We've all received emails remembering "The Good Old Days," when you could ride your bike to the corner store, drop it on the sidewalk, and go in and buy a brown bag of goodies -- for a quarter. Alone. Without fear of peril.
I have complained, myself, about the Thumb Generation. They don't go outside and play. Everything they want to do is electronic: texting, MySpace, Wii.
What happened to the Good Ol' Days?
Well I was thinking this morning about the Good NEW Days. Here are a few things I came up with.
PHOTOS. Having photographs processed used to take 2 trips to the drugstore: one to drop the film off, one to pick up the prints.
Now I go to Walgreens.com, upload my photo, and pick it up in an hour. One trip. One photo costs me 19 cents.
RX. Ditto that on prescriptions.
Now my physician sends it in to the drugstore via his laptop, and I drive through and pick it up on the way home. Pretty nice if you (or a cranky toddler) are running a fever.
MAIL. When I was little, the postman came twice a day: once at 9 and again at 2. We often received letters in the morning mail and replied with the evening mail. That doesn't happen anymore.
Now we send letters all day, every day. 2 am. 9 pm. Billions, who know how many, of notes, letters, words of encouragement, fly through space every day. Gives a whole new meaning to the term, "air mail."
NEIGHBORS. True, we don't chat over the back yard fence anymore while we hang out our clothes.
Now we gather at Starbucks or our local coffee house for weekly chats. Or gather on porches after the kids' bedtime for a glass of wine and the latest gossip.
FOOD. There are all sorts of conveniences today we just didn't have before. I remember it was a big deal when you could buy a chicken already cut up. When Jiffy Pop came out, we thought it was magic. Then came a device just for popping corn, basically a hot plate with a lid. Then the air poppers came out. Now, of course, we throw a bag in the microwave and eat it within 5 minutes.
I remember when the "tea" section at the grocery was about 1 foot square. Our choices were Tetley, Lipton, and the new Constant Comment. Now our grocery has a half an aisle dedicated to tea, from Africa or India; teas, tisanes, and herbals; teas that turn colors and teas that bloom.
Ditto that on bread. In my town, it was a choice of Wholesum or Colonial. Now we can buy organic, whole wheat, 5-grain, 7-grain, white, white whole wheat, berry, oat, the list goes on and on.
So the next time one of us middle-agers grumbles and remembers the Good Ol' Days, help him remember the Good New Days. Life is sweet.
Saturday, July 18
Sunday, July 12
Saturday, July 11
Packing
So, DH walks in and says, "Talk to me about packing."
"Packing?"
"Yeah," he says. "If you were leaving for a week, how would you pack?"
"Hmm," I say. "I guess I would put 'like' things together. I would not pack by outfit."
He stomps off, muttering about outfits.
What'd I say?
"Packing?"
"Yeah," he says. "If you were leaving for a week, how would you pack?"
"Hmm," I say. "I guess I would put 'like' things together. I would not pack by outfit."
He stomps off, muttering about outfits.
What'd I say?
Sunday, July 5
YOU in YOUR SPACE
I have an amazing dear friend named Marguerite. She, our other dear friend Mandy, and I have been known to spend hours over coffee or wine, depending on the hour of the day. We talk about all sorts of things, and, having cleared our souls, can re-emerge out into the world, brighter, lighter beings.
Marguerite's son gave her a mug last Christmas with the inscription: "Queen of F***ing Everything" and it's just so funny because it's just so TRUE. When our neighborhood had an auction to raise funds for the park, oh, so happens she trained in auctions at Christy's. When she and her brother had to evacuate Norleans, and the Saab failed, she slid underneath and stitched the rubber boot together with needle and wire so it would drive them to safety. She's smart, she's industrious, and she's funny, a holy triumvirate.
Today she brought a friend who happens to be a famous photographer from Chicago. They are taking a 10-day trip through the South, taking pics of people in their places. They shot Little One on her bed, listening to the iPod, texting away. They took pics of Little Dog dancing, sitting, sneezing (although not all at once.) They shot me at my desk, and standing with a book, and at the dinner table working on a jigsaw puzzle with DH. Finally, they got closeups of my feet in my bunny slippers. I may use that one for my profile on Facebook.
Marguerite had asked us to save this afternoon for the photo shoot. We had gladly done so for our dear friend, but did not at all look forward to posing.
Amazingly, it was fun, great fun, and she and he were so accommodating. They asked every time they moved a lamp, or un-mounted a picture from the wall. Before they left, they replaced every little thing (even though they did not need to) and left the house just as it was before.
It was great to see our pictures, even if it was only on the camera view-finder. They have promised to send copies digitally. I declare, we all looked just like ourselves, just better.
What a lovely adventure it was.
Marguerite's son gave her a mug last Christmas with the inscription: "Queen of F***ing Everything" and it's just so funny because it's just so TRUE. When our neighborhood had an auction to raise funds for the park, oh, so happens she trained in auctions at Christy's. When she and her brother had to evacuate Norleans, and the Saab failed, she slid underneath and stitched the rubber boot together with needle and wire so it would drive them to safety. She's smart, she's industrious, and she's funny, a holy triumvirate.
Today she brought a friend who happens to be a famous photographer from Chicago. They are taking a 10-day trip through the South, taking pics of people in their places. They shot Little One on her bed, listening to the iPod, texting away. They took pics of Little Dog dancing, sitting, sneezing (although not all at once.) They shot me at my desk, and standing with a book, and at the dinner table working on a jigsaw puzzle with DH. Finally, they got closeups of my feet in my bunny slippers. I may use that one for my profile on Facebook.
Marguerite had asked us to save this afternoon for the photo shoot. We had gladly done so for our dear friend, but did not at all look forward to posing.
Amazingly, it was fun, great fun, and she and he were so accommodating. They asked every time they moved a lamp, or un-mounted a picture from the wall. Before they left, they replaced every little thing (even though they did not need to) and left the house just as it was before.
It was great to see our pictures, even if it was only on the camera view-finder. They have promised to send copies digitally. I declare, we all looked just like ourselves, just better.
What a lovely adventure it was.
Tuesday, June 30
Crazy
DH has been home on a staycation for the past week-and-half and it's been a godsend. I have been on the go from morn til night, interviewing people for articles, sitting through boring meetings for articles, meeting with people about running for public office, and fulfilling volunteer obligations. It's been insane.
He has busied himself with running electricity and water to our little building in the back yard. A fellow came by last night and used a Ditch Witch to dig a furrow from the house to the shed. He charged DH less than it would cost to rent one from the home improvement store.
DH worked past dark burying the conduit and water lines, and refilling the hole. Today he has been fitting the circuit box and faucets. He's happy when he has a little project. Not so happy when he has a major one.
Our garden is lovely this year. We don't have tomatoes yet, but we truly enjoy watching the beans' progress up the trellis. Some days they are 5" higher than the day prior. We are amazed.
I have always loved observing the little bat-ropes the beanstalks throw to pull themselves up. Nature is much more elegant than men's devices.
LO is busily reading the novels for her Honors English assignments. After completing the two novels, she must write essays and complete questions. The work is due on July 13, her second day at Band Camp, so I will turn it in for her.
I am a Mean Old Nana who restricted her from All Things Electronic when I realized she doesn't do much of anything other than watch TV, play on the computer, and text friends on her telephone. For one week she is being asked to Do Other Things. It is my fervent hope she can discover other fun things to do for a fuller and more rewarding life.
Understandably, the first day was officially No Fun. For any of us.
Today it got a little better. She called a zillion friends to set up a kickball game at a nearby elementary school. I was proud of her ingenuity. We'll see how it turns out...
He has busied himself with running electricity and water to our little building in the back yard. A fellow came by last night and used a Ditch Witch to dig a furrow from the house to the shed. He charged DH less than it would cost to rent one from the home improvement store.
DH worked past dark burying the conduit and water lines, and refilling the hole. Today he has been fitting the circuit box and faucets. He's happy when he has a little project. Not so happy when he has a major one.
Our garden is lovely this year. We don't have tomatoes yet, but we truly enjoy watching the beans' progress up the trellis. Some days they are 5" higher than the day prior. We are amazed.
I have always loved observing the little bat-ropes the beanstalks throw to pull themselves up. Nature is much more elegant than men's devices.
LO is busily reading the novels for her Honors English assignments. After completing the two novels, she must write essays and complete questions. The work is due on July 13, her second day at Band Camp, so I will turn it in for her.
I am a Mean Old Nana who restricted her from All Things Electronic when I realized she doesn't do much of anything other than watch TV, play on the computer, and text friends on her telephone. For one week she is being asked to Do Other Things. It is my fervent hope she can discover other fun things to do for a fuller and more rewarding life.
Understandably, the first day was officially No Fun. For any of us.
Today it got a little better. She called a zillion friends to set up a kickball game at a nearby elementary school. I was proud of her ingenuity. We'll see how it turns out...
Monday, June 29
Gotta Love IKEA!
On a recent trip to Ikea, I picked up a booklet showing these cool, sturdy shelves that have a diamond grid surface. In-between the diamonds, is open air. I had thought it might be nice to install these shelves in our office closet, for our computer and associated gear. They will be unlikely to overheat, sitting on the mesh-like shelves.
We did have a melange of little tables stuck in there to hold everything, as I did not want it sitting on the floor. The little tables served well, but it was messy and cramped. The printer faced sideways, and opening it to scan something was not easy.
DH liked the idea and we ran to Ikea Saturday to pick up the pieces we needed. We (well, HE) installed the shelves yesterday. We re-connected all the computer stuff last night and everything is in place.
While we had the computer out and disconnected from everything, DH took it outside, opened it, and blasted it with air from the air compressor. VOILA! Nice and clean inside and out.
I am so pleased. Not even a cable is on the floor; I can vacuum all the way under it all, keeping our stuff nice and clean.
DH has velcro wraps and will straighten all the cables today. :)
Saturday, June 20
The Beach
Short post here. At beach with two girlfriends.
Our hotel room is sort of amazing: two bedrooms, living room, kitchen. Dishwasher, washer/dryer. Beachfront. The hotel has a pool and hot tub outside. It's very nicely furnished and kept up quite well.
We ate last night at Crab Catchers, a restaurant on the marsh in Little River. We sat on the deck overlooking the water at sunset. We watched people drink and laugh and we talked and talked. There was a live band; the music was Jimmy Buffett and related songs.
We have talked and talked. Both the gf's are well-read, articulate women. It's a blast and I fantasize about staying forever.
Our hotel room is sort of amazing: two bedrooms, living room, kitchen. Dishwasher, washer/dryer. Beachfront. The hotel has a pool and hot tub outside. It's very nicely furnished and kept up quite well.
We ate last night at Crab Catchers, a restaurant on the marsh in Little River. We sat on the deck overlooking the water at sunset. We watched people drink and laugh and we talked and talked. There was a live band; the music was Jimmy Buffett and related songs.
We have talked and talked. Both the gf's are well-read, articulate women. It's a blast and I fantasize about staying forever.
Tuesday, June 16
Graduation
It's not something I would actually choose to do for fun, but I attended four graduations in the past week-and-a-half: one college and 3 high schools.
I have come to some conclusions about graduations.
1.) Crying baby required. The mom always has a bottle handy, but she allows the crying baby to pretty much ruin things before stepping over 20 people and scurrying out the door. A few of the babies I observed were blowing snot bubbles out their noses by the time they were seen to.
2.) America's economy must not be hurting too badly when 2,000 people in the same room all have digital cameras.
3.) Wardrobe. Not the graduates -- they all wear pretty much the same thing. The parents, however, geez louise. The gamut ran from prom dresses to profane Tshirts.
4.) IF THERE WAS EVER AN OCCASION TO MUTE YOUR CELL PHONE, THIS IS IT.
5.) Despite the provost/principal/superintendent's best request, people cannot contain themselves when a relative graduates. The nicer people silently stood, as requested. The rest hollered, whooped, whistled, and yowled. There was one comment that made me smile. One sheepish, very tall boy loped across the stage with a broad grin, and his mom yelled, "Prraise God!" I could only imagine.
6.)America is in serious need of original valedictorian speeches.
7.) Plan ahead. The graduation is at x:00. Arrive at w:00 so you can find a parking space. And there is no need to yell at the organization/superintendents/policemen that there is not enough parking. They can't do anything about it. Come early and grab a spot, or come early enough to park a few blocks and walk over before it begins.
8.) Let your young child bring the Nintendo, the CD viewer, or whatever he needs to be entertained. It's a long time to sit and he just can't pay attention that long. If you must, rouse him from his concentration for the split-second that Junior gets his diploma.
9.) Even if you are in the South, wait til you get home to have that Mountain Dew. This is a nice event.
I have come to some conclusions about graduations.
1.) Crying baby required. The mom always has a bottle handy, but she allows the crying baby to pretty much ruin things before stepping over 20 people and scurrying out the door. A few of the babies I observed were blowing snot bubbles out their noses by the time they were seen to.
2.) America's economy must not be hurting too badly when 2,000 people in the same room all have digital cameras.
3.) Wardrobe. Not the graduates -- they all wear pretty much the same thing. The parents, however, geez louise. The gamut ran from prom dresses to profane Tshirts.
4.) IF THERE WAS EVER AN OCCASION TO MUTE YOUR CELL PHONE, THIS IS IT.
5.) Despite the provost/principal/superintendent's best request, people cannot contain themselves when a relative graduates. The nicer people silently stood, as requested. The rest hollered, whooped, whistled, and yowled. There was one comment that made me smile. One sheepish, very tall boy loped across the stage with a broad grin, and his mom yelled, "Prraise God!" I could only imagine.
6.)America is in serious need of original valedictorian speeches.
7.) Plan ahead. The graduation is at x:00. Arrive at w:00 so you can find a parking space. And there is no need to yell at the organization/superintendents/policemen that there is not enough parking. They can't do anything about it. Come early and grab a spot, or come early enough to park a few blocks and walk over before it begins.
8.) Let your young child bring the Nintendo, the CD viewer, or whatever he needs to be entertained. It's a long time to sit and he just can't pay attention that long. If you must, rouse him from his concentration for the split-second that Junior gets his diploma.
9.) Even if you are in the South, wait til you get home to have that Mountain Dew. This is a nice event.
Thursday, June 11
First Day of Summer
Today was LO's first day of summer.
She slept til 11am.
She wrote thank-you's to the three teachers she had for all three years of middle school.
She watched TV, took a walk with Papaw, and cooked supper. Fettucini Alfredo, her favorite.
A friend-boy stopped by at 1pm. Another came over at 7pm, ate with us, and watched a movie with us. As we ate, he spilled a whole bag of frozen green peas all over the kitchen floor. We laughed til we cried.
She went to bed at 11.
Tomorrow we run the notes to the school and give three last hugs.
She slept til 11am.
She wrote thank-you's to the three teachers she had for all three years of middle school.
She watched TV, took a walk with Papaw, and cooked supper. Fettucini Alfredo, her favorite.
A friend-boy stopped by at 1pm. Another came over at 7pm, ate with us, and watched a movie with us. As we ate, he spilled a whole bag of frozen green peas all over the kitchen floor. We laughed til we cried.
She went to bed at 11.
Tomorrow we run the notes to the school and give three last hugs.
Monday, June 8
End of the Year
It has been a crazy, crazy day.
Because LO is "graduating" from middle school on Wednesday, she attended a banquet at the local Holiday Inn today with the other eighth graders. It was great to pull up to the school this morning and see them all decked out in dresses, heels, and neckties.
She seemed to have had a good time. I did not tell her that eating at a Holiday Inn is torture for me and certainly would not be a reward in my book. :)
DH is back at his home plant. He seems generally happy but is having a bit of an adjustment to waking up at 4am once again.
I am crazily running around for this doggone secret project plus my work. I can disclose the details in less than 30 days now. :)
That's two insipid smiley faces in a row. Time for bed.
Because LO is "graduating" from middle school on Wednesday, she attended a banquet at the local Holiday Inn today with the other eighth graders. It was great to pull up to the school this morning and see them all decked out in dresses, heels, and neckties.
She seemed to have had a good time. I did not tell her that eating at a Holiday Inn is torture for me and certainly would not be a reward in my book. :)
DH is back at his home plant. He seems generally happy but is having a bit of an adjustment to waking up at 4am once again.
I am crazily running around for this doggone secret project plus my work. I can disclose the details in less than 30 days now. :)
That's two insipid smiley faces in a row. Time for bed.
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