Low tech versus high tech is on my mind for this week’s Tuesday Musings.
Since last Tuesday, when I was bemoaning about whacking my knee after running into the wooden trim on the couch, (said couch which has been in that corner for four decades), I had a low-tech “fail” that is worth sharing.
This little gem was my landline speakerphone, which sits near my left elbow, and is handy for when my boss dictates on the fly, or, when I’m on hold, thus eliminating the need to sit with the receiver crunched in between my neck and shoulder for long periods of time. The phone is from Radio Shack, which filed for bankruptcy and finally went out of business last year.
I don’t know how long the phone was broken as I don’t make that many outgoing calls. I had spoken to my boss three times last Wednesday as we had a few matters in the hopper and were quite busy. Later in the day, I went to make an outgoing call, picked up the receiver and a pitiful little squeak was all I heard when I pushed each of the numbered buttons. There was a dial tone, so I did a low-tech fix and pulled out the port in the wall and in the phone, and tried again. Nothing. Later that evening, I read the manual’s troubleshooting section, which said to make sure the button is set to “tone” and not “pulse” … no chance of that button moving on its own since the controls are under the four batteries, and require at least two eating utensils from the cutlery drawer to pry that battery cover off. But, I checked anyway. I wrangled the battery plate off, checked the button, which was in the middle, but I took the knife to move the button over just a smidge, and suddenly the button popped off and flew through the air. “Well, wasn’t that special!” I muttered.
So, until I get a new speakerphone, I have two phones – one next to me for incoming calls, and one across the table to dial out.
Meanwhile, my friend Evelyn upgraded to a new cellphone over the weekend. We text back and forth quite a bit. I text from my computer to her phone and she uses her phone to text back. Her fingers fly over her phone’s QWERTY keyboard and she matches me in speed … except now with her new cellphone, I can only text her 36 characters at a time, even though she may text unlimited characters to me. Thus, it is a one-sided conversation most of the time as I try be less wordy (which has never been my strong point). I like simplicity in my life, but reducing my thoughts to 36 characters is pretty darn tough.
What was NOT tough was my walk this morning … another gorgeous day, though I hear the trio of beautiful February days we were promised, may just fall short tomorrow. The March 1st weather forecast is still looking very ugly, with a couple of inches of rain, followed by snow.
It was the epitome of peace at Council Point Park today. There were some more new walkers there, and each one, just like me, was immersed in their own thoughts and just enjoying the solitude of a brisk walk in this nature nook.
The squirrels were playing tag with one another, but came running over as I entered the trail. I pictured them with a thought bubble over their head “Linda’s here!” as they race over to get their treats. I was still chuckling to myself while thinking about their mindset, when I noticed a pile of shelled peanuts in the middle of the perimeter path. Hmm – now there’s a luxury from a new benefactor. I adore my squirrel buddies at the Park and sometimes believe I could claim them as dependents on my income tax with all the peanuts I dole out. I figured I was treating them royally with jumbo, unsalted peanuts in the shell. Now they’ll be really spoiled – I hope it doesn’t go to their heads!
I lost count of how many robins crossed my path and the sweet tweets of the songbirds filled the air. I heard more than one red-winged blackbird calling from their perch in the tall trees, all noises that were soothing to the soul. The slight rat-a-tat-tat of a tiny downy woodpecker, drilling away in his favorite tree, was the only noise disturbing the tranquil morn. My head swiveled around trying to locate that industrious little fellow, but he was elusive as usual. Even the mallards and geese were playing nice, placidly floating along the surface of the water and not raucous as they usually are. The heron was in his usual corner, busy fishing and paid me no mind, so I gave him a break and left the camera in my pocket.
The usual cast of characters, whether feathered or furry, were present and accounted for, except the bunnies, which I’ve not seen in months. The regular walkers have still not returned, perhaps still mall-walking or doing the treadmill at home or in a club for now.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Nice writing!
I also had nice nature walk today – actually, I had several. 🙂
There’s still some rough weather ahead, but I feel that spring is finally on the way.
I’ve also noticed there haven’t been rabbits around my area (Iowa). I think it’s due to the high eagle population.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you – I could have used another walk today as the weather was mild, and the sun was shiny and we here in Michigan have had a brutal Winter. I hated to come into the house. We have this rain/snow event on Thursday and I hate that as the Park perimeter path will get snow/ice-covered … they don’t shovel or plow it so it gets dicey, but the 40s over the weekend may take care of that.
I never thought about the eagle population. I’ve lived here for 50 years and only recently discovered a park where eagles live on a man-made island and people see anywhere from 10-20 a day. It is only a stone’s throw from the Park where I walk all the time, so likely they are hunting at Council Point Park. I hate to think that as they complete the menagerie that makes this little park such a treasure – it is in the middle of the City, like it was just plunked down and even a Creek running through it. Soon will be the ducklings and goslings … warm fuzzies for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Holly – Thank you for following me; I just tried to follow your site, knowing I’d probably be reading about your walking adventures, but it said the site has been taken down. I am going to try again – maybe there is something amiss with WordPress right now.
LikeLike
Excellent, and funny entry. I loved it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Beckie – it seems at least one crazy things happens per week! I had to write about this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Miss Linda…………………………it must be nice to have another beautiful day to walk by!……………………….I went for my first long walk and it felt good to be outside……….instead of the treadmill in front of the TV……………….your bloc made me feel peaceful
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you got to walk Tuesday Ann Marie – it was absolutely gorgeous … I think it may not rain this morning like they said; no sun this morning, but that’s fine too. It just makes you feel good to be alive.
LikeLike
I like the idea of your claiming squirrels as dependents. Amusing! Hope you get a new phone easily. I’m still behind reading blogs and hope to catch up tomorrow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am behind as well – had caught up last night, but I have several bloggers from overseas, and they generated many posts overnight. I do feel like I could claim those little squirrels as dependents – I should have asked the tax guy the other day, but then, I’d risk losing my credibility as well. 🙂
LikeLike
I lost my credibility a long time ago. Want me to ask my tax man? Just kidding. We aren’t ready for taxes yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I should have – he is a young guy but rather humorless! Go ahead, yours will get a kick out of that question, though some people probably could claim their dogs and cats as they lavish them with treats and gifts. I have lost my credibility a long time ago and not afraid to admit it … we could not be funny in our writing, if we were totally serious … how dull and boring we would be.
LikeLike
I know a few humorless people, but most of our friends are lots of fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the way to be – the world, the way it is going, is often a humorless place to live in sometimes.
LikeLike
You are right. Our friends are old, and we know how to laugh. Thank heavens the grandsons have a sense of humor!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is good and you have a good rapport with your grandsons – so many teenagers today are either sullen, withdrawn or only can come to life when they plugged into their music or fiddling with their devices … you are blessed for that.
LikeLike
Very blessed!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Technology great when it works!
LikeLiked by 1 person