Back in about 1985, I bought the greeting card above when I worked up in Flin Flon, Manitoba, in a little shop that sold crafts to American tourists and bought fur from the First Nations people.

The original painting was done by Norval Morrisseau, an Aboriginal artist. It is called “Security.”

9:22 a.m.

I have instigated a new training regime in the kitchen.

On Sunday as I began washing dishes while Don still ate at the table (he’s always the last one to finish), I said “From now on, here’s what we’re going to do. We’re all going to help clean up the kitchen after supper, and none of us is going to leave the room until the job is completely finished, right down to the last dish put away.”

Of course there was some resistance.

Loverboy: “I should go out and get wood instead of doing this.”
Me: “I’ll help you get wood, you help do this.”

Barney: “How come Don doesn’t have to do as much as me?”
Me: “Because he doesn’t move as fast as you.”

Don: “Don’t I have to go have my bath now?”
Me: “Later. Now you have to pitch in until this is finished.”

Every once in a while, one of them would leave the room, thinking there was nothing else to do, and I’d call them back.

“Do you see me still standing here washing dishes? That means the job is not done. Look around and see what you can do.”

“Like what?”

“You can wipe down the stove or fridge. You can sweep the floor. Someone needs to dry the dishes I’m washing and put them away. There is recycling to be carried to the porch. Find something!”

Aside from the fact that the youngsters are learning how to be competent in the kitchen, it is nice to have all four of us doing something together.