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The Art and Science of Becoming Neurotic

© Kimberly Skopitz

Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House, by Cheryl Mendelson.

I really wanted to like this book. Really. Heard wonderful things about it, looked at it longingly in the bookstore, waited for months for the library to get it in. Settled down with a glass of iced tea and began reading.

The first 190 pages are devoted to setting up a household routine, with lists of things to do weekly, montly, semi-annually, etc., and food. Mostly food. However, I had not gotten quite that far before the dust on the floor boards seemed to be accusing me of slovenly housekeeping. I ignored them, and read on.

The book is quite well-written, and very much engaging. The advice, however, is overwhelming, as are the tasks. I do not (I admit it) wash out my trash can every evening. And I use paper napkins for every day dinner. And for casual dinners with friends, too. Heck, I use paper tablecloths sometimes.

I would like to recommend the book on just it's lengthy section on food, but am hesitant to do so. Why? I am sure that if you followed all of the recommendations you would have a well-organized fridge (and a spotless one), not to mention tidy shelves. And you would likely never get ill, because food would never have a chance in between the prompt cooking and refrigeration routine. And you would never store your apples near the carrots, so they would have a vastly longer life. So, yes, you'd be quite healthy.

And broke, because this level of cleanliness would, I think, nearly force you to eat out due to exhaustion. And then you have all those restaurant germs to contend with...

And I must admit I didn't take kindly to Ms. Mendelson's strong opinions on how bad open shelving is. I have a large kitchen that I enjoy immensely, but not too much cabinent space. If I didn't use open shelving I'd have to go to the store constantly, and I think it's important to keep items on hand. And my pots and pans hang in the open as well, and are quite clean, no matter her opinion on the matter. So there. (And I disagree about not washing one's hands in the kitchen sink--why on earth not? I think it's much safer all around to do so, rather than trotting off to another sink constantly while you're cooking, letting things have an opportunity to burn or otherwise misbehave while you're gone.)