Why I keep the cardboard picture for a jar lifter that I own?

(Chapter 3 Memory Problems in my book)

Last week I bought some fresh strawberries on sale and I made some homemade jam. As I gathered my supplies in order to make the jam, I found my jar lifter. What is strange about this jar lifter isn't the jar lifter but what I have had to do to help me to use it correctly. I think that I have been canning for about ten years. I started out making pickles and different kinds of jam, but now I just make jam.

The jar lifter is used to take the hot jars out of the water bath. The handle is white plastic and the part to lift the jars is red and it is made to grip the jars. Because I live with a memory impairment, since I bought this jar lifter, I decided to keep the cardboard picture. That is because I can't always remember which side is used to lift the jars. I think for most people they would be able to figure this out without a problem, but for me this is a challenging task.

I was diagnosed in 2005 so I have been learning how to live with mild cognitive impairment for a long time. During all these years, when there is something that I really enjoy doing, but it has become challenging, I just try to find ways to help with my brain. Since I can't fix how my brain functions, I have learned how to adapt.