I guess the older we get, the more there is around us to trigger memories.
Such as the other night when we had an intense summer storm. A big one.
The power went off. Our years living in Africa where that
happened almost daily has made that not too big a deal for us.
Such as the other night when we had an intense summer storm. A big one.
The power went off. Our years living in Africa where that
happened almost daily has made that not too big a deal for us.
I went into the dining room and lit the oil lamp. I thought I might write a
few notes. The soft glow of the lamp, one we actually had taken to
and brought home again from Africa many years ago, reminded
few notes. The soft glow of the lamp, one we actually had taken to
and brought home again from Africa many years ago, reminded
me of a photo we have of me writing by the light of that very lamp.
Memories flowing, I sat down to play the piano. Something I rarely take the
time to do in spite of good intentions. Time slowed down. I wondered about reading
a book on my iPad. But really this should be a technology free evening.
I looked at the rain pounding against the windows. I looked around at the
warm light from candles and the oil lamp softly reflecting shadows.
time to do in spite of good intentions. Time slowed down. I wondered about reading
a book on my iPad. But really this should be a technology free evening.
I looked at the rain pounding against the windows. I looked around at the
warm light from candles and the oil lamp softly reflecting shadows.
I felt my brain clearing, slowing down. I started to reflect, as in to "think deeply."
Just as I was about to get my pen and paper, the lights flickered on,
the sound of the AC started up, and suddenly the stillness was gone.
the sound of the AC started up, and suddenly the stillness was gone.
The tyranny of the urgent sauntered back into the house.
I sometimes regret how quickly life continues to change. So much of our lives has to be
done online now. Going "paperless." Automated phone calls. Emailed invitations.
Efficient . . . possibly. But I feel like we lose some good things in all that efficiency.
done online now. Going "paperless." Automated phone calls. Emailed invitations.
Efficient . . . possibly. But I feel like we lose some good things in all that efficiency.
But probably not much more …
On the desk in front of me, is my desktop, my iPad, my Kindle and my cell phone. There is also a box of notes and a pen. You've inspired me to not wait for the electricity to disappear, but to use those notecards and that pen today.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
At the cottage, there was and is no electricity. It would take about a week for the relaxed way of life to take hold and all the stresses of an electronic age to slip away. It was quite jarring to return to "civilization" at summer's end.
ReplyDeleteI thank you for the brief moment of memory to waft over me...
Beautiful post. We don't realize how quiet it is. When the power comes up again everything starts humming. Power is good but it's nice to take a break from it too. I love the last photo. :)
ReplyDeleteYes.
ReplyDeleteYou created a nice peaceful moment there. Sometimes I do turn out the lights and light candles and read by the glow of my ah.. errr Ipad.
ReplyDeleteWe think alike. I complain all the time about technology and how fast things spin by. Although I do love that we can keep in touch with our Texans at the drop of a hat.
ReplyDeleteLove the last photo.
Enjoy your weekend!
Leann
I know how you felt. I wrote earlier this year about our 32 hours of no-electricity after the ice storm in February and how I wasn't ready for it to come back on. I like how you put it...."the tyranny of the urgent sauntered back into the house." I do think that is the crux of the problem with our "modern" lives. I like the notion of having a electricity-free evening every now and then.
ReplyDeleteCandlelight, lamplight, so restful, but as you say, how long could we cope without what we are used to, namely electricity?
ReplyDeleteI love this post. We do lack true quiet in this frenetic and over lighted world of ours. Who knows how much we truly are losing because of it. I'm grateful for the connections and information and learning; on the other hand, it takes a lot of self-discipline to tear oneself away from it all even for a brief time. I have no iPhone, iPad or Kindle, just my desktop computer and a cell phone that does not take photos or connect to the internet and still . . . life could be stiller and quieter and I would be very happy.
ReplyDeleteYes, it takes time to allow the urgent to recede.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo of you!
Deanna
I agree it is nice to go back to the old ways once in awhile.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been quite an experience living in Africa.
I enjoyed watching the movie Out of Africa recently.
Carolyn
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePodso,
ReplyDeleteThis is an inspiring post, dear friend!
Almost, makes one think of throughing the switch in the fuse box on occassion.
Fondly,
Pat
I love this post, Dotsie. Technology is a wonderful thing but like you, I miss the days of actually writing with a pen and paper. I find myself thinking back...sometimes more than thinking forward, not in regret, but just wishing things were sweet and simple again :)
ReplyDeleteDotsie, I so agree with you about the way things keep changing -- "progress." Yes, much of it is progress, but some things just provide more distractions and keep us from reflecting, as you so eloquently put it. I wonder if I could plan and implement an electronic-free evening one night a week. I'll have to mention it to the mister and see what he says. I really love your oil lamp, Dotsie. I wonder if my mom still has her old oil lamp? Hmmm. Thanks for sharing this beautiful post and have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Denise
This post makes me think.
ReplyDeleteThere certainly is a lack of quiet in our world. I like how you said your brain was "clearing" and "slowing down." I'll bet that was refreshing, wasn't it? Like you, I'd not like to think that I needed to be without my connections for a long time...but a short time might be beneficial.
More than anything though, I pray to "keep a quiet heart." (Have you read that devotional by Elisabeth Elliot?)
Sitting in front of me are my laptop, my iPad and my iPhone. I seem to always be on one of them. I need to unplug!
ReplyDeleteIs it because we are getting older that we want to embrace certain things like writing notes by hand? Our age group is worrying about cursive writing, face to face communication and a quiet night without technology but I feel the younger set just considers these nostalgic concerns of ours as being 'old'.
ReplyDeleteLike me, you must wonder what life will be like when the grands are our age. (sigh)
Have a good weekend Dotsie.
I love technology. I hate technology. Life was simpler before. --Jane
ReplyDeleteThis goes with my post on cards, I wonder if God is saying something? He left His written word. Thanks for inspiring me and may we have a black out to enjoy an evening like you did.
ReplyDelete