Saturday Chores

 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 you

brother and sisters will enjoy holidays together.

Today we’ll practice putting in the leaves to

extend the table.  Peter & Nancy, go and get 

the leaves—one at a time, please—they’re heavy.   

Sarah & Barbara, unlock and pull out the table base.

Together, you children will get our whole

dining room in tip top shape today.

Thank you for being such good workers!

—Sef, 5/3/2025