KATHY MITCHELL AND MARCY SUGAR | Annie's Mailbox As 'Joe' gets older, he may be feeling less inhibited

Dear Annie: My 60-year-old husband, "Joe," has an obsession with nudity. He has been after me to join a nudist club for the past five years. I've told him he can join, but the rules say if you are married, you must join as a couple.
Meanwhile, he takes every chance to be nude, including a recent walk in the forest. We were on an isolated trail and Joe said, "You could walk around naked and no one would know." Stupidly I replied, "I dare you." So he took off everything except his shoes and walked the next two miles "au natural."
I think Joe needs psychiatric help. He is not into pornography, we have a good sex life, and he has been faithful to me for 36 years. Joe is a great husband, and he always makes me laugh, but I'm not laughing now. Need a Fig Leaf in California
Dear Fig Leaf: Most likely, Joe always enjoyed nudity but never did anything about it. Now that he is older, he may feel less inhibited. We don't believe he needs psychiatric help, although if he begins removing his clothing in more public places, we will reconsider.
It's rather sweet that Joe wants you to participate in his new hobby, and there are clubs that do not require all members to be nude. You can keep your clothes on while Joe lets it all hang out. You certainly don't have to humor him, but it might not be a bad idea to see exactly what goes on before saying no.
Dear Annie: As a volunteer girls basketball coach of 7th- and 8th-grade students for the past five years (and whose team went undefeated last season), may I offer some tips for those who are considering becoming a coach for children?
Parents believe the coach is the reason a team loses, so be prepared to be yelled at, sworn at, criticized and scorned, no matter what the outcome. Don't bother teaching any skills, because the parents have taught them everything they need to know and can coach their child from the bleachers. You will be reported to the principal every time a child doesn't get enough playing time, doesn't play the preferred position or is pulled for any reason. When parents behave this way, you can expect disrespect, defiance and apathy from the players. If I had my way, I would have a separate awards banquet for the parents of these players. Some of the awards would be:
UMVP Award -- Given to the Most Volatile Parent.
UAssistant Coach Award -- Given to the parent who broadcasts from the stands that their child will get a new Game Boy if she scores 15 or more points.
UReferee's Assistant -- For the spectator who makes calls from the stands, including vulgar or insulting remarks.
UBest Offense Award -- To the parent who calls other players nasty names.
UBest Defense Award -- To the parent who excuses her child's attendance at practices because "she already knows the game."
As much as I love coaching, this is my final year. Fed Up in UConn Territory
Dear Fed Up: Coaching is a tough business, no matter the age. (Check out the Chicago Bears.) Thanks for your tips. We hope the parents are reading and learning.
Dear Annie: My sister is deceased, and her husband, "Theo," has remarried. He and I were very close at one time, but now I see him only occasionally. I have been calling Theo my "former brother-in-law," but his new wife has asked me to stop. So what should I call him? Wondering Gal
Dear Wondering: You may call him your "late sister's husband, who has remarried." That will clarify the relationship and should satisfy the new wife.
XE-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@com-cast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, Ill. 60611.
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