The potential "problem" here is the word "timeless" because it raises certain expectations that will not be met. Sure subway tile as a Restoration Product was available *somewhere* as a relatively expensive, custom ordered product. So were stone countertops always available. But in the scheme of things virtually Nobody was installing them--and in the case of subway tile, nowhere but a restoration-type or period-specific project. Timeless is different than classic, and timeless means that you really wouldn't be able to identify when something was from, when it was done--and that's near impossible to achieve. Look at the kitchen materials that *are* timeless in the sense that since the modern kitchen came on the scene, they have been readily available. White appliances. Some kind of vaguely abstract-patterned, plain colored phenolic material for countertop surfaces (laminate). Shiny chrome fixtures (which replaced shiny nickel fixtures). Partial overlay cabinet doors. (And in general, shiny brass doorknobs). These are the materials that a lot of GWers are turning their noses up at, right now, and yet they are clearly "timeless" because they have been available in every decade of the modern kitchen's existence as soon as the material itself was introduced.

EXACTLY! After throwing a fit, I finally got my appliances ordered last May on October 18. They substituted a SHarpe microwave because the LG is now on back order at Lowes! (the microwave IS available thru LG website however) And they substituted another model for my LG Range. It was a slightly more expensive model, so we didn't gripe, but it came with no racks, no installation package, no warranty info, no user manual, no air fry tray, no built in thermomter. I spent hours talking to LG AND to Lowes. Finally had to order the installation package myself at $71 and Lowe's is supposed to give me a gift card for that amount. Lowe's optional solution was to order a completely new range (which is out of stock now and not expected til after the new year). They OBVIOUSLY robbed Peter to pay Paul. During this whole process, I have spent 2 hours with my Lowe's designer selecting appliances that were "in stock" and endless hours on the phone reporting delivery damages, missing appliances, and trying to rectify errors.

I also loved A Town Like Alice. It’s the only novel by Shute that I have read and have been meaning to try some others so with your recommendation, Bunny, I will look for Trustee in the Toolroom. I have been taking my time reading Betty by Tiffany McDaniel. It’s a coming of age story of a girl growing up in the Appalachian foothills in Ohio but it’s full of dark, depressing events so I have been reading in small bits. I went on a college visit this weekend with my son who is graduating. It was a long road trip which ironically took me right through the area in which Betty is set. It was very stressful drive, especially when crossing the mountains, as it was pouring rain the whole time. I downloaded Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlin to listen as I drove. It was perfect for the drive with an interesting story, albeit somewhat predictable. It held my interest and kept my mind totally preoccupied, making the weather/driving much less stressful. While I did enjoy it, it would make a good beach read but it’s not a book that I would go out of my way to recommend to friends. I’d give it 3.5 to 4 stars for its genre, which I suppose is a mystery of sorts. Edited to add, I just checked on Libby for Trustee in the Toolroom. My library has the audio version but not the kindle copy. I actually have a 4 hour road trip again tomorrow (going to get my first vaccine dose 2 hrs from home!). I’ll give the audio version a try but may look for a readable copy also (some books I prefer in print or kindle).

Cindy - I appreciate the concern and I think I've been too negative this year. Sorry. It looks like what's left of IDA is making a harder right turn so we'll just get brushed. But they're still predicting some major flooding mostly from the river levels caused by the rain before that gets here. But I'm worried that you'll get hit and vgkg will get more rain that he needs. Stay dry! It never occurred to me that my tomatoes are amazingly crack free; I'm guessing because they're getting a consistent amount of moisture?