Some of you who follow me on Facebook know that last week my trusty refrigerator gave up the ghost and rattled its last gasp. It had several terminal symptoms, so I’d reduced my supplies and was ready to deal with its demise. I’d coaxed it along for at least three years because I love that refrigerator. I know. Unreasonable and ridiculous, but here’s what it looks like–an unobtrusive appliance.
Also the ice and water dispenser work better than my friend’s brand new refrigerator. There’s only one part that failed…the compressor. When I called the repairman he told me he couldn’t get a new compressor because–you guessed it–GE doesn’t support this model anymore by manufacturing replacement parts.
I know our economy’s based on growth but think about the savings in time, money, and energy if I could simply put in a new compressor. There’s the manufacturing of an entirely new appliance, the transportation of it to the store–then to me, the recycling of the old refrigerator parts, and the ultimate disposal of its remains in the landfill.
If we’re serious about reducing greenhouse gases and treating our environment better than we have in the past, I think it’s time to rethink built-in obsolescence and try for restoration and re-use rather than dumping and recycling.
So enough of that. I’ve put away my soapbox for now, and I’m off to pick up some ice to restock my cooler. I’m now in full camping mode. It’s not that bad, just a bit inconvenient, and I’m looking forward to a lower electric bill this month.
The publisher contacted me last week to say they’d put Shattered back on NetGalley, so it’s now available to read for free. Indie Books is sending me some medals for my cover, but until I see them, I still have a hard time believing I actually won an award.
Quote of the Week: “We live in a disposable, ‘cast-off and throw-away’ society that has largely lost any real sense of permanence. Ours is a world of expiration dates, limited shelf life, and planned obsolescence. Nothing is absolute.” Myles Munroe, Preacher
