Man manning the house

[Dr.T.N.Jambunathan]

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Dear

From today ( 14 June) I have to man the house for 10days till my wife is back after her "Vacation " There is nothing new in this and all of you might have had done this before on several occasions. But I thought it should be interesting to share with you the difficulties of manning the house with out a woman. The house with all gadgets AC's Washing Machine, Micro, HD TV coffee Maker was all in ship shape when she left I and our pet Sonu (a Bitch) have to mend ourselves with all these about which we have no idea how to operate. 5AM got up. After regular wash tried my hand at the coffee maker and in the end came out with a coffee like கழிநீர் மூக்கபிடுச்சுண்டு முழுங்கிட்டேன் ! I am waiting to see the reaction of Vellammal when she turns up for cleaning at 10.30AM
Sonu is sulking and refusing her morning milk. Tried to cajole her with Pedigree No effect Forgot to switch on the Motor and after watering the Garden went for the bath and half way though there is no water as the tank is empty. Power cut between 8 and 10 Am Thank God I have not started to use the Soap I wiped and will wait till the power is back , spend time going though The Hindu and BL Tried to contact my wife who is on her way to Gujarat 3 times with standard announcement the network is busy. Made Iddlies and since she had left sufficient stock of புளிகாய்சல் , மொளகா பொடி வத்தகொழம்பு with this I can mange breakfast for all the 10 days. I can make சாதம் ரசம் & ஒரு கறி Result I will let you know later Meanwhile Power is back I will fill the tank and complete my bath Jambu:washing:

 

[kunjuppu]

jambu,

this should be an interesting diary to follow. i hope you make it a point to post atleast a few times a day, when you have minutes inbetween your fiascos

not to demean you in any way dear jambu, but i have found consistently that TB men more helpless than a babe in arms when it comes to fending for themselves.

a few years ago, a TB gentlleman in his 30s immigrated to canada, and was put up with a friend of mine. this friend's household was the averge north american one - light hurried breakfast of toast, cereal, coffee, then rushing off to work.

lunch was some packed food - the previous day's leftover or such. there is no such thing as tiffin or tea. the dinner is elaborate and heavy in the night.

this gentleman from india was used to 4+ meals a day - early morning coffee, then a breakfast (dosai/idli/upma), packed lunch (full course), tea and then fresh hot dinner. needless to say, within the first two days, the tension built up in my friend's house.

to make the long story short, the indian left canada for good, complaining that india was far better for the male, as he is pampered and his needs well taken care of. he had no use for liberated westernized indian women and docile husbands.

being a docile husband myself, i kept quiet, and was glad, that i had a bachelor period alone in canada, when my cooking and self sufficiency 'a la food' skills were honed and sharpened.

more after hearing more from jambu.

 

[AnanthaNarayanan]

Dr ji

now you will come to know practically ,the responsibilities of a wife and her duties in the house.

There is a good malayalam cinema stared by jayaram, reflects the imp0rtance of wife.(VERUTHEE ORU BHARIYA)

Enjoy bachelor life for some time.

Cheers

 

[nachi naga]

how lucky i am in life with my wife,i realise....................aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh love you chweety pie

 

[kr subramanian]

Dear friends (now enemies)
Your post has impressed my wife and now she asks me to do all the kitchen work quoting that in future when she leaves on a tour it will help me to survive? Please do not continue this post in this way if so what will happen to me like working husbands????????????????

 

[jayamani]

:lol: they will sure enjoy the predicament.

 

[kunjuppu]

shame on you menfolks

maintaining one's own household is a survival skill. to assign it to one individual, especially the wife, is cruelty bar none.

i see a fair number of male lazy ones here, judging by their posts, who have not yet understood, empathized and lifted a finger to carry their 50% of the household tasks. don't feel bad. most of my men relatives in india do not know how to boil even a cup of water for coffee or tea.

first things first. when we married, all of you promised to treat your wife so lovingly. did that not mean atleast 50% of the household work. after all she is the weaker sex, no? she bore your children and is their prime source of love and succour. THAT alone takes a lot of time and effort.

now over and above that, she has to cook, clean the house, entertain guests, GO TO WORK FOR GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT, and accede to your sexual request.

... and you guys complain. get your morals and values straight, dear men people.

 

[Dr.T.N.Jambunathan]

This posting is not to high-lighten man"s helplessness in the absence of wife But only to make them appreciate the high efficient home making of their spouse which unconsciously I never did After all when what a man can do can be done by women or even better. This is true the other way also (exuding the physiological activities determined by Sex) To day I made சாதம் தக்காளி ரசம் பீன்ஸ் கறி. This took me about 35 minutes But lot of interruptions. Had to receive mail by courier , attend 3 phone calls sales girl selling Mach 3 Gillette Razor at a discount price With these
I completely forgot my kitchen. Thank God The Prestige whistles when rice is cooked and rushed back. ரசம் was no problem with MTR ரச பொடி . When I tried to cut tomatoes into slices I had juice instead . Beans curry became a challenge I called her on cell got her guidance

சாதம் cookerல வெக்கரச்சையே இத வெக்கணுமோ ? இல்ல இல்ல தனியா இலுப்பசட்டில வேகவெக்கணும் .மஞ்ஜ பொடிய போட்டுகோ . Followed the instructions Now again doubts called again for guidance. வதக்கறதது நல்லெண்ணேலயா? Sun Dropலயா? Go for Sun drop it is healthy. I did that as per instruction But I had one practical difficulty with தேங்கா. துறுவ தெரியல . பல்லு ப்ல்லா cut பண்ணி போட்டேன் .சாப்பாடு ரெடி

Now the result. சாதம் கொழஞ்சு பேச்சு. ரசம் OK ஆனா தக்காளிய காணோம் பீன்ஸ் கறி நன்னா வந்துது .தேங்காதான் யானபல் size. Vellamal enjoyed my cooking and Sonu relished பீன்ஸ் கறி with his Pedigree and பால்சாதம் To day's efforts an eye opener I can see their efficiency & time management She would have completed her washing simultaneously in the machine which I forgot totally I think this can be aptly said பம்பரமா சுத்தி வேல பாக்கரா Jambu:cell:

 

[kunjuppu]

grrrrrrrrrrreat!!

what is the menu for tomorrow? do you want suggestions? what are the vegetables in season these days?

 

[tbs]

hi jambu sir,
naan akkari le thaniya thaan irukken....7 samundram thaandi irukken,,,,ippo aathukkari
indiavin thalai nagarithil irukkaaal....denamum thaiyir saadam thaan,,,,ready made
desi youghurt,,,,,koncham priya maa vadu/tender mango.....molagu rasam with sutta
appalaam missing.......thuni and pathram washing thaan romba kastam,,,,evev though
washer/dryer/dishwasher/micro wave irukku.....saadam mattum ok....becoz rice cooker....
thank god...........

regards
tbs

 

[Dr.T.N.Jambunathan]

16 July last night I prepared a check list of things to be done per schedule as routine As soon I got up looked at it and switched on the Motor to fill the tank Coffee at 6 AM. Much better than yesterdays After other routine like morning walk with Sonu watering the lawn and Kitchen Garden etc I tried a கோலம் at the door step. I know she will call at about 8AM after reaching Ahmadabad and want give this information as surprise. I do not know any புள்ளி கோலம் and tried the free hand variety I drew like electrons in elliptical orbits intersecting in the middle and to make it complete put a புள்ளி in the area of intersection. Vellammal entered the house at 9.30 AM commenting "எனன ஏராப்ளான் வாசல்ல கெடக்கு!! " in her rustic lingo I did get the call around 8 AM she was happy to know about the கோலம் . பரவால்யே Keep it up Gardenல -----கா வெதயெல்லாம் போட்டேநே என்ன ஆச்சு ? சுண்டக்கா வநதுருக்கு . Don" be funny வெணடக்கா போட்டா சுண்டக்கா எப்படி வரும் ? வெத ஒண்ணு வெச்சா சொற ஒண்ணு வருமா ?
There was drop in the voice over the phone and not clear I though she mentioned சுண்டகா Now that was good enough reason for this சுண்டகா சண்டை ! This poked me to tease her and was waiting for a chance Able to Manage? எல்லாம் taste பண்ணீநியா ? ரொம்ப நன்னா இருககு புளிக்காச்சல். ராத்ரி சாப்டேன் But tell me புளிக்காச்சல் சாப்டா fluகாச்சல் வருமா ? feverishஆ இருக்கே ? Don"t be stupid Flu is a viral fever If you can establish this link you are hinting I will be proudest wife next year you get Noble Prize for Medicine for this discovery!! Any way take care of your health . Now it is time for me to star cooking Lunch Rest in next posting Jambu:cell:

 

[AnanthaNarayanan]

Dr jambu sir
while in the kitchen be there only untill u finish ur cooking,

when i was a bachelor got many time skiped from the kitchen to watch movie, resulted spoiled food and vessel

 

[kunjuppu]

tbs,

get out of your misery. search the web. there are literally hundreds of indian veggie recipes starting from sambhar to saathamudhu. do it like a project. print out the recipe. assemble all ingredients inthe right quantity. follow the steps one by one. it is very jimble. suprise your wife when she comes back with a beeeeg saddhi.

 

[nachi naga]

kunjuppu,

the best well meaning post thus.what a fricking mcp i am

 

[Dr.T.N.Jambunathan]

Yesterdays சமயல் was simple பத்திய சமயல் வத்தகழம்பு I have sufficient stock சுட்ட அப்பளாம் comes out great in Micro (60 seconds) Faced problems with வத்தல் .மணதக்காளி நான் Sun Dropல வறுத்தேன் சொதசொதன்னு இருக்கு . Reason she explained that it should have been fried in Ghee.மோர் மொளகா created environmental pollution Faber Chimney cannot handle the pungent பொகை it generate. I had a nasty bout of cough for 2 minutes

Idlli for breakfast was slightly harder than the previous day. Reason மாவு is just fine for idlli for 2 days beyond that it gives you good தோசை . Today I have to change over to தோசை which needs specialist skill I will do my best .Sonu likes her milk chill and added few cubes and she drank like fish!(dog) I make really good chutney I have some left over of what I made yesterday (தேங்கா சட்னி ) Power will go in few minutes I will start my cooking (தோசை) Jambu:hungry:

 

[tbs]

tbs,

get out of your misery. search the web. there are literally hundreds of indian veggie recipes starting from sambhar to saathamudhu. do it like a project. print out the recipe. assemble all ingredients inthe right quantity. follow the steps one by one. it is very jimble. suprise your wife when she comes back with a beeeeg saddhi.

hi kunjuppu sir,
thanx for the advice......im basically palakkad pattar...according to TN Seshan...palakkad pattars are famous for 3 Cs....civil servant...
cooks.....crooks....so cooking therintha kalai thaan....very famous hotel family thaan...but koncham lazy...i have to eat my own cooking...
its tough job......thayir saadham is more convenient/easily digestable...........

regards
tbs

 

[Dr.T.N.Jambunathan]

The power is back and I continue. No problem with தோசை came out in exact circles with out any tear in the middle . I saw in daily sheet calendar found to day is ஆடி பிறப்பு She would have made it big with வடை பாயசம் etc. I thought I should recognize her sentiments and do the best to my ability to follow her tradition in her absence with I know will make her proud. What do I do ? starting with கோலம் . I cant do மாகோலம் Instead கோல குழால made some design and gave a border withசெம்மண் Fairly good result. Since I am more spiritual than ritual I do not do the தர்பணம் on மாச பிறப்பு This has never been a bone of contention between us though she is spiritual with all rituals along with it. It is also a Saturday and she regularly places பொட்டு on Hanuman' photo after reciting Hanuma Chalisas This I do not know but I can put that Pottu & Clean the Pooja Room I did that. குதது விளக்கு ஏத்தி கல்கண்டு நைவேத்தியம். Hope Gods should be pleased with my sincere efforts and definitely my wife will be. At the moment she is in Sabarmathi Ashram and is on phone & happy about the happenings in this end. The idea is to make her happy, make her see that her sentiments are respected & all her efforts and labor are recognized and appreciated . Jambu:dance:

 

[RVR]

Now a days lot of instant food mixes are available.

MTR, Mallika Badrinath, Grand Sweets etc make lot of instant food mixes.

Vatha Kuzhambu, Gongura, Puliyodarai, Rasam etc are available.

Curd, Yogart is also available.

Cooking rice alone is not a problem

We can make salad without much of problem

I always manage with the above when my wife leaves me `high and dry'. Incidentally they also come to know that they are not indispensable. It gives a clear signal to them

Let us try to live independently

All the best

 

[DURGADASAN]

Its really a comedy for me to read continously without leaving a single post. It shows me how dependent husbands are. At the sametime, I also think why is this so? That too in particular within our community. Because, in our community almost all the men know to cook. I can challenge you people that I can cook very well than a normal women and also do my own works. Everything comes by training only. My mom trained me like that only teaching me to wash vessels, washing my clothes, sweeping, etc. almost to manage a house. I think it was totally missed there among all the posters orelse the wives of the corresponding posters turned them like that and they forget everything. HAhahahh... Am far lucky. I hate all instants uncle. Even for coffee, I need filter than coffee make. anyhow knows to operate electric cooker as well as coffee maker. Atleast try now with new things and make surprise to your wife dear posters.

Pranams

 

[Dr.T.N.Jambunathan]

Dear RVR

Problem with ready mix is that most of them(99 percent) contain பூண்டு & it is a necessary ingredient,. which we are not used to.specially in southern districts it is like God, omnipotent. Even a pinch of it I get vomiting.I may tolerate pork in 5 Star Hotel but never பூண்டு! I would prefer Jain Restaurants only for this. To morrow being a Sunday I thought I can celebrate and Give my self Lunch in a Restaurant. A new hotel has cropped up near my house "Anjappar Chettinad Hotel " Does our Kunjappar has any connection with this? My wife has not left me " high and dry" rather "High and Wet" Stocks of Bacardi Johny Walker & Napoleon are always there. I would prefer being inter dependent rather than Independent Jambu:hungry:

 

[Dr.T.N.Jambunathan]

Dear Durgadasan,

No wonder it is our tradition Women were not allowed any work "அவா வீட்டுலே இல்லாதபோது " So men were trained to these Job during those (days) "periods".Necessity after all is the Mother of inventions! Jambu:washing:

 

[RVR]

Dear RVR

Problem with ready mix is that most of them(99 percent) contain பூண்டு & it is a necessary ingredient,. which we are not used to.specially in southern districts it is like God, omnipotent. Even a pinch of it I get vomiting.I may tolerate pork in 5 Star Hotel but never பூண்டு! I would prefer Jain Restaurants only for this. To morrow being a Sunday I thought I can celebrate and Give my self Lunch in a Restaurant. A new hotel has cropped up near my house "Anjappar Chettinad Hotel " Does our Kunjappar has any connection with this? My wife has not left me " high and dry" rather "High and Wet" Stocks of Bacardi Johny Walker & Napoleon are always there. I would prefer being inter dependent rather than Independent Jambu:hungry:

We are always interdependent. There is absolutely no doubt about it. But at the same time, if we show them that we can live independently, it will give `correct signals' to them

Some of the instant mixes doesn't have garlic and onion. Only Rasam Powder may have garlic and it could be avoided.

All the best

 

[Dr.T.N.Jambunathan]

Yes I know But the ingredients are printed in nano fonts. Actually yesterday I bought Aavakkai in Reliance Fresh not knowing that it had garlic . I had to rush back to exchange for some thing without Garlic. Only in Maggie Ketchup and Sauce it is boldly announced No Garlic No Onion Now The market is flooded with பூண்டு from China . In Madurai even கைமுறுக்கு may have Garlic. You have to buy only in select (few) shops where they do not add garlic You rarely come across Chutney without this in any hotel ! கல்யாண சாப்பாடு I avoid only for this reason

 

[kunjuppu]

there are 2 branches of anjappar in toronto. i have not been there. my aunt went there for idlis and said they were 'A class' (she is from kozhikode).

i use MTR puliyodharai mix (paste or powder) regularly, to make quickly lunch with leftover rice .

i do not buy ready mixed food because they contain, i believe, too much salt. in my house, most brahmins when they come, i keep salt container for them. we use salt very very sparingly - for taste and not substitute for food.

i agree garlic maybe an issue. per se i do not like garlic, but like it in vethakozhambu but not in rasam.

another quick tasty sauce is grand sweets vethakozhambu. tastes better than the ones made from scratch. jambu, i think, you need to smoke the oil before frying sundakkai!

believe it or not, i use the brand, 'brahmins sambhar powder'. it is sold locally in a kerala store and is from palakkad. i dont think you will have such a name for a product in tamil nadu

also now a days i also get my favourite கூர்க்கை. it becomes semi prepared in a vacuum packed packing with the technology of ifri mysore, and has preserved the original taste. easy gain without the pain of removing fine sand from the கூர்க்கை.

nowadays there is no excuse for men to feel helpless in the kitchen. except laziness.

 

[nachi naga]

more than cooking,i think using vessels frugally is the trick.i get nagged all the time,to do dishes and even if i do dishes with dishwasher,always a speck or two is spotted by the discerning eye.male metro syndrome of the north americans.