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
Congratulations on the award!!! That’s so exciting! 😀
Alexa
Bummer about the fridge. But ya kept it going for three years, impressive. Congrats on the award, that’s very cool.
Sorry about the appliance. It looks like it was difficult to clean the back. Very odd that they need the back cleaned often, but it’s very rare that it’s accessible to do as such.
The movie Robots agreed with you. Not a great animated movie, but still.
Congratulations on your book award.
I wrote a humorous piece for the June WEP prompt.
And I have my favorite book world narrowed down for the IWSG July prompt.
July 03 is Plastic Bag Free Day, which hopes to eliminate single-use plastic bags.
Over at Operation Awesome, our Pass or Pages query contest opens Monday with July’s family saga genre. Know any writers who might want to enter?
I read your piece. Great job.
I’ll look forward to finding out which book you’d like to spend in. I like this question.
As you the query contest, I’m sure there will be many authors interested. I’ll take a look at what you’re up to when I visit.
For the IWSG July prompt asking which book world I would live in, I narrowed it down to three choices.
One is a short-story I published. One is from a popular series. And one is better known from television, but there are books. It’s all on my blog.
I’ll swing back later to see your answers.
Well, Lee, the built-in obsolescence is so we need to buy new appliances. Our electrician told us that now manufacturers calculate on us replacing our appliances every four years!!! That doesn’t apply to the oldie but goodie appliances. But sadly, we’ve replaced our wall oven three times. Just outlasts the warranty then gives up the ghost. Bah. Makes me want to go outside and rub sticks together.
We should give those sticks a go! Unfortunately, I’m not experienced in igniting things without the help of modern inventions like matches.
Sorry to hear about your fridge. That stinks that all you would have needed is a new compressor and that wasn’t possible. Would definitely have been better for the environment. I would imagine that your electric bill will be much less this month- as I have heard that fridges that are not running well use a lot more electricity.
Congrats on the award! 🙂
Fingers crossed for a reduce electric bill. I’m eager to find out.
Thanks for stopping by. Always great to hear from you.
It is annoying to have to get rid of something that is easily fixed because they stopped making parts for it. Hope you get a new one soon.
My fingers are crossed about the delivery. I’ve heard some people have waited quite a long time. I’m patient, but it’s a chore to keep a cooler stocked with ice.
Always something good comes out of something bad. I bet your good thing is your gratitude for what you have. My hubs, Ted, is a handyman. My kids say he can Tedgineer anything. We try and fix when we can too. He’s pretty stubborn and usually prevails. Congratulations on your award! I love all of your YA stories.
Could you send Ted over for a few hours? I need things Tedgineered!
Congratulations on your reward. That’s a beautiful fridge, sorry that you couldn’t get it fixed.
I know there’s a way to save it if I only had the time and know-how to do it. Sometimes you just have to give up and move ahead.
Huge congratulations on the award. Shattered is definitely award worthy.
I agree completely on the built-in obsolescence, versus dumping. I love the look of your refrig.
Have a great one.
Thank you so much, Sandra.
It is such a waste. That’s one of the problems with the capitalistic system. It’ll take a major shift before things ever change.
I agree. But we have to do something or suffer even more severe consequences.
Huge congratulations on your award.
Planned obsolescence is a fancy way of saying waste isn’t it? It does my head in. Some people become very wealthy from it, and most of us are very much poorer (in every sense). I grew up in a household where reuse and repair were the norms and it irritates me that it is simply not possible now.
I grew up in that household as well. My grandmother’s motto was “Waste not. Want not.” I can’t shake that.
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
A fridge with an audible death rattle is never a good thing, dear friend. I’m sorry your Old Faithful finally conked out on you. It certainly was “an unobtrusive appliance.” I never saw one like it. I agree that planned obsolescence is a wasteful nuisance and we need more greenwise, forward thinking high level decision makers to flip this script.
Congratulations on garnering recognition for your Shattered book. I agree with the Munroe quote, “We live in a disposable, ‘cast-off and throw-away’ society…” Sadly, we treat people the same way.
Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend Cheryl-Lee!
What a sad quote that is, Shady. I think in such an opposite direction than the “moderns.” My kids are always amazed that I still have things–including clothes–they remember from childhood. “Hey! They’ll be back in style soon, and if not, I’ll stand out in the crowd!” Thanks for weighing in.
Hi Lee – I came across the phrase ‘planned obsolescence’ in the early 70s … sad to think that no-one thought forward at that stage of our history. I agree if only things could be repaired, repurposed etc – there is more of it happening, but not enough. It’ll be interesting to see the difference in your bill … cheers and so pleased about your book – I did enjoy it … even at my tender age! All the best with your ice-cubes … Hilary
It’s a slow turnaround for this battleship of growth vs. responsible management of our planet. I’ll let you know what that bill is this next month. I’m curious, too.
I’m at that tender age myself, and I wrote the danged thing. Imagine! Here’s to ice-cubes.