About 3 weeks ago, we invited our dear neighbors over for homemade potstickers and good cheer as we headed into the Lunar New Year. We invited them for lunch at 2 pm. This time is when I am normally curled up in bed taking a nap with my Kindle in hand. I chose the time because I figured I could rest the rest of the day. I had tidied the house, wrapped 162 potstickers, set the tale, made the accompanying dipping sauces, shredded cabbage as a bed on which to put the potstickers, diced fresh fruit for a tropical salad topped off with passion fruit mochi for dessert. I was ready.
On my last batch of potstickers were in hand and ready to go into the frying pan, I realized I needed a tad more oil in the pan so that these dumplings would be crisp and delicious. Notice I used the word, “tad”. I grabbed the oil bottle, which was about a quart-sized container. Without realizing it, I proceeded to pour the oil all over the gas stove and then drop the entire container of oil on the floor. So much for the ribs around the bottle to aid consumers’ holding on to it. Coordination and control are an issue with my MS.
The hands have been less than cooperative lately. I shut the stove off quickly and side-stepped my mess and went to get some work towels. Since my MS diagnosis, I have lots of these emergency towels.
I wiped the stove and blotted the cups of oil that were puddling on the floor. Then, I put more towels over the oily and very slippery floor. I had to keep my meal on track. Our guests gave me a curious look as I was cooking on a bed of towels. I explained the situation and reminded them that the ole hands are unreliable, and so all was taken in stride.
So I ask: what happens when I dropped the cooking oil as the guests are ringing the doorbell? Absolutely nothing! I just had a mess to clean up. No big deal; I have so many of them. Like the oil spill, there are soap spills, coffee spills, water spills…the list continues.
MS Fortunate 