Dear Tired: Suggest your husband talk to his doctor. There could be an impediment making it difficult for him to release his jaw and throat after a yawn. Controlling it in public may require a lot of effort that he isn't willing to expend at home. If, however, this is just a bad habit, he will need some "retraining." Either exaggerate your response ("You sound terrible! I'm calling the doctor!") or ignore him.

Dear Annie:I was tickled to read the letter from "Not Lazy and Married to Her Son," whose mother-in-law takes over during visits, implying that "Not Lazy" lacks housekeeping and cooking skills. She should count her blessings and, as you said, let Mom take over while she goes out and enjoys herself.

My mother-in-law was the opposite. She never lifted a finger, although she subtly criticized my housekeeping and made snide remarks about the food. Her son was oblivious, but I noticed the little smirk on her face when she said these things. She is dead now and no longer a worry. Friends say if she got to heaven, she's finally happy, but I bet she would find something to complain about there, too.

— Canaan, Conn.

Happy Canada Day to all our readers north of the border.

Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611.

© Creators Syndicate, Inc.