A Whale Of A Story

Family lore had it that one of my great great grandfathers had been on a whaling ship. Really?? So when I came across two faded, onion skin papers in my cousin's attic last summer, I was thrilled to see his story written down. In 1899, he had written of his whaling years (1845-48). I picked up these fragile papers, sent photos of them to our daughters and grandchildren. Single spaced, they were almost impossible to read and I did not get much of a response.

A few months ago I was pondering how to bring some life to his remarkable and sometimes harrowing adventure. While ordering some cards from Snapfish, I thought why not create a little book with some photos of whaling boats, his itinerary and original 2 page memoir? Because the original pages were not going to be legible if transferred into a photo book, I retyped the story and took photos of sections that would be legible and fit on the pages. Voila! It worked. To enhance the story, I was able to find historical photos off the web and with help from the whaling museum in New Bedford, MA, I obtained the manifest of the ship's crew with his name on it as well as a photo of the captain's original log. Digging deeper, I became totally immersed in whaling history. (A diversion from Covid) I even added a glossary of terms so this became more than a book about my ancestor. It was wonderful to be lost in a project.

Why a photo book? As a family memoir this would have limited copies. The concept of publishing a book was daunting. Many of us are not interested in writing lengthy memoirs, but perhaps have a compelling story that should be shared with the younger generation. Maybe you have one. I used Snapfish but there are others like Shutterfly. Happy Digging!

By: Meliss Anderson

Moving the Trash Can

      Recently we had a minor problem under the kitchen sink. After doing the repair, as my husband was putting everything back under the sink, he said, “ I decided to move the trash can to the other side.” Basically he wanted to be able to keep an eye on a potential leak. Well, now we both have our moments as we start to open the wrong cupboard!  I look at this daily challenge as a kind of brain stimulation, rather than a depressing sign of slowing brain functions.  Now I am thinking of switching another cupboard to keep us sharp!

By: Kirsten Hartman

Discernment - a lost art

It may be that our efforts to enlighten older adults about digital technology can cut both ways. 

Perhaps in reaction to being branded irrelevant and out-of-step, many older adults have received, under the banner of "digital literacy," technical education about using modern technology tools ... which should be a really good thing, right? 

Well, sorta. 

Unfortunately, our educational efforts have focused primarily, if not exclusively, on the tech side of the equation, meaning that throngs of older adults with newfound tech skills are flocking to an array of online "news" sites. 

Which brings us to the missing element of digital literacy - discernment. As an "unexpected consequence" from the excitement of their expanded horizons, many older adults are being fooled by the persuasive "chatter" of self-anointed "analysts" who "tell it like it really is" - except for when it's not. 

On a recent walk in my neighborhood, a kindly gentleman - a retired professor- "reported" to me that his favorite "news source" told him that the Capitol insurrection didn't really happen. Even worse, he and his wife (a former educator) have that and other misinformation inculcated into their belief system. 

Trying to have a rational discussion in that context is a tough test for this journalism undergrad who has studied mass communication and public opinion. I hope that all those with greater discernment skills can be patient with ill-informed people (I must take my own medicine) and be helpful in the other crucial element of digital literacy, discernment. 

By: Mike Kohler

Vaccination

 

By last Fall I had come to terms with the confinement imposed by the threat of Covid. I believed it was temporary and felt some comfort in knowing that, in spite of our physical separation, we were all in the same virtual boat moving together toward dry land and party time.

Now suddenly people around me are getting out of the boat as they receive texts, emails, phone calls inviting them to come in for their vaccinations. It is hard to sit in an increasingly deserted vessel and not stand up and holler  “Hey, YO! WHAT ABOUT ME?”. So much for coming to terms.

By: Bonnie Shetler