It started in May: my toaster died. Then in June, after a 9 hour power outage, my desktop died. Last month, my laptop died. My dining room light gave out, and a replacement is on the way.

The 21st century brings many blessings, but requires frequent maintenance, often costly. I replaced the toaster – it was on sale, and the “bagel” function does not work. I replaced the desktop with an electronic typewriter – no updates, no license, no subscription fees. It was time to ditch my Word dependency.

Replacing the laptop was more expensive, but more necessary. I gave up television when I left LA in 2020, so the laptop is my “window on the world.” I also need it to do legal consulting, which generally involves e-mails with attachments.

A power bank is on order, the kind with two little cords on the sides. I am fascinated by those cords, and it seems like a good thing to have during power outages, and while traveling.

I noticed my garden hose was sometimes out of place, thrown in the bushes, or laying out in the yard. I found the culprit – he is 5 years old. His grandmother is my neighbor. They have been growing a tomato plant this summer. She says he is fascinated with the tomatoes coming out. Hoses too, apparently. I think I’ll let him slide.