EDITORSPEAK: JOURNEY
I have a comment for Roger, "I Can't Turn My Windshield Wipers Off!" (Winter Issue). Here's what I've been going through. I push the button for the fluid to come out and nothing happens so I push it again one or two more times. Nothing happens until it rains or snows. I turn the wipers on and suddenly the fluid comes out and mucks up the window.
It continues coming out as long as the wipers are on. I turn them off until I have to wipe the windows and the washer fluid continues to come out until it stops raining or snowing or runs out of fluid. So that memory you have of cleaning the window with snow? I've done that many times, yes in 2009, because it beats playing games with my windshield washer system. By the way, you'd think I'd learn but I've fallen for trying to get washer fluid on a dry day a few times because once upon a time it worked!
On a bright note, I found a contraption at a yard sale that has a fill-up plastic handle with a sponge wiper on the end and a squirt button. I fill the tube up with fluid, screw the top back on, squirt the fluid and wipe. It's a bit of work though. So far the smell of the fluid hasn't made me sick like cologne does but it probably has a chemical.
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On another topic, I found a small Caboodle my daughter used when she was young and back then we both used scented products. Maybe that's why she suddenly lost interest in it as it retained a perfumy smell. I thought maybe I could use it to store small items so soaked it in free and clear dish soap but the smell wouldn't come out. Tried soaking it in vinegar, then scrubbed it with baking soda, then another soak in vinegar with dish soap. The petrochemical smell would not come out.
This attests to the problem people with chemical sensitivity, asthma, allergies, etc. can encounter with the petrochemical products. They stick and linger for what seems an eternity. The chemical attached to that Caboodle was strong enough to still bother me after many years of that thing being stored away in a bag. I had to toss it.
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This is a great issue. Please read the articles on soy and garden hoses. I certainly can remember running through the sprinkler as a child. I believe my Chemical Sensitivity was caused by a cumulative exposure to toxins over the years and it came with a sensitivity to certain metals! Many garden hoses still contain lead. My lead-free garden hose is on order as I write this. Wishing you many spring/summer blessings.
