Marriage, The Fascinating Way

Scarecrow and Mrs. King From 1983 to 1987, Warner Brothers produced this four year program for TV which was shown weekly on CBS.  Since January of this year, it has been shown nationwide, five days per week on Pax TV, at 5:00 Eastern, 4:00 Central time. Since July it has also been shown Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 pm Eastern, 10:00 Central.

I would like to announce that a new series will begin September 1.  The first episode is titled “The First Time.”  To tell you a little about the show:

It’s the story of a suburban housewife, Amanda King, a divorcee with two young sons and a live-in-mother who, quite by accident, becomes involved in helping a federal agent, Lee Stetson, a sleek bachelor spy (Scarecrow is his code name) solve a mystery.  Although she is not a skilled operator like Scarecrow, she has such a gift for cracking mysteries that the federal agency hires her part time as an undercover civilian and Scarecrow’s partner.

The episodes are well written, well directed and the acting superb!  However, it is not for dramatic skill and good acting that I am recommending it, although it is all of that.  The show supports the most basic principles taught in Fascinating Womanhood and is a wonderful tool for learning its concepts.  I encourage all women who are serious students of Fascinating Womanhood to “make time” for this program.  Men also might learn a few important things – things they may have overlooked before. 

How does the show support FW?  For one thing, it glorifies the housewife, not the career woman.  Amanda is a devoted mother to her two young sons. When you peek inside her home, as you do occasionally, you see evidence that she is a domestic goddess –  feminine and homey touches placed here and there, with the very best of taste. Even in one of her spy situations she manages to hang soft blue curtains in the kitchen.  Amanda is an ideal woman, from a man’s point of view.

She is angelic, kind, serving and caring, with longsuffering patience and a strong moral character – yet with a human side too – feminine and refined, sparkling and childlike, not easily pushed around – the kind of woman men adore, as Scarecrow eventually does.  There are little incidents throughout the episodes which reveal her good character.  For example, at one point she has lunch with a male friend who gives her a ring which he calls a “friendship ring.”   When Scarecrow sees it he is infuriated and says gruffly, “This is a concubine ring!!  Where did you get it?  Who gave it to you?  What’s his name?" Instead of retaliating with “It’s none of your business,” as would be ones natural tendency, she said sweetly, “You shouldn’t be talking to me this way.”

And Scarecrow is the kind of man women adore – handsome, masculine, protective and brave, willing to risk his life for Amanda – and others in danger, as the show so often portrays.  Before meeting Amanda he has lived a rather worldly life, but she manages to see the finer side in him, a side he definitely has, for although it is obvious he was not brought up in a “Sunday school” environment, he proves to be more of a Christian than many who were.

Another thing I like about the show:  The love story develops slowly and naturally.  At the time the show was so popular, back in the 1980s, the press attributed its success to the explosive chemistry between the two main characters - Lee and Amanda.  The press put it this way: It may offer some of the most implausible plots in the history of television, but it’s co-stars have the kind of explosive chemistry that would worry a high school chemistry teacher. Another press release stated:  You are absolutely sure that these kinds of things don’t just happen.  Yet they are carried off with such insouciance and style that it doesn’t matter.

In my opinion the chemistry between the two co-stars, which I admit exists, does not arise from the Hollywood lust we see in so many movies of today, but from mutual appreciation, respect and finally complete trust between Lee and Amanda, the feelings that awaken the deeper feelings of true love, which is so well portrayed by these two talented actors.  The part of Scarecrow (Lee Stetson) is played by Bruce Boxleitner and Amanda King is played by Kate Jackson. 

Comments from Grateful Readers:

“I want to say “thank you” to the author, Mrs. Andelin.  This book has turned my life around.  I am divorced and after reading this book I see all of my errors.  Now I have set about to change myself and get back the love of my good husband I lost because of myself.  The author was inspired of God.  This should be taught before marriage.  It is excellent!!  Thank you.“

“Hi!  I just finished reading FW.  I love it!  I have learned so much that I really didn’t know.  I didn’t know how to be a woman, period.  I knew how to be a workhorse, in control and a doormat.  No more!  You can’t believe how helpless I’ve become and I love it!”   - Virginia

Partners:

If you are finding it difficult to live the teachings of Fascinating Womanhood you may want to consider finding a partner.  Partners can offer support to one another and help each other “keep on track.” With a little time it can grow into a small group, which is even better.  If you need a partner, send us your name and email address and we will post it on this web site:

“I am looking for a Fascinating Womanhood class or someone interested in working on FW here in Greenville, South Carolina.”  Nancy Walton at natewalton@prodigy.net

“I am submitting a request for a partner to help me live the teachings of Fascinating Womanhood.  If you know of a partner I can correspond with through email, letters or phone calls I would love to have one.”  Hope Stephens   88armh@state.nd.us

“I would like to have a Partner.”   Roseanne   WomanOfSoftness@aol.com

FW Class Beginning:

We will be starting a class the end of August, perhaps August 31 in Jennings, Louisiana.  Anyone interested can contact me:  Mary Ellen Sweeney:    npmom@cfweb.com