Pages

Crazy as a Loom

Monday, May 5, 2014

Look Up




I once said I wouldn't use Facebook.   I am so glad I changed my mind, and got with the program.  While it can be addictive to some, and a big time waster, for me it is a way to instantly see a picture my clever daughter took with a tripod and timer.  A way to stay in touch.

This is her beautiful family.



That being said, I do worry about the future of  all of us, who are so tuned in to our computers and our smart phones.  Including me.

There are people on FB that I read about often, I know a lot about their lives.  They are people from my hometown, people I have met along the way, people who I know, but people who I would know NOTHING about, if it were not for FB.  I would not visit their houses, I would not call them on the phone.    I would not drop them a note in the mail.
Why is that?

I think about how different it was for me growing up, as for many of you.
If I got to watch an hour of TV in the evening, I considered myself lucky.

We played outside.  Our imaginations ran wild.

One particular memory is of me, and four friends.......Gayle, Jill, Amy, and Sally.
We started a "Horse Club", because we were all 'horse crazy', or so our parents said.
My father, who had a used furniture/junk business, acquired a black buggy somewhere.

We took turns, being the passengers in the buggy, and the horses who pulled it.
All around the neighborhood, we trotted.

There is something precious about that childlike innovation and wonder.  I still remember that time and smile. 
We would sit in a circle on the floor in my attic, and pore over horse books.  We gave each other tests about the anatomy of a horse.  I still can recite them to this day.
When I was 13, and graduated from 8th grade, my parents bought me a Royal typewriter out of the Sears Roebuck catalog.  I longed for it.
It was $88, which I now realize was a LOT of money back then.  I taught myself to type from the book that came with it, and by the time I was a sophomore in high school, ready to take typing, I could already type 50 wmp, and I am sure I was a total annoyance to the teacher.

We hiked up the mountain weekly.  We swam in the lake, or skated on it.   We played BASEBALL in any field we could find.  Or dodge ball.

Ah, what a childhood I had.   And at 9, my father bought me a horse that wanted to kill me.
But what fun, what adventure.  Life was incredible and good and new every day.
And when it was time to stay in, I huddled in my room with books, and notebooks, and dreams.
Why the hell did I need a smart phone? Or a computer?  

Watch this, dear blogger friends.  Tell me what you think.  It's our new world, not necessarily a better one.  Think back.











13 comments:

claudia said...

Very thought provoking video. Thank you for sharing it.
I too started up with facebook because I wanted to keep up with my kids who were moving hither and yon. It is also great to catch up with long time friends who have moved away. I don't spend a lot of time on fb, I'm not addicted to it, although I could see how some may become entrenched.
I still smile big when I see that little Dale face. She's adorable!

Susan said...

It's a slippery slope. The only way my sisters respond is if I send a message of FB. Otherwise, it seems to be an endless chain of drivel - or rehashing other people's drivel. I am not a fan. I had limited TV viewing time, too, and my childhood was spent running wild through the fields near my house (I was also a horse-crazy girl). Things I miss are handwritten letters. I agree! Your daughter's family is beautiful!

Vicky said...

The video is really well done!

What has been interesting to me is watching my kids not want to be a part of it. Given the choice, my 13 year old tried fb for a bit, but doesn't choose to spend his time there- would rather be face to face with his friends!! For me, I have also loved crossing paths with so many people from the past and catching up with them- but can step away and not feel like I'm missing anything too vitally important.

Anonymous said...

Bravo Hilary, I loved the video and your discussion about childhood.

One hour of tv was how I grew up too, we were outside until the street lights came on or longer if we could get away with it.

Horses, yes I remember running for endless time and distance as I played with my friends. We were horse crazy to extreme. I must admit to being jealous that you actually got a horse when you were young.

The FB thing, not for me. Tried it for a while, hated it and have never looked back.

Phones, hate them too, I am lucky if I remember to bring my phone with me when I leave the house. In the house I never answer the damn thing. Phones what a waste of time. TV what a waste of time. Suppose I should get off this computer, it too is a waste of time.

Theresa said...

Oh, so well done. My Dad and I had a conversation not too long ago about just what DO kids do these days.Played from after breakfast to that final holler for dinner I had horses and friends and books and adventures just like I think we all did coming from the pre-internet generations. We've gained and we've lost and I can't help thinking that the generations growing up after the invention of the internet are getting cheated out of some intangible part of childhood, personhood. But of course, I can't say for sure.

Hilary said...

It's a good video.. quickly making the rounds on just that very place that we should be tuning out of.

Everything it so true. At the same time, there's so much positive in the connections made online. Over 18 years, I've had three very loving relationships with people I never would have met otherwise. I wouldn't trade those experiences for the world.

But as with everything else in life, we need to find moderation when we tune in. And know when to tune out.

Very well written my dear friend and namesake.

Linda said...

Don't forget ice skating on frozen ponds!

Daryl said...

you brought back so many memories for me, i was (and still am) a city kid .. we played on the street in front of our apartment buildings but that didnt hamper our imagination and we had the school yard to play in as well as vacant lots … if it rained we went to the library or someone's apartment or occasionally a movie .. life was so different back then

Anonymous said...

Your daughter really does have a gorgeous family. Very nice photo and thanks for sharing it. Tripods are great... I have used mine often in the past... an inexpensive investment that never wears out.

Yep, I have watched that video as well, but then you know that we don't use those so called 'smart' phones at our house.

Tabor said...

There are times and places to bury one's self in a book or electronic screen and ignore others. But there are times when either is rude and unhealthy. Some folks cannot put down the i-phone, the remote, the camera and they need to be reminded we live in the real world, but perhaps they are more balanced than we think.

TexWisGirl said...

what a wonderful message, hilary. congrats on your POTW!

joeh said...

Like you say, the world is different,not necessarily better. Isn't it nice to be able to remember the good stuff from that old world?

FB is great when used to keep up with friends and family. Not so great when viewing what others had for dinner.

Joanna Jenkins said...

Stopping by from Hilary's. Congrats on your POTW.

The video really says it all-- Social Media isn't really that social. Times sure have changed from when we were kids.

Your family is lovely :-)

Welcome to my world.

Because every thread counts

Because every thread counts