Low-tech tips from Grandpa

A bit of TP disables any annoying key on laptop computer.  Working well for me on CapsLock & F1 since that stroke of genius (“brilliant and original idea”) last summer. 

Repurpose a broken-off, straight snow shovel handle or mop stick to push a low load on a four-wheel mover’s dolly.  (Recall the heavy snow at Ogden church on Friday the 13th last month.  Plastic joint broke — designed for disposal after one winter.)

Warm your home in winter by opening blinds for free sunshine.  Close blinds at night for warmth and privacy.  (Goes without saying.)

Unplug and cover a TV with an old sheet or beach towel to avoid bad news and dust.  Use a VCR or DVD player to watch without annoying ads.

Many more on my mind, as you may imagine.  Share your low-tech strokes of genius, and simplify, simplify this year.

Reminders to Share

For example, “Sharing Size” snacks.  More than a marketing ploy?  And of course, “Family Size” and “Party Size” packages inspire me to share generously. 

Reminder to carpool (share a ride) :

“HOV [high-occupancy vehicle] lanes are normally introduced to increase average vehicle occupancy and persons traveling with the goal of reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.”  — Wikipedia 

Light the World

“Sharing Jesus Christ’s Light around the World”

LightTheWorld.org

Be Someone's Angel

Storytelling Serendipity

Regardless of shopping and mailing not done, last evening I needed quiet time (non-chaotic) away from bustle and hustle of Christmas preparation.  Unlikely choice for most folks, so perfect for me: the main public library I happened to be near.  It was quiet, with workers being the majority.  After serendipitously finding a book of historical stories, I saw a sign: “Fiesta de Cuentos (Story Fiesta) 6:00”.  Checked the time — it was 5:58.  Why not.  I went and enjoyed children’s storytelling about musical instruments with a darling young family.  Being in my second childhood made me happy. 

Later at home alone (not really), I found a treasure book of Christmas stories, poems, and recipes to give a young couple in our congregation.  It was an unplanned purchase last winter at my favorite used-book store.  A quick review of all the contributors discovered some familiar, local names and a few famous authors.  An example of storytelling serendipity: “The Story of The Other Wise Man” by Henry van Dyke.  Reading it, I vaguely recalled this tale about a fourth pilgrim, who “did not arrive with his brethren in the presence of the young child Jesus.”  He spent his whole, short life in his wandering quest for the King, giving away his precious gifts to the poor in need along the way.  Thus, he did not fail … rather “in a strange way, he found the One whom he sought.”

Enjoy storytelling time this Christmas Eve.  As Tiny Tim says, "God bless us, everyone!"

Good Shortcuts

What is your time worth?  Convenience stores may save you money by charging a premium.  I like to shortcut the long drive-thru lines for fast food by walking inside to order, face to face.  Regardless, it’s good to get out and meet people.  

Light the World Giving Machines at Times Square and other locations make it easy to do good worldwide at Christmas time.  Salvation Army bell ringers at store fronts provide a shortcut to help a good cause.  Say hello and thank them.  To easily help thru United Way, visit subforsanta dot org

Since the 1980s, I’ve used computer shortcuts.  Efficiency motivated by laziness?  For example:

“When you copy and paste on a PC, the data is stored in … a temporary storage area called the ‘clipboard’ which is part of the operating system; meaning the data is held in the computer's active memory until you paste it somewhere.”  — AI Overview  (Actually, until you copy again.)

[Apple iPhone] “iOS Clipboard is an internal function stored in a virtual memory that stores one item at a time.”  (Learn more at Reddit.)

My experience: shortcuts to wealth generally do not work well.  Time and effort are required.

Numerous programs on the market promise shortcuts for learning foreign languages. 

“Duolingo, Inc. is an American educational technology company that produces learning apps and provides language certification. Duolingo offers courses on 43 languages ...”  — Wikipedia

That may be what I need to get up to speed with Spanish — a New Year’s resolution?

Ephemeral Effort

This post is a fleeting effort or transient test for unknown readers, if any.  In search of “ephemeral”, this marketing article got my attention:

Forbes 11/27/23 by Rebecca Kowalewicz

“… ephemeral content … is accessible for a short duration and then disappears. (Think Snapchat or Instagram Stories, for example.)  …  This form of content taps into users' fear of missing out (or what we marketers like to call FOMO). Because the content disappears after a limited time, users are more likely to engage with it promptly.”

I don’t often engage with ephemeral content, so most flies by without my being afraid of missing out.  My interest lies more in classic films and old books, hopefully available for years in my local library.  Some content in this post may disappear.

Thanksgiving 2012

The week of Thanksgiving 2012, my sweetheart Kay and I thoroughly enjoyed a piano recital feast in the Kaysville Tabernacle, by a world-famous concert pianist.  And Thanksgiving dinner with most (27) of the family in our cozy frontier home; (the antithesis of fast food, although Kay rightfully rushed me through third helpings, to join the family program).  Note: Kay is absolutely the best cook, and did most of the work – she is so amazing!!

Thanksgiving 2024, the family enjoyed a feast at our son Spencer’s home — an absolute success!  Note: With his wife Ann’s help and others contributing, he is the best cook, and did most of the work.  Like his mom, Spence is so amazing!!

I am grateful for family, friends, freedom, and the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are so blessed!

Time running out

It’s about time!  Since 2010, I like to write at least once a month, as a random, “baby-steps” form of personal history.

How time flies … and sometimes crawls, like during a meeting.  Hours for reading and playing piano, as I did for two years in “assisted living” — a luxury on hold since I moved downtown.  Time for family as a high priority?  For all my adult life, I have believed the holiday season (4th quarter) is prime time for “reaching out”, as many say.  Annual newsletters summarizing the time of your life — a priceless tradition in my wife’s Hinckley Family.  Kay & I have been married 53 years so far, yet unforgettable times we recorded are recalled like yesterday.  In 1975, she led singing on the charter bus to Disneyland.

I remember the remarkable program of home teaching, when time was running out at the end of the month, urging 11th-hour visits before it was time to report, while I was suggesting some needed a visit every three or five weeks.  Now it’s a continuum, as I see it, according to needs as prompted by the Spirit.  A timely adjustment for these last days.

Another disjointed post, as one reader described my blog.  Some others like freestyle writing.  My time is short, I feel.  How blessed we are, knowing life goes on without end!

(To be continued … before it runs out.)