Tools

             

            Kim and I have found ourselves more and more frustrated in dealing with computers and electronics. It may be our age, or perhaps a natural consequence of trying to use something complicated and unfamiliar. The worst, of course, comes when trying to converse with a robot on the other end of the “Help” line. (I used the f-word before hanging up on a robot.) Almost as bad: dealing with “Help” who does not speak or understand English.

 

            With these frustrations in mind, I think it’s important to recognize, honor and thank tools that are not computerized, or even electronic. Of course, I value my automatic car key, google and my GPS, but let’s not neglect simpler things:

 

suitcase wheels

It took a surprisingly long time to come up with wheels that make it easy to drag your suitcase through the airport (we got to the moon earlier), and I confess that I rarely walk through airports. Still, it’s a great invention: the wheel.

 

carrot scraper

I like this because peeling carrots is one of my kitchen jobs. And this versatile tool can also be used to peel potatoes and apples.

 

pencil sharpener

I now use ours about once a year, but think how often we used to use this device. Stop and think about how cool the workings are. I suspect they will soon disappear . . ..

 

combination padlock

I haven’t used ours in several years, but still . . .. I used to use one to lock my bike to a rack, but since I sold my bike in our garage sale (riding alongside US 31 too dangerous). Still, appreciate what is going on beneath the dial, with all those little pieces of metal.

 

jack-knife

I mainly use mine to help me open packages sealed in plastic, but it’s I feel manly just having one available – if not in my pocket, then in our car’s glove compartment or my desk drawer.

 

rake

Such a simple tool, and how effective, especially in the fall. And I was happy to learn that raking leaves is good exercise, so it counts as multi-tasking.

 

axe

I use mine about once a year to split firewood, or maybe dig out a troublesome root. I feel manly and capable when I use one, and, so far, I’ve not injured myself.

 

ice cream scoop

No comment needed. I love the way squeezing the lever dislodges the ice cream into my dish.

 

can opener

You know – squeeze to penetrate the lid, then twist the handle and the can rotates, opening as you go. I wonder how AI opens cans . . ..

 

jar lid opener

Actually, the metal piece with a triangle on one end, used in the past for opening cans. Kim has found a way to use it to open stubborn jar lids. Kim actually has over 50 kitchen tools, about 3 of which I know how to use.

 

broom

We don’t usually use a broom for indoor cleaning, but it’s effective brushing leaves and light snow from our porches and dislodging cobwebs. Alas, the broom is gradually being replaced by an electric blower . . ..

 

front door key

Good to have an actual key rather than a combination that I will probably forget. Of course, I’m just as likely to lose the key. But I like picturing what is going on behind the scenes in my door when I turn the key. And if I lose the key, I have a spare hidden in the garage, which I can access simply by pushing the right four buttons on the keypad . . ..