OLD AS DIRT

My computer is dying from old age. Its four years old and has Windows Vista. That’s like being 90 year old with Alzheimer’s in human terms. Kent and I have discussed the computer for months. We have read Consumer Reports, talked to our children and the IT techies at Kent’s office. Kent wants to follow the advice of the techies and get a computer with low ram and I want lots of ram. (Did I mention we have lots of photos?) Derek, my only son-in-law agrees with me. Derek is brilliant with computer design and a wonderful son-in-law? The other children decided to not give an opinion.

So the computer has been designed and purchased. Now we wait for our new arrival. As we wait we voice frustration with the old computer. There will be no love lost when it’s gone. As I contemplate the things this computer does so slowly and how we are rebooting about 4 times a day I am reminded of the times when there was no computer, when we had dialup, when it took 2 minutes for a web page to change, when rebooting was considered normal and Bing or Google didn’t exist. I think of the things we can do without because we have a computer such as phone books, maps and boxes of photographs. We don’t have to use many stamps or checks because of online banking and bill paying. All of our banking is on our computer. Much of our shopping is online. If we want to purchase something we always check the computer to find where our desired item is sold and where we can find the best price. Then we check for coupons. If shipping is free we usually opt for delivery rather than going into a store. I do volunteer work and much of my service is through the computer. I don’t write letters but I am truly connected to many people through my email. All wedding gifts are purchased, wraped and delivered with a couple of clicks. I make appointments and plan activities through the computer. My calendar is on my desk but my husband’s calendar is on the computer. And the list goes on and on.

Being without a computer is not an option in today’s world. I can hardly wait for our new arrival.