Hey Everybody,
Still's thread about our modern-day gadgets got me thinking in the opposite direction. Are there any devices you miss from the days of yesteryear or might even have held on to and still use? (GASP)
I actually miss gadgets with real buttons--the feeling of actually depressing a raised surface... and hearing that gratifying "click" as a confirmation!! I was thrilled to find a new microwave that has 3 actual above-the-surface, honest-to goodness buttons... at the bottom of the touch-screen keypad, of course.
My favorite "old-fashioned" devices are a a good old pen and paper. Although I appreciate the fact that typing is faster and sometimes more convenient (hello, copy and paste!), one of my goals for this year is to pick out one person a month from my address book (an old-fashioned Rolodex with hand-written entries) to sit down and write a real letter to. I still collect pens in all colors and stationery, which is ever-increasingly hard to find. Maybe it's just me, but I find it a little depressing that our entire written language is melding into one identity--the Times New Roman font. I hope we never lose sight of how precious God's gift of individual handwriting is. There is something incredibly soothing to me about allowing words to flow from my heart to a blank piece of paper right in front of me, and all in my own personal "font" (handwriting).
I had a set of recipe cards handed down to me from my Mom, but I insisted she hand-write some of them so I'll have them as an heirloom someday when God calls her home.
I also find that when I am reading or studying (especially the Bible), typing just doesn't cut it. I'm the type of learner who needs cues from as many sources as possible in order to remember key points, so I often draw diagrams or work things out on paper in order to help me process information.
Unfortunately, I just can't convey my little stick-figure masterpieces onto a blank screen. And, it's becoming so rare that anyone writes anything... that now when friends or loved ones actually write something down for me... It immediately goes into my box of treasures, as a beloved memento.
What kinds of methods, means, or machinery do you still use that might seem old-fashioned... but you still find it to be the best (or most effective) way?
(As another example... I know there are so many shortcuts nowadays but I still prefer doing some things the old-fashioned way, such as with sewing. There are all kinds of rolling devices made to help you cut out a pattern faster... but for me, I never find it as accurate or calming as using an actual pair of scissors. And, if I ever took up baking, I know I'd prefer to knead dough by hand rather than use a standing mixer... )
What about all of you?
Still's thread about our modern-day gadgets got me thinking in the opposite direction. Are there any devices you miss from the days of yesteryear or might even have held on to and still use? (GASP)
I actually miss gadgets with real buttons--the feeling of actually depressing a raised surface... and hearing that gratifying "click" as a confirmation!! I was thrilled to find a new microwave that has 3 actual above-the-surface, honest-to goodness buttons... at the bottom of the touch-screen keypad, of course.
My favorite "old-fashioned" devices are a a good old pen and paper. Although I appreciate the fact that typing is faster and sometimes more convenient (hello, copy and paste!), one of my goals for this year is to pick out one person a month from my address book (an old-fashioned Rolodex with hand-written entries) to sit down and write a real letter to. I still collect pens in all colors and stationery, which is ever-increasingly hard to find. Maybe it's just me, but I find it a little depressing that our entire written language is melding into one identity--the Times New Roman font. I hope we never lose sight of how precious God's gift of individual handwriting is. There is something incredibly soothing to me about allowing words to flow from my heart to a blank piece of paper right in front of me, and all in my own personal "font" (handwriting).
I had a set of recipe cards handed down to me from my Mom, but I insisted she hand-write some of them so I'll have them as an heirloom someday when God calls her home.
I also find that when I am reading or studying (especially the Bible), typing just doesn't cut it. I'm the type of learner who needs cues from as many sources as possible in order to remember key points, so I often draw diagrams or work things out on paper in order to help me process information.
Unfortunately, I just can't convey my little stick-figure masterpieces onto a blank screen. And, it's becoming so rare that anyone writes anything... that now when friends or loved ones actually write something down for me... It immediately goes into my box of treasures, as a beloved memento.
What kinds of methods, means, or machinery do you still use that might seem old-fashioned... but you still find it to be the best (or most effective) way?
(As another example... I know there are so many shortcuts nowadays but I still prefer doing some things the old-fashioned way, such as with sewing. There are all kinds of rolling devices made to help you cut out a pattern faster... but for me, I never find it as accurate or calming as using an actual pair of scissors. And, if I ever took up baking, I know I'd prefer to knead dough by hand rather than use a standing mixer... )
What about all of you?