Doing away with the old . . .

After eight years or so, my computer hard drive and mother board (I think) started causing major problems. I back up somewhat regularly, so I was up-to-date before the final crash (It is near, but hasn't happened yet. I keep getting blue screens with lots of codes, errors, etc., posted in white).

We had purchased two Dell desktops before, so this was what I decided upon once more. It has 6 gigs of memory and a 20" flat screen that is amazingly clear. Man, is it ever fast! Still, I miss the old one, as it was familiar to the touch. I am learning about this new one as I go, and especially getting used to (1) the new keyboard . . . keys seem to be closer together than before), and (2) Vista (I had XP Pro). In time it will all come together. If it doesn't, I will be calling on one of you.

Life is like this, in that we are always upgrading, so to speak, learning new ways to cope and deal with frustrations and disappointments, as well as honing our relationships with those we love as well as with total strangers. It is always challenging, but at the same time, a joy.

I have a web camera built ito the screen at the top. I need to learn how to use it, as I feel this will be fun to fool around with. I am told that one can even have a face-to-face conversation with another person in any part of the world. Stay tuned . . .

I'm back

After taking a few days off, I am writing once more, thanks to my pastor, Dan, who has started a blog while on a four-month sabbatical study leave. I had initially planned to share reflections at least several times a week, but I felt myself being sucked into a giant black hole. Instead of enjoying this craft, I was beginning to feel as if I had to write. That felt like work, so I backed off for a while. That "while" turned into nine months . . . a kind of gestation period, if you will.


I am serving our church for two of the four months that Dan is away. One of my joys is writing a weekly column for the church newsletter. I did not have to write; I chose to write. What a difference! I am also preparing a sermon each week that requires, of all things, writing. So . . . here we are, back in the saddle, enjoying both the challenge and the creativity that flows when I pecking away at the keys. I often have no idea where I am headed, so this has become a wonderful metaphor for retirement.


I am not going to paint myself into a corner this time, but I am going to continue slinging paint, i.e., words, until something worth sharing is posted. While I have always welcomed comments, only one has been posted, and this is perfectly OK by me. I am not writing for anyone but myself. If you are touched by what I write, fine. If not, fine.