32 Comments

Eric, you have bravely ventured into the minefield of writing about your mother-in-law while she is still with us. But then, she is still 'non-English speaking', so you should be safe enough. I liked your candid admission that she is over twenty years your junior, and your rather humorous description of yourself as 'an elderly man in graceful decline' - a bit like myself in fact! As for her impending first visit to the States after all these years, I hope it goes really well for all of you. Not doubt you'll have her speaking almost fluent English in an American accent by the time she is ready to leave. Or else, of course, she might decide to stay forever! Well done for writing such an enjoyable read!

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Thanks for reading and commenting, Martin. And for your perception of my intended humor. You'll have to check back in with me -- in a month or two!!!!

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Yes, I will do that, just to see if you're back to singing 'The Sound of Silence' again.

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One of my FAVORITE songs!!!!!

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I laughed a lot at this post. You seemed surprised by having a mother in law and less than enthusiastic about the 4 month stay.but didn’t anyone ever tell you that when you get hitched it comes with that person’s family? Like it or not so kick in back and enjoy those 4 looong months. Maybe she’s a great cook and you’ll at least eat well and enjoy interesting conversations even if you can’t speak her language

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Books are not your metier.

This kind of writing is.

I haven’t read anyone who’s better at it.

Perhaps pick a them- travel comes to mind- and put together a collection of your essays.

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I’ve never been able to find a publisher. I just don’t have the thick skin like I used to to self publish.

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I didn’t mean I’d be listening for the first time, as if it were a new discovery.

I’ve heard it ten thousand times and know the words by heart!

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“IRRRRRRA-in-Law. 🎶IRRRRRRRRA-in-Law🎶🎶🎶🎶

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You are the most diligent, hard-working writer I know.

Your energy practically jumps off the page.

It’s truly inspirational.

I’m gonna listen to that song right now!

Ira

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Great song. You’ll be singing it all night.🤠

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And you are my delusional best fan. Because I still don’t have a published book and many other beautiful writers have many. Yet I remember “comparison is the death of creativity.“

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Best of luck with a visit from ANYONE in your home for 4 long months! Luckily for me my mother in law was far far away in chile 🇨🇱

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As my dermatological surgeon said, “it’s not too bad.“😂😇

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I wrote to your e-mail, so answer me this Tara

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Congratulations on a truly cross-cultural marriage.I agree with

Carter, enjoy the food! Just had to point out that Japanese Americans in the U.S were not interred but interned (or imprisoned, or locked up) during WW II.Many walked out alive and some may still be alive now.

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Good to hear from u, Maggie. Did Carter send u my post or are u subscribed? Thanks for the clarification on the word, but actually, unless someone else mentions it, I think I'll keep "interred", which sounds WORSE than "interned", like they all had summer jobs. (Not so funny!!)

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Carter's post turned up next to mine when I selected ."comment." If you ask the people imprisoned in those camps I doubt they would want to be viewed as dead and buried. Confined,imprisoned, forced to labor as slaves, all preferable to buried.

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I got it now, Maggie. I will correct it.

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...day after day the sun...knock on the sky and listen to the sound...ride your horse along the edge of the sword; hide yourself in the middle of flames...appreciation is an excellent thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us, as well...

F🙃

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Nice work, Trules. Fun stuff, especially Surya's comments. Enjoy trying to connect with them, maybe you'll even learn a few words in their language. Good to hear they'll see the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas and L.A.

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Thanks, Pagano! Perhaps your Grumpy Old Man should meet my Mother-in-Law?

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Imagine the dinner conversation...

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I really CAN!!!!

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Xan is having mother in law issues.

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Sorry to hear it. MILs are NOT gender discrimiators

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Mother-in-laws are so important. Enjoy while it lasts. Governments are also important so enjoy them while they last. I lost my MIL exactly one year ago. I learned so much about her in the last 2 years. Thanks for another entertaining post and the perspective.

Now to the unimportant things you love. Spelling!

Isand

Not quite ready ready to jump

I know that there of lots of guys

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Apparently, I have a lot to learn about mothers in law. Thanks, for your spellcheck, as always. But i’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean about “a lot of guys and ready to jump”. I’m sure you will explain.

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Those are 3 things to check. Your sentence is “Now, ok… don’t get me wrong… I know that there of lots of guys who just LOVE their mother-in-laws.” I think “of” should be “are”.

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Yes, Edit Coach, thanks! THIS was the first post where Substack didn't offer me a SPELL CHECK, and I'm afraid that I did a TERRIBLE job myself. So from now on: WORD"s spell check BEFORE I POST. When I put this one in, it found about 15 more spelling ERRORS. What a lame-ass writer!!!!

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Are you older than your mother in law too?? And how much older?

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I am. But I don’t know precisely by how much because - no one seems to know Opung’s exact or real age! Lol

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