Its a Girly Thing

I am looking at a burn on my thumb, a nice long one from the top of my thumb to the first thumb knuckle.

Yeah. A badge of toughness. Jes a'puttin another log on the fire, I was, and tetched the edge of that there opening with ma thumb.

I think it is cool that I can choose the right pieces of wood to start a toasty fire in the wood stove and when Paul comes home, he can walk into a toasty home, with the wood rack already filled. Although I wonder if it infringes on his self percieved duty.

As I go down this bumpy curvy road of life, it becomes clear to me that there are definately "boy" activities/tasks, and "girl" activities/tasks. As well there are gender different approaches for the tasks that are considered "both sexes" applicable, such as shopping. I find that I just don't fit into any categories. My husband is quite like that, too. Which is a wonderfully perfect way to live in a partnership.

Back at our house in Norwich I had a front yard garden project going on which included rocks and hauling dirt, and digging, and planting...

I remember working on this one day, and not wanting to stop. I'm picking up big rocks and arranging them into a step thing, and several stones high as a border. I'm digging holes for plants, leveraging up the native stones with my spade, and planting. In short, pretty rugged work, which I love. And finally, I got to finish up, go inside and clean up, because my husband no only had dinner ready, but had baked cookies for desert.

Paul loves to cook. Which works out well for me. I do my share, but my meals are quite utilitarian, since that is what I grew up with AND learned that was about all my own family would tolerate with minimal complaints. Paul understands that I sort of lost any love for cooking when all I had to work with for 30 years was a limited budget, and fussy eaters. I'm grateful not to have to always be the one responsible for a meal on the table any more. I'm generally okay with nuts or popcorn for supper if I don't have to cook.

The other day Paul had some errands to do. It was a good day for doing that eternal chore - wood. I blogged about that part of it already, actually. Paul received a call from our neighbor asking him why his wife was outside cutting, splitting and stacking wood, and where was he? This same neighbor has a wife who we rarely see outside working. She is just not wired to do that kind of work, although I know her husband would be emminently grateful for the help. Thank goodness Paul's dignity and machismo is not built on having a girly wife. I don't enjoy most of the girly chores. The only one I do that Paul gives me full reign over is laundry. Laundry doesn't bother me, for the most part. Paul does the grocery shopping. And although I do a good part of the drudge work around the house, if I asked Paul would do it without complaint. And if I let it go too far, he will just do it himself anyway, with no comment.

When we first moved to our current home, I remember Paul saying, "I'll take care of the outside stuff, and you can take care of the inside."

Um, no?

I LIKE to mow. I LIKE to shovel snow and use the snow blower. It's fun. I LIKE to dig. Complaining aside, I LIKE to do wood. I LIKE to learn computer technology, I LIKE to bake (occasionally, and even don't mind putting a nice meal together once in a blue moon). I LIKE to clean the house, if that is where my head happens to be. But if you put me in charge of meals, you're gonna be sorry. Ask my kids. And if I'm the only one who is gonna dust, why, we're just going to spend a lot of time sneezing until the spirit moves me to do it.

Even shopping, I'm pretty atypicle. Not something I usually enjoy I don't usually seek out bargains, shop hopping. If I need something, I'll run to the store FOR THAT ITEM. Usually plan on making a quick stop at the store on my way to or from somewhere else. If I think that item is good value for the money, I don't even think twice before I snatch it, pay for it, and leave. Five minutes, unless I have to make a pit stop at the store's facilities.

Although the fact of the matter is I do browse occasionally, too. It's just that spending time in a store is not one of my favorite things to do, and like everything else, my head has to be there. If it's a sunny day and I want to be outside, I am not going to waste time in a store. Or the casino, or even my own house.

And that is the criteria for me and what I do. Weather. Outside of showing up five days a week at the office to earn me some money to eat, the way I spend the rest of my time is not based on "girl" things, or "boy" things. Some days are meant for inside activities, and some are meant for outside activities.

What prompted this is that I enjoyed the most delicious homemade cream of mushroom soup for lunch. Leftover from supper that Paul made last night. And I'm so grateful that Paul doesn't limit himself to the "girl/boy" stereotypical chores. I'm so glad that we can help each other with ALL the things that need to be done to keep a successful homestead.

And now lunch is over.

I've got to go supervise the construction around here. And maybe bake some cookies for the guys. Kidding.

Peace