Technology provides companionship even when alone

My friends have noticed that lately I haven't been going out as often as I formerly did. Even trips to the grocery store or to refill the gasoline in the car haven't happened as often anymore. I really haven't minded very much because I have various ways to increase my partnership in a mature conversation even when I am alone, at home.

This sounds like a confession of some sort, but keep an open mind as you read. I have two little men who often carry on a conversation with each other even when they know I am listening. I used to act sophisticated and pretend I wasn't troubled by their conversations. But then I became curious about them.

The one who usually begins a real conversation -- I mean one with words -- uses my left ear. I think he is trying to teach his friend how to count. So far they have only reached the number three. Sometimes the man who uses my right ear won't answer him by repeating the number. Usually I could think back and remember when the man by my right ear had tweeted and didn't get an answering tweet from his friend. I don't always stay tuned to their conversations, I'll admit. When either one of the men get tired or want to go home for a rest, either one will say, "Battery." Then they keep quiet for quite a while. When both of them have said, "Battery" I usually take off my hearing aids and feed them their little batteries again.

Before I became middle age plus I never had so much attention by two little men. One of the good things about them is that they speak right into my ear, and their voices are very distinct and clear. Even the one who opens all of his conversations with tweet, tweet, makes it very clear. They never leave me in the middle of a conversation and walk down the hall away from me while they are talking, No, they stay right with me, and keep their voices at a pitch that is easy to hear.

Facebook is another way to have extra communications even though I am not out and about much. I have many friends on Facebook. Some of them I don't know, but that doesn't matter to me. If they liked something I put on it, they're my friends. Some of my relatives who don't often write or call are my friends so when I check my Facebook each day I know more about what is going on in the family, and in the world when I read all the way through the entries.

Other people's phones keep me up to date. They have this phone with them all of the time so they won't miss a call. Since it is right there in their pocket if their cat or dog does something cute we get to see the picture. Their own children are photographed professionally, but in addition we get to see them eating, taking a bath, kissing the dog, sleeping on daddy, in a selfie with mommy, and generally looking cute in whatever he/she does. What a blessing that is for elderly relatives who don't get to visit them often. It's a lot harder to hold a squirming baby than it is to look at someone's telephone picture.

But the biggest benefit of that fancy phone is you can still talk to someone in person over the machine. The younger people don't talk over the machine but they text, twitter and some other names I don't remember. None of them are as good for older relatives as a nice voice asking, "How are you doing today?"

And the really great way to keep communications alive is to come or go visit. That beats the picture, the telephone call and the two little men whispering in my ears.