Did you know the first Thursday in November is also known as National Men Make Dinner Day?

Neither did I, until very recently. But it got me thinking about the household in my new novel “Benefits,” which normally consists of partners Ben and Jake. During the course of the book’s storyline, Ben’s natural son Logan moves in for awhile, as does Ben’s mother Margaret. Oh, and there’s always a few ghosts roaming around, including a ghost dog named Connie.

It struck me that every day is Men Make Dinner Day at the Brosseau-Schmidts, with the possible exception of when Margaret barges in and takes over.

Still, Ben’s not particularly epicurean. For a gay man, he’s not any stereotypical whiz in the kitchen, and struggles mightily with macaroni and cheese, even – which as we all know, comes in a box.

Also, there’s a reliance on chocolate chip cookies (not home-made either, store-bought) to placate the child Logan. At least Ben and Jake seem to be aware of the drug possibilities involving sugar.

Origins of National Men Make Dinner Day

It appears to have originated in Canada. There are “rules” – including a 4-ingredient minimum, no TV while making dinner, no secretly feeding the dog parts of said dinner, and also set up and doing the dishes after the meal are part of this.

It all seems to be a vestige from another era, doesn’t it? I guess I just know so many male (as well as mixed) households where every night is Men Make Dinner Day.

Ben Making Dinner in “Benefits”

Here’s a little snippet from the novel “Benefits” of Ben trying to figure out the macaroni method the day the child Logan comes to live at their house:

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Don’t speculate. Like worrying, a useless activity. A better project would be to start dinner, to pull out that box of mac ’n’ cheese and figure it out. Did we have butter and milk? Checkmark on the milk; I had just enough left over and no “calf” need be the wiser. I opened the refrigerator door to look for some butter when I caught Logan in my periphery, in the doorway.

            “You had a little nap,” I said. “You doing OK?”

            He blinked at me. Not fully awake, probably confused, strange house and all, and now it was dark.

            “Is your little dog in here?” he asked. “It ran out of the room when I looked at it.”

            Butter, butter, yes, there it was; back of the fridge behind the hummus. Grabbed that and the milk. An uneasiness in my guts and the familiar spark up my back.

            “We don’t have a dog. You must have had a late afternoon dream. They can be quite realistic, you know.”

            “No, Uncle Benny! It was a little brown wiener dog; it wagged its tail at me.”

To find out what happens next, you’ll have to read the book!