My husband has so many wonderful qualities. So many. But when it comes to basic home repairs, he could glean a few tips from Handy Manny, the lovable cartoon contractor.

Let's say, for instance, Handy Manny was called in to unclog a toilet in our downstairs bathroom. Do you think that once he had cleared the clog, he would just walk off, leaving the dirty toilet plunger sticking straight out of the toilet?

I don't think he would.

Why? Because Handy Manny respects his tools. Handy Manny knows that a tool does not enjoy sitting in a wet toilet covered in post-plunge whateverness any more than the lady of the house likes LOOKING at a tool that's covered in post-plunge whateverness. (Or, while we’re on the subject, SMELLING a tool that's covered in post-plunge whateverness.)

(SERENITY NOW.)

I could have cleaned the plunger myself, of course. I realize that. But is it so much to ask that he who plungeth, also clean up after himselfeth?

Perhaps my husband just needs a little assistance, I thought. A gentle nudge in the direction of Appropriate Plunger Management.

(Deep Cleansing Breath.)

I removed the plunger from the toilet, wrapped it in a rag, and set it in a metal washtub with a container of bleach in the middle of the yard where he was playing baseball with our oldest son.

"You can use this bleach to clean the plunger," I said.

"Okay," he nodded. "Thanks."

That’s funny, I thought. It sounds like he said "thanks", and yet he does not seem thankful.

How STRANGE.

This was Wednesday. It is now Saturday.

The plunger is still in the tub in the yard.

And my husband is at the dining room table, working on another project.

“I’m losing steam,” he says. “I don’t want to finish this.”

“No! That doesn’t sound like you at all!”

He shakes his head. “It’s true. I’ve got to learn to finish what I start.”

“Funny,” I say. “I’m writing about that very topic.”

“About ME not finishing what I start?” he says, now incredulous. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the toilet plunger.”

“Are you kidding? Did you see the way I muscled through that clog? I was working that thing for 20 minutes!”

This is true. It was a mighty clog.

After all, two days have passed ... and he’s still pooped.