Author Responses, Part Five

This week, Lenora Worth gives us two original shorts on housekeeping.

Invent a fictional housekeeper and create a scene involving that character.

I see a Granny-type who loves to nurture and clean, quiet to efficient
and non-intrusive.

Aunt Thelma worked her way around the outer perimeters of my office,
her sturdy SAS shoes whispering across the carpet with vaccum-cleaner
precision. The whish of her feather duster spoke louder than any words.
She did not approve of my messy ways, but far be it from her to ever
speak a word of criticism out loud. Aunt Thelma let the smell of Lemon
Pledge speak for her. That way, the sharpness of her disapproval
lingered in the air with a citrus-sweet smell long after she'd pranced
out of the room.

What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses with regards to housekeeping? As a creative person, do you ever tackle these issues in a particularly creative manner?

I have a plaque on my kitchen wall that states "Creative minds are rarely tidy." I think that says it all. My strength--I don't like filth. My weakness--I don't mind clutter.

Take this starter and keep going: Sally stood in the doorway of the kitchen, dismayed by the mess that greeted her there...

Sally stood in the doorway of the kitchen, dismayed by the mess that greeted her there. How had things fallen apart so badly so fast? She had to clean it up but didn't even know where to begin. Shoulders sagging as she reached for the broom, Sally couldn't help but think that if she had a man to help her around here, things would be so much better.

The loneliness of moving through this messy room hit her each time she looked at the stack of dirty dishes, all from dinners for one. She'd be more inclined to clean this place if someone else actually ever saw it.

Take this starter and keep going: Jared knew Beth was the girl for him the moment he laid eyes on her impeccable...

Jared knew Beth was the girl for him the moment he laid eyes on her impeccable kitchen. Everything was so perfect, so precise. She had even color-coded the containers for cereal, flour, sugar, rice, and pretzels. He loved pretzels. And he liked order. But when he saw one of the matching dish towels settled a bit crooked on the oven door, Jared felt a twinge of anger, followed by a harsh regret. So she might not be perfect after all. Maybe he could help her along with improving that a little bit.

Awesome! Thanks, Lenora!