From the mailbag:

Dear KTWW: What advice do you have for teacher couples who spend two entire months together?

Answer: A very good question indeed. Its an art form, especially when we relocate to a 1000 sqft cabin. We are now mid way through our 12th summer together and I was recently awarded the title #mostvaluablewifeever.

The secrets of my success?

Read a lot. This promotes silence and gives you an out when the conversation turns political after he reads the news. Works best if he also enjoys reading. Take breaks from reading to play Candy Crush and practice Spanish. “La Senora Blanca necesita mas vino tinto y palomitas”.

Be a good sport. For example, if you are on a massive losing streak preceded by an amazing winning streak, absolutely agree to a $20 side bet on one game. And if you accidentally shed a tear after realizing that you have now lost $150 dollars in two days, hold your head high, don’t swear, and pick up your book. Have another drink to  drown your sorrows, and remember: given his guilt complex, chances are he will spend the money on you anyway. 

Get sweaty. Dragging trees, fighting the bush with a set of clippers, and taking a load to the dump…you might be just easing the guilt for your lack of exercise or that bag of twizzlers, but he doesn’t need to know that. Expert tip: make sure your back seizes up the next day so you can return to full time reading.

Stay active. One shared activity a day is the recommended summer dosage. We golf, kayak, or walk the dogs. (Traditionally, we also spend many hours fishing in Manitoba. I’m glad he’s not on Facebook seeing all our fishing memories… the trauma of missing yet another summer catching pickerel is real). 

Find joy in the small things. Not every day will be a blog worthy adventure. Some days you’ll just take photos of your dogs and whatever else you can zoom in on. It does help to get a new camera.

Netflix. Find a good show for summer evenings. This year, we have Line of Duty seasons 1-5. And its okay to go to bed early and read. Early morning coffee time is so much better than late night party time.

These are just a few things to consider in your journey towards #mostvaluablewifeever and successfully hanging out for two months. #halfway #summer21 #theartofdoingnothing.