Only
recently did I realize the reason I barely post in my blog anymore. When I
inherited my son’s iBook, it came equipped with TextEdit, a wimpy little word
processing program that left me feeling dissatisfied and unfulfilled every time
I sat down to type. I hated it so much that I barely explored the options it
offered. I needed Word for my words.
Some
days, while at work, I’d try to whip out a brief life observation in Word and
mail it to myself to post in my blog later. I slipped back to writing drafts of
poems in my Captain America spiral, which I’d quickly transcribe during my
lunch break. I felt constricted. Access to Microsoft Word during work hours
pulled me away from the late night mental meanderings I indulged in when I had
my old laptop. How could I linger over the turn of a phrase when my time
narrowed down to fifteen free minutes each day?
A
few days ago, my frustration had me pulling out my ancient HP and setting it up
on the kitchen desk. Since it sat idle for more than a year, I’d forgotten my
password! Usually, I restrict myself to several passwords with personal-to-me
variations. For some reason, none of my typical ones worked. I went through the
process of changing to a new one and eventually fired up my old machine. Twenty
million updates later, I finally had access to Word!
But
my delight died rapidly when I remembered part of the reason I’d abandoned the
laptop was because it heated up and shut down. I sent my husband and son in
search of a fan similar to the one I once used, but they called in defeat after
searching several local stores.
“Do
you want a copy of Word?” my son asked.
“I
thought it was only subscription,” I answered. “I really don’t want to do that
right now.”
“There’s
a copy we can buy right here at Walmart. Do you want it?”
I
didn’t even ask how much!
My
main writing project, a novel I set aside eighteen months ago that needs final tweaking
before I can begin the last step towards e-publishing, took priority over a new
blog entry. Having Word at my fingertips meant that fine-tuning became
effortless. I reached my first goal within a few hours on Saturday. I will
probably finish editing it this week. I haven’t investigated all of the lovely
options available within this Office suite. That’s for another morning or a
restless night.
This morning I’ve
pampered myself with a blank page in Word. I have found my bliss.
Copyright 2017 Elizabeth Abrams
Chapman
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