No Place Like Home

Karen Wight

“For the times they are a-changin’ ” according to Bob Dylan in 1963.

Prophetic on his part, since Bob’s given name is Robert Zimmerman (he

changed it to the hipper version when he began performing).

And in 1963, indeed things were changing. Call it evolution, call it

revolution, but the world is a lot different now than it was mid-century.

My darling neighbor Rhonda reminded me of this last week when she

shared a 1955 Housekeeping Monthly article with me. The title was “The

Good Wife’s Guide” and it listed several helpful hints to maintain

harmony in the home and marital bliss.

I got a big kick out of reading it. Actually, I feel kind of sorry for

those men that bought into this lifestyle only to find the rug pulled out

from under them as their wives grew older and bolder.

I do agree that maintaining a good marriage is a lot of work, on both

parts. Appreciation, respect, understanding and thoughtfulness are

integral components in a successful marriage.

I think Ben is lucky to come home and find all of his children alive

and capable of eating dinner, much less come home to a prepared meal,

clean children and a roaring fire. I am sometimes the roaring fire in our

house, and I do give him credit for being brave enough to enter hearth

and home which, on certain days, is also known as the battle zone.

After reading the following article, I want a “wife” to make my life

pampered, organized, calm and clean.

I’d thought I’d share the highlights of these “helpful hints” with

you.

Ladies, you can laugh. Men you can mourn.

From the May 13, 1955 issue of Housekeeping Monthly:

* Have dinner ready for him. Plan ahead, even the night before to have

a delicious meal ready, on time, for his return.

* Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you’ll be refreshed

when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be

fresh looking.

* Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him.

* Clear away the clutter, gather up schoolbooks, toys, papers and run

a dustcloth over the tables.

* Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a

fire for him to unwind by. After all, catering for his comfort will

provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

* Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash their hands and

faces, comb their hair and if necessary, change their clothes. Minimize

all noise. At the time of his arrival eliminate all noise of the vacuum,

washer or dryer. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

* Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him,

but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first --

remember his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

* Don’t greet him with complaints and problems.

* Don’t complain if he’s late home for dinner or even if he stays out

all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone

through that day.

* Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low,

soothing and pleasant voice.

* Don’t ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment

or integrity. Remember he is master of the house and as such will always

exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to

question him.

* A good wife always knows her place.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs Sundays.