I was recently shown the book Be Prepared: a Practical Handbook for New Dads, by Gary Greenberg and Jeannie Hayden. It looked most interesting so I asked to borrow it and decided to make a 'dad' or 'guy' post. :-) There are instructions for holding a new baby (and up to one year of age); changing a diaper (and a hoot of an 'emergency' diaper), and bathing. There are chapters on what the mother is going through, too. I have been told, by an actual parent, that the information is sound. :-)

There was a time when housework was considered work for the womenfolk. That is changing and here's a book to help: How to Get Things Really Flat: Enlightenment for Every Man on Ironing, Vacuuming and Other Household Arts, by Andrew Martin. What's the best way to do the laundry? Or dust a room? What is the difference between various projects for doing them? Do men and women wash dishes differently? A fun read, with instructions that will really work. :-)

Many years ago I came across a book designed to help single men prepare quick, easy and tasty meals: A Man, a Plan, and a Can: 50 Great Guy Meals Even You Can Make, by David Joachim and the editors of MensHealth. Easy recipes, mostly involving opening cans and combining the contents into quick and easy meals. I can't get my hands on a copy now so I checked on amazon and discovered there are now several more titles in the series. If you are 'cooking challenged' this is worth a look.

And lastly, an entire book of essays about dirt and cleaning! Dirt: the Quirks, Habits, and Passions of Keeping House, edited by Mindy Lewis. See if you spot yourself in one of these essays from supercleaners, to the 'don't look, don't see' sort of housekeepers. Some are funny, others rather sad, but I found it most interesting to see what writers would say when given a common subject.

Reading Hermit With Dog