Blog Post

What I Miss, and What I Don't

But it is what it is.In case you haven't noticed, we live in a time in history where change is a constant fact of life. Some of the changes happen so fast it can make you dizzy just thinking about it. These changes emcompass almost every area of our lives, including what we read, and how we read.

It is hard to fathom that even a century ago people's lives didn't change that much at all in regard to lifestyle, technology,  or the culture they lived in. They thought they were seeing magic before their eyes with
automobiles, airplanes, and new farm machinery, much of which many of them would never experience themselves.

A man who spent thirty-five years in prison for a crime he didn't commit was finally freed about two years ago. In his book, The Sun Still Shines, he tells the story of being terrified he would be arrested again because he didn't see his friend pay for their meal in a restaurant. He had no idea what a credit card was for.  Can you imagine the poor guy trying to keep up with ever-changing computer technology? 

Some of the things I miss:  High schools where the biggest problems were smoking in the bathroom and students not picking up their trash.
                                                Television shows and movies without blatant profanity.
                                                Walmarts that still had their own snack bars instead of featuring chain fast food restaurants.
                                                Small towns where didn't have to lock your cars and the doors to your house.                                      
                                                Computers that didn't force you to completely change your system and your way of thinking every five years to suit no one but themselves.
                                                My Dad's sour milk pancakes
                                                Socks for a reasonable price that last more than one winter. 
                                                The library with tons of books you checked out from a real person who used that date stamp on a slip glued to the inside of the book.
                                                Long handwritten letters from friends.

Don't miss one bit:             Having to spend an entire day doing the ironing
                                                Paint that stunk to high heaven for a least a day after you put it on the walls.                                     
                                                The cost of long distance phone calls.
                                                Canning. (Sorry, those of you who still embrace that sort of thing.)
                                                Windows without thermopanes. 
                                                Quick showers so the hot water doesn't run out.
                                               
                                               

This is only a sample, of course. Does it bring to mind your own list?

Was the trade off worth it? Sometimes I have my doubts. But as my husband often says, "it is what it is."