Pickles by Brian Crane for February 03, 2023

Opal has a problem.

The expected result

gee whiz!

Roscoe has a better concept of time than that!

Earl’s never going to read that newspaper if Opal keeps opening her mouth.

Start crocheting, Opal. The time will pass quickly.

must be like my mother in law, I’ve never met someone who so thoroughly despised the sound of silence! Even during a movie she never shuts up lol

Another stereotype!

One of the excellent things about Spouse is her ability to sit and enjoy her book while I do the same with mine.

My sister’s husband was like that. Once, she timed how long he was able to go without talking. It was about 30 seconds. We both laughed and he asked what we were laughing at. When we told him, he said “okay, I won’t say anything else.” That time, he stayed silent for about 60 seconds.

My mom used to remark about people who talk too much; “Must have been vaccinated with a phonograph needle!”

Earl would do best to remember the song, “Some of These Days,” here on this link sung by Sophie Tucker (who?)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3heCSPJrO70

And Earl is no Maurice Chevalier (who?)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JB5o_J7tOHQ

Two days later and he still didn’t notice.

Marriage is yelling WHAT at each other from different rooms till one of you die !

You didn’t say it, Earl, but you probably implied it!

“Motormouth” comes to mind !

“Rest of the day” just isn’t specific enough for Opal.

When I was on the grand jury and had to listen to (actually, read the transcripts to) wire taps, they would go on for an hour or two or more. Whoever says men don’t gossip doesn’t know what they’re talking about.

Is that a threat or a promise, Opal? Earl would like you quiet, so he can read his newspaper in peace.

They need to strike a balance in this or one of them is going to strike the other.

The “silence” is deafening. 8>)

Opal, go to the Fabric Shop and get off Earls case! Annoying

The mechanical clock on the wall seems to tick extra loud in the silence. The crumpling of Earl’s newspaper suddenly seems a little irritating.

I would lecture my sales people on the value of silence. It disorients people when you do not talk for 20 seconds

It has amazed me a few times when I’ve seen an old couple be seated at a table next to me, order with very few words, wait in silence, eat their meal, pay at the table and leave, without saying a word to each other. I wonder if they have nothing to say, or perhaps they are listening to the voices in their heads. (This was before talk radio) It might be routine or paying off a bet.

I have always preferred stereo to monophonic.

Although Prof Abby Kaplan wrote a book saying it was myth that women talk more than men, all married men know she was talking out of her hat.

Time does not fly with Earl!

Come on, Opal, pick up your knitting and concentrate. That will keep you quiet for a while. I know that works for me.

Those obsessed with undermining or topping others find forever unbearable.

Make him suffer, Opal!

Funny.

Just LET HER TALK……… that’ll shut ’er up (LOL)

My wife once got mad at me and stopped talking to me for a week. When I didn’t notice, she got mad and held off another week.

(I just thought she was being moody. Never did find out what she was was mad about the first time. “If you don’t know, I’m not going to tell you.” That attitude strikes me as counterproductive.)

I knew she wouldn’t last,

Baby steps Opal, baby steps.

Oh I can go longer then that, from TV show, or read a book. To comics to puzzles. It is husband who tries to bring things up for us. Unless something interesting he also like I bring up.

One of them could go to another room. I suspect it won’t be too long until Earl is more than happy to discuss his next meal.

Only an hour to go till the end of day?…

Some people, and not just, I’ve seen can’t live without taking.

My ex wife’s grandmother was like that. Her husband’s last words were, “Can I please have a bit of peace?” I found out and used it on her to great effect.

Opal needs to wind her inner clock!

Don’t show this to your wife! Or yesterday’s, or tomorrow’s.

My husband would love it if I didn’t talk to him all day. If I want to punish him I talk to him more than usual.