Year-End Inventory

As I look back over this year, I will consider calmly my actions and attitudes, just as though I were evaluating the progress of someone else. I will not make it an occasion for guilt and regret. I will blame no one else for anything that happened, for I have learned ... that I am not a judge of others. This day, and the days to come, will be filled with opportunities to make more of myself. (One Day at a Time in Al-Anon, 1 December)

******

The first two Christmas cards arrived yesterday. That always brings home that our Christmas letter hasn't been started and all of the Christmas decorations need to be brought down from the attic.

I used to maintain several Approach databases in the DBF format. During one of my many computer disasters I lost access to this program. It never occurred to me to make paper copies of my music and book catalogs. While I still have backup copies of them in the DBF format I don't have a program installed that can read or update that format. Recently I installed a free copy of a program called CSVed.

CSVed: (http://csved.sjfrancke.nl/index.html)

This, very powerful program, can read text files and display them in a table format, much like the database programs do. The neat thing is you can create the records using any text editor. Described simply, each field of information is separated from the next by a comma delimiter. Yesterday, to test the program, I created an Email address file to store the addresses of former co-workers and new friends at the Computer Club. If you have some information you'd like to store and display in an easy to read format you might want to take a look at his program.

Yesterday I bought a shrink wrapped copy of the CD, Sara Evans - Greatest Hits and a nice copy of the book, "As Bill Sees It" at the thrift store. You never know what you are going to find.

Mr. Dickie

Obsolescence

To wait for moments or places where no pain exists, no separation is felt and where all human restlessness has turned into inner peace is waiting for a dream-world. (Henri J.M. Nouwen, Touchstones, 15 November)

******

I've noticed lately that many of the freeware and shareware programs won't run on my computer because it uses the Windows 2000 Professional operating system. In reviewing the programs installed on the computer I'm using now I have also noticed that there are quite a few programs installed that I either never used or forgot about. My computer isn't the only thing around here that's obsolete.

Mr. Dickie

Old Tapes

In the recesses of our minds, each of us has old tapes stored away which tend to be played over and over again. These tapes may have been recorded so long ago that they have little if anything to do with our present situation.

The tapes which are recordings of positive thoughts and experiences can be helpful when replayed. Unfortunately, we each possess many tapes which are negative and self-destructive. They include resentments, fears, and hates. When one of these negative tapes begins to play, we may find ourselves ... [engaging in some self-destructive compulsive behavior].
(Food For Thought, 5 March)

• Yesterday afternoon I attended a very good meeting of the Computer Club at the Bowie Senior Center. There was a large crowd. Two of the members gave a demonstration of the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) using the SKYPE program. Program chairman, Dan Lee, has been using the SKYPE program to talk with and see his relatives in China. Eric gave members a preview of the replacement website for the club. Norman talked about some of the freeware programs that have many of the same capabilities as the commercial programs.
• Before I left for the meeting I discovered that the Pittsburg State University (my alma mater in Kansas) has a presence on Facebook. I clicked the button to become "a fan" whatever that means. I also discovered several other pages with the school logo. I didn't have time to look at those.
• I noticed that a couple of people found my genealogy "news" blog and enrolled as "followers." I'm not certain yet what this means. I do appreciate their interest.
• Melva moved to her sister's house to spend the night yesterday. The first few days of her visit are going to be very busy. She needs to spend time with her ill sister, take care of some personal business, and do a test to confirm that she can use the ATMs. Going on vacation for an extended period in another country isn't all "vacation."

Mr. Dickie