Pondering on technology on this rainy afternoon and what a marvel it is! Sat down to compose my thoughts and asked Alexa on my Echo Dot what was the temperature outside just to see if it might be cold enough for a snow flurry. Then I asked her to play music from the 1970s. I am technology challenged but I took to the Echo Dot like duck to water. I ask it dumb questions all day long, get the weather forecasts and enjoy music from my high school and college years. Even asked it once where was Shady Oaks. She said Pennsylvania…so far away my friend and I probably don’t have to worry.

My cell phone rings and I begin a tour of my granddaughter’s wooden doll house through my phone and her iPad on FaceTime. She showed me every detail. “Look, Patty,” she says happily. “The house has a bird pillow and bird rug in the living room. Knew you’d love that!” Even has tiny books on the bookshelves and a teeny tiny tea set in the kitchen. The two wooden kitties had fish in their food bowls. The resident dog wasn’t at home because the real house cats had taken his tiny bone for a cat toy. The dog had been rescued and was sitting on the mantle.

She then says, “Hold on, I’m walking upstairs to my room to show you my Pinewood Derby trophy. I came in second place for speed!” Older brother Alexander sticks his face in the camera and says she was 800th of a second away from first place. That girlie loves the Boy Scouts. Placed first last year in the derby.

Then I made a delicious apple pie in a cast iron skillet and sent a photo of the pie to my sister-in-law on a text. Technology can be used for bragging, too! She texted back it looked delicious and it is!

Chief did not like modern technology. I was always telling him how it had advanced surgery and communications. I asked him once to text Stew when we were on the way home from Roanoke. Gave him the phone, told him what to type. It looked like Russian. Only word readable was we. He couldn’t even type on the cell phone. Always said his fingers were too big. Used that same excuse for using the computer keyboard. Used a manual typewriter all his life. He would have loved researching on the internet but he preferred an encyclopedia from one of his two dozen sets. I’m hoping my daughter-in-law will change her mind one day and come take a set home for each of their children.

Imagine a day without modern accoutrements. We are so spoiled. Ask a small child where milk comes from and they’ll probably say Walmart. Tell them hamburgers come from cows and they’ll look at you like you’re crazy.

Technology has certainly improved communications but has decreased our privacy. During the pandemic it made for flexible working schedules. We now have accessible shopping. Groceries are available for pick up or delivery. You don’t even have to push the vacuum cleaner around any more! You can even buy a car and have it delivered to your home. How did we ever get to our new destinations without GPS systems? You don’t even have to get up to change the tv channel. But oh my God, don’t lose the remote!

And nobody memorizes telephone numbers. Better write them down somewhere! You lose your phone with all the important numbers you are up the creek without the proverbial paddle. Teach your children family phone numbers. Tell your college children to write family phone numbers down in a safe place or carry them in their purse or billfolds.

You know if I’m wondering about technology, I’m reading about it. Read that technology causes lack of interest in studying, creates social isolation, reduces creativity and enables people to get involved in inappropriate behavior. Like anything technology has good and bad points.

I’m not complaining! I love grocery pickup and my new Echo Dot! I love the AccuWeather app! I love accessing my bank accounts on the internet, specially since I still bank in Alexander City. I love researching on the internet. And I love going on a virtual tour of my granddaughter’s doll house on FaceTime. Couldn’t even drive to see my grandchildren without my phone GPS. And certainly couldn’t blog without my iPad!

Go right now and write your important phone numbers down and put them in a safe and easy accessible place!

Have a happy week!