I was thinking about how much the Internet enhances my life. Now, I realize that there are those who are “afraid” of everything, including online activities. They are missing out! Today, alone, I was able to hear a speech by President Obama, on Facebook, long before a tiny portion of the speech hit the 6:30 p.m. news.
I found out how my “friends” were feeling and what they were doing today. I was treated to a portion of a newly-released, old video about seven quilters, a film made by Pat Ferrero in 1981 and available to purchase in its entirety at www.QuiltComplex.com. The video clip was provided by The Quilt Show by Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson. I read another blog from the “Pickle Road” by Mark Lipinski of Quilter’s Home magazine fame.
I signed up for The Alliance for the American Quilt, with the push of a few buttons. I took a quiz on Facebook to determine what my spiritual qualities are. The quiz characterizes me, not surprisingly, as a “Teacher.”
In addition, I was able to write a note to a seller to check on an eBay purchase that has been delayed in arrival, due to a mix-up. While I was doing that, the Fed-Ex delivery service pulled up to my house to bring archival quilt storage materials that I had ordered … you guessed it … online.
The mail yesterday brought no less than three new books … from amazon, and some wonderful threads that I can’t wait to try! Tonight, I watched a lesson about how to draw a baby polar bear provided in an online video by Jan Brett (see our previous blog about her, this week).
I was able to list some items on eBay, and scout through favorite category listings that I like to check regularly. Sometimes, a treasure lurks.
Before the Internet, I must have led a very limited and dull life. Now, any obscure fact, or person, can be “Googled” and one has instant answers. All I can say to those who have “no use” for a computer, is this: if you like to learn and you enjoy socializing and meeting people, from the comfort of your own home, then you are really missing a bet. I realize, in saying all of the above, that I am “preaching to the choir.” Aren’t we lucky?
Whether it is checking the line up of guests for Sunday’s “Meet the Press,” or connecting with needlework, quilting, or quilt history groups, or even keeping up to date on a favorite daytime television show (Who has time to watch TV these days?) — all of this, and more, can be done via your home computer.
Best of all is meeting extended family members from all over the country whom I have never met and whom I probably never will meet. There is a sense of connection when folks share common ancestry. Speaking of genealogy, the online sources now available are incredible, and old books that are being posted online are grand. YouTube is fun! I especially enjoy the musical ones. I really would feel deprived, if I did not have a computer. Staying in touch with friends and loved ones would be a whole lot more difficult.
Happy National Quilter’s Day!
See you online,
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
