(Continued from page 3)

watch!
• I think we hit one of those impasses.
• Walking into the house, I was hit with the horrific smell of broccoli cooking on the stove. I do not know if you ever smelt such a smell as that but if you are not prepared for it and even if you are prepared for it, it can smack you in the face like you have never been smacked in the face before.
• When I came to myself and gathered what little composure I could find, I queried the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage who was in the kitchen.
• "What is that awful smell?"
• "I don't know, have you taken a shower yet?"
• After being married for 42 years, I know when to respond to a question and when not to. I knew if I responded to this question the way I wanted to respond to this question, the smell of broccoli would be the least of my worries at the time.
• "No," I said gathering a little bit of manliness about me, "Something in this house smells dreadful. I smelled it as soon as I walked in the door."
• Then she chuckled. I hate it when she chuckles.
• "Oh, that must be the wonderful aroma of broccoli cooking on the stove. Isn't it marvelous?"
• Adhering to my rules about questions, I tossed that one aside and opted for another one.
• "You're not cooking broccoli for supper tonight, are you?"
• I was hoping she would catch my attitude of disdain and disgust in this question.

(Continued on page 5)