Offline and Outside


I’ve become totally dependent on the Internet!

I turned on my computer first thing this morning, even before rolling the boy out of bed, even before letting the dog outside. It’s a terrible habit, I know, but one I can’t seem to break. In between setting out breakfast and rounding up backpacks, I checked email and even answered one. But once everyone was out the door, disaster occurred. I went back to the computer, bowl of tasty breakfast cottage cheese beside me, only to find that nasty “No Server Response” page.

Off to flick the modem “off,” then “on.” No joy. I unplugged everything, re-plugged everything. Turned off computers…you get the idea. *sigh* It was all for naught.

I walked the dog, hoping that would be the magic pill. Then I called our ISP. Seems there’s no problem on the line. Back to plugging and unplugging. I was particularly encouraged to hear that I could find helpful technical advice at their website. ha!

But, of course, I can work–at least for a while–without the Internet. The novel is all on file. I was just missing my connection to the outside world. I’ve decided that this is some kind of cosmic hint that I don’t need to be connected 24/7.

There’s so much important stuff going on outside. I’m keeping an eye on the enormous beech tree in the backyard, hoping, praying that it will bud after it was so badly damaged by frost last spring. A neighbor friend of mine is in the midst of chemo. I made plans to see her next week. The dog is looking slimmer from his regular walks. The boy has a new bike, and it’s awfully fun to watch him ride it. There are robins in the yard. And turtles.

The ironic thing, of course, is that you’re able to read this because I popped into town to cruise onto the community’s Internet. But when I turn it off, I’ll be gone again! Probably not for long.

I hope you’ll get some non-technical, computer down-time. It’s spring out there. Enjoy!

3 thoughts on “Offline and Outside”

  1. Jenni says:

    Ya know, it’s amazing just how dependent I have become on the net. Really need to learn to have some downtime. I think it’s time to go golfing!

    Jennifer Talty

  2. Laura says:

    Hey, I had a lesson today! It was indoors, though. That was weird, hitting the ball into a big net!

  3. You are so right – I’ve been forcing myself to spend more time outdoors, rather than in front of the computer. Did you read that recently two or three bloggers died too young – apparently all spent much too much time at the computer and not enough getting exercise, sleep or eating properly. So sad, but a reminder that we must experience life to be able to write about it.

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