Once again, we have received a number of letters from readers in connection with problems featured on this page, as well as sharing their observations on other issues. As always, we welcome all feedback from our readers and thank you for your continued support and interest. Here is just a selection.

I’m a very happy widow

Dear Miriam,

I’m writing to offer a different angle on neighbours calling (in response to a recent letter: “I have lovely neighbours, but they call every night!”)

My late husband brought the postman, oilman, neighbours, etc, into the house for tea, and some of them had my dinner. I made a sandwich when they left. Muggins – me – fed them all.

I don’t miss any of them, or my husband either. Farmers’ wives are often treated as skivvies.

I’ve a free leg now, at 60, back in education and hardly ever at home. I was sick of my old life. I’m a very happy widow and you should do a page on that, as some are afraid to admit it. I’m not. Here’s to equality for farmers’ wives, young or older. I see it all the time.

As regards farmers working late: excuses, excuses. Half the time is spent talking to others on the road or in the field, instead of going home to help their wives!

Anne,

Very happy widow

I have baggage and I’m proud

Dear Miriam,

After nine years of a turbulent marriage, we are in the process of grounding this flight. All avenues have already been tried and failed to keep us from crash landing. But down we are, with baggage everywhere, and I will gladly round up my four little pieces of baggage, because the whole flight would have been a write-off only for the hand-held luggage: children.

I should have done a bit more research on the other manufacturer of the baggage, but I can’t complain on what she produced – it’s first class, but let’s just say she has a diesel engine and I would be petrol and they just don’t mix.

Anyway, back to the present, and browsing through personal ads, a common sentence that crops up is “no baggage, please”, and it seems to me that women are more likely to say them words. However, maybe men don’t like baggage either – but I haven’t been looking at ads from men – not yet, anyways!

Anyways ladies – yes, I have baggage and am proud of them. And have more love in my heart as a result of them.

Checking in – not yet checking out!

A different take on “bully”

Dear Miriam,

At present we hear many stories of bullying – in the workplace, on the roads, and in the schools – and to be called a bully is a very serious and unwelcome name.

But when I was growing up and on holiday with my grandmother, she would get me to do some jobs for her around the house or in the garden. When I was finished, she always said “you are a bully girl”, and this was the greatest praise she could give me. How the word has changed in meaning!

Emerald Green

Supporting young people in times of stress

Dear Miriam,

Mike here from Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health.

I just wanted to drop you a line by way of thanks for recommending to a recent concerned parent that her daughter drops into one of our Jigsaw services to support her with her exam stress.

It is great to add to our list of referrers.

Many thanks, and if you ever require any more information on Jigsaw, please do let me know.

(Miriam adds: Just to remind readers, Jigsaw is a free, non-judgemental and confidential mental health service for young people aged 12 to 25, with supports in 13 centres nationwide. Jigsaw also provides advice and guidance for anybody who is concerned about a young person in their life. For further information and details of a centre near you, visit www.jigsaw.ie.) CL