Disconnected, life in the dark ages.

At least that’s how I feel. I grew up in the 60’s, you know, the Dark Ages. Before cell phones and internet. Before call waiting or answering machines. Before cable TV or even remotes.
Well, I do have lights on in the house and the AC is running at the moment, and I did cook breakfast this morning and brew coffee, and not over an open flame, so not really “dark ages.” I did grow up without computers, or cell phones, or cordless phones for that matter. We had one phone in the house, and that was in the kitchen. My grandmother’s house still has the phone in the hallway! I grew up when there was no call waiting or “leave a message at the beep” and no called ID. I grew up when we went outside to play [see meme’s about growing up in the 60’s.] Oh, wait, “meme” is an internet phenomenon….. Do I feel like I’ve been thrown back in time? Yeah, a little bit. Do I mind? Not so much. Does that surprise me? You betcha!
See, my phone service is currently suspended. And because my phone was also my internet connection, well, it’s temporarily suspended too. Sigh…

Life without the cell phone. The constant companion. The electronic growth.

It’s quiet.

Quiet can be a good thing or a bad thing. Depends on how you look at it. And what you do with your time. I choose to view it as a good thing. Now, I have the luxury of this because I know this is temporary. I know that at some point in time [sooner than later I hope, I hope] my service will be restored and I’ll plug back in. My companion will be more than my alarm clock.

You’d think it would be no big deal, though. Having lived before all this technology was around. You’d think it would be like a stroll down memory lane, reminiscent of innocent times. Or something ridiculous like that. It is no such thing. Although I am choosing the positive, it is a handicap. Did I mention I’m a Weather Channel junkie? I constantly check the forecast, and the current temperature. It’s one of my tabs on my home page.

Tabs on my home page. I currently have a dozen. Facebook [who doesn’t???] two emails, two blogs, the aforementioned Weather Channel, Twitter, my Amazon author account and of course, the Amazon page with my novel. [Tessa, in case you’ve missed it. While you’re at it, go get a copy, and leave a review! <--- unabashed plug!]

On Facebook, I’ve my personal page and my professional page, Robin E. Mason, Author & Artist. [while you’re at it, go “like” my page, be my fan!!] And I “follow” two different pages for writers. See all the good stuff I’m missing???

See all the time I’ve got that I’m NOT online? [ooohh, that smarts!] I can easily spend two hours trolling Facebook, email and my other connections. And that’s before breakfast! Not the wisest use of my time, says I.

So what am I doing with ALLLLL this “free time?” I’m reading, spending time with my writing, proofreading a manuscript for my writer-friend. [not something I want to do full time, by the way!] I’m an artist, there’s never not something to do!

I’m also a teacher. Started out last fall as “something to do until” I landed that great design job. That great design job still hasn’t found me, and teaching is no longer something to do “until.” It is something to do. I love it! And, I’m told, I’m good at it. [yay me!] [go figure!] So there’s that that keeps me busy. And gives me human interaction.

See, I’m on Disability for Rheumatoid Arthritis. [yeah it sucks] Limits what I can do it two ways: first is the dreaded fatigue. More so than any pain associated with RA, the weakness haunts me constantly. And second, is financial. Disability doesn’t give me much to go on. Thank God for, well, for Him. He meets more needs in the most surprising ways. And I’m talking the big stuff – like rent – all way “down” to little things, like pork chops. Yes, pork chops. This is what happened: I was craving pork chops. Didn’t mention it to Him [i.e. prayer] or anyone else for that matter, just a craving. Next thing I know, my neighbor has fixed pork chops for dinner – and sent a plate over for me!! How’s THAT for answered un-prayer!! He did say when we delight in Him, He’ll give us the desire of our heart. And my heart [well my belly] was wanting a pork chop. Pretty cool, huh? So, see, I know my phone AND my internet will be back on. Papa God will see to that!



All this “down time” has allowed me greater “up time” though. “Up time” being prayer / meditation time. I learned / discovered a few years ago that sometimes, those moments spent not verbalizing some great and magnificent prayer, are, in fact, greater and more magnificent by virtue of their simplicity, their innocence. Looking up at the sky or the trees, as my mind wanders, and I connect with Him, seeming random thoughts occur to me. A name drops in my mind, a need, a blessing. And I pray, I interact with Papa God, we talk, as good friends should and do. [this theme and phrase just keeps coming up.....]

Methinks the constant companion is here to stay. Methinks we shall never go back to the proverbial “simpler times” when there was but a single phone in the house, and it was in the kitchen, or the hallway. Methinks we won’t chuck our laptops and flat screens for – well, I don’t even know what we’d put in their place. TV with rabbit ears? Methinks we can make the best use of the technology we’ve been given, make the wise choice, and log off once in a while. Said by a true FB junkie! Put the phone down, let that text go, belay that response. Spend face time with real faces, live voices. Spend heart time with His heart, His voice. Methinks He is the Constant Companion.