One of my official titles still remains “chief cook and bottle washer” but that title only applies in the presence of an automatic dishwasher!
When we moved into this little house 40 years ago…there was no AC…no clothes dryer (everything, even the mountains of diapers went outside on the clothesline), no microwave oven, no color TV and no dishwasher. Over the years and several well-timed protests combined with serious budget belt-tightening, we were able to move into the modern era. Our kids laugh when I tell them this story and then they sarcastically ask how deep the snow was when I walked to school. Now it seems that one by one the precious appliances are just wearing out and in need of replacement. As most of the Christmas, birthday and other holiday family rituals have moved on from our house to the boys own families homes, the one ritual that does seem still remain is installing a new appliance.
The new replacement dishwasher was a wonderful walk down memory lane and a wonderful reminder that some things will never change. There is the predictable hunt for the right tools and the boys refusing to even consult the installation manual while grousing about the appliances design flaws! My job, as always, was to simultaneously monitor the work and the installation manual, occasionally pointing out the paragraph that would explain the current problem. I had forgotten what an exciting important family ritual the installing a “new” appliance had been. And again how absolutely wonderful it was to have tools and “mystery” parts strewn about the house. The delightful memories of past ritual installations are almost as exciting as once again to have the dishes done….not by me!
"Do it Again" Steely Dan
No comments:
Post a Comment