What is one of the most useful (non-electronic) items you own?

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   Billie Kelpinposted 9 years ago

   What is one of the most useful (non-electronic) items you own?
   
   Aside from your computer, smart phone, etc., what item do you have that you really appreciate and wouldn't give up? Just this morning, I wanted to get one last day of enjoyment from the gladiola bouquet I had purchased last week.  A 6" vase I bought years ago, from where-I-don't-know, has a metal "cap" with holes in to arrange flowers.  I knew my little glass vase was in a cabinet in our 400 ft. RV where we live and realized it is one of the few items, after downsizing a house full of goods, that I have kept. Do you have a favorite useful item that you would never give up? (besides spouses)
   
   

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   JayeWisdomposted 9 years ago

   After coping with two-in-a-row electric can openers that wouldn't stay affixed to the can lids long enough to open a can or (most times) even cut the can lid edge, I opted for an OXO stainless steel manual can opener with cushioned handles and a large (also cushioned) knob that's easy to turn even for someone with arthritis.  I've had it nearly two years, and the stainless steel cutting wheel is still very sharp. My old electric opener stays in the cabinet.
   
   Everyone should have a manual can opener for emergencies (storms, power outages, etc.) even if still using an electric one. It's one of the 'great' inventions, which has been improved on over time.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      GREAT IDEA!  Gotta look iI up!   Don't you just appreciate the people who created these things?  LOVE my left-handed corkscrew from the left-handed store in San Fran. It's useful for me + I do enjoy watching my right-handed friends use it (tee hee)

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   ChristinSposted 9 years ago

   I love my mandolin slicer because it lets me quickly slice veggies, apples, cheese etc all the same size which makes for nice, even baking.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Christin.  I'm learning about all new gadgets here!  I just googled it.  Cool!  I have to use the peeler from IKEA that has the blade across the top.  It works best for left handers.  Cheers, Billie

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   sheilamyersposted 9 years ago

   This will probably sound silly, but I would have to say my mechanical pencil. I write all of my novels in a notebook and like that pencil because I don't have to stop and sharpen it while I'm writing. And for some strange reason, it has to be that one. If I forget where I put it, I'll search the whole house until I find it.

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      JayeWisdomposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I'm impressed that you write full-length books in longhand! My handwriting has deteriorated (arthritis) so much that I can barely read my signature any more! Kudos to you, Sheila!

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   connorjposted 9 years ago

   
   
   Although several come to mind I will focus on one simple item; my Belgian Malinois' collar and leash. It enables me to exercise both myself and a most fabulous canine named Molly or Mollinator in a way that is contemplative and peaceful along a nature trail steeped in trees and streams...
   
   Sincerely,
   John Connor

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      beautiful picture connorj. Can you describe the leash. I tried to look it up not knowing that "Belgian Malinois" was a breed and not a collar. I have a little guy named Scooter who is barking for his last treet of the day as I type! Cheers and thanks

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      connorjposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      It was a gift, it is inset with turquoise glass beads in leather...

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   Penny Gposted 9 years ago

   I will not give up my Grandmothers potato masher and my zinc lids for my green canning jars ( they are going into the RV when we move in) hubby doesn't know!

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      KatyWhoWaitedposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Is the potato masher the kind that has metal going back and forth like a wave?  My mom used to have one and I did too, but I must have lost it along the way.  Zinc lids?  We live in our RV full time, Penny G.  We stay put here in Southern CA.

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      Penny Gposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes that is the potato masher I have. I love my green canning jars and zinc lids for candy, staples act. We will be going between the northern mountains and then south to Arizona and New Mexico in the winter. We will work in National parks

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   mothersofnationsposted 9 years ago

   Myself because everything works without electric
   God bless you.

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      KatyWhoWaitedposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Very Cute!  We ARE very useful, aren't we?

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Motherofnations, Oops.  I also write here (anonymously - tee hee) under KatyWhoWaited.  I guess I'm not anonymous under "Katy" any more. (see comment below)

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   easylearningwebposted 9 years ago

   
   
   I love my pretty water bottle, it's attractive and I take it with me to the gym, and use it all day to hydrate. :-)

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Very cute!  So glad you wrote. I noticed your hub name before, but didn't have a chance to look at your website. We're redoing our old website where I created kid's online learning games (MLK "Dream Speech" fill in the blanks, Gettysburg Address, etc

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      easylearningwebposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Billie, I love your hubpage, "How to Publish a Children's Ebook" which is very informative and helpful That would be my dream. :-) I mostly develop eLearning tutorials for software but I love writing too, and I have several projects in the works.

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   RTalloniposted 9 years ago

   Though I also enjoy flower frogs in vases for fresh flowers (mine are glass), in the fall, it's my manual apple peeler/corer/slicer!
   
   http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Potato-Peel … and+peeler

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That peeler IS niffy. Glad you posted a link. I think hubpage writers r often so overly cautious abt posting links that it's counter productive.  PS .The "frog" is metal and sits ON top of that little vase like a cover with holes. Genius I think!

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