Strangers, Sun and Shine!

“ One honest John Tompkins, a hedger and a ditcher,

Although he was poor, did not want to be richer;

For all such vain wishes in him were prevented

By a fortunate habit of being contented.”

          Jane Taylor

 Early this dewy morning I am rushing to get my chores done.  The cows, and calves are all fine, and accounted for, fantastic. I rush back to the house.

 I have a stranger coming to our house. That old saying “First impressions” is pounding in my head. With all the extra chores, and hiking I may have neglected the house a little. OK maybe a little more than a little.

 The sunny days always make me long for the bush; so being a very good wife, and homemaker, I usually just go. Well now I have no choice.

 I have no idea where this obsession with impressing strange visitors came from. I have had this crazy idea as long as I can remember. As a child, and then a teenager my Mom seemed to like it, she let me clean all the time.

 I am pretty sure, not very many people, especially our male visitor is even going to notice but I still go into hyper cleaning mode.

 Polish the furniture, shine the windows to let the sun, I long to be in shine through. Sparkle, sparkle. Vacuum the floors, dust, dust, and because the woodstove is still going, dust. (choke, choke)

 Appliances are shiny, counters clean, and the bathroom shine, shine, and shine. The smell of vinegar in the air, making me crave French Fries. Concentrate.

 My visitor (the stranger) will come and either notice what a fantastic housekeeper I am or, not even notice at all, but none the less I have done a great job. If he does not open that one door, or that one drawer in the kitchen we will be fine.

 I will bake some cookies and make a chicken casserole. Today, I am more homemaker than farmer and it is a welcome change.

 I sit in my chair looking out my very shiny, clean windows, with the aroma of the cookies in the air, extremely contented.

Later