Saturday, January 27, 2007

PLUMB(ING) CRAZY


Last Saturday we had lunch with Jon's cousin Linda. Good chance to catch up on family news and enjoy her company. She had heard about a newer restaurant here from a friend of hers. We hadn't been there before and decided to try this Main Street wine bar.


The ambiance was great. Lunch was so-so. Jon hated his dish. We lingered after dinner talking about future travel plans and our lives. Jon excused himself briefly. When he came back he said something like, "you've got to see the bathroom sink". I said we might not have the same plumbing in the ladies room. Not to worry he told us. Now I was concerned. Was he snooping in the ladies room too? Time to see for myself.


I found out he had not been in the ladies room. There was a unisex wash up area. Picture this, a black countertop with faucets on either end. No sink to catch the water, just a faucet over the counter. Of course I tried it. The water puddled briefly under the outlet then drained backwards toward the wall into a slit I hadn't noticed. Clever.


We saw a lot of clever Euro plumbing on our recent trip. Faucets with sensors are common now but we saw a lot of variations of these. Had one hotel with nifty lighting in the mirror that was not visible with the lights off. Also have a pretty good two-button flushing system. Figured out ourselves --big button for one job, small button for less water to flush. Europeans are very eco-conscious. Our favorite plumbing experience was what Jon called the "sheetzerator". Forgive me. It was attacked to the toilet and did a grinding thing like a garbage disposer if you pressed the "big button". Engineering marvel or crude device. You be the judge.
Day 12: Can't walk in field house on Saturday and it is cold and snowy. I'm doing a little penance today. Ate too much bread yesterday even if it was good whole grain stuff. Keep on keeping on. Jane

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