Some days, like this one, it’s especially challenging to face a blank page. It’s remained blank all day. As blank as my mind. This post will likely be very short.
There are obvious pros to shopping for groceries online these days, but there are also drawbacks. For the second consecutive time I requested two chunks of a yummy artisanal white cheddar, and for the second consecutive time I got just one, which will last only a few days. My little flare of annoyance was as nothing compared to my surprise when I opened one heavy bag. I had ordered four bananas. There were more than twenty-four.
I sent a mass e-mail to my neighbors in a successful attempt to find banana adopters. (I had to rewrite that last sentence. It had said, “… in a fruitful search for banana adopters.” I didn’t mean to do that, and quickly deleted it so you’d never find out.)
I was talking to Ma this morning about my icebox. (Yes, I am a scintillating conversationalist.) For years, and maybe even all its life, it’s been making funny noises: bangs and pops and clunks. Ma says fridges last only ten to twenty years. Curious to find out how old mine is, I dug through a pile of manuals until I found the one. I started to read it as I made my way back, head down, toward my room. I took that final step and smacked into the closed door with a loud crash. The wind had blown it shut in my absence. Luckily it was my toes and not my face that made contact. I figured I’d better text Elana about what had happened, so she didn’t get the idea that I was slamming doors again. In fact, she had heard the bang, so I’m glad I clarified.
It turns out, my icebox was made in 2002, so perhaps I’m pushing my luck by not replacing it. But they’re over $1,000. But it would also suck to have mine go kaput and to lose hundreds of dollars from food spoilage. Life is simply unaffordable. Still, I’ve been researching options.
After this guy dug in my raised bed, he ran behind the English laurel, through whose branches I jammed my camera lens to get a slightly blurry shot of his dirty face. Those orange front teeth look evil. Did you know they grow six inches a year? That’s about as fast as human hair grows.
And then this jerk started eating away at my neighbor’s potted plant.
God, I hate them.
you might hate them, but you take gorgeous photos of them. you can freeze bananas well for later use in smoothies or banana bread. lucky neighbors. 4 bunches instead of 4 bananas. not bad. we can only get a few at a time since we do curbside and there are limits.
What Marianna said about the squirrels. I’m so glad you use a camera for your oppo research!
Get a replacement fridge soon; this one owes you nothing!!! Long and faithful service, despite its sound effects.
And — who knows? — they may be in short supply, and need a wait time — Carpe diem!!
Marianna & Stephen: You have encouraged me to continue posting pictures for a bit longer, as you’ll see on today’s post.
Ma: The appliance store guy said to wait.
Darn it about the cheese! Next time we’ll try for 1.5 – 2 lbs. and see if that does the trick.
That is annoying but also VERY funny about the banana bounty. You can request a partial refund on their site, if you didn’t already.
Your poor little bean, getting smacked on the door!!!!
Thanks for the early morning laughs! I’m sorry about your squirrels. Come visit mine in Oregon–maybe you’ll find a truce with the species. Ours up here look different (gray) but I’m not as good a photographer as you. Waiting for pictures of your new canine at home.
(My refrigerator must be about 12. It’s fine. The one I left in my house in Oakland was 18. It was still fine too.)