I am often entertained and informed by HGTV. But this morning, I clicked on a link about The Most Embarrassing Kitchen in America. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it was not a picture of a clean kitchen with GASP outdated counters, cabinets and . . . Heaven Forbid . . . Rooster wallpaper.

Why do people feel they have to have the trendiest appliances, paint colors, counters, cabinets and flooring? Yes, it is nice if you can afford to make changes based on taste every now and then, but why do people think what they liked ten years ago is hideous today, except for the reason some designer tells them so.

My parents bought a refrigerator the year I was born and they used it until I was about 45. And then it became a backup fridge. The kitchen in LaGrange County has always had a big, heavy solid wood door and built in cabinets with beadboard doors. The counters have . . . wait for it . . . stainless steel bands going around the edge so the Formica is held in place. The wood burning Franklin stove is there putting out the wood scent that has welcomed people for over a century.

We ate well in the kitchen; we did not go hungry. We had to open doors under the sink in winter to add a little more warmth to the pipes at night.

I am not particularly fond of the kitchen in the Kendallville house and if someone credible offered to redo the whole thing for me for free, I would say Okay, as long as I get to choose the overall general feel. I wouldn’t want to be bothered with lots of details as to drawer pulls and so forth.

I guess I should be embarrassed by my kitchen, but I’m not. Not that I wouldn’t like to have a 24/7 cook and cleaner.