Correlation is not causation
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 12:39AM In the mailbox: Two long, white envelopes addressed to me in my own handwriting.
Inside the envelopes: Replies from two prestigious literary journals, saying "thanks-but-no-thanks" on my recent contest entries.
In my heart: Mild disappointment.
Back in the house: Oven roasted potatoes cooking for dinner.
Also in the oven: A strange orange glow flaring up from the bottom heating element, one that doesn't stop when I close the door and shut off the oven.
On the phone: The 911 operator telling me to get everyone out of the house and wait outside.
In my head: Everyone? I'm the only one here.
And then: The cats!
In their carriers and out into the driveway: The cats. (along with my purse and laptop bag)
Out of the garage: My car.
Into the car: The cats and bags.
In through the front door: The policeman and a plain-clothes fireman.
In the basement: The breaker box. Power to the range cut. (In my head: Wish I'd thought of that.)
Out of the mouths of professionals: Can't use oven. Bad element. Easy to replace: snap out and in.
Back into the garage and then into the house: Me, the cats (plus purse and laptop).
Still sitting on the kitchen island: The rejection letters.
Note to Universe: I wasn't that upset about the letters. I didn't really need such an adrenaline-pumping reminder about perspective. But there it was. So now I file the letters, keep writing, and figure out what to eat tomorrow without a working oven.
I have a writing deadline coming up, which means I don't really have time right now to replace the heating element. But then, I don't have much time to cook either. So that works out.
Reader Comments (5)
But a very creatively told story - I love this!
Sounds like you might need repairclinic.com - I ordered a new hearing element from them, and it's so easy! You just search for the model of your oven. Good luck!
so glad you are okay.
yep.
so very glad you and the cats and the house and the laptop and and and are all okay.
love the title of the blog post. (it is kinda a mantra isn't it?) and love how you told this story. makes me smile big.
sending you a hug. i adore you