Making Home Your Career Many people have asked said Lady if homemaking isn't confining, boring and lacking in challenge. Allow me to tell you that it is not, any more than any other job. All worthwhile work has its tediousness and drudgery. To those who believe they would rather contribute to society in a more notable way, I would ask you to consider the drudgery required to build a house, write a book, compose an opera, develop important scientific research, or become a dramatic actress. All of these things require hours of monotonous practice and patient labour. I would rather be employed in my own family, because I care about the direction in which they are headed. I care whether they dress decently, speak purely, have conservative, stimulating conversations and exchange ideas, eat nutritiously, and rest comfortably. I'd rather work with people I love, than work daily for an indifferent employer in whom I have no personal interest. So, girls, whenever you despair of that endless laundry and dishwashing, ask yourself if you'd rather be cooking and cleaning (or filing papers, typing in data, and writing memos!) for people you do not love.

First Caresses by William Bouguereau Buy this poster at Art.com

Don't Wait for Someone Else to Start; Do Something Today!

Are you waiting for the sun to shine? Maybe you are in a depressed little town or a neighborhood that seems lacking in cheer. So what. The people you are around need the light of your smile and the optimism of your mission. I have often been inspired by this little song:

Woman with a Water Pitcher by Jan Vermeer

Do not wait until some deed of kindness you may do, Do not wait to shed your light afar, To the many duties ever near you now be true, Brighten the corner, where you are. Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear, Let not narrow self your way debar, Tho' into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer, Brighten the corner, where you are. Here for all your talent you may surely find a need, Here reflect the bright and morning star, Even from your humble hand the bread of life may feed, Brighten the corner, where you are. Brighten the corner, where you are, Brighten the corner, where you are. Someone far from harbour you may guide across the bar, Brighten the corner where you are.

Make the Best of Gloomy Days

So you do not have the best of everything, and so your dream home is not yet. Many have been motivated by this scripture: "He that is faithful in little, will be faithful in much" (Luke 16:10). Doing your best with God's provision for you at this time in your life can bring great creativity and contentment. There will be many dark, gloomy days with inclement weather, in which your spirit will be much depressed, if you allow it. An account of the famous "Dark Day" in 1780, which extended all across New England, will help you develop determination and purpose even in difficult times. According to historical reports, the darkness came on about ten o'clock in the morning and lasted with varying degrees of intensity until noon of the next day. The cause of the phenomenon is unknown to this day.John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892) wrote a poem describing the events in the Connecticut statehouse that day:

Sat the lawgivers of Connecticut, Trembling beneath their legislative robes. "It is the Lord's Great Day! Let us adjourn," Some said; and then, as if with one accord, All eyes were turned to Abraham Davenport. He rose, slow-cleaving with his steady voice The intolerable hush. "This well may be The Day of Judgement which the world awaits; But be it so or not, I only know My present duty, and my Lord's command To occupy til He come. So, at the post Where He hath set me in His providence, I choose, for one, to meet him face to face,--- No faithless servant, frightened from my task, But ready when the Lord of the harvest calls; And therefore, with all reverence, I would say, Let God do His work, we will see to ours. Bring in the candles." And they brought them in... ...And there he stands in memory to this day, Erect, self-poised, a rugged face, half seen Against the background of unnatural dark, A witness to the ages as they pass, That simple duty hath no place for fear.

Stitching the Standard by Edmund Blair Leighton

Ladies, isn't it better to be motivated by calm duty than by desperate need? Waiting for the sun to shine will only put you so far behind in your work that you will be playing the frantic game of "catch-up" in order to get ready for unexpected company or some other event in your life. I read in an old Victorian journal once the timely advice to a young bride, contained inside a beautiful little box. It said simply, "Always be an hour ahead of everything." There will be childbirth, moving, and other major things that will need your attention, and you will not always be able to "keep up," but be sure to avoid "waiting for the sun to shine." Be that sun, yourself. It is a wonderful way to live, and your children will be inspired by it.

The Little Gourmet by William Bouguereau

Something to Do Today Here is a timely tip for you before I take my leave to teach the students in the Manners class, who are now patiently waiting for me in another room. There are two areas that seem to be an aggravation to the homemaker: the top of the fridge and the windowsill in front of the sink. Since they tend to be cluttered, unsightly places, I would advise that you keep them free of clutter save one particular outstanding item. Put the cereal boxes, hammer, hats, papers and such that commonly get parked on top the fridge into the pantry area of your kitchen, or any place that is not conspicuous. Place your pedestal cake stand, a big ceramic rooster, or a large basket of artificial flowers up on the fridge. It looks much, much nicer, and gives you such a sense of peace. The windowsill can contain a plant or one special object also. Get rid of the nails and screws, rubber bands, twist ties, and all the junk that collects there. You'll be so much happier.