] The section of Ch 2 dealing with the five successful marriages and showing the differing levels of closeness and coping strategies was very interesing to me. The Gossips (what a name!) were very cute, but my favorite couple was the Ramsdens.

My favorite one were the Gossips, they were so romantic, even after all those years...very touching. I know no couple who is like that-I think such strong, passionate (and lasting!) love is a very rare gift indeed. Yet I also liked the Ramsdens and their witty banters-did one of you get how old Betty Ramsden was when she married?

Ramsden was about 52, as far as I recollect? Betsy can't have been that old since they had many children. But she had called herself an old spinster.

Kerstin