Enjoyed the root cellar story, Sharon. It got me to thinking. The further we venture from the basics of nature--and in this era of modern technology we have ventured quite far--the more vulnerable we become. One has to think only of this country's electrical grid or of all the cell towers to get a glimpse of how vulnerable we would be without them. I think there's an article lurking in there somewhere. I'll have to give it some more thought.

How did we lose sight of that kind of common sense? Truth is we might have traded it for bright city lights, but the truth also is that those bright city lights can get terribly dim in the wake of some of the recent storms we've been having.

Quoted from my article, Larry. And exactly what you are saying, though my point might have been hidden in my words.

Been thinking a lot about some of these things. Our dependence on the many forms of modern technology boggles the mind. We might need to seriously consider what we used to know, but seem to have forgotten.

Exactly.

Here's another thought: Electronic technology has taken repair out of the hands of the ordinary person and placed it in the hands of those with special training. Take the typewriter as an example. We can easily see what happens when we strike a key. The arm bearing the appropriate symbol at its tip strikes the ribbon and the paper behind it, creating a visual image. Let's say that one of the symbols, as we strike the key, fails to print. We check the key's arm and discover that it's bent slightly out of shape. We straighten it and, voilà, it functions again.

A computer keyboard, on the other hand, is completely different. When we strike a key, we don't see what all goes on to make the symbol appear on the computer screen. If we discover a bug, most of us are powerless to fix it ourselves. We have to rely on those with special knowledge who have learned and employ a special computer language.

The electronic age has hidden the physics of what produces a result. In most cases, simply taking an electronic item apart no longer lets us discern why it has malfunctioned.

Specialists.
And what happens when a specialist is unavailable?

Same with an automobile.
Same with a computer driven stove or microwave.
We used to be able to build a fire when it went out.

Exactly.

. In our arid heat living compartments are slowly going underground. Constant 26-28c year round.
Regards,
Arif.

That might be a message for all of us.

Good evening Sharon . Got my puter back on line.
Regards,
Arif.

Time to celebrate!!!

Yes I am. At least I don't have to squint and the keys are where they should be. That netbook is nothing to ignore. It has a 300 GB hard drive and you can fix a USB wifi device for net on the go. Fits in a purse or a small bag and has the feel and the capabilities of a normal laptop. I did/do not like that iPad or whatever else there in the market. Quite powerful with a seven hour battery life plus can be charged from the cars system.
Regards,
Arif.