Mother Directs Saturday Chores

 Mother Directs Saturday Chores

We work high to low— table top first, 

rungs of chairs and mopboards last—

because dust settles, dirt falls— so the

order of our chores is important.

Please bear that in mind. 

The lemon oil smells good, doesn't it? 

It will make our maple table shine.

Go with the grain— like this— and 

you’ll feed the wood. Your father 

and I invested in this dining set 

way back when we lived in Michigan,

where Peter & Sarah were born.  

Now, please take proper care as we dust 

so that these chairs will last for all your 

families to enjoy.  Perhaps one of you 

will take this table, too—with all four leaves, 

it can seat a dozen extra for Thanksgiving.  

I like to think they’ll be cousins— that your kids

will want to share holidays together. Today we’ll 

practice extending the table with all four leaves.

Peter & Nancy, go get them—one at a time, please—

they’re heavy.   Sarah & Barbara, unlock and get

the table base ready.

Together, you children are making space for more

guests, maybe some of your dad’s trainees, far away

from home.  Goodness knows, it’s likely your dad 

has already invited them.  It will be a fine holiday

for us all.  Thank you for being such good workers!

                                                            —Sef, 5/3/2025