Stephanie Glakas-Tenet, wife of the former CIA director, George J. Tenet, was recently debriefed for all her intelligence. It had nothing to do with homeland security and a lot to do with home repair. She and coauthor Julie Sussman have written Dare to Repair: A Do-It-Herself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home, $15, www.amazon.com. For example, with this guide, written especially for women, unclogging a bathroom sink no longer requires a plumber — just a rag, petroleum jelly, a plunger, and these tips from the authors.

Insert a rag into the over-flow hole in the side of the sink. Apply petroleum jelly to the rim of the plunger to help form a tight seal over the drain. If the water doesn't cover the cup of the plunger, add water. Pump rapidly at least 12 times. Repeat if necessary.

Never use a drain cleaner to unclog a sink. It can damage pipes, gaskets, and garbage disposals.