The Modern Convenience of Appliances That We Love, Need, and Occasionally Curse
Ok. Right away, you know what this is going to be about. You have them. And if you are anything like me, you have a lot of them.
Of course, there is the refrigerator — with the freezer compartment, the exterior water dispenser, and perhaps the external ice maker as well. How many extras can they add to this monstrosity? Oh yes, they added a TV‑like screen. Or maybe it is a real TV. Just what everyone needs: another screen, and in the kitchen too.
Then there is the wine fridge, and the outdoor fridge for the barbecue area. The TV room needs a mini‑fridge. And not too long ago, I learned they make a desktop fridge for every college student to tuck into a dorm room.
Ok. By now, you realize I have fridge problems. First, we have too many of them. Second, how could most of them go out at once?
Still, I come nowhere close to my aunt’s number of fridges. She had two full‑size refrigerators in the kitchen to feed the large extended family and the farmhands. She had a giant deep freezer — also in the kitchen. Trust me, she had a big kitchen. Then, in the “cold room” attached to the kitchen, she had another deep freezer and another refrigerator. And did I mention the large‑capacity refrigerator in the milk house? You get the picture. She practically had to become a refrigerator mechanic just to keep them all running.
Ok. The new wine fridge will be delivered today. Shopping for that thing was a nightmare. Do you have any idea how many brands of wine fridges there are? There must be a hundred of them, each with different configurations: wire shelves, wooden shelves, combinations of both, flat shelves, curved shelves — the options go on and on.
I just want a small appliance to slide under the counter. It does not need to store 150 bottles of wine. It does, however, need to fit into a tiny space. Apparently, when the kitchen was designed, the wine‑fridge opening was created without regard to actual wine‑fridge dimensions, and our space is unusually small. Once again, a specialty appliance — which means an expensive option — is necessary.
Actually, I am supposed to stop drinking wine. Apparently, it is rotting my brain, and I should switch to a non‑alcoholic brand. Of course, that will still need a fridge.
Ok. Enough of my ranting. The deed is done. The fridge is on its way. The bill has been paid, including the installation fee. The extended warranty is in place for as long as they allow, because this one is bound to break down eventually.
The wine will be chilled by the end of the day, just in time for a relaxing evening. And did I mention that the small under‑counter refrigerator in the basement also stopped working? That’s a story for another day.
Ok?
For more reflections on daily life, memory, and the psychology of home and habit, explore articles on Psychology Today and research from Greater Good Science Center.
If you are navigating stress, decision fatigue, or the emotional weight of home‑life demands, therapy can offer clarity and grounding. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support resilience, balance, and emotional steadiness.
By Dr. Gloria K Vanderhorst
