Gadgets and Gizmos

When I first used the word Gadgeteer, I had no idea there were so many like me, a person who invents or is particularly fond of using gadgets. For that matter, we all own so many things we might have never considered them as “gadgets”, yet they are.

My idea of a gadget is something a person finds useful and convenient but not actually necessary. You’ll probably disagree with me and that’s fine, but here is a list of a few (see, I mentioned a few) of my favorite gadgets.

Electric can opener.

Is it necessary? Oh, heck no! I can use a hand-operated one but it’s faster and easier to use the electric. Yes, I keep the manual one in the draw just incase there’s a power outage and I need to open a can. I can remember when I was a little girl and my dad needed to open a can but didn’t have the manual one handy. Electric can openers had not yet become popular (that I know of). However, dad did have an old triangular opener. You know the ones I mean. They, at the time, were used to open beer cans. Well, dad used it to open the can of beans. A few strategically placed punctures and the lid was pried up enough to “spill the beans”.

However, as long as we have power to the house, I’ll use my very convenient electric model.

Electric Juicer

A few years ago, I had a friend who lived around the corner. She and her neighbor had grapefruit trees – two trees each. The only problem was that they couldn’t eat that many pieces of fruit. They began giving them away. Since I knew them, I was a recipient of the tasty round orbs. The better half of the deal was that the grapefruit was PINK! Oh, how I love that sweet and juicy fruit. I was more than delighted to accept what they would give me. However, they began giving away so much, most of us couldn’t keep up with our bounty. I started peeling, slicing, and jarring as much fruit as I could. When I ran out of room in my refrigerator, I bought a fruit juicer. It was great! Not only did it take the juice out of the fruit, but I ended up with fruit bits as well. Oh, my goodness! The juice was fantastic.

After hurricane Charley blew through our town, their trees were uprooted by the force of the wind and never replaced.

I no longer have access to free grapefruit, but I still have my juicer.

Hey, you never know when I might be gifted more juicy fruit.

Milk Frother

Before hurricane Charley blew through my little town of Punta Gorda FL, there was a small café that offered the best tasting cappuccino coffee I’ve ever had. Before you ask, no, I had never made one at home. Didn’t know how and since I treated myself every Thursday to a frothy cappy at the café, I saw no reason why I should learn to make it.

When Charley left my town in shreds and splinters, my husband and I drove into town. We wanted to see what was left – if anything. There wasn’t much. Our small PG mall was now just a few walls and nothing more. The section where we had a realtor, a laundromat, and a newspaper stand was gone! I mean GONE! Blow away. We drove to where the PG Café had been. Key word: HAD. It looked like a bomb had gone off and completely flattened the building. Our favorite restaurant was reduced to splinters. Not one wall was standing. That was only a small scenario of our little town. Yes, our house was a wreck. Thank God for insurance!

Anyway, while the inside of our home wasn’t damaged, we had no electricity or water service for almost a full month.

Once power came on again, many stores were holding “post hurricane” sales. That’s when I bought my first Keurig.

With the PG Café no longer existing, if I want a cappuccino, I’d just have to learn to make it. But to make it correctly, in MY opinion, I needed a milk frother. So, I went out and bought one.

How many times in the past 20 years have I used it? Probably about ten. But it’s still in my cabinet! One day, I’ll get up the ambition to make another cappy. Right now? I have a few more gadgets to talk about.

Mini Chopper / Puree Machine

Did I really need this gadget? Heck no! However, when my mom moved in with us, she was recovering from a bad fall and needed daily care. We decided that since she’d been blinded with macular degeneration, her best situation was to not live alone any longer. That said, we found one year later that mom also had the onset of dementia. No one can predict how fast or slow dementia will ravage a person’s mind but with mom, it was like an avalanche. Within two years, mom had forgotten how to put her dentures in her mouth. As hard as I tried, she’d pull them out and try fitting them upside down, and backwards. Eventually, I gave up.

That’s when I bought the mini chopper / puree machine. Yes, I could have used my much larger blender, but this was more size appropriate. It finely chopped mom’s food and, in many instances, pureed what needed to be like mush. It worked. It suited my needs completely.

Well, the angels came and took mom three years after that, and it’s been seven years since she left us. Have I used the mini chopper? How about a total of three times? Will I get rid of it? Nope. I never know when I’ll need it again since my husband has full dentures and he’s already 82. You just never know.

I have so many gadgets, but I’ll end with one final item.

Swiffer WetJet

Many years ago, there was an online site where people could review products they bought – and the list was endless. There were reviews on appliances (big and small), cameras, soaps, shampoos, tools. Just about anything you can think of was on the approved list for review.

One day, we’d gotten a snail-mail from the company that required a hard copy signature. They were approached by various companies asking if they could send certain reviewers their items for an honest review. If we were interested, all that was required of us was a signature and the promise of a fair review of the product.

Well, hell, I’m not stupid. I’m getting something for nothing and all I have to do is do what I enjoy – which is write!

Two weeks later, I received my first item, the Swiffer WetJet. OMG. I was in heaven. I have enjoyed using this gadget ever since. The only problem with it is that does not clean the grout between the floor tiles. However, it is fantastic for a quick mop up when something is spilled or dropped.

To be honest, I am not the neatest of cooks. But with my Swiffer WetJet, you’d never know it. And yes, twenty years later, I still have and use that gadget.

So, these are the things I chose to include in my Gadgets and Gizmos little article.

Now that you know a few of mine, drop me a note and let me know about yours. I’d love to read them.