Ode to My Microwave

Summary

The website content is a personal ode to the author's $10 thrifted Sharp Carousel microwave, reflecting on its durability and the creative cooking it inspires.

Abstract

The author expresses gratitude and admiration for their vintage Sharp Carousel microwave, which was likely a technological marvel in its time. Despite its age and the fact that it was purchased for only $10 at a thrift store by the waterfront, the microwave stands as a testament to a era when products were built to last. The piece humorously explores the microwave's specialized buttons for various foods, such as fish and ground meat, which are rarely used by the author, who mainly relies on the basic functions. The article also includes a poetry prompt for readers to contribute their own creative works and concludes with the author, known as Lucy (The Egg Girl), sharing her surprise at the microwave's reliability, her previous writings, and an encouragement to engage with her on social media platforms.

Opinions

The author values the durability of older appliances over the disposable nature of many modern products.
There is a sense of nostalgia for the past, as evidenced by the microwave's outdated technology and the "vestigial buttons" that remain from a bygone era.
The author finds humor and creativity in using a microwave with seemingly outdated features for modern cooking needs.
Lucy (The Egg Girl) is pleasantly surprised by the functionality of her inexpensive second-hand microwave.
She actively promotes community engagement and diversity awareness, referencing an article on harmful racist phrases and encouraging participation in Twitter poetry and writing tags.

How were you only $10? (a poem)

Photo of actual $10 microwave by author

To my Sharp Carousel, probably the cutting edge of technology back in — what, the 50s? (time isn’t real), yellowed from age,

I appreciate you.

You might have been a $10 thrift, picked up by the waterfront, but you represent the era of products made to last rather than ones made to break.

It’s astonishing how microwave oven technology was the forefront of cooking; it’s clear from your buttons.

Popcorn, reheat, frozen dinner… (the usual), but — baked potato, rice, and soup? we’re getting creative, and then

fresh veg HARD fresh veg SOFT frozen veg… what constitutes the difference between hard and soft vegetables?

One button dedicated to fish? Another just for ground meat? Yet another for hot dogs?

An era bygone, these vestigial buttons remain, as I only ever use the buttons 2, 0 and “start” to microwave my leftovers.

Poetry Prompt: Blueberries, 3 verses of 3 lines each.

Can’t wait to see these pieces so don’t be shy about submitting to The Brain is A Noodle!

Lucy (The Egg Girl) truthfully didn’t think this would be a perfectly functioning microwave but it’s actually the best one she’s ever gotten. She has written about Kintsugi, Community, and the King: Eternal Monarch (kdrama). She wants to amplify Ono Mergen’s article: “Seemingly harmless racist phrases to avoid around your Bipoc friends”.

She is also currently retweeting everything under the #MediumPoetry and #MediumWriters tag on twitter so tweet away!