Hmmm, What to do

My dryer makes noise. Loud metal on metal noise. Really loud. This noise has been happening for a few weeks, and it might be getting louder. Like, by the day. Maybe.

It makes me think I need a new one.

So I went to Sears yesterday, looking. I thought I'd stick with Kenmore. But why? Kenmore is made by Whirlpool--and so is Maytag--so why bother? And I've learned over the years not to buy fancy features, like the little shelf you can stick inside for delicates, or the 300 fabric settings, just in case you might need that. No, I am looking for basic. Just something to get the job done.

Anyway, at Sears I could get a Kenmore/Whirlpool dryer that looks good. I mean, one that does the job, has a pull-down door, no fancy stuff, for $500. Plus $79 for delivery and installation. Plus $28 for the hose and hook-up gizmo and other stuff. Oh yeah, and plus tax.

I told Ann. She said, "Have you thought about a used one?"

I said. "I have a used one."

She said, "You know what I mean." I did know, and, no, I hadn't thought about it.

Lucile said to go to Home Depot or Lowe's. Maybe cheaper there. I will go there this morning.

My dryer is 22 years old. As old as my house, a year older than my granddaughter Anna. Not so old for a person. Pretty old for a dryer, and I wish I had a nickel for every time someone--sales person and regular person--has said, "Well, you'll never get that much use out of a new one." Okay, another reason to keep this one. Noise or no noise.

You may be thinking I have my money's worth out of my current dryer. Twenty-two years. But here's the thing. It still dries the clothes. I can shut the door to the laundry room and leave the noise behind, well, some of it.