A Momentary Disturbance

The over-the-stove microwave died.  It worked just fine reheating a grilled bratwurst for breakfast.  But later, when she went to heat something, it did nothing.  Door wouldn't close, tray didn't move, light wouldn't go out...no response.  Alas, it had been a good decade or so.

It'll be a week before the replacement unit arrives and is installed.  As was said, you never miss the water until the well runs dry.  It hit me - no microwave.  No popcorn.  No quick nachos.  No quick hot water for an afternoon coffee.  No...the list grew.  Now, like yourself, I survived quite well for numerous decades without microwaves.  Although, like the fax machine, I'm not sure how I managed.  Heck, I even get a bit nervous when cell phone coverage hits a dead zone.  Truly, thoughts that go bump in the night.

The "problems" and challenges for life that we face in the 21st century are so far removed from a mere generation or two.  There's an email making the rounds for some time that looks back a hundred years and snap-shots some situations from 1911 with PunditGeorge commentary:

·         The population of Las Vegas , Nevada was only 30 . It IS in the middle of the desert, you know.

·         Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn't been invented yet.  You have to wonder how they managed, day to day.

·         There was neither a Mother's Day nor a Father's Day.   Many good ideas are in the future.

·         Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write and only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.   No data on "common sense" which I suspect was more abundant then.

·         Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores.   Sometimes I think some folks are working night and day to totally eliminate "over the counter."

·         Back then pharmacists said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health!"   Have to wonder about the clinical trials

Percy Spencer

·         Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.   Ah, love those labor-saving appliances.  Thank you, electricity, Mister Tesla, Mister Edison, Mr. Westinghouse, and Percy Spencer - the man who discovered microwaves cook things.

That last note is important.   I love popcorn.  A couple of decades ago I was featured in a newspaper story on popcorn - and how best to pop it.  This was just before the magic of micro-waved popcorn hit.  Popcorn aficionados would debate stove top, electric popper, air popper and mixtures of oils and salts (nothing, of course, bested movie popcorn) but most, moi aussi, surrendered to the superior microwave process.  And so it has been.

Until this week.

Like riding a bicycle, I know how to do it, the ancient way.  But, oh well, it's only a few days.  Meanwhile I can breezily gaze a century hence and envision what marvels await.  Now that's fun...while waiting for the popcorn.

UPDATE:  Prepping fresh corn on the cob last night when we realized...no microwave to steam it in.  So, back to ancient methods:  Boil for 2 minutes, turn off heat, sit for ten minutes.  Mucho goodo!