The word of the day for April 30, 2008 is "cleanser" — noun — 1 : one that cleanses. 2 : a preparation (as a scouring powder or a skin cream) used for cleaning .
Jimmy came yesterday to clean and keep Lloyd company for the afternoon. A cheerful, competent young man—I hope we suit him as well as he suits us. He did the bathrooms and vacuumed and dusted the rest of the main floor—we don't use the basement except for storage & laundry. It was so nice to come home to a clean smelling house without having to do it myself.
That's a statement I never thought to make. Mother used to say that the first sentence I ever uttered was, "I do it myself." Anyway, there's still plenty for me to do. Further, as it becomes evident that I am letting other things slide in favor of caring for Lloyd, the Home Instead agency will adjust Jimmy's hours or bring in more help for Lloyd, whichever will be most helpful. The peace of mind is worth the minor disruption of someone else in the house.
Our quote for the day is from Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773), British statesman, man of letters. letter, Dec. 11, 1747, Letters Written by the Late Right Honourable Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl, Earl of Chesterfield, to his Son, Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl, Esq, 5th ed., vol. I, p. 298, London (1774):
I knew a gentleman who was so good a manager of his time that he
would not even lose that small portion of it which the calls of nature
obliged him to pass in the necessary-house, but gradually went through
all the Latin poets in those moments. He bought, for example, a common
edition of Horace, of which he tore off gradually a couple of pages, read
them first, and then sent them down as a sacrifice to Cloacina: this was
so much time fairly gained.
[“Necessary-house” or “necessary-vault” was a term used for
“privy.” Cloacina, or Venus the Cleanser, is referred to here
somewhat frivolously as the goddess of sewers.
I don't know whether to applaud this practice as a time saver
or to deplore the subsequent "sacrifice" of the books. - J]
;^) Jan
P.S. Don't forget to strew primroses on your doorstep tonight, as they used to do on the Isle of Man, to keep out the evil fairies. )
3 comments:
... I am not 'up' on your personal relationships ... evidently Lloyd is your husband or very close relative ... the notion of 'help' isn't to diminish one's independence, but enhance one's opportunity to live as life is meant to be lived ... IMO, of course ...
Hows about sending Jimmy over to me ! I coudl make good use of him !! Anyway I am glad that you have some help both with the house and with Lloyd It is good that the care agency can alter times etc. That is another weight off your shoulders. lets hope Jimmy finds use for plenty cleanser....love Sybs xx
Dont have any primroses ,what a charming tradition ...love Jan xx
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