The daily episode of something else that has slipped away. [View all]

My MIL lives somewhat independently in the basement apartment. But she's gradually losing her know-how. Today she came up to tell me she can't get any hot water in her bathroom.

It's true that the hot water has to travel further across the floorplan to reach her bathroom. But I turned it all the way up and got plenty of hot water after about 30 seconds. I asked her to show me where she sets the water temp on the knob and it was only about 1/3 up from cold. I showed her how to keep turning the spigot to reach a warmer temp. She looked confused.

Don't worry, my hot water heater is set at a temp below what would hurt children and elderly.