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Home on the Range: A Story of Love and Loss and Love Again
September 14, 2012


Once upon a timeย there was a thirty-something couple who loved to cook. They decided they wanted a new range. They saved and saved and saved and, after a good while, they had about half of what they needed. One day, on his way home from work, the husband stopped by their local appliance store just to see. The nice appliance store employee said today is your lucky day. The shop had just received two orphan ranges that needed to move out asap. They were generously discounted.

The couple bought one, their friends bought the other.

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Range Porn, September 2010

The wife was particularly taken with her new prince. It was love at first sight. Boiled water purred, melted cheese reclined. The range came home at the end of the summer and she canned more food than she had ever canned before. She was charmed by the steely soft facade, the caressing convection. Would you like a pie? What kind? How about a fried egg? Lasagna? Stew? I’d love to. she was known to say.

Soon after, the couple decided to move up a valley across town. Without discussion, they agreed the range was not for sale with the home. Their home sold and, as these things go, there were negotiations. The lovely soon-to-be homeowners said It’s perfect! We’ll take it and we’d please like the range too.

And so it was. The husband felt conflicted confessing he couldn’t imagine it happening again: their having the resources and the universe dishing out a range at the exact amount they’d saved. His bride, however, felt great. She had this annoying habit of rejoicing It always works out! in response to sticky spots. She did this on this occasion. It’s not that she thought a range would magically tumble down the hillside and land in their backyard (although she thought that’d rock!). It is that she knew that this was falling as it should because it felt right. The range had helped them sell their house and helped them move into a home they would raise their family in, the unlisted home that had found them because of an email from one of her blog readers. She had never been wrong when trusting her gut. Even her husband trusted her gut.

The couple, their two small children, dog, two cats and six chickens moved into their new home except there was a funny glitch: their new home held tenants. See, the sellers had asked the couple how they felt about their eventual home renting until the sale of their current home could happen. They enthusiastically supported this idea, excited for time to sell during the crushed housing market. The sellers signed the lease and the couple sold their home the next day. So in the cold Montana winter they moved into the basement apartment of their new home, under a family that was now their tenants. Thankfully the two families got along swimmingly.

She was honest about the snobby bitch of a kitchen they had acquired. She was so grateful for this move that tried not to complain out loud but she sometimes cursed loudly in her head. It was actually remarkable how different the range situation was for she now worked with an ungrateful adolescent terror who feigned cooking by heating up to the same degree no matter the temperature reading. It was always hot; oven at 400 degrees, stovetop a boiling, neon orange rage. Her bed was the only available counter space. She rolled with it because it wasn’t that bad. And actually she thought it was a pretty damn fun, like camping all the time. She liked rolling with it. She got good at it.

One day her man called. She answered Hello and he said, with laughter You aren’t going to believe this. Or, actually, you will. He then told her about this new job he was working on. He was an electrician. The homeowners were upgrading appliances and their old appliances were awesome. The couple knew the homeowners and they proceeded to have friendly conversations. The end result was a beautiful barter: the range and refrigerator for one of the husband’s paintings. Everyone was delighted and hopping.

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The wondrously talented Andy Cline
“A Pack of Resting Semis (Flying J parking lot off I-90 Rocker, Montana)”
ย oilย on board, 19×42 inches

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Refrigerator, Two Adorable Children Recline :: Range, Holy shit, yes. That’s a Viking.

The couple and their daughters lived in the 400 square-foot apartment for six months and then it was time To Move Up. Spreading into their home felt spiritual. The spaces they had previously thought to be small or dark or uninviting felt luxurious, expansive and perfect. The small-space living had afforded them the exquisite opportunity of perspective.

The fridge moved in right away, the range hung back in the garage due to some installation complications. And then, one September afternoon it happened. Strong, tan friends arrived and, together they lifted the range out of the garage, up the concrete steps, up more steps and into place. Fit like a flipping beautiful silk glove. She promptly made cocktails and invited everyone to dinner.

It had only been a day and she felt intimately involved with the new range. It was harvest season. In their first week together, they prepared and preserved peach salsa, caramelized onion relish, beets and corn. They made granola, casserole, cookies, pizza, soup, muffins and omelets. Split and slice. Flesh, fruit. Pit, peel. Chop, sear, roast, scoop, stir, spread, scrape, turn. Do it again.

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Their youngest daughter grew so tired of waiting on her quesadilla :: The couple looked forward to yanking out that microwave/hoodย 

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Some said she and the range were in the honeymoon phase but they both willingly declared
And they lived happily ever after.

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34 Comments


Jean
September 14, 2012 at 12:58 PM

Haha! I love it. Especially the ending. xoxo



Kelsie
September 14, 2012 at 1:00 PM

This story was so fun to read!! Love happy endings ๐Ÿ™‚ I can’t get over your husband’s painting, looks just like a photograph, amazing.



Liane
September 14, 2012 at 1:07 PM

Haha!! Love this story ๐Ÿ™‚ xx



Heather
September 14, 2012 at 1:09 PM

Dude, I would give up all my appliances *and the food in them* (and I own a chest freezer, I am not messing around here) for one of Andy’s paintings! Three cheers for your new romance.



Rebecca
September 14, 2012 at 1:25 PM

It continues to amaze me how things in your life, while not always perfect, have just the right way of falling into place. I admire your ability to trust your gut & go with your instinct. This is a kind of faith to be emulated. At least by me.
I also admire your watermelon picture next to the range. Would love to hear more about it!



cruelsound
September 14, 2012 at 1:44 PM

You guys are so, so awesome.



TRB Holt
September 14, 2012 at 2:01 PM

What a great tale! I so love happy endings…..I am jealous, I have NEVER had a range like this and have always wanted one….maybe when we move again, that will be #17!(BACK to Montana, BTW)!

So happy for you all and your new digs!

Love to all,
Mom, Terri, Gram

PS, MY goodness my son-in-law has talent!!!!!



FinnyKnits
September 14, 2012 at 2:24 PM

Hooray for happy endings! And also for Viking ranges.

GOOD NIGHT I COVET THAT! My neighbor has the exact same range and it’s glorious.

Enjoy the absolute pants off it ๐Ÿ™‚



Brigitte
September 14, 2012 at 2:51 PM

What a fun story to read! I’m sure your new range is equally as happy with you as you are with it.
Thanks for sharing with us the beginnings of a beautiful friendship ๐Ÿ™‚



Angela Henderson Wood
September 14, 2012 at 2:57 PM

I have the same Viking and am equally smitten!



ctb
September 14, 2012 at 2:58 PM

fucking awesome!

(because that range situation deserves the ‘f’ word)



Delhibound
September 14, 2012 at 4:06 PM

Ok so yes, the story was awesome … and your storyTELLING was awesome-r …

BUT hold on. Andy’s painting?

For real? That is beyond freakin’ AMAZING my dear. I am just so very much thinking that is amazing. I’m in awe. He is talented.



Ariel @ Dreams To Do
September 14, 2012 at 4:39 PM

Love everything about this story. I’m so happy for you! And a Viking!!! Lucky gal. ๐Ÿ™‚



Jenn
September 14, 2012 at 4:45 PM

This is the best grown up bedtime story ever!
I really like how you let go and live. It feels so good when life shows up with what you need.



magalways
September 14, 2012 at 6:16 PM

Yeah! I read this before I started my day and the happiness has carried through. Thank you! AND I love those measuring spoons! Where are they from?



anne
September 14, 2012 at 6:18 PM

woah!
I was just this very morning talking to my mom about waiting for a range miracle for the house we are renovating…and then a few minutes ago I was reading the “Law of Attraction” while I nursed my boy to sleep. And then I came out of the bedroom, opened up the laptop, and read THIS. I know my own range miracle is super close now!

Happy cooking, baking, and oogling!



Katie Swanberg
September 14, 2012 at 6:18 PM

Swoon. Yes, things always do work out.



Happiness is...
September 14, 2012 at 7:38 PM

Who says that lightening doesn’t strike twice? Seriously, 2 handsome princes of a range in your lifetime – let alone in your 30’s??? Range porn is back.

Besides missing my gas range, I cannot complain. I saved and splurged on a convection with induction. And how I love to cook on that culinary partner in crime.

I think your community is wonderful, and your stories week after week confirm to me that Missoula is pretty awesome living. There’s an amazing sense of community.

-Jennifer



Jill F
September 14, 2012 at 8:20 PM

Have you read the childrens book
“The Range Eternal” by Louise Erdring. You would love it, it is about the old family range, how she remembers it as the center of the home as a child. I think I need to mail you my copy. Loved this post.



Baby By The Sea
September 14, 2012 at 10:36 PM

brilliant. reads like a song. love this piece and what it says about the ways you go about your days.



Emily
September 15, 2012 at 12:39 AM

I lovveeddd this. And your range is beautiful ๐Ÿ™‚

Also, I wanted to press a “like” button on your mom’s comment!!



fricka...leader of the nerd herd
September 16, 2012 at 1:54 AM

Oh my heart! I did not feel like a grown up until I had my own gas range. I just new my cooking and canning would soar when I did…and it did. Congratulations and bless you for being an optimist:)



tricia
September 16, 2012 at 2:01 AM

Best story EVER. I love it! Also, I had no idea a blog reader helped you find your home. THAT IS AWESOME. ๐Ÿ™‚



Ellie
September 16, 2012 at 1:32 PM

I love a happy ending!! A friend of mine (who never cooked) used to have a viking and it seemed so unfair to never use the thing! When we moved, we inhereted a simple gas stove which I am a bit in love with – I will never go back to electric! Happy cooking!



Minnesotagal
September 16, 2012 at 5:02 PM

Love this! Total range envy over here!!



Ellie
September 17, 2012 at 2:59 AM

So wonderfully written…and so happy for your new life on the range.



Jenny
September 17, 2012 at 1:11 PM

Your house is so beautiful, I love all the little touches that make it unique. I too am smitten by the range, and those measuring spoons. How charming!



Jane MacDonald
September 17, 2012 at 1:49 PM

Seriously. I love you! You give to the universe and the universe gives to you! It all works out. Easy peasy! I don’t have to tell you to enjoy your new range. I know you will/are.

I may not comment often but I very much enjoy your blog. Enjoy your Monday!



bonjour, i'm rebecca!
September 17, 2012 at 3:00 PM

,,,she’s a beaut! the range and ruby,,,



Amy
September 17, 2012 at 4:21 PM

Totally coveting your measuring spoons. I’m sure they are all vintagey and can only be found at a super old persons garage sale, right? Love them!



dig this chick
September 17, 2012 at 7:20 PM

For all the measuring spoon admirers! They were a Valentine gift from my mama years ago. But! Just for you I did some googling and found them here:

http://astore.amazon.com/digthischick-20/detail/B0000VOGMM



Amy
September 18, 2012 at 5:49 PM

wooooo!!! Thanks!



Brandi Shope
September 19, 2012 at 6:25 AM

Love your story… and your RANGE! Absolutely envious! ๐Ÿ™‚



Cheap Beats By Dre
November 21, 2012 at 8:59 PM

I’m having a small issue I cant seem to be able to subscribe your rss feed, I’m using google reader fyi.



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