In 1973, when I bought my first sewing machine, a Sears Kenmore brand, I thought it would be the only machine I’d need, or want, for the rest of my life. The machine is rugged, with all metal parts, and no plastic to break. It has “cams” for decorative stitches. It certainly came in handy for making such things as a suit for my first husband, that he so bravely wore, (teeheehee), and maternity dresses for me, to give the high school kids I was teaching something at which to laugh. Yes, those were the days before I swore off on clothes making altogether and realized my real talent lies in quilt making…by hand!
Since that time, sewing machines are so advanced, they can record the image of you slaving over any given project, reach out and give you something to wipe your brow, and hand you a cold soft drink if you get too overheated from hot flashes. No, no. Just kidding. I do get carried away, but I bet I’ve just given a manufacturer some good ideas!
Music Playing Devices
Have you noticed the changes in the production of items to play music? I have a ton of cassettes. I am wondering if anyone actually makes cassette players any more. Our eight track tapes were discarded long ago. Then, we had CDs, which are still being sold, but one wonders for how much longer? What is the next generation of music players? Will it just consist of downloaded music from the Internet on iPods?
Need for Record Player
I have a dilemma. The other day, in a little used closet, I discovered a record, a 33 1/3 RPM, that measures 16″ across in diameter, (very oversize). The record contains historic information about a national credit union meeting in 1952. The record’s outer wrapping is addressed to my late father who was very instrumental in founding credit unions in New Hampshire. If only I could listen to that record, and find some way to translate the contents to another medium, to save for posterity!
When we moved everything out of the family homestead, it took constant decision-making as to what to keep. Evidently, the record came home with us and was placed in the closet, forgotten there since the late 1990s.
Seeing the record brings me back to my own childhood. I remember begging my mom for 45 RPM records, the little ones that would play on my kid size record player. While I can’t stand to hear the group now, at the time I liked Alvin and the Chipmunks. I remember all the songs of the 50s and 60s, like it was yesterday. “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth,” “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” “It’s My Party and I’ll Cry if I Want To,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” are just a few of the tunes.
The thing that one comes to know about life is that it is constantly changing. What is new today is old tomorrow. We can only hope to paddle fast and not be swept over the dam. Change can be good, for the most part. However, the elderly sometimes long for more simple times. I don’t mind getting older. Now, if I could only learn to program that DVD player so I can play DVDs I ordered, on the TV… First, I’ll have to remember where I put my glasses.
Pat
hey, I STILL love Alvin and the Chipmunks!!