I love it, I am knee deep in snow, drinking hot chocolate and eating rice cakes as I ponder the answers of those whom have trusted me to empower them, holding the balance of people's life in my hands! I may be going Mad! Well if you are mad or just have a question, send it to me at Dear.Daisy@sbcglobal.net or send it by the always stable USPS to BOI Magazine c/o Dear Daisy 3708 N. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60613. Now I shall have another hot toddy and you shall get all up in other people's business.

Dear Daisy,
Although it is a long story I'll get to the point quickly.

I have been married for four years. The last three have been very difficult for me. I have two small children. I don't love my wife as I should and I feel divorce is in the future. However, I can't stand the thought of being away from my children. I know that there would be a great custody battle and I'm not sure how badly this would affect the children. It won't be good for anyone but I feel that this is the future.

My question is: should I stay married for the children and hide my feelings?

Signed,
Bummed in Bucktown

Dear Bummed,
If you believe you can't hide your feelings from your children, maybe you shouldn't have had them in the first place. Children know everything. Their minds are like the Borg, sucking in every experience and piece of knowledge and assimilating it. Besides, I suspect the most damage done to children during a divorce is when the parents refuse to behave like adults. For all the talk I hear about concern for the kids, not only from you but from many divorced couples, you'd think more of them would have managed to put their petty, immature differences aside and work out some kind of agreement for the sake of the children.

It's only as bad as you and your wife (and I am going out on a limb here) make it.

Dear Daisy,
Dude, you printed my STORY!!!!! But Hey I am NOT gay. Not even close. Bud, I am as hetero as a Texas Longhorn in a field full of heifers in October during a rainstorm on a Tuesday, in the morning.

Thanks man,
Dave

Dear Dave,
That's pretty damn hetero. Not that there's anything wrong with being gay, either. By the way, if you ever refer to me as dude again, I'll personally shove that Longhorn up yer'ass.

Dear Daisy,
I am looking for a dog that doesn't shed. Are there any?

Signed,
Zack

My dearest Zack,
I bet you are a pretty one, aren't you? I spent a good portion of my time last week watching the Westminster Dog Show on America's network, TBS, simply to answer your question and I all saw were odd looking folks touching their dogs in places I don't think dogs care to be touched. It all made me wonder if these folks weren't a little whacked with their incessant prancing around the ring with pooch in tow.

But to answer your question, poodles don't shed. And they're smart. As a matter of fact, poodles have written half the columns you find in this magazine.

Dear Daisy,
Did I date you about two years ago, just around this time? Is that you?

Signed,
Jessica

Dear Jessica,
I can be anyone you want, lover.