Love Hate

I received some cash for Christmas and I decided to spend it on something that I wouldn't normally buy. After much deliberation, I settled on a Nook tablet. It's a sleek little gadget, filled with the promise of jetting me forward into a world of technological wonderment. Gratefully, I had no trouble getting it up and running. Apparently, the techno-geeks of the world have figured out just how stupid some of us can be when it comes to setting up new toys.

After a month of working with my new gizmo, the jury is still out as to whether it is a friend or foe. My initial goal was to check a book out from my public library. After downloading the necessary "app" (and other sundry stuff I'm sure I don't need), I successfully borrowed my first official book. Now begins the love-hate relationship.

I love the fact that I don't have to worry about the library closing when I'm down to my last book. I downloaded a book on Christmas day and never left the comfort of my own couch. Sweet.

I also like the idea of not carrying around ten pounds of books  when I travel. I no longer have to fear that I will leave a borrowed book behind and have my wages garnished indefinitely by the library. Books just fade away into cyberland when they are due back on their imaginary shelf. No more overdue fees or stern reminder calls from the automated Dewey voice.

Perhaps best of all is the ability to interact with the text. My worn out eyes appreciate the ability to change font sizes. The lighted screen is an additional bonus when natural lighting fails. And just a tap on the screen connects me to a dictionary when I need word clarification. What's not to love?

Well, it turns out there is one big disadvantage. I miss my books. The paper and dust jacket kind. The kind that doesn't need to be plugged in after so many hours. For over fifty years I have been transported into worlds beyond by opening a set of pages bound by a singular spine. I have rummaged around for bookmarks to hold my spot until my next reading engagement. I propped many books just right in bed so that I could enjoy a few more minutes of reading before they slipped out of my hands and reminded me that the day was done.

I miss the feel and smell of books. I miss browsing through real books on real shelves with real librarians near by. I miss the sense of anticipation that comes with touching a tangible object that is filled with the promise of new adventures.

Yes, my Nook is a tangible object. Yes, an e-reader has words and and little bitty book covers for one to enjoy. And yes, electronic reading is more convenient, less bulky and filled with additional features. But, no, I don't love my Nook yet.

Unless it's time for the next level of Candy Crush. Move over words and make way for the color bomb.

Farewell

I said goodbye to an old friend last week. My friend is a lot like me--likes to cook, not too beautiful and is wearing out a little around the edges. For almost twenty-four years, we spent daily time together as we wrestled with life. But, as with all good things, time takes its toll and willingly or unwillingly we are required to move on.

Yes, I am bidding adieu to my General Electric four-burner range, circa 1989. We bought it when we built our house. Our budget was very tight and top of the line appliances were never considered. We settled for a modest little work horse stove and I certainly put her to the test the minute she arrived. We had been living on quick meals and whatever scraps we could piece together as we scrambled to complete a home building project in addition to our full time jobs. The day we signed papers for the house and officially moved in, I prepared a pork chop dinner. It wasn't anything special but I remember the comfy fragrance of a home cooked meal. Better yet, it was our first meal prepared on our new stove in our new house. It was a moment that settled us into the rhythm of new surroundings and new mortgage payments.

Ms. GE never complained as I continued to cook and bake throughout the years. She never needed a house call from the doctor as she preheated, baked, broiled and boiled with relative ease. It was only in her latter years that signs of aging began to surface. The scrawny little knobs on the clock/timer broke off first. Next came an impossible battle with the drip pans and burner rings as they charred themselves to a crusty patina. The self-cleaning oven needed additional help with the sticky messes I managed to create and finally, the burners started screaming for mercy as I jiggled and juggled them into place. My soup pots became accustomed to sitting at an angle and losing heat when the connection was suddenly interrupted.

Despite Ms. GE's frailties, I stubbornly continued onward and would probably still be doing so if my soft spoken husband hadn't finally declared that it was time to end my co-dependent relationship. Shortly thereafter, we trudged our way through snow and slush and entered a local store filled with smiling, gleaming new appliances. Once again, budget constraints meant foregoing the seductive call of top of the line ranges. We moved, instead, toward the less flashy little models and after some deliberation and crunching of numbers we settled on an LG range, knob-less, smooth top and basic white, please.

As I prepared my last meal on my tired GE, I said a prayer of thanks for all her years of service. Conservatively speaking, she cranked out over 14,000 meals, 1,000 desserts and 1,200 dozen cookies. My family and friends are grateful for such faithfulness.

Now, there is a new sheriff in town and I hope we have many productive years together. I know for sure that her knobs won't fall off, her burners won't require jiggling and she is easier to clean.

I wish I could say the same for me.