In a strangely generous gesture, I allowed my oldest two to wait up for their daddy last night. He didn’t get home till almost 11 P.M. Oh, and we waited supper on him.

Neither dh or I grew up eating around a kitchen table. Now it’s a pleasure we hate to forgo. So till midnight at least, there we were, laughing and shushing each other (can’t wake the toddler!) as we ate warmed up meatballs!

Poor dh had to roll out of bed at 4 A.M. this morning…this is the busy time of year for cattlemen…time to hit the pastures on horseback and gather up the dogies for shipping. And it’s been so hot. Cattle are dropping like flies. All our animals are listless, dragging. My prayers are with anyone who has to face an outdoor job in this heat. Mon-Weds all hit 105 or higher.

Anyway. My daughters, unused to such a late bedtime, are still sleeping in. So when I got up, I enjoyed the solitude. Fed toddler her banana and toast; then braced with coffee, I turned on CBS’s Early Show.

Two experts were discussing why Peter Cook would cheat on a beautiful wife like Christie Brinkley. Okay. Another celebrity split, what else is new? But two points were made that I found interesting. Rich people—income upwards of $75,000—are more likely candidates for infidelity. One of their reasons…work and money took higher priority than relationships.

Baby~I’m glad we’re poor!

Keep those picket fences in good repair. We may not make $75,000 a year but life is busy. Busy can sometimes equal distant. Distance can feel like apathy. Spouses start to feel unappreciated, insecure. And the walls around hearts start to crack, to let in forbidden sunbeams. Stay faithful.

Be proactive! Every day do the following 3 things: pray for your spouse/marriage, do something to make your spouse’s day, and lastly, on paper or online start a daily list of things you are thankful for in your spouse. Each day add to this list. Then give it to them next Valentine’s day.

Cultivate, nurture, love.

Mary