Just call me Mrs. Patmore, at least this morning.

Those who do not watch Downton Abbey won’t understand my reference. The series is set in England in the early 20th century. Mrs. Patmore is the cook for the aristocratic Crawley family in their 400 room “abbey.”

Everyone must adapt to times of social and technological change.

I cheered when Lady Edith defied convention and began to write a newspaper column. I wished Lady Sybil well when she eloped with her true love, the family chauffeur. I admired Lady Rose’s courage when she planned to become engaged to a black lounge singer at least until I realized that subconsciously she only wanted to shock her mother.

Reactions to new technology (the automobile and telephone) were amusing to me from my vantage point nearly 100 years removed from the setting of the series.

Now back to Mrs. Patmore. Electric mixers, a refrigerator and the electric sewing machine shook up her world. Again, how amusing.

This morning I am facing a Keurig. DH & I are staying with grandchildren while their parents are out of town. Fortunately, it comes with directions – our 12 year old granddaughter. OK, this isn’t hard.

DH & I drink several cups of coffee in the morning, something we’ve done all our lives. Either we talk about the coming day, or life in general or just get online. Right now I’m on my laptop and he’s reading away on his tablet.

Sometimes I don’t want another cup, just a little bit more and my coffee maker at home provides that. I want a bit more right now, but I would have to get another little K-cup and make another entire cup.

Remember frugal me from my last blog entry? Buying in bulk to save money? Waste not, want not and assorted proverbs?

“How much do these things cost?” I asked DH. My engineer proceeded to give me the prices of every brand available in his trip to the supermarket. I estimate each K-cup costs about 80 cents.

Since he is our coffee buyer at home, I asked how much we pay for the 6-7 cups we share each morning. $15 worth of coffee lasts about 3 weeks, so about 20 cents per cup.

DD and family have different habits, so this machine works well for them. One cup of coffee, one cup of hot chocolate etc. However, I feel downright decadent putting another K-cup in there as DH is doing right now. Hmm, maybe I’ll just boil some water and have a cup of tea.

For the record: I’m not a Neanderthal regarding technology.
I was a technology coordinator before retirement.
I bought my first computer in 1981, mail order from Apple, because computer stores didn’t exist yet.
I maintain my own website.
I check out the activities of family/friends on FB (even trying to communicate in Slovak with some)

Yet, some things I avoid.

I understand the need to text. I just don’t like it. I spent years working with voice recognition software, so kids with motor difficulties could speak and have their works translated into text. Now using a device designed to transmit voice and TYPING into it just seems backwards to me.

Again, I do understand why people like it. I just don’t.
I feel like Scotty from Star Trek movie #4, transported back to the 20th century trying to talk into a mouse – “computer! Do whatever…” and rolling his eyes that he has to type his command.

Note: DD is a Sparker and will likely read this. Fortunately, she’s already aware of my approach to technology.

As I used to tell the teachers that I trained in tech competency. You must learn how it all works, be able to use it and understand how others in your field are using it. Then decide how it will or will not help your teaching. Decide from a position of knowledge and strength, not fear or ignorance. After that it’s up to you , at least until some administrator decides otherwise.

There are lots of fitness devices that technology has provided for us. Some use them all the time. Some ignore them. It’s up to us to decide how they fit into or help our lives, or not.

Oh, breaking news! Something else I avoided.
Mt. Gox, the bitcoin exchange is closed and went into bankruptcy. I missed the entire rise and fall.