Wednesday, April 9, 2014

post apocalyptic skills

Just got back from a run. 3.5 miles. Let me be  more specific. When I say run I mean jog and when I say jog, it's a very slow jog. But it's more than I could do 10, 20, even 30 years ago. As I ran I listened to my playlist and considered other things I never could have dreamed I would be doing.

First of all, I was listening to a mix of hundreds of songs on my phone. I usually don't do that because I feel like I need all of my senses to keep from falling over. I've never been very graceful, but it's amazing how the music distracts, energizes and in general improves any workout. New Shoes by Paolo Nutini got me going and an old favorite, Your Smiling Face by James Taylor, got me up the biggest hill with a smile on my face. The list includes two other new workout favorites: Shake by Mercy Me and Overcomer by Mandisa. What are your favorites?


My new running shoes


On that same phone I tracked my miles run, speed and calories burned! I couldn't have come up with all this in my wildest dreams. Had it been a bit sunnier I could have snapped a pic of Mt. Rainier and shared it with the world instantly.  Like I did  with this picture I instagramed on a recent run with my daughter in Bellingham.


Misty morning run Klipsun Trail


Before the run I used my 'read the Bible in a year schedule' app for today's reading and even read the Bible selection there. I am in awe!

I can't tell you how many times that smart little thing has set on the kitchen counter with a recipe I found on Pinterest to guide me through another meal prep. I even use it to Skype with the next door neighbors and family that lives on the opposite end of the country! And then I do much of my etsy business with it.

This is all fun and games, but I continue to keep my post apocalyptic skills honed even though I don't intend to be here to use them. I crochet, knit, hand sew and garden to name a few. 


Mason jar cozies


It's just all so mind-boggling when I think of my dad. Just one generation ago and what I call post apocalyptic skills were his reality. Born in a sod house on the Oregon Trail he lived without electricity or running water. Both of my grandmothers found time for great scratch cooking and amazing quilts and fine tatted lace.

So, yes, I love all of my convenience devices, especially the phone that is rarely used for a phone call, but do they really save time or enhance the quality of life?


Snow hiking at Mount Baker


I'm not so sure. May your week be blessed with simple pleasures.

Linda <><



9 comments:

  1. Our smartphones are amazing and I use mine often, too. But, I don't for a minute think it improves my quality of life. That is made better by our God, family, children, friends, and so on. And, what a blessing it is to slow down, put those phones down and enjoy those things that truly do improve our quality of life!

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    1. When I was a newlywed 30+ years ago living over 500 miles from my folks we would make a weekly call to them and watch the clock as to keep costs down. Now I can call my 94 year old father as often and for a long as I want. There are some improvements:)

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  2. My phone is still in the previous millennium - just makes calls, takes pictures, and texts. I want to/am afraid to get a smarter phone than this. I'm in awe of what you can do with yours.

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    1. Luckily I have a techie husband or I would be lost:)

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  3. Enjoyed this post. I agree with Melanie's comment.
    Thank you for this, well done.

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  4. Thanks for sharing this! We just got our first smart phones about a month ago. About all i've done is play Word Search & downloaded the Etsy app. lol. But i'm home 99.9% of the time so have my desktop, laptop, & tablet for my conveniences...aka...distractions. tee hee

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    1. Distractions, exactly. Now I'd better get to work:)

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  5. I love my smart phone!
    I was at a wedding today, the pastor said " now everybody pull out your phones and make sure you go to Facebook, upload a pic and check in at the wedding - and then switch your phone to silent" it was funny cos we all thought he'd tell us straight away to silence the phones.
    I'm sure God will use technology to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

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    1. What a positive way to ask everyone to silence their phones! My cousin said they can text their pastor questions during the message.

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