BOZEMAN, MT—Since its purchase in 2012, the Black & Decker toaster oven on the Parker family's kitchen counter has gradually shifted in its purpose. Whereas it started out in its intended function—heating up leftovers, cooking frozen snacks, and toasting breads—after several months, the small appliance began to serve as a memorial for things that had been.
The conversion began with a short to-do list for the day. The small list, which included items such as "scrub toilet," and "thaw chicken," has not moved from the top of the oven since it was first placed there in June of 2012.
Other items were quick to follow. Donald Parker, 44, seeing the to-do list unmoved after three days, placed an unopened mail piece reminding him to renew his zoo membership next to the appliance. To this day, it has not been opened or moved. The next item was a crayon drawing from the Parkers' nephew, Stevie, 6. Mr. Parker explained that he had intended to display the picture on the refrigerator, but "didn't get around to it."
Other notable items that have made their way to the toaster oven's side are several greeting cards, miscellaneous receipts, and the warnings and indications sheet for two medications that Julie Parker, 38, took for periods in 2013 and 2015.
After the side of the appliance became overwhelmed with stacks of papers, the Parkers were insistent on continually building the shrine. They began to place new offerings directly in front of the toaster oven, as if upon a sacrificial altar. Thus far, the stack includes a folder of notes and handouts from a conference Mrs. Parker attended in 2016, a stack of expired fast food coupons, and a calendar from 2017 that is waiting to have important dates written in.
By all appearances, it may seem that the appliance's purpose has been fully converted, but on occasion the toaster oven has been brought out of its apparent retirement. In such rare instances, Mr. Parker wishes to melt the cheese on a sandwich. He goes through a meticulous ritual to remove the shrine's several relics, and carefully place them temporarily on top of the family microwave. After his sandwich is sufficiently heated, he will then allow the toaster oven to cool before scrupulously replacing the items exactly where they were, as if he had never disturbed them in the first place.
The Parkers show no signs of slowing their shrine's accumulations. The most recent addition came on this past Thursday when Mrs. Parker placed a library book upon the top of the appliance. Sources report that it is due in 3 days.