The Siren Song of Technology

Yes, indeed, Madeline has entered the 21st Century, kicking and screaming. My only consolation in giving up my old system is that I now have this beautiful screensaver. Is that an Alaskan slough with the Brooks Range in the background?

I would have been content to keep that system until I was too old to see the screen....but, no -- the world around me had to change.

You know how it is. Phonograph records weren't good enough -- They had to switch to 8-track players, which gave way to cassettes, which gave way to CD's --- which are giving way to.....???

It's just whirl....whirl....whirl...never satisfied!

While I'm sitting here, paying bills online and ordering online and all that stuff -- I start getting messages from business contacts like ATT - and my bank - telling me that they can't contact me and I need to "update" my e-mail address. Whoa! I'm not the one who's changed. guys! You "updated" and left ME behind!

While I'm just sitting here, minding my own business, the whole world around me does a drastic shift to the right, and I'm out in left field, wondering where everyone went!

Now look at me - getting a new computer and starting the rat race all over again, trying to learn --- of all things -- Windows 7. Good grief, I should have my head examined!

All the things I'm familiar with --- Whoosh! Down the tubes! My sweet little Printmaster Program -- Whoosh! Gone! My nice, comfy Outlook Express -- Glug glug glug -- Down the drain!

Nothing looks familiar except the keyboard.

And now I'm trying to take an even greater leap into the future -- getting Verizon 3G Wireless! Oh, dear, oh, dear - I fear that I have gone too far and dared too much. I may be angering the spirits of the Tillman wilderness.

My computer guru (Blue Chalk Software) has come out to my remote wilderness home and conferenced with the mighty Verizon technicians, who have informed us that I may actually be "too close" to a cell phone tower: I may be experiencing an "umbrella effect." Sounds a little fishy, if you ask me...

One way or another, my brain is in for a thorough vacuuming of all dust and cobwebs of the past. I have gone too far to turn back now.

I am hoping that THIS "big switch" is more successful than the last one.

Okay, KFVS -- who needs you? I'll just watch my screen saver and listen to my dogs howl at the coyotes.

From the not-quite-so-remote hills of Tillman, Mo., this is your technologically-challenged reporter, Madeline, signing off on a cold, wet November evening.