When I consider that our parents passed away about 17 years ago, I tend to think that it was not so long ago.
But then, I consider that the average 17-year-old, a senior in high school, knows nothing about the dark ages before the turn of the 21st century.
The fact is that much has changed since the year 2000. Much! I often think of those who passed away just 17, years ago; how foreign our ways would be to them now.
If lifestyles have changed that fast, how do you think people who died, say, just 30 years ago would adapt now?
Here are some of the changes that have taken root just in the past 20 years. Some absolutely drive me batty, while others?
Well, I think Fred and I have adapted to some of them.
Here’s the Big One.
When we call any order center, corporate entity, or help site for our gadgets, we hunger, … no … we desperately “hope” for a real, live, breathing person on the other end of our conversation.
“Due to high traffic we ask you to stay on the line. Your call is important to us.” “Press one for English, numero dos por Espanol, three for Khazitstan, four for the baboon directory.” Then it interrupts again and says, “Please stay on the line.” “Someone will soon be with you.” He or she sounds friendly, but really isn’t listening to us.
It doesn’t care.
She instructs us to push number this or choice that for answers; then says, “Please stay on the line,” and when you finally get to pick and choose your need, she says, “An associate will soon be with you. Please stay on the line! Your wait time will be 5 minutes. Your call is important to us.”
By then, violin music is playing the same tune over and over on the line. By then, Fred is desperately punching the “0” key until he is disconnected and we lose our place in the queue.
It’s that exasperating.
Those who have gone before us would go back where they came from if they experienced this process, I guarantee you!
And speaking of phones, the land-line phones are going the way of the dinosaurs. Yes, I know some of you still have them. Us too. But just wait. I remember feeling liberated not too many years ago when I bought a 5-inch extension cord for our kitchen phone. I enjoyed the freedom to cook and talk at the same time. Then, the portable phone freed us from that cord.
What an innovation.
Who would imagine what would happen next?
The cell phone emerged. Fast.
They aren’t phones, really, you know. They are computers that incidentally can be used as phones. Yes, now we can text, research, calculate sums, take pictures, write e mails, and …make phone calls. Right?
But, most young folks don’t talk on the phone anymore. Nope, they text each other. They don’t even talk to each other while at the same table. They text. Oh yes, our parents would be dumbfounded and in unbelief.
Cable television is phasing out as well. The giant of 150 stations on the click of a remote is being pushed to the side. The audience that tunes into television channels is diminishing quickly. The internet is the source for everything now; entertainment, information, communication. And our kids watch You Tube events on their phones. Even Disney is phasing out their coverage of ESPN on television and going to live streaming.
And what has happened to the camera? Remember? Click, click? I bought two digital cameras about eight years ago and never use them now. Remember film? What’s film?
Remember suitcases that you had to carry? We have wheels now. Who thought of that?! Why didn’t they come around sooner?
Visiting household sales, I see what the younger crowd no longer wants. China dishes, etched glasses, cookware, and knickknacks are being shunned. Remember luncheon plates with a place for a cup? Now it’s paper plates.
There’s no sense in expending energy by worrying. We adapt. But all these new-fangled ways would cause anyone who has passed away to roll over in their graves. They would not recognize our world.
Now, if you have any contributions to add to this column, please call my number and follow the directions. You will eventually get to talk to someone, I think.

A Woman’s View” is Judi Tabler’s reflection of her experiences and events. She is a wife, mother, writer, teacher, grandmother, and even a great grandmother. She can be reached at bluegrasses@gmail.com.