Lazy Susan: She's a Tease

scene of good times with family and friends

I love my square dining table that seats 8 comfortably.  Square is wonderful because it's so sociable -- everyone who's there can talk together, or to their immediate neighbors, with no craning of necks or raised voices.  It is, however, difficult to reach a dish that may be all the way on the other side of its wide surface.  

a seemingly elegant solution

I found the perfect solution:  the Lazy Susan.

In theory, she's great.  I can put everything on the large disk in the middle of the table and it's all in reach.  Hypothetically, when I want the bread, or the salad, or more sweet potatoes, I have only to extend my hand.  

Unfortunately, so does everyone else.  Usually at the same time I want it.

Husband scores corn muffin

Just as I'm going for the salt, Gem spins it to the other side of the table.  I reach out for the beans only to see them whirl away in  Husband's quest for salad dressing.  The empty promises of Lazy Susan.  

Goodbye, Butter.  It wasn't meant to be.

Thief of Time

When we bought our house a couple of years ago we redid lots of things, but we couldn't do it all.  Some things had to wait until we have the money and/or time.  Kitchen appliances seemed to be in working order, so they stayed.

Unpredictable dishwasher

The dishwasher was one of these.  It's a temperamental creature that needs just the right touch or else it pouts and all its lights go off.  Usually it works o.k., but it seems to go out on strike at random times.  Sometimes even if it "works," the dishes don't get clean.  

New HD "Dishwasher"

So about a year ago, we decided that we needed a more reliable appliance.  We entered the appliance store with that plan in mind.  Somehow, when we left the store, instead of a dishwasher for me, we had a 42" HD television set for my husband.  


I'm still not sure how it happened.  A year later, the new has still not worn off of our HD "dishwasher."  It gets the internet so our Netflix instant download movies are always on tap.  It has a DVR, so there are always several episodes of Antiques Road Show or What Not to Wear or something just lined up.


Therein lies the problem.  I've never been a big TV watcher, mostly because at any given time there is nothing on that I want to watch.  But now...well...when I'm folding clothes or ironing or sewing and no one is home...it's so tempting to turn it on.  Next thing I know, it's 2 hours later and I haven't got anything else done.  Television is truly the thief of time.


Being grateful.......I am grateful to have my old cranky dishwasher and my new HD dishwasher.  Thankful that my family finds things on the infernal machine to laugh about and talk about.  Now, I need to step - away - from - the - dishwasher.

Musical Touch

When I was first married, we had a tiny house with 2 bedrooms, each about the size of a coffee table.  My sister was moving out of state and wanted to get rid of her piano.  Unbeknownst to me, she made a deal with my beloved husband:  he paid to have the instrument moved to our house and he could have it.

I first learned about this deal when the behemoth was being hauled into our second bedroom (no kidding, I have friends with bigger closets).  When I asked about it, he was giddy with excitement:  "Isn't it great?!!  Can you believe Perrine didn't think this was worth moving to Virginia?"  I said, "Wow, Sweetie, uh, so you thought it would be a good idea to bring it here?"  

Because, uuuuuhhhh, the one thing we needed was a giant musical instrument that neither of us could play.  Actually, I had taken lessons as a child and had heard my elders remark that I had "touch," which was what passed for musicality in our family.  The truth is, I wasn't much for practicing.  I just wanted to sit down to the keys and amaze the whole room.  After that kept not happening, I gave it up as a hopeless cause.  Suffice to say, there was no good reason for me to give up that kind of house space to a piano.

A few years and one mortgage on a larger residence later, and our sweet daughter Gem turned seven and entered second grade.  We had decided that she should learn to play a musical instrument.  Since we already owned a big honking piano, we had it tuned up and found a teacher.  Mrs. Cradic was a nice lady in the neighborhood and an excellent, patient teacher for Gem.  

From the beginning, Gem liked playing.  She practiced conscientiously and matriculated under Mrs. Cradic's tranquil guidance.  Liked playing, but did it mostly because it was required, like reading and math.  There were times when she said she wanted to quit, but we didn't let her (didn't let her quit school, either).  There were times when she really enjoyed piano, and those became more and more frequent.

Now that she's almost 14, we are all reaping the rewards of Gem's hard work.  She is at the stage now where she plays for herself.  Her classical training mixes nicely with her teen penchant for rock/heavy metal.  She got a chance to participate in a Jazz ensemble at NOCCA, too (not her thing, but had a great time).  

I love working in the kitchen, looking over the stove and watching her as she works out a musical puzzle for herself on the keyboard.  The sound tracks of movies (Pride and Prejudice!), computer games, and iTunes all provide new musical ideas and directions for her curious mind and eclectic sensibilities.  So far the only thing she doesn't like are Christmas carol sing-alongs (maybe this year...Good King Wenceslaus is my favorite).

Gem still studies and practices what her teacher (since Katrina a new teacher -- also much loved) assigns.  She also plays whatever strikes her fancy.  When we signed Gem up for lessons, what we wanted for her was to have this music, this skill that she can enjoy for herself and share with those around her for the rest of her life.  It is such a delight to see this dream taking shape.  Lucky us!