There's something about a widower . . . he's vulnerable and oh, so, sexy?

The February Edition. Love. Lust. Legos.

We're back from a summer of kids, dogs, houses and husbands. And we're talkin' politics, specifically why a certain governor from Alaska gets our goat (or caribou.)

My Space? Facebook? Blogs? We put all our most intimate details out into cyberspace for anyone and everyone to see. What's up with that? Carolyn's tales from the frontlines of substitute teaching. And, tit for tatt.

Join us as we discuss the sexual frustration of Mary Todd Lincoln, the FIRST first lady, and discuss an article titled "What's Wrong with Staying Single?" Along the way, we'll veer into such topics as: Abe Lincoln, gay or not?; fear of sex; why john's of the Wild West married prostitutes; why society views singles more negatively than marrieds; and a reminder to married listeners on how to set up your household to ensure you have more sex.

Are you thinking, Enough already with the Presidential Elections?! Now hang on just a gol-darn minute -- SMWD needs to take on the candidates first! Here we go, putting on our pundit caps...just 10 months to go....

Kit, Carolyn and Mel discuss the politics of going gray, a new relationship category and ask the question: How do you know when you are happy?

GOOD VIBRATIONS The shocking history of vibrators -- from appliance manufacturer Hamilton Beach, to nun movies, to Mrs. Vic Tanny. This week, "Single Married Widowed Divorced" discusses Slate.com's October sex issue. (Pssst.....in 1927, there were more vibrators than toasters in America!)

Wait a minute. Can anyone ever be "just" married? We don't think so. Being married takes too much work to be just married. That's like saying "I'm only married." Doesn't really roll off the tongue. This month there's a lot of advice that's handed out about maids of honor, gifts, fighting and finding time for s-e-x when there's a house full of teenagers who never seem to go to bed or get off the sofa.

Can you sell sex toys and still be a good Catholic? Is it okay to start dating again if your spouse has Alzheimer's? And what's the best tool for urban gardening -- a hoe or a syringe?

Who thought this would happen in middle age to middle class women? One of us is in tears after breaking the bank on a dress... one of us just lost her job...one of us is changing her marital status. And did you know the Queen travels with funeral attire at all times?

Kit, Carolyn and Mel discuss Speed Dating in the fast lane and how The Secret relates to parallel parking.

Spring is in the air and Carolyn is on the floor with an attack of vertigo, which led to the question: Do men handle sickness of a significant other differently than women do? And, while we're at it, what does it mean when several bad things happen to a person while wearing the same pair of pajamas? And why would anyone become a substitute teacher?

Need we say more? No. In fact, we should have said less. But, what the hell, it's only a podcast.

It's the New Year! A time for new beginnings which means that somethings might have to end, like a relationship. But, how do you know when it's over? When clinging is involved? Loss of one's dignity? Listen in as SMWD dissects the when, the how and the why of relationship termination.

From celebrating the winter solstice instead of Christmas, to serving (gasp!) a different cranberry sauce, SMWD has stories this week of creating new holiday traditions and tweaking old ones.

You start out an S and may become an M. If you do, you're almost certain to become a W or a D. But some of us will end up being all of the above. Listen to one woman's compelling story of being SMW & D.

Do you want to spend Eternity wearing pantyhose? Or would you rather spend your Eternal Rest in a nice pair of comfy pajamas? Listen in as Kit, Carolyn and Mel discuss their plans from here to eternity in this week's SMWD podcast.

• Men prefer silent attention • Men are rarely as stirred by deep thoughts…as they are by the fun going on around the piano • Offer him a tasty hotdog These, and more tips for single gals, when we read from a 1949 "Woman’s Day" article, “How to be a Girl.� (Which appeared in the same issue as “Lard for Baking� and “Waltz Me Around.)

Listen in as the women of SMWD discuss potential podcast ideas, then dish about male listeners, chocolate as a cure for PMS, and the unexpected dangers of plastic surgery.

Mel Miskimen and Retired Therapist Mary Olen discuss, dissect and define the five stages of marriage.

"I'm addicted to 'The Knot,' " a bride-to-be tells us. Meanwhile, a mother-to-be says that "The Baby Center" has made her feel like a bad mom -- months before her baby is due. Move over grooms and expectant fathers and make room for the new hotty in your relationship: the Internet.

You can outsource it, share it, resist it. Just don't let it get in your way!

After 25 years of marriage a husband goes on a diet. Hmmm. Why? Could it be that he is worried about his cholesterol? Or could it be that he wants to replace his wife just like he's replacing his trans fats?

If you're a dog lover, listen in and say, "Phew! I'm not the only one!" If you're not a dog lover, get an earful as our guests talk about sleeping with and kissing their dogs, and what their dogs do better than their spouses and children.

Extra, extra, hear all about it -- Singles are happy and taking over the world, but polygamists are agitating for their rights. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, ducks and geese, maybe even loons, are monogamous.

Can true love be found next to the frozen peas? Can you find a soul mate
in the cereal isle? Find out as SMWD scans the produce aisle during a Singles Night at the local grocery store. Actor and comedian, John McGivern tells his story about how he found love with ten items or less.

A tightwad. A smoker. Wears large, gold chains. Lives with Mom. Women share their dealbreakers when it comes to choosing a partner.

SMWD gleans the media and discusses Eddie Munster's sexual prowess, Christie Brinkley's situation and asks questions like: How many divorces does it take before one is labeled "unclean?" If you find yourself suddenly single, should you revisit a high school or college romance? And, what the heck is a Martini Marriage?

SMWD The One -- Is there just one true love and soulmate out there for each of us? And what happens if you pick the wrong one?

Duty or fun? Which would you choose if you had five days to yourself...no children, no partner. SMWD's first male guest reveals what he did the minute his wife and son boarded a plane. Meanwhile, women guests tell us the first thing they'd do if they were home alone.

SMWD asks Sister Immaculata, "How's that marriage to Jesus going?"

Does a daughter's relationship with her father set the pattern for all her significant relationships with men? SMWD finds out. And Mel Miskimen reads a story from her book, about just how hard it is to enjoy the school dance when you're a COP'S KID.

Our circle of friends is shrinking dramatically in America. Typically, our circles start shrinking after our 20s. If you find yourself wanting new friends, you're not alone.

Sexual orientation: 3.9% report being ‘Something else’ -- What exactly falls into that category? ‘Widows Weeds’ -- Should the Victorian mourning customs be resurrected? And finally there’s Sir Paul McCartney -- Where did the Cute One go wrong?? Join us as we table-talk the latest news on these hot topics.

What happens when two people can't commit – to a sofa? What's a bride-to-be to do when her intended brings an elk head into the marriage? What is it about men and their stereo systems? SMWD covers Furniture Wars.

The Universe throws us a curve ball! Stupid Universe.

SMWD takes 38-year-old single gal Jeri Vatne to Target to complete her bridal registry. However, there is no groom. In the spirit of sisterhood, let's help Jeri fill her home with pots, kitchen timers, a KitchenAid mixer, and a couple of odd items she'd just love to have. To buy Jeri a "bridal gift" or gift certificate, go to your local Target or shop online: GO TO: www.target.com CLICK ON: Club Wedd Registry ENTER BRIDE'S NAME: Jeri Vatne Fill out a card with your thoughts and we'll read them on the air. Wedding date is October 1!

After being a bridesmaid seven times, single gal Jeri Vatne, 38, has opinions on big weddings, bridesmaid dresses, and how the media treats the lost demographic of single women her age.

Fair division of household labor -- will it lead to a happier marriage and more sex? SMWD discusses the findings in Neil Chethik's book VOICEMALE.

You're getting married - should you change to your husband's name? Hyphenate? Make up a whole new name? And what happens if you get divorced - do you change back? According to SMWD's guest, Claudia Goldin, author of "Making a Name: Women's Surnames at Marriage and Beyond," today's brides aren't thinking about social change.

Marital status in the news this April 2006 includes: Single: Do other people define you by your marital status? Married: The U-shaped curve of marital happiness has been debunked. Widowed: Just say no to jumping on husband's funeral pyre. Divorced: Celebrity splits. Links to news items: SINGLE Does your marital status define you? Writer Amy Klein of the “Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles� www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=15744 Saying yes to more dates Newsday’s Pat Burson reviews “The Year of Yes� by Maria Dahvana Headley www.orlandosentinel.com/features/lifestyle/orl-yeswoman06apr24,0,4499371.story?coll=orl-living-headlines MARRIED U-shaped curve of marital happiness debunked www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&colID=19&articleID=000EC8FA-800F-13F3-800F83414B7F0101 WIDOWED India cracks down on widow burning www.metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20060425-044711-5519r

Does spelling count when you're looking for Mr. Write -- uh, make that Right. More importantly, should it? SMWD looks at true forays onto Match.com. Retired Therapist gives writing and reading tips for online daters.

Death by dildo.

Money -- it's the number one reason married couples fight, and a source of tension for many divorced and widowed women. singles, who are buying more houses than ever before, may find it hard to pay all those bills on one income. Today's show: The Retired Therapist on financial stress, what people still buy even when they're broke, and one woman's story about bill paying day.

Table Talk: Kit's just read an article in the Economist that questions if there is a deep purpose to women's unreliable orgasms. Storytime: Happily married Kit dreams of her next husband. The Retired Therapist: What's really going on when a couple finds that the romance is gone?

Carolyn calls friends and asks if they kegel. Storytime: "Kegel Me Continent." Thanks to Andy at Polarbearpodcast.com for technical help across the Atlantic. Thanks to Barry O'Connell for in-person help in southeastern Wisconsin. Barry's email is thebrb.hotmail.com

Did the sitcoms of the 1950s have it right? Should couples sleep in separate beds in order to have a good relationship?