Our fridge broke this week. Since JR was out of town on business, it was up to me to get the fridge up and running and salvage what food we could. I called our usual repairman, but he couldn't come for 48 hours. I was sure our food would not last that long.
I like to think I am a trusting, optimistic person. But when faced with any kind of repair (especially when my husband is not with me) I always assume I am going to get ripped off, overcharged, or otherwise taken advantage of.
So I called my dad. (My parents fridge broke a few months ago and I knew he'd have some advice. He's also just a good guy to call whenever you have a problem.) His advice was simple: call Tony.
Tony said he would be at my house in two hours. He arrived exactly on time, and within an hour and 15 minutes had figured out what was wrong with the fridge, melted all the ice that had accumulated on the freezer coils, grabbed the part he needed from his truck, showed my son C all of his tools, told us a little about his life growing up, and yes, brought the fridge back to life.
I felt foolish for being so untrusting. I blame my ten years living in New York for my cynical attitude. But in one afternoon, Tony has restored my faith.
Later when I spoke to my husband on the phone he asked if the fridge was fixed. I told him about Tony, the brilliant refrigerator repairman. And then my husband said "Did you actually see him replace the part?" Oh honey, you may have it worse than I do.
These are the last of the lemons off our tree, which for some reason stops producing in the summer, right when you need lemons the most. The kids and I have been trying to make a really good lemonade, which is much easier with this tool... perhaps the best thing I've bought for my kitchen in years. We make a big batch of simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water boiled together until the sugar is completely dissolved) and keep the syrup in a mason jar in the fridge. Whenever the kids feel like gathering lemons, we can easily whip up a pitcher. Now we just need to find a lemon tree that will produce all year round.