Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-06-26
HOMEMAKKRS COLUMN.

HOMRMAKKRS COLUMN. |
ON topics Of interest 20 tie IAdise
- solicited. Address: Editor H0hn1Axnnc
CoLUU. Oxford Democrat. South Paris. No
A Business Woman's Ideas Of
Housekeeping.
sand what does she know about itp"
can hear my domestic sister ask.
It's true. I admit It. have not bad
the experience of the girl Of homo, but
at least have given the subject serious
thought and considerable observation
and experiment ation-opportunity for
experimentation forced upon me ct vari.
ous intervals by ircumstances-which 10
more, am unkind enough TO add, than
most OF them. Having presented my
qualifications In due order, / am ready
after delay long enough for small
confession to get down to my point. The
confessional don't like housework.
And now that you know oil perhaps you
may decide to 60 no further, but that is
q chance had to take, as felt my In
PRODUCTION was due you In oil honesty.
True to business woman's training OF
I have made up my subject
into five important dos for housekeep-
ers and present them with all humility
herewith:
First. Size up the situation and make
up your mind to just what degree OF per.
lection your housekeeping can be done
to preserve your strength and give you
certain amount of time for rest and the
outside interests so essentially necessary
to the health, happiness and peace OF
mind, not only of the housekeeper her,
self, but of her family. There 10 some
thing about hOusewor that makes this
break necessary, moro 80 than other
kinds of work. Perhaps IL 10 that the
mind doesn't get enough exercise along
with the body and, when the body 10 too
tired from days work to give the mind
chance, 1t takes 1t out In the form OF
depression and worry. Homework has
not the varied interest nor the stimula-
ton of the intellect of Office work 80 that
even among the most willing 1t sometimes
becomes hateful In its monotony-and
work that does not interest 10 sure to
tire. To make happy and we'll house
wife this monotony must be relieved to
some extent.
Second. Make up your mind to look
at the job as whole and not too much
in detail. Bow many woman OF mod
crate circumstances, with real desire
to do her own work, not only on account
of the saving involved but to get away
from the annoyance of having servant
around, has gone down to defeat because
she has worn herself to FRAGILE and re.
duced her family to nervous wrecks by
trying to do each separate piece OF her
work to perfection. She never gets out
side of the whole job, In Office psrlance-
she's tired out before the real test of
steady, daily work comes, discouraged,
aud positive she ia physically unable to
stand the strain. II she had gone about
it differently, she would have been doing
it yet and feeling more fit than her
neighbor who doesn't have to lift q I'm.
ger.
Done right, homework Is beautiful
more healthful than Office work. As an
example of the person who is too detail.
cd to accomplish the big whole, small
family of which l am member, were
entertaining number of guests for 9
visit with no maids in the house. Every
one was trying to get along as easily al
| possible with time to enjoy each other
Two of the guests were of the unfortu
nate female variety scheduled according
to kind of unwritten law to help thing
along. On the first morning one SHOWED
herself of the kind to get things done
The other came into the kitchen whil'
the breakfast dishes were still 10 prog
ress. She stood looking around critic
ally. Then her eye lit on some cooking
pots that had become blackened during
the stress of more important work. Sh'
saw the pots and nothing else existe'
for the moment. The long and short o
it was the lady occupied the kitchen
sink during the entire morning scrub
bling patiently and with high minded
purpose pot after pot. Result-pot
that would put any mirror to shame-n
particular service to those who had tn
big things to do, meals, dishes, beds
e'c.-very much in the way OF every
body-but perfectly satisfied with ne
efforts. As it happened there we're other
to take the burden Of the necessar
things. Otherwise a sad day for tn
family.
Third. Pick out the important thing
that have to be done well, daily, and r.
serve strength and time for them. Firs
among these Is meals. They mean NOR
to the family and yourself than anything
else, as they are what keep you going.
know of one bright and capable house
wife, who bursts forth into terrific ener
Icy Immediately upon rising in the morn
ing, and so uses up her vitality and tim
that, although the attic, cellar stairs o
china closet may be in state OF perfec
ton, an irregular meal 10 sure to follow
Too hastily prepared meals-as we'll q
other work-are not only unsatisfactor!
for the family, but make more work II
the long run, because there isn't time Il
use the head to get the best possible Of
feet out Of the least possible effort.
Fourth. Take an intelligent interes
in your work and have the proper tools
Figure out new and time saving ways
This not only saves time but makes th'
work more interesting. Sit dow
every day and plan out your work. Dom
let things just happen along any oil
way. A good many people rely on tht
inspiration of the moment, PARTICULAR!
in getting meals.
Fifth. Don't fret about 1t and dom
worry about what your next door neigh
Dor will say. Have the strength of mine
not to let what can't be done trouble
you, and don't be slave to the opiD
ions of others. If you have time saw
ing method which your neighbours great
grand motber would have looked upOl
with disapprovsl, 60 ahead and try !
out. II 1t OCCURS to you busting once 6
day is unnecessary, or II 1t seems bette
to wash once in two weeks, or II yol
think best to break any of the time worI
rules of housekeeping, 90 ahead ant
break them. Every new idea In house
work 10 looked on with suspicion, ant
time saving methods are more than Otter
regarded AZ plain shiftless.
To sum up, figure out your own prob
lem. Work 1t out az best you can, wha
you have to face someone else doesn't
and above all be strong enough to b
Satisfied with the result even II not per
feet.
II there is any Of this that sounds i'm
practicable, am only . layman aftel
all. But it 10 always interesting to mi