Day 946 Progress

 

It’s 6:00 pm, and I’m basking in the kind of sunlight that only late afternoon can deliver. The rays are streaming through my kitchen window, and I’m feeling good enough to take it all in. It's a welcome feeling—one that feels even better after a week spent on the couch, feverish and out of commission. But I made it and I’m back with the land of the living!

Sure, I’m not 100% yet, but I’ve managed two full days of getting dressed, being productive, and even making my way to one of my favorite thrift stores. Now that’s what I call progress! And to top it off, I was even carded for my senior discount. Yup—at 55+, I qualify for that sweet senior discount. When the cashier questioned whether I was really eligible for it, I didn't mind one bit. Good thing she didn't see me last week!! I dare say I felt almost normal again, back in the world of reality.

But now, as I sit, enjoying my sunshine, I realize I still have six more seasons of The Walking Dead to catch up on. My sick show from last week but now that I'm feeling better, the post-apocalyptic drama just doesn't hit the same. It's hard to feel that intense connection to the struggle for survival when you’re no longer confined to the couch, but I’m determined to finish what I started. After all, those characters are still out there fighting for a sliver of hope—will they ever find refuge? Guess I'll find out, eventually.

But for now, it seems there's no time for TV. Not when the sun is pouring in so brightly. I couldn’t resist; I just had to sit like a cat, soaking in the warmth. You know, cats are smart. They get it—sunshine is good for the soul. My Alexa screen is still displaying the majestic eagle family on my screen, a constant reminder of the world beyond my four walls. This morning, the eagles were huddled under a blanket of snow, but by afternoon, even they were getting a taste of the sunshine.

In the background of the image, you’ll see an old radio/CD player that has clearly seen better days. Ah, the memories! This thing probably made its debut in the early '90s, a time when “space-saving” meant a unit you could mount under a cabinet. Back then, I thought I was so hip—using that radio as a stylish way to fill my kitchen with music. Nowadays, I've moved to Alexa video screens, displayed right on the counter. Technology moves faster than we can keep up with, and before you know it, your once cutting-edge devices are relics of a bygone era. At least my new technology isn't bolted in, so I'll be ready when it changes.

There’s something beautifully nostalgic about that, though. I remember the custom shelves I once had built specifically for my VHS tapes and CDs. Those shelves were a big deal—an entire section of the living room devoted to my physical media collection. And don’t get me started on the giant, square TVs from back in the day. I once had a built-in section designed to house one of those monsters. Can you imagine? A TV that took up half of the living room. Of course, we all know that technology moves in mysterious ways, and soon enough, we were all scrambling to find space for flat screens that could be mounted on the wall. Also left with how to use the spaces left by obsolete technology, ugh. 

Now, I love new technology—don’t get me wrong—but I sometimes wish I had a crystal ball that could help me predict when to just hold off on installing the latest gadgets or building custom enclosures. Because, inevitably, as soon as you do, the next generation of tech comes along, and your carefully crafted setup feels... well, a little outdated. But hey, that’s progress for you, right?

So here I sit, soaking in the sunshine, reminiscing about old tech, and trying to decide if I should finally get back to The Walking Dead. Maybe I'll watch an episode… or maybe I’ll just enjoy the moment and let the sunshine do its magic a little longer. After all, sometimes the best progress is simply being present and appreciating the small joys in life, especially when it comes shining in through the window.