Screenland Plus TV-Land (Jul 1959 - May 1960)

some pretty definite ideas about marriage ; for one thing, her husband would be absolute boss I realize, of course, that there will be complications because of my career. So what I just said will depend on my availability. But my work will be the only thing that might stand in the way of any sudden departure. Although I want my husband to make all major decisions concerning our lives, such as where we ought to live, whether or not to go out at night, what kind of vacation to take, there's one prerogative I'll insist on: to keep my old friends, f It's rare enough to have close friends in the first place. I certainly wouldn't want to give up the ones I have. And it can happen. It did happen to a friend of mine who was married a few months ago. Her husband is quite a bit older than she is, and from an entirely different background. His people and her people somehow didn't mix, and from the very beginning he made it quite clear that she would have to adjust herself to him. She had to entertain 'his friends two and three times a week, without being able to see hers at all. She agreed to it reluctantly. It soon became a sore point in their marriage. I have a feeling that it may develop into one of the reasons as to why it won't work out. I don't think any husband has the right to demand this kind of sacrifice. AT THE same time, I know of one sacrifice I would not ask of my husband — to put on an apron and be domesticated. If he would like to come in the kitchen and fix something, or barbecue, or do anything else that he wants to do out of his own free will, fine. But I would no more demand it of him anymore than he should expect me to nail up a garage door or fix a leaky water faucet. I don't even like to keep house! I like cooking, as long as I can make what I choose, but I don't like to clean up the mess I make in the kitchen — but I do, reluctantly. Like last Christmas, when I fixed a goose. Mom said it was the best she's ever eaten. On the other hand, a couple of weekf later, our maid was off, and Mom and I were too tired to go out. She had a headache and asked if I would mind fixing up something for dinner. I figured a meat loaf would be the easiest dish. It didn't turn out too hadly, which is more than I can say for the sauce. No matter what I added, it remained sticky. I finally opened a can of peaches and poured it over the meat loaf. It was an original idea — but not very satisfying. I'm not sure that a husband will be as understanding ahout it as my mom. However, I feel certain that I would make a very good mother, because I love children. And helieve me, I've been up against some pretty despairing situations with my nephew Sergei, with whom I baby sat the last time I went to New York. Sergei is four. As his aunt, I can truthfully say he is a lovable little monster. Ten teenaged delinquents would be easier to handle than he. Right now he worships Zorro. He mimics him, in his own way, whenever he has a chance. And I want to tell you the result can be quite disastrous. While I was looking at television, believing that Sergei was busy with his coloring book, I suddenly heard a funny slicing noise. For a while I ignored it, but then became suspicious and rushed into the living room, where I found my little nephew carving up the furniture with a knife. '"I'm Zorro," he screeched at the top of his voice. ''You're a naughty little boy,"' I said angrily. "Now promise you won't do that again?" Sergei promised with tears in his eyes, and my heart melted. His mother was hardly pleased, to say the least, when she found her home in a state of semi-destruction. But she did forgive him. knowing her own son! continued on page 65 MARRIED or not, Sandra says she will go right on working, if at all possible. SANDRA will insist upon one prerogative when she is married: that's the right to keep her old friends. ONE sacrifice Sandra wouldn't ask of her husband would be to put on an apron and be domesticated.