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 When you get into a down mood, you’re melancholy, you just want to curl up in a little ball and die, there’s one thought that can make everything seem better. Whatever’s bugging you, it could be worse – you could have been Pete Best. Best was the original drummer in the Beatles who was fired from the group just a few months before they hit the big time. He was eventually replaced by one Ringo Starr, and the rest is history.
The reason for Pete’s “sacking” (as the Brits say) differ from source to source. Some claim he wasn’t a very good drummer, and on three versions of “Love Me Do” using three different drummers, their prospective record company thought Pete’s performance came in a distant third. Others say he was the best-looking lad in the pre-fab (1961-62) Beatles. He drove the “birds” into a frenzy when the band played and was surrounded by those same crazy teen chicks after performances, which made John, George and Paul jealous.
However, what matters most is, what ultra-sucky luck for Pete! He was dropped from what was to become the most popular and wealthy rock group in history! That’s a downer that’ll last you a lifetime.
It’s going to be the the height of irony that Ringo will probably be the last Beatle standing. He was the fourth of the soon-to-be-Fab Four, but he always seemed to be a fifth wheel. Ringo (Richard Starkey) was originally a hairdresser, and in early interviews he claimed he just hoped the group lasted long enough so he could make the money he needed to open his own hair salon someday. That’s setting the bar pretty low. But the dude was in the right place at the right time.
So when you get too low, just remember that you coulda been Pete Best – a great antitode for depression. And when you’re feeling way too lucky, there’s humility to be found in the knowledge that you coulda been Ringo Starr.
SILVER LINING POST-SCRIPT: Today, Pete’s still alive and healthy at 70, with a happy 45-year marriage under his belt. When the Beatles’ Anthology 1 album came out in 1995, it featured several cuts with Best on the drums, so he earned an estimated $1.5 to $5 million in royalties.
 Most of us, even though we don’t mean to, treat the environment like a punching bag. The average American creates thousands of pounds of CO2 for heat, light, transportation and other energy-sucking activities each year (calculate your carbon footprint and learn ways to offset it at carbonfund.org). But if we all make a few small adjustments as individuals, it’ll add up to something meaningful.
It’s easy to treat the planet like a lady.
Example: An automatic dishwasher uses much less water and energy than washing dishes by hand, and it’s faster and easier to boot. This is a no-brainer of the highest magnitude, and it’s only one of many “small things” we can do.
Here are more suggestions, room by room.
Kitchen
- Use chlorine- and phosphate-free dishwashing soaps
- Don’t pre-rinse dishes before placing in dishwasher (you really don’t need to…honestly)
- A baking soda/water paste cleans most sink and fixture surfaces (porcelain, plastic, stainless steel and chrome) and countertops too
To help your fridge run more efficiently:
- Don’t jam-pack it
- Dust the cooling coils underneath or behind it regularly
- Clean spills on the stovetop or inside the oven when they’re still warm (try to avoid heavy-duty oven cleaners)
- Line oven and broiler with foil to prevent spills and spatters from baking on
Bathroom
- Fix dripping faucets
- Put in a low-flow shower head
- Take shorter showers (mine are about two minutes long and I’m squeaky-clean).
- Try to clean sinks, toilet, shower or bath more often with non-toxic cleaners to reduce the need for heavy-duty chemical cleaners
- Get a low-volume toilet
- Use toilet paper made from recycled pulp
- Clean shower and tub after every use – it requires less cleanser and less effort in the long run
Bedroom
- Every few times you change bedding, sprinkle baking soda on top of your mattress and vacuum it up to clean and freshen the surface
- Quickly freshen pillows in a dryer set on “air only” with a dryer sheet
- Keep closets free of mildew, mold and mustiness by not jamming them with clothes, which hinders ventilation
- Keep a container of baking soda or a sock filled with kitty litter in closets and dresser drawers to freshen and absorb moisture
Basement
- Change or clean furnace/AC filters every two months
- Install a carbon monoxide detector if you have a gas furnace
- Prevent mold by keeping the basement dry with a dehumidifier
Laundry
- Use plant-based, phosphate-free laundry soaps and detergents (it’s on the label)
- When you replace washers and dryers, buy efficient models
- Wash laundry in cold or warm water, not hot
- Use oxygen bleach instead of chlorine
All Around the House
- Use fewer chemical cleaners, replacing them with green alternatives (again, it’s on labels)
- Switch to energy-saving compact fluorescent (CFL) lightbulbs
- Purchase reusable cleaning tools and supplies, not disposable ones
- Use dimmable lights
- Use rechargeable batteries (once you buy a charger and make the transition, you’ll love ‘em and save money)
- Try alternatives to disposable diapers (sure it’s more work, but the kid will grow up in a cleaner world)
- Install an programmable thermostat
- Use ceiling or room fans instead of air conditioning
- Recycle
Everywhere Else
- Take your own canvas shopping bag to the supermarket, or reuse the ones they gave you last time (many supermarkets have a bin at the entrance for recycling plastic bags)
- Refill water bottles, don’t keep buying new
- Carpool or take public transportation
- Use drip irrigation, not sprinklers, on your lawn
- Buy second-hand clothing (except underwear)
- Buy in bulk, or purchase products in concentrated form
- Compost food scraps with grass clippings and leaves
- Get your name off many junk mail lists: visit www.obviously.com/recycle
 He wasn't listening Relationship riddle: What do women really want their men to be? A good provider? A mate with washboard abs who’s great in bed and cuddles afterwards? A man who shares housekeeping duties without being nagged? All of the above. But in chatting with female friends and acquaintances to gather info for the Clean Like a Man sequel – HONEY, I’M HOME! Housekeeping for Men (and Why Women Love It) - many of them rank a man who listens and communicates right up there, too.
Womens’ biggest complaint about men is that we don’t listen.* Life coach and author Richard Leider adds this: “When men are asked to name their most committed listener, 99 percent either pick their wives or say they don’t have one. When women are asked, 99 percent say it’s one of their women friends.”
I think the 99 percent is unrealistic – my most committed listeners are two of my best guy friends (then again, I don’t have a wife). But the takeaway is pretty clear: When women vent, they’re not looking for solutions…they just want you to hear them out and show them you understand how they feel.
Learn from it, Grasshopper!
*From The Illustrated, Essential Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus
 *If you ever have this opportunity, call me. **Almost all, except for Oreos, are orange, but have no Vitamin C nor any value in fighting scurvy.
***Often, Big Macs, pizza, hot dogs, burgers, fries and corn dogs pass as home cooked meals even if they’re not that warm.
Like the bride who gains 50 pounds at her wedding reception, it’s not fair for you to let yourself go, either.
 Now THIS is grooming! While men who clean the house score major points with their mates, your personal grooming is equally important. If you don’t take care of yourself, then even a spotless, beautifully organized home is more than canceled out.
Nobody expects you to be Pierce Brosnan. But at the minimum, you should be clean, appropriately dressed and possessed of some taste and class. Face it: no self-respecting woman wants to be with a man who doesn’t take pride in his appearance. Here are a few basic guidelines to make sure you’re not that guy. Many simply create the illusion that you’re thinner, taller or more suave than you really are, but in the Clean Like a Man world, illusion is very valid. Perception is reality.
Smell Good
Women have an almost canine sense of smell – their perky little noses are über-sensitive. So at the very minimum, take a shower. Contrary to an urban legend, females do not like the pungent scent of sweat. And there are no excuses: water is free, soap is cheap, deodorant is widely available and easy to use. There’s no shame in investing in a high-end cologne, either. If you want help picking one out, she’ll be happy to meet you at Macys Men’s Fragrance Counter … she really, really will.
Walk Tall
Women rate tall men as more sexually attractive than shorter guys, but don’t despair if you don’t have height. You can look taller by wearing vertical pinstripes or shoes that provide an extra inch or two of lift. Make her go barefoot. Whatever it takes. Otherwise, don’t worry about things you can’t change.
Dress Well
Women like men who are classy and successful – or at least seem so. Ergo, try to dress more nicely than the next guy. Start at the bottom: Many females judge a man by his footwear, so rather than having lots of shabby shoes, own several nice pairs and build from there.
Face Facts
Your face? Well, it is what it is. Even if it’s not perfect, take care of it. Lose the unibrow and nose hairs. Use sunscreen, and wash and moisturize your face daily, or by the time you turn 45 you’ll look like a Dead Sea scroll with hair.
Trim Down
Trim hips and waist, broad shoulders – yeah! She likes. It takes work, sure. If you’re incorrigibly beefy, wear sportcoats, which create a slimmer visual line from neck to thighs. No man girdles, please.
Look Strong
Broad shoulders project strength and confidence. Many women rate them as a guy’s sexiest feature. So either do more shoulder presses to really make them bigger, more situps to make them seem bigger – or both.
Know Color
You can’t go wrong with black or very dark tops, followed closely by white. Patterns make heavy guys look heavier. After that, just wear something that complements your eye color.
Stay in Touch
Women like touching and being touched. So for skin-to-skin contact, keep your face moisturized and clean-shaven, your hands smooth and your nails well-trimmed. Wear soft, sensually-appealing fabrics like cotton and cashmere.
Keep Breath Fresh, Teeth White
Tic-Tacs are my favorite food – I always have some Wintergreen ones handy. But still, floss and brush thoroughly use a high-end electronic brush ‘cause your pearly whites are worth it. White teeth are also desirable – your dentist can suggest good whitening systems that may be a few hundred dollars, but they work. Off-the-shelf ones are a hit or miss.
Master these initial guidelines and you’re on your way to living up to your coolness potential.
 Pan Fried Honey Mustard Walleye Many guys are whizzes in the kitchen. I’m not among them, but I can do OK when following good instructions. The trick is to use recipes for dishes that are no-brainers to make but impressive when they hit the table. Here’s one of my favorites, Pan Fried Honey-Mustard Walleye. It’s very forgiving (hard to burn, overcook, etc.) but always FAH-bulous when served! Don’t let the number of steps fool you. It’s easy!
- 1-1/2 to 2 lbs. walleye fillets – about 4 to 6 of them – with skin removed (have the store do this).
- In a ziploc bag, crush 20 or so saltine crackers by rolling a can over them; spread onto a large plate.
- Beat 3 eggs, mixing with 1/3 c. honey and 1/3 c. mustard (any will do; I prefer plain French’s yellow mustard).
- Heat about 2-3 tbsp. cooking oil in large frying pan.
- When pan is fairly hot, dredge each fillet in egg/honey/mustard mixture and press into saltine crumbs to coat.
- Fry for a minute or two, checking bottom for brownness. Flip when brown on bottom side.
- You may have to add a little more oil while frying.
- They’ll usually be done quickly, but can get a bit blackened and still taste great.
- Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce or another favorite condiment.
- Revel in the accolades!
- Serves about 4.
Eat your heart out, Racheal Ray! This is my best can’t-miss recipe besides teriyaki/garlic salmon on the grill. I’ll post that one this summer.
The end.
 Seemingly innocent Planet Earth is one big ball of dirt, and in Spring, it’s muddy. Some gets into the house – especially on shoes and paws. And while you can take care of your own footwear, your dog needs you and your opposable thumbs to keep mud where it belongs: outdoors.
Prevention starts with well-trimmed paws. “Rounding the paw means cutting fur short both between pads and on top of the paw,” says Dana Harrison, a PetSmart groomer. “It minimizes dirt that gets onto feet and makes them easier to clean.”
Kathryn Newman, owner of Augusta Dog Training in Minneapolis, issues specific commands to her canines. “When I say ‘wait’ at the door it means ‘stop and stand,’ so they don’t sit in more mud or a puddle on the floor,” she says. Her dogs also know the words “mat” or “blanket,” where they go to be wiped down.
“For shows, I use waterless shampoo, which you spray onto coats and paws, massage in, and towel off. It pulls out debris and mud without a bath.” Pet stores usually stock several brands.
- It’s wise to maintain a dog-dedicated station in your mudroom, with leash and pickup bags for outbound trips, and paw wipes, towels and waterless shampoo for your return.
- “Scraper mats” at the entryway help too, with bristly, dirt-trapping fibers on top and waterproof rubber backing. LL Bean’s “Waterhog” mats are one example; you can find more by searching “dog door mats” online.
- Paw-cleaning accessories include products like “Spotless Paw,” a glove with a microfiber palm that attracts dirt, and “Paw Plunger,” a mug lined with bristles that you fill with warm water to rinse paws one at a time.
Of course, old-school solutions work, too: spread-out newspapers, a bowl of water and an old towel do a fine job on muddy paws.
FOR MORE CANINE HOUSEKEEPING TIPS SEE “DOGMA” – A FEW POSTS EARLIER!
 Thanks to environmental protection laws passed in 16 states, dish detergent manufacturers have been forced to remove powerful cleansing agents called phosphates from their formulas nationwide. The result? Detergents that don’t clean, reported Tampa Bay Online.
Phosphates were something of a wonder ingredient, helping to remove food and grease, maintain pH, inhibit corrosion and more; it made up as much as 35% of certain detergents.
They also cause massive algae blooms in rivers and lakes. By removing phosphate from detergents, those algal blooms that were choking waterways may be cut down — but so is the cleaning power of today’s detergents. Without them, the elements that make water “hard” (magnesium, calcium and aluminum) build up.
Some alternate products that still work well:
- Lemi-Shine
- Electrasol Jet Dry Powerball
- Cascade “Complete”
- Method “Smarty”
- White vinegar (a cup added to each wash cycle)
 Sad? Grab some Windex. When people are depressed, one of the first things they lose is motivation to take care of day-to-day chores like keeping a clean and tidy house. You just let things go. And in turn, the messy house feeds and reinforces feelings of depression.
A recent study found that 20 minutes of daily activity, including housekeeping, enhanced mental health and reduced depression. Here are some tips to clean more effectively.
- Clean as you go – Don’t let things build up on you. Put things away right after using them, brush the dog weekly, keep counters clear – all of it prevents your chores from becoming overwhelming.
- Don’t procrastinate – Take care of little things now to cut down on time and effort later (ie, don’t let that spilled syrup dry into a tough, crusty blob.
- Break it up – Do one or two rooms a day. Don’t look at the entire house as a huge, intimidating project.
- Store cleaning supplies wisely – The best spots are under kitchen and bathroom sinks, always at hand to clean those areas. And if possible, have a vacuum on each floor.
- Pay attention to busy areas – Focus on cleaning rooms where your family spends the most time.
- Have the family pitch in – Assign specific tasks to family members.
Remember, a clean, orderly home is more manageable and less stressful. Ergo, less depressing.
-This blog paraphrased from a piece on EverydayHealth.com
 Dogs do plenty of great things – love unconditionally, guard our homes, save Timmy from mine shafts and more. They just can’t pick up after themselves (no opposable thumbs). But here are some smart, easy ways for you to collar canine clutter and keep your dog safer.
- Create a file folder dedicated to the dog’s paperwork: vet visits, vaccination records, medication lists, license receipts, ID chip code.
- Scan all these important records – plus some photos of your dog – and store them on your PDA or on a small flash drive you can keep with you when traveling.
- Keep leash, pick-up bags and paw-cleaning towel near the door, ready for walks.
- Instead of wrestling with humungous bags of dogfood, divvy it out into smaller, sealable containers for storage. This keeps pests out, too.
- Assign toys to baskets or bins for fast decluttering.
- Make it easier to hook up for walks by attaching a large carabiner to the clip on your dog’s leash.
- To keep food and water bowls from sliding, place them on a rubber-backed mat or piece of rubberized mesh.
- Use a self-filling water bowl to cut your refill work. Find them at pet supply stores.
- To neutralize the gamey aroma from potty bags in your garage’s garbage bin, toss in a few handfuls of cat litter.
- Position dog beds out of traffic patterns and cover them with an easily removable “doggy duvet” like a pillowcase. Wash monthly.
-By Tom McNulty, Published in The Bark magazine, Fall 2010 issue.
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