So the saying goes. One that score, mine is about the size of a pimple today. After settling down to visit a few blogs for a catch up and beginning to get into the swing of things, I was suddenly brought down to earth with a bump, by the forceful banging on my front door. I have one of those old fashioned, small, cast iron bells with a dangling rope pull, but many people who approach my house either think it's merely an ornament, or don't notice it at all. Hence the banging.
What was in the box being delivered? Unexpected gift? Exotic purchase? Nope. A new washing-up bowl. Why, I hear you ask, do I need to have such an item brought to my door? I'll tell you. Havant has, over the years, lost its two, wonderful ironmongers wherein I might have once been able to buy a large, Addis bowl. Now the only option is a Wilkinsons' store, with unbranded kitchen ware not to my liking. The next step would require a car to go to the larger superstore outside of town. I am not a car owner, let alone driver, so Amazon to the rescue, folks!
And why the sudden need for a new bowl, anyway? Don't they go on for ever? I discovered not. The other day, after leaving a few jars and tins in the water at the end of washing up to soak off the labels, I returned later to find the bowl half empty and the labels (above the waterline!) still stuck. Further inspection showed two or three vertical cracks in the corners of the bowl, through which drained a steady trickle of water. OK as long as the bowl remained in the sink, but potential disaster if I happened to take it out of there for any reason. So a replacement was called for.
These days, a large shopping trolley accompanies me on all forays into Havant, but certain items are forever barred from its capacious interior, among which would have been a bowl, even If I'd found a replacement one I liked. Therefore praise be to the Internet and Amazon, the best shopping buddies around...
Now my nice, new, shiny, cream coloured bowl is freed from its wrapping, and is waiting to be christened with its first splash of soap and water, before being bombarded by an avalanche of dirty dishes, pots and pans for the rest of its existence. And we think we have a hard life?!
What a lovely tribute to your washing up bowl Jinksy. I hope it has a long and happy life with you ;-)
ReplyDeleteAh, into the lovely must go the dirties. :)
ReplyDeleteYou never know what you're going to find on the blogs, particularly ones from those odd little English villages. :) How can you sink so low? :)
ReplyDeleteYou have a way of making the everyday thing seem so special. That's a gift.
ReplyDeleteI have never met anyone who didn't drive. When I was laid up with bursitis and had to be driven everywhere, I went into major melancholy. To drive off whenever and wherever fulfills a deep need. I'm glad to know that Amazon comes to your rescue.
ReplyDeleteGreat, homely story. I would definitely use your bell rather than knock on the door, I love old-fashioned gadgets.
ReplyDeleteCJ xx
Oh, it's the simple things that bring great joy!!!! I love your bells as well! Have a wonderful weekend! ~Janine XO
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to know someone who is happy with a new washing up bowl. Made me smile too ;-) I even googled Addis washing up bowl to get the full picture. It's beautiful, hehehe ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy husband thought this post a real winner! Only in England could a blog be written about the purchase of a washing up bowl AND mail order no less.
ReplyDeleteLove Granny
I love those bell pulls. It makes me feel like Jane Austen when I pull on it and hear the bell tinkle inside...
ReplyDeleteIt's a week of broken bowls. My mixing bowl, which I have had for over 20 years, broke this week, so now I have to have a cheap plastic alternative. :(
Brings back the excitement I felt when I purchased my new washing up bowl-glad not to be alone. It's not so shiny now -maybe should look for new one......
ReplyDelete*pulls the bell
ReplyDeletetinkling bell sounds inside you house LOL
Oh Jinksy, hello!! Just thought I would drop around for a cuppa with you. Then you can wash up the cup in your new bowl...LOL...i know i am a good friend arent i giving you extra dishes hee hee hee.
xxxmango
You're making me want to clean ... my husband is going to think I went off the deep end : ) !!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'm sure I've used washing-up bowls at some point in my life, the only washing up bowl I remember clearly was at my mother's cousins' home on a ranch in the wilds of west Texas. Water for washing and rinsing the dishes was heated on a wood stove (not a joyful thing in the extreme summer heat, I'm sure). When one finished with the dishes, the soapy water was thrown out the back door into the yard, while the rinse water was used to water the flower beds. I think there must not have been any sort of sink in that kitchen.
ReplyDeleteA washing bowl! That sounds so elegant! :-)
ReplyDeleteI need, I need, I want, I want a washing up bowl!
ReplyDeleteWait...my life isn't harder than a washing bowl? Dammit...
ReplyDelete:)
Hello! And thanks for joining me :) and for your kind comments. Blogspot is such a lovely way of making friends and finding out about other people's lives. And washing up bowls are brilliant :)
ReplyDeleteWhat excitement a new washing up bowl brings. I get fed up with mine and buy a new one in a new colour now and then just for a change! I expect your new one has already been bombarded with dirty dishes!! What a hoot.
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique post... a lovely tribute to the washing bowl.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what mine must be thinking about me. I frown when it is full and smile when it is empty. Yours must be very pleased with you after this tribute. :)
Have you really got a lovely old bell-pull, Jinksy? How romantic... And yet even your splendid writing does not make me want to get excited about a washing up bowl, my friend! ;)
ReplyDelete