It’s in the Drawer

You know that one I’m talking about.  Mine used to be the last one to the right in the kitchen.  Now it is the one under the microwave in the washroom.  The contents are always messy, even if I do designate a clean and organize day.  That particular drawer holds whatever may be needed for a family or household .  To the question,”Do we have a ……?”, the answer across the nation is “It’s in the drawer.” A favorite cartoons of mine is two children watching a sinking sun.  One asks,”Suppose the sun gets lost?” The reply is, “We can find it in the kitchen drawer.”

Compare your drawer with mine.  I have one rule, no papers.  All booklets, receipts, directions go in a file folder.  The largest disjointed collection is batteries.  I needed 2 triple AAAs.  They were only sold in a pack of 8, so six are left scattered among the double AA lefts overs, two large A batteries for a flashlight I no longer have, and a single square one that I guess I’ve never had to replace. Some have been there so long that when I scramble, and they appear, white corrosion on the side gives them permission to be removed.  I’ve read I can extend their lives by storing in the freezer.  Not tried it yet.  I don’t want them on top of my blueberries.

The next for any occasion group is screwdrivers.  We started out with one good rubber handled (to keep us from being electrocuted) flat headed screwdriver.  At that time I had bought a black organizer, and this one fit nicely in the longest division.  We soon learned that its blade was too short or too long for some needs. We added several more. Then a Phillips head, no, two Phillips heads, were required for x shaped screws.  I even have a very tiny one to remove the vent at the bottom of the freezer to clean the fan. David’s bell arms and the disposal required the L shaped Allen wrench along with its cousin with a handle, the hex.

Jumbling the space are two hammers, both claw and ball pein.  A scattering of keys create their own problem.  If I throw one out, will I suddenly remember what it goes to.  Pushed to the back is Gorilla Glue to repair the tile floor, a tube of Super Glue, and a small, very useful whet stone.   And I haven’t even enumerated the wrenches and pliers.

Maybe if I were different, I would have a tool box.  Then all my repair work would have to be focused and professional.  This step would remove two important pleasures from my life. First, when questioned I can always say.  “I think we have one.  Check in the drawer.”  Second, I would miss the surprise of standing there, turning over and looking, and suddenly thinking, “That’s what I can use.  It will do the job.”

Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” Exodus 4:2