-
Modern Conviences
It’s amazing how much we rely on various modern conveniences and technology. We don’t realize how much until we have to do without. Most of us notice this when the power goes out or your computer network goes down at work. At the moment, I am living without refrigeration.
Wednesday night I was sitting here at the computer when I smelled something. I then started to wonder if maybe I left the stove on. I went to check and it was okay, but I couldn’t figure out what it was and was kind of panicking. The smell did seem to be stronger in the kitchen near the fridge, but I wasn’t sure. The smell seemed to lessen some, but eventually the fridge started running and I heard a clicking noise from time to time. I thought that maybe what I had smelled was the coolant or something instead of something burning. The food was still all right. The stuff in the fridge was cold and the stuff in the freezer was frozen. I figured I would call the next day to have someone take a look at it.
In the morning, I didn’t notice any problem with my milk and orange juice, but the fridge was still making that noise. However, when I went to grab my peanut butter and jam sandwich out of the freezer, it was not frozen. Later that day the repair guy stopped by and found that a relay had burnt out, so I had indeed smelled something burning. I’m just glad a fire didn’t start. However, the guy said that while it was an easy fix, they would have to order the part. It probably wouldn’t be here until Monday or Tuesday at the earliest. So, after work I packed up most of the food and took it to my parents’ house since they have an extra fridge and extra freezer and had some space in them. Had a nice meal there that night as well.
Friday, I get a call back saying that the part is on factory backorder, meaning they didn’t know when it would come in. For an extra $40 or so they could expedite it. I said sure, since I didn’t want to go too long without it. When I get home there is a message on my machine saying that not only was the part on backorder, it sounds like they didn’t even have any at the factory. It sounds like they have to manufacture the part. So now it might not be until at least Friday. I’ll have to get back with them this week to see if there are any other options, and if I can get by without having to pay that extra money for expediting since it’s not really all that expeditious from my perspective.
So, for the first night I just left the remaining stuff I had in the fridge. The OJ was good enough to drink Friday morning. The vegetables would keep long enough for me to eat them. The remaining milk I planned to use only in gravy. There were a few things I should have taken to my parents but didn’t, and I ended up throwing them out. Friday night, I ended up putting some things in a box and putting them out on the porch to keep them cool a bit longer. The temperature there didn’t get above 50°F today. Just about everything will be used up by tomorrow.
So, for the time being I’ll have to get by on canned or boxed things. If I want something else, it will have to be something I can buy in single servings and fix that night. Some things maybe I’m just paranoid about, because we are so used to keeping them in the fridge. However, they are things that can probably keep a while.
While it is an inconvenience, at least I still have power and heat. It kind of makes me have to think a lot more about what I’m going to do for dinner. One thing for sure is that it certainly makes me appreciate my refrigerator and freezer. Makes you wonder how people got by without a fridge.
-
16 Replies
Sorry, there were no replies found.
Log in to reply.