monty Python's Flying Circus.

So, you're wondering [if you read the title for this article], how does Clint Eastwood fit into the picture?

One thing we always agreed on watching were Clint Eastwood movies. If I'd suggest something with Charles Bronson or Boris Karloff, Lois's first response would be a grimace. But Eastwood films were fine. I thought it meant there was a glimmer of hope that she would one day appreciate the finer points of John Wayne westerns and Abbott and Costello comedies.

Years later, Lois “confessed” that she'd had a teen-age crush on Clint Eastwood. She used to dream that some day she would marry someone who resembled one of Clint's movie characters. My reaction was, “So, I guess that goes to show that sometimes, dreams do come true.”

She didn't seem amused. She probably spent the rest of that day wondering if I knew the difference between Clint Eastwood and Jerry Lewis.

 * * * 
* LOIS: * 
* HAPPY 31st ANNIVERSARY! * 
* * *

[Readers, if you reply to this article, feel free to mention that Marvel's Ant Man movie sounds incredibly romantic.]

18 comments:

  1. Wow, 31 years! Happy Anniversary! My husband almost always gets to pick our date movies, but mostly because it's hard to enjoy one of my picks over the sound of his snoring! ;-)

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    1. Thanks!! Sometimes it is hard to believe it has been that long. he generally gets the final say in movies, but I can deal with ones he likes better than he can with ones I like!

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  2. Ant Man could good choice to split the difference ...

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    1. Thanks a lot, Bro. You know how often Lois takes YOUR advice. Guess I'll be snoring through the Minions movie.
      Yes, readers, that's a note from my brother, who was mentioned in last Tuesday's "bonus" article. The picture by his post isn't clear, but I'm sure you can get a better look by going to fbi10mostwanted.gov

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  3. Wow my 4 year anniversary is coming up. 31 years is amazing!! They do say that opposites attract. =-)

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    1. Opposites attract . . . maybe that's why people say that Lois and I have a strange and wonderful relationship. Then they tell me she's wonderful. What are they implying about me?

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  4. 31 years, kudos to you both! We can only agree on one show too!

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    1. I think if we did agree more often I would be worried! LOL!

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  5. I love how you can make light of it, even if she doesn't. lol I just watched a Clint Eastwood movie tonight on Netflix - Changeling. It was really good and Clint makes no appearance in it, so there's that option for ya!

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    1. I make light of it too!! He's doing a good job of making me look like the bad guy here! LOL!!

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  6. I knew that would be the punch line! LOL. Advance Happy Anniversary to the both of you.

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    1. Thank you very much! Sometimes he can be very predictable!

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  7. 31 years is WOW! Advance Happy Anniversary! Hope you enjoy your day.

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    1. I'm sure we will! We have some special plans made and we are looking forward to them!

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  8. Happy Anniversary! 31 years is such a great accomplishment, I just celebrated 15!

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    1. Thank you! These days 31 years does seem like a big accomplishment! but when you put your all in to your marriage, it's pretty easy!

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  9. Funny! My husband and I are the same. We have way different tastes but we have a few shows and things we like to do together.

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    1. I think a lot of couples are like that. It would get pretty boring if we all liked the same thing.

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