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Unfailing
NMB, Florida December 23, 2001 A.H. Schectman
THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on Issues, Ideas and Reflections on the Times. Published Now and
Then. Opinions Pro or Con Are Welcome.
UNFAILING
One of the surprises at four this morning is to receive four back to back
messages from TWO FOR MOZART. Now, this correspondent is from the days when
I tried to write a book. The book was a Dissertation for my "doctorette"
(as my mother put it), a difficult process to get approved - the writing has
always been easy for me. My correspondent in those days was a fellow
sufferer, but he finished his and his career in education paralleled mine
except he opted early for administration and found that his studies and
dissertation had nothing to do with what he ended up doing.
We lost each other for decades until he showed up at Monmouth University
applying for a position. Fortunately for him, he and the school were not
compatible. But, we managed to fitfully keep in touch until the computer
and e-mail made it possible to economically continue a long distance
connection.
What is amazing is that we chat constantly. It is mostly because of my
unfailing need to spill out my thoughts and his goodness in wanting to
reply. Most of my readers read my stuff but do not share our background
that makes for easy exchanges. Most of the time, he chides me for being
like the naïve bride before the wedding. What should I expect when I
complain about something or other?
My original plan was to keep in contact with my sons by teaching them about
short-wave radio so we could talk to each other (once again economically)
frequently although a continent apart. This never worked out because I do
not have voice privileges on all frequencies and they never were interested
in code or electronics. I have set up the radio, a ground wire and an
antenna (difficult things to do in a condominium) but it needs a lot of fine
tuning and going back to school. The e-mail is good but it seems likely the
telephone and computer are supplanting short wave with "cells" and other
marvels. E-mail continues the writing tradition but it too evolves.
My need to write matches some of my friends' need to keep in touch. That is
quite enough and very satisfying. Carol's Evaluation:10 out of 10.
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