It’s impossible to switch on a radio or pick up a newspaper without learning of another skill being lost to the age of technology. The art of conversation is making way to social networking. Some would relegate to history the sensuous, tactile experience of reading a book – yes, an actual book. Not to mention the disappearing art of letter writing. So which of these am I rueing today?
Actually none. It’s the disappearing art of opening a milk bottle. It happened in my house everyday when I was growing up, and every house for that matter. Children were able to do it before writing their name or tying their shoe laces. Not anymore. When Ashford moved in with us, he was old enough to vote, get married, do what he would with anyone who’d consent. But open a milk bottle? Apparently not. I came across a few mangled milk bottle tops in the fridge before initiating him in the art. This afternoon, I was making a cup of tea for a friend and she was helpfully PEELING the lid off the milk!
I’m only going to say this once. Holding the lid, shake the bottle. Then press the lid with your thumb. Not the nail. The pad. To summarise, hold lid and shake, press with thumb. There I’ve said it twice. That’s it. No more. Ever.
