A Constant Companion

 What would I do without my laptop computer!!!  

The first computer I can remember seeing was at the County Council offices over fifty years ago.  I was training as a librarian and the college arranged a coach trip.  We couldn't actually touch the computer: we had to look through a window from an adjacent corridor as it was in a dust-free room.  

It's over thirty five years since I bought my first computer.  It was a BBC one and, compared to the jobby I'm looking at now, incredibly limited.  I could produce documents, play a few games and do little more.

It was 2000 that I first accessed the internet and what a revelation that was.  Suddenly information which I could find only if I went to a library ten miles away, was now at my fingertips.  "What's your phone number?" was gradually replaced with, "What's your email address?"  

During lockdown I increased my computer skills greatly and was able to join in social events by zoom, order my groceries, learn crafts, keep abreast of the news and so much more, and I still do all those things.

I've now got a tablet and a mobile phone, both of which I use to access t'interweb, but I still like my laptop best.  How about you?

T is for Technology

 

“One day there will be a telephone in every major city in America.”

 I love that quote from Alexander Graham Bell.  He was such a brilliant man, so forward thinking, and yet even he could not foresee the future.

 Every generation has seen technology move on a little bit more.  My grandmother regarded telephones with suspicion (although she gradually saw some of their advantages), and my mother refused to have anything to do with computers.  So far I’m OK with most “new technology” although the time may come . . .

On Friday I had cataract surgery.  My eyes had been digitally scanned to check the size of the cataract and the size of the lens so that the first could be removed and the second replaced as accurately as possible.  Information about me had been sent digitally so that other health issues could be considered (e.g., the medications I take regularly).  I received a digital print out regarding aftercare. My next-of-kin's mobile number was readily available in the unlikely case of difficulties.

Yes, I know some  technology is intrusive and annoying, and that the human touch is mich more important, but for the most part I would say T is for both Technology and Thankfulness. 

PS.  Thank you for all the kind comments on my last post.  I am fine and tmy eyesight continues to improve.

Adjusting 3

We weren't designed to live alone.  We talk about being independent but in truth we are interdependent.  We need each other in order to fulfil our physical needs but we also have our mental, social and spiritual needs.

Many churches are using this time of isolation to experiment with new ways of joining together using technology.  Last Sunday worship was streamed from various places to allow people to join in remotely.  Even those who don't have the technology knew that the services were taking place and they could pray at the same time.

One group of churches where I often help out has gone one further and they are steaming Morning Prayer at 8.30 each day and I've been joining in with that.  In my isolation I am finding that to be a source of strength, knowing that others are joining in remotely too.   

I'm phoning various people on a regular basis to support and encourage them.  One of my ladies, E. has a son who is stuck in Portugal having gone on a business trip.  I'd love to visit her and share a cuppa but that's not allowed so a chat has to suffice.  S has a heart condition which would make Corvid 19 exceptionally dangerous and she is frightened (but she'd never say so!).

And I am being contacted by various people especially my cousin J's wife.  J is having chemotherapy at the moment so his wife has plenty of worries of her own but each night around 7.30pm we have a chat on Facetime.  I find that especially comforting as I know that if I didn't answer she would alert someone to check on me or, if necessary, alert the emergency services.  As an older single person living alone, I find that very re-assuring.