Okay, people now are just too soft. Last week the ice maker in our refrigerator stopped working and my family was hysterical. It really ramped up when I said I didn't think we should replace the ice maker. It's a built in refrigerator we have had longer than they are supposed to last. Anytime it could kick the bucket, so why spend a bundle on putting in a new part.
I tried to calm their hysteria by suggesting we could simply use ice cube trays and a counter top machine my son had but wasn't using. I ignored all their suggestions including buying a bag of ice at Costco because that was easier. Really, getting a bag of ice that would defrost somewhat on the way home and freeze into a block and then having to find a place in the freezer for it is easier, than something that doesn't require travel or a lot of space.
I went ahead with my plan. I ordered ice cube trays from Amazon that arrived the next day. Definitely an improvement over the metal things we had when I was a kid. They are flexible so twist to get the ice out and best of all have lids so can be stacked. I dusted off the counter top ice maker and tried it out. It wasn't exactly as I'd hoped. The ice pieces are small and shaped like bullets and have to be retrieved when each batch of 5 or 6 pieces drop in the basket and put in the freezer because they will melt otherwise. I just let it run while I was doing something nearby and soon had a plastic bag full of the ice pieces while the trays of ice froze.
This was all for them. i rarely use ice. I drink stuff at room temperature. As I write this, there is a supply of available ice while the refilled trays are making more.
As I was dealing with all this, I thought back to when I was a kid. There were no snow days, nor teachers hovering to make sure the right person picked you up from school. Even in kindergarten, the bell rang and we were on our own to get home. There were plenty of siinister characters, but we knew to avoid them. As for ice-- it was about the only thing the tiny freezer inside the small refrigerator would make. We had two trays that sat at the top of the smaller inner compartment. There was no door on it and no space for much of anything anyway. And yet we survived Chicago summers without even a fan.
I admit, I do like some of the gadgets available, like the coffee maker I wrote about, but honestly, I don't think they make anybody any happier. If anything they break and make people upset as in my family with the ice maker demise.
5 comments:
Good morning -- Loved your post and totally agree. I grew up in Lincoln, NE where the summers were hot and humid, and the winters cold and snowy. We managed with an oscillating floor fan for summer -- my grandmother cooked three meals every day, baked bread every week and we survived without central air. My elementary school was just a few blocks away but junior and senior high school was almost a mile and we trudged through snowy winters to get there. Girls weren't allowed to wear pants to classes so we had snow pants to take off and hang in our locker. I rarely use ice in a drink -- keep a pitcher of water in the fridge and that's fine for me. I can almost hear the "scrunch" the old metal ice cube tray made when the lever was pulled up to release the cubes. Modern appliances are great but we got along well without them.
The weather has been a few degrees cooler -- still hot but that's to be expected in a Phoenix summer. I continue to water outdoor plants in the morning, do any necessary errands early, then stay in to read and crochet. Works well for me.
Enjoy your day -- are you plotting more adventures for Molly and the Hookers?
I had to laugh of your description of growing up in Chicago. Same for me. We lived on the northwest side and my mother swore by the 'cooler by the lake' mentality (even though we were several miles away). In the summer all windows and drapes were opened wide in the morning to let in the lake breeze. Then all drapes were closed mid-afternoon and then opened part way in the evening. Only part way so someone didn't climb in your window at night. I think we got a fan when I was in high school. Metal ice cube trays and yes, I believe only two which fit in the corner of the freezer. One fridge with a small freezer.
No snow days and girls had to wear dresses or skirts. I vaguely remember the humiliation of snow pants which were removed once at school. Despite it all. It was a good life though I love my modern life now.
Have a great weekend!
Patty, your life sounds similar to mine. I saw that Phoenix had gotten a little cooler. It sounds like you have it worked out. The book I'm working on now is the next Yarn Crochet Mystery. I'm calling it KNOT DEAD,, AGAIN. I have had to set it aside for a few days, while I put together material for a virtual tour for the launch of KILLER HOOKS. And there's the trip with my son and grandson to Monterey. definitely a lot cooler there.
Sally, your descriptions sounded familiar. Hated snow pants. We lived about four blocks from the beach. My mother would take us there in the early morning before it got hot.
I do like a lot of the modern conveniences, but it's good to know you can manage without them.
Fortunately, my refrigerator, still working, has an ice maker that offers cubes and crushed ice. My dogs really love chomping on the crushed ice, which is just somewhat shredded pieces of the cubes. Actually, we did replace a refrigerator while back when its ice maker stopped working.
Post a Comment