Like most folks, I have always been a bit of a social animal. I delighted in
dining with friends at our local Periodic Table Supper Club. I liked walking
around the block with a neighbor friend and talking to others in their front
yards. I enjoyed traveling with my wife wherever and whenever we wanted.
And, we absolutely loved it when our kids dropped by the house. That was
then, this is now.
A new abnormal has descended upon all of us. An unwanted virus has invaded
our lives. It was just two months ago when my wife and I were happily
looking to buy a new minivan. Fortunately, we did not find the exact model
and color we were hunting. We sure don't need it now. We are staying at
home, all the time, because it is the smartest and safest thing to do.
This pandemic is a huge change in all our lives. Because of our own age and
circumstances, we decided to hunker down and stay inside our house beginning
this month on Friday the 13th. Now, everyone else in Austin is doing the
same. We no longer go shopping, attend religious services, or stray past the
end of our driveway. And, mostly, we don't even wander onto our large front
porch. Our back patio is isolated and we get all our fresh air out there.
Regardless of how strange our personal circumstances are right now, we are
embracing this new lifestyle. We are hoping that our sheltering in place
will keep us, our neighbors and our community healthier. So, at this very
moment, I'm sitting in my comfy chair, with my iPhone and a Bluetooth
keyboard. Now, a reality check. I've been writing for AppleVis for nearly
five years, and it is always from this very chair. When I think about it,
not too terribly much has changed. I still communicate with my friends via
phone calls, text messages and email. I continue to read lots of books with
Audible, Bard and Voice Dream Reader. I play my mandolin and violin in
tandem with my favorite tunes on Apple Music. I review AppleVis, along with
our local and a national newspaper all from my iPhone. I may not travel
around the city or walk as many miles, but I am not forgotten and I am not
alone. Even though I am fortunate to share my home with my wife of 40 years
and my goofy guide dog, I feel very connected to so many other people whom I
care about. In truth, I am actually spending more time communicating with
the important people in my life. My iPhone is how I safely keep friends
close. I stay at home and stay in touch.
The most important thing in my life is my family, friends, community and
dog. Although we are no longer venturing out, we have a great way to escape
the confines of our house. I go sit in my happy place and reach out with
this handy piece of technology. We have so much to be thankful for, and that
includes my iPhone.
I hope to use this time at home to discover more apps and services on my
Apple devices. What I learn, I plan to share with you. We can make this time
a great learning experience together. And, I do intend to get back to the
lighter side of things. There's time for smiling.
I have written 23 other blogs for AppleVis, including
<https://www.applevis.com/blog/hot-pants-and-iphone-11> "Hot Pants and the
iPhone 11," "
<https://www.applevis.com/blog/say-what-hearing-aids-iphones-and-my-apple-wa
tch> Say What? : Hearing Aids, iPhones and My Apple Watch" and
<https://www.applevis.com/blog/my-chest-confessions-apple-watch-lover> "Off
My Chest: Confessions Of An Apple Watch Lover."
And, dear friends, please stay safe and stay healthy.
Submitted by Morgan - Member of the AppleVis Blog Team.
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