Sunday Snippet: The I Might Need a Break from Technology Edition

Do you ever wonder how we survived before computers and cell phones and social media? I can’t remember when I last dialed (literally dialed) a telephone or got up from the sofa to change the TV station. Or took a picture with an actual camera. When I last typed something on a typewriter or used a paper roadmap to figure out where I was going or opened a recipe book to find a new way to cook chicken. I google every thing now. Texting is second nature now, too, as is taking pictures with my phone, and FaceTiming with my sister.

Life has changed so much in the last twenty-five years, my head spins thinking about it, and yet, I am awestruck when I think about my MIL–Rosemary–who died almost a year ago at age 98. Think, just think, how much the world has changed since she was born in 1925. It’s mind-boggling. She never owned a computer, and although she had a cell phone, I never saw her use it. She never texted a day in her long life. Honestly, there’s a small part of me that envies her that freedom. To be able to simply dial a phone and call someone, to get news from a newspaper instead of a website, to receive a real letter in the mail… wouldn’t that be lovely?

Technology, particularly 24-hour news, keeps the news in my face and I confess, at this particular point in time, I’d rather not know what’s going on in Washington, DC. The chaos and gut-clenching fear that is happening in our country right now makes me want to revert to the days when news came via pony express. On the other hand, technology also brings me opportunities to fight, to join resistance movements, to help when and where I can, and to hear smart folks like Robert Reich and Heather Cox Richardson and others give us wisdom and hope.

Without all the technology available to us today, my writing career probably wouldn’t have taken off quite so well. I wouldn’t be a part of Tule Publishing, which would be a terrible shame because I adore being a Tule author. My editing career would be so very different–I’d be doing it on paper with a red pen instead of  using Track Changes in Word. I actually did most of my editing on paper  in the early days with the For Dummies books, general reference titles, and textbooks, and it was much more difficult. Just Word’s Find and Replace feature makes the times technology is a pain in the butt totally worth it.

I’m not truly wishing we could go back in time–so much of what makes my life lovely today is technology. I love zipping a text to Son or DIL or Sis and getting little love notes with emojis from Husband. I’m glad I can check the weather on my phone and GPS my way to anyplace in the US. I like getting coupons and sale notices from my favorite stores in my email and hearing from dear friends there, too. It’s terrific to be able to “talk” to Liz every morning on Google Chat and “meet up” with my editor and my friends on G-Meet or Zoom. I love writing on a computer instead of a typewriter or heaven save us, a yellow legal pad and pencil. The pandemic lockdowns would have been a lot harder. And all that glorious technology is how science discovered the 4-drug protocol that is keeping my heart beating. I can’t complain.

But maybe a a few days away from my devices would be nice… However, that will have to come after I get this current editing gig finished and after this new book is researched and written and after the next cardiologist visit because my phone records my BP for her and after… hmmmm…

So talk to me–what do you think? Has technology made your life better or would you rather go back in time?

And hey, let’s make this a giveaway, want to? There’s a e-book of your choice from any of my River’s Edge series for one lucky commenter today. If you haven’t been to River’s Edge yet, here’s a chance to discover that magical place. 

Gratitude for This Week: We drove up to check on the lake cottage and cleaned up the yard for spring; Got to spend some time with Mo; Sunny gorgeous days for being outside; My daffodils are starting to bloom; Husband’s birthday is this weekend, so a chance to be with the kids–always joy. 

Stay well, pay attention and resist where you can, choose kindness always, and most of all, mes amis, stay grateful!