About a kettle

 You have all heard of the phrase, pot calling the kettle black. 

Well, as a scout roughing it out while camping in the woods, I had my fair share of soot-blackened kettle, not to mention also pots and pans. And having to scrub them all clean for inspection the next morning, I know by experience all soot are hard to get rid of and a blackened pot should certainly not insult the kettle.

As it happens, one particular appliance survived our house move nearly two years ago: an electric kettle whose dispenser no longer works. So, while it boils water and keeps it warm, to get to the hot water, one needs to use a small cup to scoop the water out and risk burning the fingers when brushing against the hot plates inside the kettle.

Why would something that could be procured for a few dollars survive. Well, the truth is when it first broke down, years ago, it wasn't so broken and we made do with it. After all the main function: that of boiling water and keeping it hot is working well. And having worked our way around it, using a kettle like this became familiar and almost natural.

There is however a twist here. You see, channelling their inner Marie Kondos, D & M throw out a lot (and I mean a lot) of stuff once it is no longer working. So, why not this one? 

I think there are five reasons, all applicable to life in general:

1. First it was not exactly out of service. Its key functions still work

2. The workaround (even with the risk of getting burned) is feasible enough

3. After a while, the workaround even seems natural

4. If one can get sentimental over an inanimate object, in its not fully working state, it has become a unique kettle

5. And last but not least, I have learnt not to interfere with decisions made by the wife in the kitchen about kitchen appliances. After all, isn't that a recipe for a happy life?!

So there you have it, five tips to go through our time on Earth. Everything and everyone is a little flawed. We can always work on it and even have workarounds should we not be able to fix it and then grow accustomed to it and perhaps love its quirkiness. 

A "black" (non dispensing) kettle is just fine