Since the beginning of the world, we wives of traditional bow-and-arrow-making husbands have had the eternal dilemma of them taking over the house. Where is the limit? The garage? The kitchen? What happens when they invade the living room?

I am sure that if the researchers were just married women, they would probably explain the real meaning of the pictograms that were painted on the wall of every cave since the beginning of humanity. 685a.jpg

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I think it´s time to establish some limits in order to keep the best relationship between women and bow and arrow makers. I propose the following rules:

  1. Darling, if you are going to sand the shaft of your new arrow, please vacuum afterwards! Note: This rule applies even when you work in the backyard, or on the balcony. It is not okay to sand (or do similar activities) in the living room, even if you promise to sweep when you are done.
  2. You can chew all the sinew you want…but please, never in front of the kids! How do you suppose I can teach them not to put every disgusting thing they find in their mouths?
  3. If you intend to shoot from the front door, through all the living room, to the target on the back patio, you may do it. Just be sure to move the furniture and the people around so that you don’t hit them. Note 1: This permission expires the first (yes, the very first) time you shoot my walls! Note 2: Blow guns are not included until you prove to be as good with the blow gun as you are with your bow. (Do not insist!)
  4. Love of my life, the bedroom is our sanctuary. If we do not let the children come and watch TV there, how could you imagine I will allow you to hang your bow, arrows and quiver on the wall behind the bed?
  5. You can show me every piece of cane you get, describing to me their properties: how straight they are, how long you will have to wait until they are dry, the beauty of the color, etc… I promise to listen to you carefully. Just do not ask me to get emotional to tears when you make (for the thousandth time) the perfect shaft…. Honestly, I can´t.
  6. Please, from time to time, use your extraordinary skills to fix my shoes, which need the soles re-glued. Every time you do something like that, you may win a free ticket to use the stove to melt your stinky glue, even if it’s just before dinner time!
  7. We do not have to stop on the side of the road every time we see a dead bird big enough to “recycle” its feathers. What if we stop every other time? That would give us the opportunity to be on time in 50% of the cases. I also ask that you put the carcass in the trunk (in a double plastic bag, of course) and you take care of it immediately after we get home–never the next morning. I do not want the police knocking on our door because of the smell coming from the car. Let’s remember that the car is now parked on the street because the garage is already taken by you!
  8. I love you, and I love that you love archery, but I never will be Merida (the archer princess from Brave). When our youngest child starts school, I will attempt to practice archery more often with you.

685c.jpg Wives of archers, I have a big request of you. If you love your husband as much as I do love mine, please write to me. Maybe together we will find a new clue to understand this passion that has turned men a little silly since the age of the caves.

Email Ceci at ceci.artusi@ex-cle.com