I have a love-hate relationship with batteries. Mostly hate. I use both conventional (alkaline) as well as rechargeable batteries. My conventional batteries always seem to run out of juice at the wrong time. It is as if my very existence sucks the energy out of the batteries even when my flashlight, radio, etc. isn't turned on. Once drained of electricity, I am left with a chemical-filled paperweight that isn't supposed to be disposed of in the garbage can.

My dad always loved rechargeable batteries, but I find them darned inconvenient. I find they hold a charge for all of 5 minutes, at which point I get so frustrated that I go to the store and buy another couple of Duracells to eventually add to my paperweight collection.

On the flip side, I was checking out one of the thrift/antique stores last weekend and was amazed at the ingenuity of folks before the use of batteries, or even wall outlets. I was focusing especially on kitchen items this time around, things with gears and cranks and handles, made of cast iron and wood and glass, and no electrical cords. Gizmos that were built to last, or at the very least, built to be diagnosed and fixed easily (unlike my waffle iron).

I bought myself a $7 food grinder, the type that clamps on to a counter and has various attachments, including one for making nut butter. I had been jones'n for one of these for a while, but was waiting to find one in good condition. I finally got to cleaning it this morning, and look forward to taking it for an electricity-free spin in the next few days.