I am mad at my microwave oven.    It is broken.   Again.    For the second time in two years.  I glared at it this morning and it stared back blankly.  It shows no signs of remorse or repentance.

I don’t even use it that much.  Its not like I ask it to run all day every day.  I don’t even use it every day, so it doesn’t have a high bar of performance over which to leap.  But like all things in life, you really don’t need it until you don’t have it.  I really needed it last night when I wanted to microwave an ear of fresh corn.

You haven’t had corn on the cob until you have eaten it steamed in its own husk in the microwave.  Just pull off the top layer of husk (top layer only!) and pop in the microwave for 2 minutes per ear.  When its done, the husk and silk will easily slide off because the corn will have steamed.  It will be crisp, fresh, and sweet..  Better than corn prepared any other way.  As long as your microwave works.

In 2007, we prepared our home to sell..  The real estate suggested that we get rid of the old reliable appliances we had in the house for years and years and update with new because buyers want stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.  We made the mistake of listening to the real estate agent and buying all new Frigidaire appliances when we updated the kitchen.  Just before the real estate market crashed……and our home value sank…and after a year we took the house off the market.

So, these appliances are 4 years old.  In that time, the dishwasher has had to have its main control panel replaced, the heating element in the oven has required replacing, and this is the second time the microwave has required repairs.  I am almost afraid to leave the fridge in the kitchen with the other rogue appliances because it might get ideas and start requesting replacement parts also.  Did I mention that these appliances were not cheap?

But, in my bedroom is my Austin Air HealthMate.  I bought it in 1998.  I don’t think it has ever been turned off except to change the filter.  That unit has been doing its job without requiring my attention for 13 years. It never complains (like the dishwasher that sometimes makes strange noises) it just sits there and efficiently and quietly goes about its job of pulling in particles of dust, dust mites, mold, pollens, cat dander and fur, and general household dust.  I can depend on it every night to give me the clean air I need as I sleep.  I leave the house in the morning, it is running..doing its job.  I come home in the evening and there it sits, cleaning the air.

My Frigidaire appliances could learn a lesson or two from my Austin Air HealthMate.  Like how to do your job when it is needed.  How to be reliable and dependable and to act like an appliance…and that is work without complaining or requiring my attention. 

I think I am going to have a serious discussion with my microwave.

Til Next Time!

Cheryl
The Allergy Store

Its Flag Day!  Time to celebrate the flag’s birthday!

Tradition has it that Flag Day started as an idea hatched by a Wisconsin school-teacher in 1885 to celebrate the US Flag’s 108th birthday (counting from year of official adoption).  BJ Cigrand continued to write in newspapers and magazines about the need for an official observance of “Flag Birthday”.

On April 25, 1983, the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America adopted a resolution requesting the mayor of Philadelphia and all others in authority and all private citizens to display the Flag on June 14th. Not to be outdone by the women, on May 8th, the Board of Managers of the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution unanimously endorsed the action of the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames. As a direct result of these resolutions, the Superintendent of Schools in Philadelphia directed that Flag Day Exercises be held in Independence Square on June 14, 1893.  What a sight that must have been, all the children
assembled and carrying US flags.  Pennsylvania is still the only state that recognizes Flag Day as an official state holiday.

Woodrow Wilson established “The Anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777” by executive proclamation on May 30, 1916.

National Flag Day wasn’t established until August 3, 1949 when Harry S Truman signed into law, enacting legislation passed by Congress.

While it is still not a federal holiday..it is the US Flag’s birthday and we pause to say Happy Birthday to the Stars and Stripes.

Cheryl
The Allergy Store