Thanks Ortho.
I wouldn't think so Sarge. You're only ever lovely.
The thing that actually caused the blow up was the comment I made about how I should have married a tradesman, and then suggested I should have an affair with one instead.
I wondered why he had all of a sudden started mowing the grass etc, but why he seemed to be doing it, not because it's the right thing, but because he expected me to say something about it. Turns out he's been reading my posts here lately and saw some offhand comments he didn't like, so instead of talking to me about it, he stewed on it for weeks until it all came out in a vitriolic attack, full of accusations that anyone in their right mind knew couldn't be true. So, I will try not to say dumb stuff anymore, but that probably wont work, because that's who I am. I make jokes about things that bother me. A joke is a joke though. He for some reason felt it would affect his professional reputation. That's what he said anyway. I explained to him that if I'm posting anonymously, then how can that possibly be true. I explained to him about how I vent with you people because you are all so far away, have no real life ties to either of us other than those we generate through the mail from time to time, so really, it's the perfect place. I explained to him how you people are for the most part, educated, sensible, witty people who I enjoy interacting with on a fairly regular basis. Then I asked if he wanted to take that away from me too.
Why am I saying all this? I don't know. Still trying to process it I think. Maybe I will get some counselling too. It is probably unreasonable to expect you guys to fix this problem for me, and unlikely that I'll be able to do it myself. Anyway, I just want you all to know that none of you have ever said or done anything inappropriate. Even when a few of you have made a few lewd comments from time to time, I have always known they were just for fun. I have never read anything more than friendship into any of my relationships here.
You people are important to me. None of you need to change anything about how you interact with me. I'll have to come over there and kick your arses if you do.