51 Comments
Jul 17Liked by Sharron Bassano

I hadn't read this one, Sharron. Pretty funny! I managed to go without a cellphone longer than most but I did get one and glad I did. I'm not married to it, though. I forget it often when I go out. It is for the most part just a tool I can use.

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Thenkyou, James Ron. A hot topic.

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Here here! I can't even run an online store. Amazon helped me learn that. And I just replaced my 12-year-old kindle with a new one which I hope has a more talented audio reader. That girl can't do dialog worth shit. As for apps, we once had a kid come to our door late at night because his Air Bnb locked him out when he left his phone inside as he ducked out to get something from his car. You know, tech can be great, but I've met a few people who relied on google maps to cross the Sierras and almost passed into oblivion. I agree, though, Death is an interesting alternative to a lot of things.

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Thank you Sue. Talking about the reliance one has on technology always pushes a few buttons, doesn't it.

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As well as clicks a few links and swipes a few screens. ACK!

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Jul 17·edited Jul 17Author

Ha ha ha! What is your online store?

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Greetings from two total cell phone "deniers." Never had one, never will. We keep our communications equipment safely tied to the wall with physical cords. You never know where those digital signals can get to.

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Thanks for another perspective, Michael

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Jul 17Liked by Sharron Bassano

Ha Ha….

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Glad you were amused, Wade. It can be a touchy subject.

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I have a smart phone, an ipad, and a computer. They can be very frustrating and I often long for the old days when I could dial a phone number - I even remember talking to a telephone operator who connected me to the person I wanted to speak to, look at a paper map, and read a real book. On the other hand, I wouldn't be doing what I am today without them. So, a mixed blessing????

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Sure is! Thanks for your comment, Janice

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Jul 17Liked by Sharron Bassano

This is so on target. What might give you a little hope for the world is that you're not alone. In fact, Nikola Jokic, the best player in the NBA (who happens to be from Serbia) said that what he's looking forward to the most about future retirement is not owning a cell phone. God bless the Serbians.

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Thanks Buzz. So many of us are sick of having our lives so dependent, but are stalled when it comes to actually doing something about it.

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Jul 17Liked by Sharron Bassano

Cellphone yes. Smart phone.No. No apps. no typing. Just make calls, take calls and alarm clock. Easy enough to run a business on just that. Emails prefered means of communication or JUST TALK. ))) Not possible to write a tome if you have to click a number three times for a letter. Emails are for long visits, not just a word or two or abbreviation. Get a paper map, or draw one out on a 3x5. When the internet goes down, us old ones will still function just fine. )))

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I hope so. Thanks, Kate

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Technology is one step above using a coffee can and string to talk to a friend around the corner. Cell phones are great if charged and you got enough bars to send a message to a friend to have a drink. But Uber when you have app is fine. You have to pay more with a tip included and interest on your card card. If you call Uber there’s no real person to talk AI is on call unless you Chat and to fix a problem may take a few days while they figure out you had no funds Or your credit card was hacked and cancelled. You could be lost in desert or mountains and no cell towers are around. Maybe if lucky a beam from space relays your woes. Last call: crossing the street you stare at your phone. Don’t see the curb, trip and fall. Where does this go? A computer is fine, long as you are not hacked. Then your data spread over the earth on a leaky network that demands long passwords to be kept on the cloud that rains and charges you storage fees. Where does this end. Sharron, another senior moment and story to unfold. But thank goodness my auto correct works as I type this message on my I phone.

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Ha ha ha. Where does it end? A good question, indeed. I am pretty sure I don't want to be here when it does...

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Take a chance. Ride the bus, write the story about cell phones — toys for us.

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Take a chance! Ha ha ha. My time for taking chances has expired.

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Got to love your antics. Every breath we take is a chance to breathe in a microorganism that will be able to fight off all Rx prescriptions. Live as nature intended. Try a banana slug in a margarita. Shaken not stirred. They have a wonderful immune system. Just avoid salt.

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oh , ick!

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Jul 17Liked by Sharron Bassano

Yes, it was just as funny the second time around. :).

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Aw... thanks, Olga. So nice to see your smiling face again!

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Awesome, Sharron (although the hospital part worried me)!

I do have a smartphone, but so much tech has passed me by. I don't even know how to order coffee in McDonald's.

LOVED this part: '....she is making low-carb vegan, gluten-free black beans, carrots and kale for breakfast. Sounds like a major waste of time, not to mention a disgusting alternative to bacon waffles.'

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Jul 18Liked by Sharron Bassano

Great post, Sharron. I too wonder why they keep sending those spam emails that no one reads. If I don’t delete delete delete every day, in a week I have a thousand in my inbox. What, should I quit my job, and dedicate my life to sifting through emails, on the off chance that one might actually be important?

The kale line was lol!

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What's with this kale thing? Next we will be directed to eat thistles... I mean, I eat my vegetables, but kale is a little masochistic, don't you think?

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Jul 18Liked by Sharron Bassano

I use it to clean my cast iron cookware.

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Ha ha ha! Perfect!

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Jul 18Liked by Sharron Bassano

I had the first generation of "car phone" in the early eighties which was revolutionary and really helped me streamline my work. I have never been without a cell phone since and was quick to embrace the smart phone when it arrived. Just think, Sharron, if you get one, I could send you cute pictures of Quinn and Molly.

Just kidding, really enjoyed this piece. You're doing just fine the way you are!

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To be entirely honest, I did get a new Macbook to work from in May. I was working on a 2014 and it couldn't be upgraded any further. I was so PROUD of myself that I did not have to pay someone to transfer all my files and apps. I figured it out and did it myself. I felt so ........ competent! My first computer was a MAC Plus in 1982. Cutest little thing.

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Jul 18Liked by Sharron Bassano

You are "competent" in so many ways, my friend.

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.. remain calm.. you do sound rock solid !

kick back & enjoy a lovely book or film ..

I has ‘goodies for ya..

‘The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow .. a 1st Novel Best Seller

‘Days of Heaven - An astonishing Film ‘Masterpiece

the salamanders have spoken ! 🦎🏴‍☠️

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Thank you. Timber. I will search both those recommendations. I suggest 2 films you may find interesting - unusual in any case - "Everything in the End" and "How I live Now"

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Jul 18Liked by Sharron Bassano

So many times a day, it crosses my mind: I hope I won’t be around when this happens 😉

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So I am not the only one, then! Thanks for the commiseration, Yael.

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Jul 18Liked by Sharron Bassano

My wife and I didn't get smart phones until our cellphones were no longer supported by our carrier. We hate texting but have to if we are to communicate with our children and grandchildren. They don't check email or voicemail anymore. I tried social media, but withdrew. It is kind of weird to be that accessible to former classmates and colleagues.

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Always tricky to find the comfortable spot.

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My Dad still has a flip phone. He is 88. My Mom has had an iPhone for about seven years. She is 85.

I couldn’t imagine not having an iPhone now. I depend on my calendar app to keep track of my ever changing guitar lesson schedule. And all my teaching music is on my phone. I just plug it into my amp during lessons. And I love GPS when traveling. So much better than paper maps. And the iPhone camera is great. I also take notes on it by talking them in. Faster than typing or writing. I only need to carry one thing. My phone.

But it is a digital tether. Everything has trade-offs.

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Seems that phone is a really big part of your life! If you like it, go for it I say.

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It is a tool—a very convenient and useful tool. I don't doom scroll social media on it like most people; I use it. But I see far too many people who are addicted and can't let a moment of spare time pass without looking at their phone. That is sad.

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Sad, indeed. I wonder what it means...

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It probably means people want to be entertained or distracted constantly. They don't want to have to think. I hope the next generation wisens up to social media addiction.

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Any chance of that? ha ha ha

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