Dear Grandma;
I love my boyfriend dearly, but, he passes gas and burps a lot. He loves me a lot and I want to be with him always but sometimes it's very difficult.  What should I do?  Love Embarrassed.

Dear Embarrassed;
Your boyfriend should seek medical advice.  These "problems"  are often not too difficult to correct.  Watch his diet.  Good relationships are seldom easy.  Sometimes, we have to take the bad with the good.  I compare it to when your in laws arrive bearing gifts!  I know you will work it out.  Try going with him for a long walk after meals so he'll be pooped out!.
Love Grandma            Copyright 1998

Dear Grandma;
I am a pleasantly plump (185 lbs) 35 (+) year old woman.  My boyfriend (225 lbs and same height as I am), dumped me because I'm so fat.  He said not to call him unless I lose the weight.  Do you think I should?        Pleasantly Plump in Prince George
Dear P.P. in P.G.;
Sounds to me like you just lost a lot of weight. DEAD weight! (225 lbs worth to be exact.)  I wouldn't call but perhaps you could mail him a thank you card.  You are now free to experience true love.  If you decide to lose the weight, do it for YOU, not for him.
Love Grama            Copyright 1998

DEAR GRAMA;
I WANT TO ASK A PERSONAL QUESTION THAT I AM AFRAID TO ASK MY MOM OR MY OWN GRANDMA.  I HOPE YOU WON'T FIND IT OFFENSIVE, BUT I REALLY WANT TO KNOW THE ANSWER.  HERE GOES.  GRANDMA, WHAT DID WOMEN DO BEFORE THE DAYS OF TAMPONS AND WINGS?  I'VE ASKED SOME OF MY FRIENDS BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW.                LOVE, CURIOUS

Dear Curious;
Thanks for your letter and most interesting question.  I understand your curiosity, well.  (I remember being a little uncomfortable, asking, my own grandmother, the same question.)  Don't feel silly. You are not the first to ask me and I'm certain you will not be the last. In "my" day, we did have some rather bulky tampons, but tampons none the less.  Most of us discovered tampons on our own, usually from a friend.  My mother had never heard of tampons and thought "pads" were perfectly appropriate.  The pads were very thick and bulky and afforded little, other than direct, protection.  Wings, as you know them,  were unheard of.  My grandmother reminded me how lucky we were to have those big, bulky pads.  She told me that, in  her day, they used rags, filled with dried moss.  The moss was thrown away and the rags were boiled and washed, to be used repeatedly. I am sure that what I am about to add is more information than you were asking for, but for history's sake, I will share.  It is my understanding that some families made use of the soiled moss, believe this or not, for bait to hunt wild animals.!  I think it would be interesting for you to ask your own grandmother, too.  Who knows?  We are a creative lot.  She may even enjoy a romp down memory lane.  You decide.
Love, Grama                        Copyright 1998