Under the Category, "Are You Kidding Me?"

I just read a little article in USA Weekend magazine entitled, "Grandma has no computer? Still send her e-mail." Here's a quote from the article that basically explains it: "There's now a service that sends family news and digital pictures from your e-mail account to someone's snail mailbox for $9.95"

Okay, let me get this straight. Granny has no computer so she doesn't do email. So instead of spending 44 cents on a stamp and hand-writing a letter that the old gal can hold in her hand, and read in your own loving handwriting....instead, you go grab your credit card, and spend $9.95 for someone else to send "family news" to her regular postal mailbox. Does this sound bizarre to anyone else? Okay, I get it that you can also, with a touch of button, include digital photos. But COME ON!

Has it really come to this? With all the ways to print lab quality photos in your own home, you can't send her a nice note with some photos inside? When I read this, all I could think of was my own grandmother, in her 90's, waiting for my dad to bring in her mail every day, and asking every single day, "Anything personal?" Amid all the bills and solicitations, all she hoped for each and every day, was a hand-written letter from someone who loved her.

So let's all take out a piece of notepaper today, spend 44 cents and make someone's day. You don't even need a credit card.

Underneath the Jeans

You know what I just realized? I look a lot younger with my clothes on. In a well-fitting pair of jeans and a hoodie, I feel downright collegiate. Because underneath the jeans it's all a mystery. Underneath the jeans I could have smooth, even-toned skin, or I might even have a tan. (Not to mention that my legs might be shaved.) Underneath the shirt I might have washboard abs and perky boobs. I might have underarm skin that does not swing to and fro. Who's to say? And this is one reason I enjoy a nice cool day like today here in Florida when I can put on those jeans and that hoodie and let the mystique begin.

Most days are too warm for this attire. A good 90% of the time it's shorts and tank tops for me. No choice. Since I'm still enjoying the occasional hot flash, even a short-sleeve t-shirt is too much coverage when I'm hit by the infernal dame flame. With so much skin exposed, there goes the "might be tan" myth. I've modified my fashion statement when it comes to shorts though. I'm wearing much longer ones these days. I threw away all the others after I first noticed what's going on in the vicinity of my knees. Like too-big pantyhose, my skin has become baggy at the knees. Funny how with a couple of fingers you can pull up that skin the tiniest bit and look normal again. It makes me appreciate why people get plastic surgery. Such a tiny little tug makes so much difference. But instead, I'll just cover up the whole mess with longer garments. It's a lot cheaper.

So I'm happy that we have cool weather predicted for the rest of the weekend. Jeans and long sleeve shirts. Yea! Boogie on.