Decisions and Changes 1992
Vessels — my mother’s term for pots and pans and if they were dirty, they were littered vessels. We’ve laughed many times about her usages. Mother used many terms that we no longer hear, such as drayage fee (freight charges), dung (manure) and conveyance (vehicle).
Our girls decided some time ago that we needed to purchase new cooking vessels. I had a few good pots left, even though some have been burned beyond redemption, and I argued that I didn’t need new pots — especially did not want to change. I hate change!
Donna was the first to broach this delicate subject, reminding us that aluminum is thought to be one cause of Alzheimer’s. It was in 1950 that we hosted a cookware party — we then lived on Skirum Road — and bought our present cookware — aluminum. My argument was and still is that if I have been using it for 41 years, whatever the damage (if any) had already been done. I managed to rear two girls using these questionable vessels – why change now?
Beth and I were out together once and she made it a point to call my attention to come “beautiful” Vision Ware. “Mother, maybe you would like to try these. They would go in the dishwasher.” Well, I didn’t want to try Vision Ware. I don’t want to cook on top of the stove in glassware. So what if they do go in the dishwasher? I contend that my cooking will not taste the same cooked in other pots.
At various times when I’ve been alone in a shopping center, I’ve looked at different kinds of cookware, but never saw any thing I liked as well as what I have been using all these years. Once I went to Boaz just to purchase new vessels. I picked up every pot in the outlet stores, but came home empty handed. John asked, “Didn’t you see anything you wanted?” I replied, “I don’t want new pots.”
Well, yesterday John and I were out of country (as opposed to out of town) to do some shopping and pots and pans were on the list. Now when it comes to shopping, John Crumly is a man of few words. He has always said that when one goes shopping, they know what they want; they get it and get out.
In this instance, we did spend some time discussing how lightweight and/or durable the various brands were. “Which ones do you want?” he asked more than once. “I really don’t want any of them.” Finally, he made the decision and picked up a large box containing eight pieces of cookware and placed it in the shopping cart. I’m not at all excited about the change, and at this writing, the vessels are still in the carton in the trunk of the car. Maybe he’ll forget to get them out.
This is another indication that roles in this family are changing. (The parent becomes the child — the child becomes the parent) Change! It’s not one of my favorite things –but it, too, is a part of country living.