Hago Fugo

"Bad Things Happen"

That was the brilliant, crystal clear thought that flashed in my mind. As in, a real, actual, obviously very bad thing was happening right there, literally in my hands.

A few moments before I was thinking the opposite: good things were happening. I had discovered that the layer of grease on my Revere Ware kettle turned to liquid when the water boiled. I grabbed a paper towel and started mopping the layer off the kettle, restoring it's beautiful mirror finish. Cleaning it was so much easier than trying to scrub the grease off with a sponge.

I was nearly finished when the paper towel, now coated with hot oil, touched the heating element and burst in to flames.

Oops.

Bad Things weren't quite happening yet (but would soon). I reflexively gave the flaming wad a little shake to put it out. It responded by doubling in size. Amused, I tried to blow it out. That totally didn't work and clearly pushed the fire deeper into the towel. A flame licked my finger and I dropped it on the stove top.

Things weren't going to plan, and thus Bad Things were happening. What to do?

Save the house and the stove top! Keep the fire alarm from going off! Don't make a mess of it!

I pinched the unburning edge of the flaming grease-sprite and dropped it in the sink, and turned on the water. (It wasn't greasy enough to flare...) Contained on 3 sides, with water to keep it from charing the sink pan, it looked contained. I poured two cups of tea while I waited for it to burn out.

A small reminder that disasters can strike when you least expect them... right before tea!