A Pampered Chef

Yesterday I went to a Pampered Chef party. Growing up my dad never wanted my mom to invite people over and then have them feel obligated to buy something. That may be behind my own reluctance to host such a party. Though I'm less reluctant to attend. In this case, I really wanted to see the hostess since it was a friend I hadn't seen in some time. And I do like their products, even if they are a little pricey.

I usually have a dollar limit in my head going in to these things. Like most consumer events, you end up wanting more than you need. In my case I really did want to replace a spatula or two. I could have purchased the two separately - or in a package, that along with the two spatulas included several other kitchen utensils - for a few dollars more. But I didn't need all the things in the package. In fact several items were duplicates of Pampered Chef products I already have. Other items were tools I use only two-three times a year - like a masher.On those special occasions when I mash potatoes, I really like using the old potato masher I inherited from my grandmother's kitchen 30+ years ago.

Ergonomically incorrect and likely environmentally hazardous with its (presumed lead) painted wooden handle, Grandma's potato masher brings back memories of family Thanksgivings and Sunday dinners. I imagine her turning her own garden-fresh tubers into a fluffy mound of mashed potatoes for a threshing crew. I recall the family dinners we hosted when my aunt (Grandma's daughter) stepped in and did the last-minute potato mashing duty. I'm not ready to give up this piece of history for an updated version - no matter how slick, quick and easy it turns boiled potatoes into mush. Grandma's simple masher still gets the job done - and keeps some history and memories alive. And besides, by now all the paint has flaked off the handle, leaving only a hint of the green it once was. Any adverse effects from lead paint have already occurred and are likely so minimal as to be neglible.

I ended up getting a pizza cutter and some measuring spoons. Mine are old, but they don't have the history of my potato masher. They can be replaced.

Something There is That Doesn't Love a Wall - or Gate

We live in a gated community. I used to think that was some sign of wealth. Given the latest developments with our community gate, I think it's simply evidence of a false sense of security.

The setup here is similar to many planned communities. Access is limited to residents of the development via an assigned code or a validation sticker on your vehicles. Problems develop when non-residents try to pass through the gates without proper access information. The original gates were slow-moving ironworks, making it easy for non-residents to tailgate another vehicle through the gates. However, occasionally, gate and vehicle collided, putting the gate out of commission until repairs were made.

In their wisdom and desire for security, the Homeowners Association board decided to replace the gates. The new entrance consists of a double set of gates - one for entering, one for exit - and a motion arm which raises and lowers for each vehicle. All designed, supposedly, to keep intruders out and secure access to residents only.

The new system has been operational for several months now. Yet, not a week goes by that one or the other motion arms is permanently raised or missing altogether for at least a portion of a day or longer. Apparently the fail-safe system isn't so fail-safe after all.

Robert Frost had it right - "something there is that doesn't love a wall" - or a barrier of any sort. It's human nature to resist anyone or anything placing restrictions on us. People who want to get in are going to find a way to get in despite all the security measures we might take. I've never believed that either gate was really going to protect us against intruders. We would need far more security measures than an access-coded gate and a motion arm to protect against those who intend harm or damage.

It's possible the problems we're seeing are mechanical. But we've witnessed enough drivers still attempting to tailgate, narrowly avoiding the motion arm falling on their vehicle, to believe the problems are more human than nechanical. Instinctively, we "want it down." It's human nature. So with Frost, I grudgingly admit that perhaps, good gates make good neighbors.