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April 24, 2005
And the World Still Turns
The dogwood outside my window is covered in white blossoms, waiting for a downpour to paint the land verdant apple-green. Delicate lacework patterns appear and disappear on my desk, as the sun flickers through heavy clouds and my curtains.
It’s Sunday afternoon, and I sit in a worn swivel chair with arms chipped by time and wear, wondering what I used to do before I learned the art of blogging. A stack of brand-new Maddalena books sits behind my back, next to the mugs filled with brushes and quill pens.
I know. Children. Swimming. Skating. Walks to the park. Sewing. Baking cupcakes for Brownies. Visiting friends. Ironing bed linen. Listening to opera.
Anything, but staring at a computer screen.
What has happened to our lives in this wonderful era of innovation and technology? We wake and go to sleep talking on cell phones, checking email, and blogging. Sharing our lives with millions of others who may or may not care about us.
The birds are smarter, listening to the call of spring. My red-feathered friends Alex and Maddie must be well-settled in their haven of soft twigs and fluff. His Grace’s bright coat shines in the sun as he flies back-and-forth, loaded with safflower seeds in his beak, too busy preparing for his new family to worry about the rest. But he did stop by the other day, on my window sill, to ask how I feel about our new pope. I told him that Benedict XVI reminds me so much of my grandfather who, after having survived two world wars and the communists, turned so completely to God that he didn’t notice that the world has long moved on.
“So, we cardinals can’t marry yet?” Alex demanded.
“Umm,” I nodded sadly and replied, “Notchet.”
And so we both go on, my red-feathered friend seeking happiness at a feeder loaded with seeds and I at the computer, looking for new friends across the web.
Will one of you write back? If you do, I’ll tell you that Maddalena, my new paper child, is the loveliest thing I’ve seen in a long time: jacket, text, illustrations, et al.
Oh, yes. The world still turns, but more rapidly each day, sometimes leaving me behind quite breathless.
Posted by Eva Siroka at April 24, 2005 06:21 PM
Comments
Eva,
As we blink away the days and speed forward thru the information age it is important not to lose focus on the traditions and beliefs that allow us to move at the speeds we do. While they may hinder progress at times it does provide an opportunity to reflect on the direction we are about to take.
On a personal level, it was a mere 6 months ago that I decided it was time to "demodernize." With my decision away went the cell phone and television set. Luxury items that only seem to distract from the everyday beauty we live in. I've yet to hear of a technology which can replace the comfort found in a hug or the vivid images conjured up in intelligent literature like Maddalena. True these items make our day to day living easier but as I'm sure you can attest the greatest pleasures aren't always easily obtained.
Posted by: James Murray at April 27, 2005 12:27 AM