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| the lake behind my BIL's house |
Wow! I feel like I've missed more than just 4 days. Having my computer die on Election Day made me wonder what was up? But after the storm of election rhetoric, everything seems so calm now...
... unless you go to FaceBook where there's a lot of 'ranting' going on. Don't go there. It's counterproductive. People need to 'try' to separate personal and political, which is difficult because the issues are personal. But like the country, if you don't make this separation, families and friends become alienated. And people have a right to their own opinion. It may not seem reasonable or rational or even valid, but that's not anyone's call. Name calling is immature. Throwing 'facts' in people's faces doesn't change anything. Everyone have their own set of facts. People believe what they want to believe and they trust who they want to trust. Nothing will change that. Enough said.
Now... where was I? My computer just plain wouldn't come up on Tuesday morning. Apparently there was nothing major wrong, just a combination of something that had to do with registration issues (?) and malicious software (?). I asked if I did something to cause the problem. They said no and that it is hard to avoid totally. We have a good Virus Protection program. They did say that a lot of the malicious software comes in on 'games'. I don't play games. But my grandson does... did... (not anymore). He has an X-box and several other game systems, so he won't be hurting if my computer becomes 'off limits'.
Anyway, we're up and running again. This computer is a bit old. We still have 'vista'. But as long as it works, we'll keep it. If we do have to get another at some point, we'll probably get a laptop. Being retired does change our perspective a little. We're more cautious with our spending... probably should be even more so, but we do think twice about most things.
In class, we're still working on finishing those 25 piece clay projects... and I will post some pics when they're completed. At the moment I'm working on some small birdhouse ornaments for the Christmas tree. Here are a few that I've done so far.
And also remember today is Veteran's Day! I keep a poem that someone had written taped up here by my computer because a long time ago when I read it, it moved me. This is it:
Dear Lord, lest I continue
my complacent way,
help me to remember
somehow out there
a man died for me today.
As long as there be war,
I then must
ask and answer
Am I worth dying for? (W. H. Auden)
Glad you have your computer back up and running!
ReplyDeleteI'm on my second laptop; they're made to last about 3 - 4 years and that's it. And I've been able to get them only because our campus computer store offers staff and faculty the ability to make equal payments (directly from our paycheques) for up to 36 months, interest-free. It's a taxable benefit, but still nice to have. I've been at our university for 12 years now and been paying for one computer or another for 8. One more year to go on this laptop, then I'll likely get the blue screen of death and need another.
And so it goes.
Unless your BIL's property is supposed to look like that...Yikes! That would have been a lot of rain!
So glad I don't do FB (or Twitter). That's all I would need in my life, is more negativity. LOL. I get bombarded enough from the next door neighbours.
BTW, I can't say I think I'm worth dying for. It's Remembrance Day here in Canada, and in the UK too.
It's worth it to fight against the Hitlers of this planet, IMO. But I don't believe it's worth it to create wars and die for religion or resources like oil, etc. Just my paltry $0.02.
Actually, my BIL's property does look like that. I took that picture on a really foggy day out by the lake.
DeleteWhen I retired I stopped using PCs because I don't have anybody to fix all those virus problems for me. I'm very happy with my MacBook Air and have almost stopped using my desktop! And I totally agree about the negativity in this country. I'm ready for everybody to just chill out a little! :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan, I hope this isn't a dumb question, but why wouldn't MacBook Air get virus problems?
DeleteI always said that when I retired from systems work, that I would take my computer to the back field, plugged in with a long extension cord so that it was 'looking at me'...and then I'd shoot it.
ReplyDeleteAlas, I discovered blogging! One of the best reasons to have one.
Thanks for that poem. I don't think I've come across it before, and it does give pause, doesn't it.
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It does for me. I have it taped up next to a picture of a young soldier (or journalist) who was killed. He looks so-oo young...
DeleteSo glad you are up and running again ...I dont know who you wanted to win the election but I hope the economy improoves ...sometimes a leader needs two terms to see what he can do.
ReplyDeleteI love those small bird house decorations ...take care xx
Thanks, Angie. I'm glad to be up and running again. And I choose to be 'optimistic'... after all, what good does it do to be otherwise?
DeleteOnly yesterday I found myself in a heated religious discussion on Facebook as a result of an innocent comment I posted on a quote that a friend posted. Bible thumpers across the county weighed in. Apparently I needed to relearn a lesson about what to comment about on FB.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think people have to be careful what they say these days. Even innocent comments seem to offend some.
DeleteI must have something blocking comments on FB because I never see the ranting and raving others speak of. The bird houses are such a clever idea for ornaments.
ReplyDeleteOlga, I'm on facebook, but hardly ever go there unless for a specific reason... was told to check out a relative's site recently as things were getting 'heated'. They were. It's unfortunate... and no one 'wins'.
DeleteI am glad things have settled down again. My computer is playing up too, I am having great trouble posting comments. Perhaps it’s Blogger? I don’t know where to complain.
ReplyDeleteThe Auden poem is wonderful, but then he was a very good poet.
Have you seen the new TV show 'revolution'... where the lights go out (well, all technology fails) and people are trying to survive? It makes you wonder? I was only without my computer for 4 days and felt lost...
DeleteI am glad you have your computer back and running good. I fear mine is starting to have issues. It is hard to tell if it is the computer or if it is blogger or FB or Yahoo causing the problems. In January I will have my son give it a good looking at. The poem is great...the first time I have read it. I will have to jot it down.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dee. I'm so happy to have it back too. It's not that I'm not busy enough without it, but I miss the communication aspect.
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