Internet Magic Friday

Jane Booras is the Editor of numerous newsletters including our Campus Times. She will be sharing how you can find whatever you need - photos, clipart, information, maps, phone numbers - on the Internet.

I’m sitting here at the computer, twitchy fingers poised over the keys, thinking, “If I didn’t have a computer, what would I be doing right now?” Hmmmmmm.

Well, what would my life be like with no computer (or no computer skills)?

Of course, I’d still “boot up” every morning. Swing my legs over the side of the bed and be thankful to God that when my feet hit the floor I can stand, walk and make it to the bathroom.

After a nice cup of tea, I’d probably think about exercising. Mind you, I do this anyway on my “days off.” But I’d probably do it more often. Maybe even walk outside on nice days or go the YMCA and take advantage of their “Silver Sneakers®” free exercise classes for seniors.

After exercising, I’d shower and put on a little makeup (about 10:30, vanity kicks in). Then, suppose I had no appointments (doctor, manicure, hair, pedicure, massage, lunch etc.)? Seems my options would be to clean house, do a little patio gardening, call a friend for lunch or launch one of those “projects” I’ve been vowing to do for years. Probably get out the “family pictures” box from the closet and start to organize them to put into scrapbooks for the kids and grandkids, or clean out my sock drawer.

Then I’d have some lunch. But then what? Back to the pictures? Maybe. At some point, I would definitely volunteer to do something meaningful with my life. I could volunteer to answer the phone at church. They have an old-fashioned phone system that is easy to operate and the Sunday School coordinator always has little craft tasks to do for the kids while I wait for phone calls. I’ve often thought I’d like to volunteer at the Animal Shelter. Don’t care much for dogs, but I’d love to feed and cuddle the cats and kittens there that don’t have homes. They look so forlorn in those cages. Oh, right, the cages. Part of the job is to clean them. It goes with the territory. Ugh.

But now I’m wondering how the kids are doing and what’s going on with some of my friends. To find out, I’d use the telephone and call them (probably getting voice mail in the bargain). As my husband says, “No news is no news.” Maybe I should actually sit down with pen and paper and write a letter!

Of course there’s always washing, shopping, and errands. Since I’ve been thinking of what we’re going to have for dinner since I swung my legs over the side of the bed this morning, I might as well think about doing some preparation.

I wonder what’s on TV tonight? If there’s nothing good on the tube, Alex and I will probably play Rummy. We have a perpetual card game going to see who wins the most games every year. Right now, he’s a year ahead. While we play Rummy, we listen to Greek music on tapes. It’s motivating.

Eeee Gad. I’m driving myself nuts! I need a computer! I need the Internet! I need email! I need Facebook!

Jane Booras is Editor of the Campus Times Newsletter for Computer School for Seniors (www.cs4seniors.com)