The Big Disconnect

  I've been without my laptop for over a week.  She got possessed and wouldn't type "t," "y," or "tab."  Amazing what you can't do without those few precious keys working.  The Computer Geeks exorcised her demon (and put in a brand new keyboard), and for about $75 I'm finally back in touch with the world.  I highly recommend calling the Geeks if something evil gets hold of your computer!
   So I've been experiencing the big disconnect without my internet connection, like life was spinning out there as usual and I was stuck in a deep, dark well with no idea what was happening.  I found out I didn't really miss email.  Out of 40 some messages, there were only three worth reading.  Since I've published my book, I keep getting tons of junk emails from Mr. or Miss Ubangi Bobaloo (or something like that) in desperate need of my financial help.  What's that all about?  If they saw my sad bank account balance, they should be sending me money!
   I did miss Facebook, though.  I missed a classmate from high school's death.  What an inspiration he was, smiling this light-up-the-world smile even though he looked like death was already knocking at his front door.  Rest in peace now, old friend.  I missed another classmate's request for prayer for her mother not doing well after surgery.  Thankfully, others prayed and her mother is recovering.  I missed keeping up with my cousin in New Orleans and how he was fairing through Hurricane Isaac.  He's fine, by the way.  So many other tidbits of the crrr-aziness of life I missed while I was offline.  What did we ever do without Facebook?  I thought it was the stupidest waste of time ever when I was prodded to sign up on Facebook several years ago when I was working on a class reunion, now it's my lifeline to lots of folks I care about but don't see often.  I mean, I can't stand around Wal-Mart or the grocery store 24/7 hoping to run into everyone.  So please, a little plea from someone who's experienced the big disconnect -- if you're on Facebook, just post a little something now and then about what's going on in your life.  Let your friends know you are still alive and kicking or having a hard time and need a prayer or a hug.  It's a priceless (and still free!) connection that makes life a bit sweeter.
   Couldn't work on my next book (or anything else) without my computer, so I got to enjoy some reading time.  Had a lot of laughs with Nora Ephron's "I Feel Bad About My Neck"!  I felt sad that she's dead now, but she sure left a lot of hootie, clever writing behind, especially for gals my age.  And no, I'm not saying what that age is, but if you read her book and look at my neck, you can make a pretty good guess.  I'm also still reading "Choosing Easy World" by Julia Rogers Hamrick, a very interesting but simple concept that's lifted me out of some ugliness in my head the past few days.  Worth a read, definitely.  DMan and I also had a short Branson adventure the other day, strolling around The Landing, doing a little wine tasting.  Both our wine racks now have every slot full.  He's become a greedy monkey when it comes to buying wine, but I'm blessed that he shares his vino bounty with me or else all I'd be drinking is cheap hooch from Wal-Mart!
   Looking forward to your Facebook updates and wishing yall a crrr-azy fun and safe Labor Day weekend.  Enjoy this luscious rain while we've got it!