Me and My Computer

I have a new computer. It's bright and shiny. Well, it's a metallic dark gray if you get excited about that sort of thing. I don't, generally. But bright and shiny is what you say about something new, right? And I'm very excited.

Those of you who know me personally should be shaking your heads and laughing right now. Possibly even ROFL.

I'm not going to tell you some of my computer bloopers because those of you without this problem will think I have the IQ of a five-year-old. Actually, if I had the IQ of today's five-year-old, I'd be in better shape. Technology-wise, that is. (If you're thinking "In all sorts of ways!" I don't want to hear about it.)

My oldest was five when we got our first computer and after working her way through a few kid's games, she was able to contact the space station.

The next child in line, three years younger, stood next to her watching, her nose at the level of the keyboard. We started out letting her hop Peter Rabbit through Farmer MacGregor's various gardens, then would run in and answer the questions for her so she could hop some more. Until the day I realized she'd been at the computer quite a while and went to check. She was answering the simple spelling questions herself.

I'm not even sure how our third got started, except that she had two older whizzes to watch and as far as I remember, just jumped right into the thick of things.

I'm not dumb and it's possible that this technology simply takes me longer to get the hang of. But I also realized that my working life (the one outside the home) ended before computers were everywhere. And just for the record­­­, I was a whiz at the typewriter.

Everything I've ever done with the computer was at home. I learned the things I needed fairly quickly, but there were so many things that never came up. Occasionally if they did, I'd get help, but if I didn't take very careful notes--like when it seemed ridiculously simple--if I didn't have to do it again for a couple of months the memory was gone.

Anytime I asked someone how they l knew to do something they said, "I just try things." That is a totally useless suggestion. First of all, it's a very big keyboard. Where would I start? Secondly, if I randomly hit different combination of keys, I'm sure I would hit the right ones, by which I mean the wrong ones, and knock out the Wi-Fi for the entire county.

So I got a book: "Windows 10 For Seniors For Dummies." That seemed to cover all my issues. And I've poked around inside and think it might be the answer. Now I just need a little time to talk myself into getting started.

I know, I know. Once I get the hang of all the new (and old) bells and whistles, life will be a breeze. So I'm going to close my eyes, hold my nose and jump in.

What? I should keep my eyes open?

Well, maybe that's been my problem all along.