By Scott Anthony

I'm no renaissance man, I can't paint my way out of a grade school art class, and my musical skills are akin to a really good musician, but one who is too lazy to learn an instrument well.

But in my own defense, I CAN do a little of everything, well enough to not hurt myself or others in the process. So maybe instead of being an accomplished man of the arts and of fine cuisine, I am more of a factotum.

In this way I have learned how to cook things like eggs, pizza (homemade with premade crust) and salmon on a cedar plank. I know how to build a solid fence and can replace a window or door in a house with reasonable skill and speed.

I can sing, sometimes even in key, sometimes even in harmony and I know how to build a fire outside on a wet day (hint: road flares are cheap and easy to find).

Part of being a factotum means being responsible and dependable, so I have taken on the mantle of dishwasher and cook with (only a little) minor complaint. I tend to the yard work, but also vacuum the rugs. I am happy to paint a bedroom without spilling and also do the laundry, and before you come away with the perception that I do ALL the work around the house, that's not the case at all.

Mrs.Anthony cooks far better than I do (absolutley top notch biscotti and spaghetti sauces) and she remembers to separate colors from non-colors in the wash. She also feeds the dogs and grooms them, handles all bills and medications and appointments, so maybe SHE is the real factotum.

Or maybe it takes two factotums to get by in the world. Yes, that makes sense. After all, nobody likes a know-it-all.