Life’s a Blur

There’s more to aging than I expected.

There is the expectation fear of aging.

For a week now my vision has been blurry.

And of course the insidious aging process has already begun.  Along with a myriad of minor aches and pains, my eyesight was fading.  Incoming email messages to my smart phone were lost in a dim sea of gray and I found myself straining (even with glasses) to read blogger’s posts and important correspondence.

Ha!  I do keep the ringer loud though, so people think I am extremely popular.

But back to fading eyesight, “Maybe I need new glasses,” I thought.

Last night I decided it was time to discuss this most recent aging complaint with a specialist.

On the other hand, maybe I should look at the smart phone settings first.

Surprise!

The brightness option was turned off.

And Voila!

With the click of a button, my vision was completely restored.

The moral of this story is not to let fear of aging (or warped technology) get you down.

Just because you can’t see straight doesn’t mean you need to adjust your glasses.

 

 

 

 

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Announcing a Vow to Stop Learning

Photo from http://www.eduworkltd.com

Stop learning?

Who would ever make such a declaration?

At my first job I was taught to operate, clean and maintain an Ozalid machine.  “Learn this and you will always be able to find work for the rest of your life”, they said.   Does anyone know what an Ozalid machine is today? Ha!

Then I learned all about Mimeograph machines.  Anybody ever hear of that? Ha!

Lessons from Other Galaxies

Today the need to divorce myself from “new” technologies came back about a year ago with the gift of a new cell phone.  It is a Samsung Galaxy S4 that was supposed to be top of the line and even transformed itself into an ever-present camera.

“This will be good for the next 10 years,” I thought but it took  a year to find a phone number in an emergency.

And in what seems like minutes there is now a Galaxy 5 and I haven’t even learned 4!

Facebooking Translations Gone Where?

I remember not long ago a beloved grandgirl created a FB dictionary for me (to simplify things).  It was a listing of the lingo for translations of Facebook messages.  Even abbreviations like “I luv u 4 sentimental reasons” seem to have disappeared and I haven’t memorized the list yet. Where have they all gone?

I am for Low Definition TV!

Now Bill has a new HD Flat Screen TV.  Does anyone remember Fat Screen TVs?

To get the HD part, we had to update all Direct TV receivers including the one for my old LD (Low Def) version.  For those of you who are city dwellers, Direct TV is man’s way of surviving in rural areas where there is no Wifi or other such Gigabite connections.  Can you tell I have no idea what I’m talking about?

Low Definition is my own terminology and I intend to stay LD!  Nevertheless, “The updated receiver is required,” so it will be waiting in case I change my mind.

Arghhh!  The Viewer’s Guide is now too small with reverse white type on a light blue background.

DVD Netflix watching is fouled up too!

I have these written instructions which require a translator:

Turn TV on at remote top right button. Slide top thingy slider thing to far Right & switch to Channel 3.  Insert disc.Use second remote for something unidentified.  Turn power off at box or at red dot on remote top right. Switch to Channel 4 and slide top slider thingy to far Left.  TV should now be on and you should be able to change channels! Ha!

And NO, I don’t want Netflix Steaming or Streaming – just something else to learn!

SNAP AND CHAT

Last month my same technologically savvy grandgirl thought I would enjoy participating in SnapChat.  Huh?

I finally guessed that SnapChat is a place to post a picture

that will only last 3 seconds and then disappear.  

This would allow some folks to be seen naked but not permanently so. 

I am still not sure this is the purpose.  It is only a naïve guess.

Mackenzie was so sweet though, and put Snap and Chat on my new/old cell phone.  I doubt that she wants to see her Grammy disrobed, so maybe this service is for other more benign or deeply mysterious purposes?

Or maybe she knew I would never figure it out anyway.

She was right because when she left I could not figure it out so I deleted it.  At least I hope I deleted it.

Even a little thing like “delete” requires a step by stumble procedure.

Instagram Wireless Communication

I see Instagram all over Twitter too.   I understand Twitter I think, but not Instagram which would necessitate detailed instructions.

Instagram may be messaging in Morse Code because we do tend to be going backward in communication skills.

I have no intention of learning Morse Code since Bill already knows it.  He was a radio operator in the U.S. Air Force some time after the Civil War ended.

FYI:

In case I am ahead of you in utilizing initials to save time, “FYI” means For Your Information.,

Did you know Twitter is represented across the internet by a little bird on the wing?  That at least makes a bit of sense and does not require a graduate degree in social media.  

 

People Loving People

Other people seem to reside in specialized technological worlds for as long as they can stand to survive there and until they get updated and have to get new instructions.

Somehow love online always seems to thrive.

I think it is because the young have faster thumbs and the rest of them are bendable.  I suppose they have no trouble reaching out to potential new heartthrobs in the blog-us-fear.

BUT I QUIT!  I don’t want to learn any more.  I already met my heartthrob in person in a touchy feely world before Snap Chat and cell phones.

And I want technology to STOP!  NOW!

Enough is enough.

So now what?

I was just told that all the YMCA resistance equipment (I have been using for 15 years) is being replaced by new, up-to-date stuff.

“Is it the same, but just newer?” I asked.  “Well, no.”

And the trainer went into detail on the new knobs to expect, the new ways of achieving leg lifts, and the fact that they will be hiring people to explain all the new technologies.

Noooooooo!

 

 

 

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Survival Tactics of a Smart Plant

There are smart phones and smart everythings in today’s technology.

In fact, much to my chagrin,  there are inhuman “things” and mechanical objects that seem more intelligent than I.

I even have a wristband that tells me via email that I need to charge the battery!

But I sometimes forget there are smart things not tied to modern man’s inventions and innovations.

Just look at this Rhododendron!

Happy Warm Rhodie

How happy and comfortable she seems on a sunny day, with bright green leaves midwinter

and hopeful buds for growth and flowers in the spring.

When the sun sets in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia the temperatures dip too

and my Smart Heat Pump goes on automatically to warm me up inside.

That takes technology.

But look at this!   When the thermometer hits around freezing my Rhodie literally curls up to keep warm!

Rhodie Through A Screen
Keeping Warm by Curling Up

And she does it all without electric power, wi fi, computer technology, or having to recharge any batteries!

Now I ask you, “How smart is THAT?”

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