Sunday, August 26, 2007

EVOLUTION



Children of this young generation travel differently than those that preceded them. They are securely belted in. They wear head phones and a glazed over look, with mouth dropped open as they stare at the screen on the seat back in front of them.

When I was a child, we counted cows when traveling. We counted cars on a train as it passed. We counted licence plates from how many different states. We sang about bottles of beer on a wall. Logically, I should excel in math as a result of this. Unfortunately not.

When I was a child there were no seat belt laws. In fact, there were no seat belts! I remember my little brother's head shattering the windshield of the car once, after the slamming of brakes. My parents exclaimed, "Oh, you really have a hard head!" Now I see that it was their way of diffusing the situation. At the time though, I thought "I bet I coulda done that!" It was so cool! Yes, things have changed. Some things are better, some not so much. For example, cars back then had fenders actually made of steel, as compared to the styrofoam bumpers of today. We may not have been belted in, but we were in vehicles that were quite substantial, and I think offered more protection.

Ah well. Things change, that is life. Recently the little Plumpkin, above, was sitting at the computer tapping away. Her brother told her to get away from the computer. She replied, "I can't, I'm checking my email!" And so it begins: one granddaughter goes off to college and the youngest moves into her place at the computer. The evolution of life. Ya gotta love it!

16 comments:

Kim said...

That cracks me up, Marcie--"I can't, I'm checking my e-mail"! LOL! Now where has she picked that up? Yes, times change. I hate that law makers feel they need to pass laws to protect us from ourselves, but on the other hand, I'm sure we're much safer. It's hard to remember a time when we didn't wear seatbelts now! I AM pleased with technology though--isn't it nice that we can all reach out and connect through the internet? Without it, I'd get more quilting done, but I sure wouldn't have as many nice friends!

Sweet P said...

Don't get me started on technology in cars and kids. We did all the same things you did while riding in the car and loved every minute of it.

I've informed my children that grandma's car is not going to have a dvd player and children will be expected to look out their windows and count something while riding down the road.

Gail said...

You struck a nerve. My grandkids have all that technology and even in my car (which doesn't have it) never think to look out the window. What's with that???? Love the little cutie in the photo.

Lindah said...

Ha-ha! I love your post. So true, so true! It seems that nearly every aspect of life has been invaded by technology. Even my tech-challenged DH's "Isn't dinner ready yet!" has been replaced by "In a minute, I'm in the middle of an email." But, as another commenter has said, friends around the world are the treasure technology makes available. I like that!

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

Marcie, this is beautifully written.

You might want to read "Mediated" by Thomas De Zengotita. I started it this weekend and am dazzled by it.

Libby said...

Technology sure provides us with a lot of things - including lost opportunity. One thing that struck me recently was a young mother in the grocery store mindlessly chatting away on her cell phone while her precious little girl stared blankly riding in the cart. No talk about how many of an item to purchase, or what color the apples are, where do eggs or milk come from. It made me sad for the rest of the day and months later I still think about that lost opportunity and so many more.

Finn said...

Hi Marcie, what an adorable plumpkin she is *VBS* I could be soooo envious...me with grandsons...darn. Too cute, the comment about email...LOL

Yes, the times they have changed, haven't they?? Hugs, Finn

Colleen said...

I thoroughly enjoyed your post. Times have changed a lot. There's things I really miss, like counting things out the window and playing car games with brothers and sisters. There are things I'm thankful have changed, too. Like new quilting techniques that save lots of time.

This doesn't have to do with technology, but its a wonder that our children survived at all, without the stringent seatbelt laws and helmets laws, and I used to make sure my babies slept on their stomach!!! Now that is completely WRONG! How did they ever survive?

Kairle Oaks said...

"Back in the day" we used to sing with our two oldest children...all the way to Utah from California, several times each year. We sang the alphabet and all of the nursery rhymes. And we used to tell each other made up stories.

I've been very insistant that we've never had a DVD player in our van, but when we drove to and from California last spring all four kids had their iPods plugged into their heads. It was a long, quiet ride.

Not sure which is worse...total silence or hours of fighting. lol!

Darlene said...

This is so true! My DD has these gadgets in her car and my grandsons ride along with their headsets on, too.

Yvonne said...

Great post....lots of things I wouldn't mind going back to. But, I love the technology and what it has given us, especially the friendships.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

Precious little Plumpkin. Ah, yes-- times they are a changin' and we rush to keep up... or at least we try! Great post.

Granny said...

Goodness, things are definitely different these days. She's a cutie and I'm sure she'll be getting lots and lots of e-mail! :)

CONNIE W said...

Oh yeah, I have memories of those old days!

Anonymous said...

In reference to the new way of traveling with kids....I told my son I would pay him to try and travel with his 2 children without A/C and without the DVD player. His response....."there is not enough money in the world"!!!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Too funny!