No difference between men & boys

It's good to stay young at heart. It's great to keep a youthful outlook on life. It's wonderful to keep your sense of humor when everybody else is losing their temper.

It is wise, however, to admit when you've had enough and cannot accomplish things you excelled at 20 years ago.

Women realize this. We know when it's time to make a change. Hoop skirts and corsets went out of style many years ago. Now it's business suits for the professional woman and sweatsuits for their time away from work. We don't wear our hair in pigtails, chew bubble gum or take disco lessons any more. We have matured with the times.

I believe the entire male species is one large college fraternity, refusing to grow up. A successful businessman can be very proper from 9 to 5 and, magically, transform into an 18-year-old prankster at 5:01. Is this good? It is for them. It keeps them young. At least, they think it does.

But what about the women who have to live with this after hours and on the weekends? Is it causing us to age faster than nature meant? Possibly, but we have no visible proof. Just because your husband brings home a stray puppy from the golf course does not mean you have grounds to commit him. Even though he promises to take care of the pet himself, which you know will last approximately two days.

Do you get chills up and down your spine when you hear the words, "Don't worry, honey, I'll fix the washer myself. It'll be just like new" A new what? Racing engine for the Indy 500?

What's a female to do? Put them on restriction for a month? Take the Nintendo away? Threaten to throw out their favorite pair of underwear? Take your pick.

Just remember that if you put them on restriction, you might be punishing yourself. Throwing out the underwear is a better bet.

(Pat Fickle is a Martinez resident.)