Old Dog New Tricks
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Today, I’m going to tell you about this old dog’s inability to learn new tricks. If I remember them, I often promptly forget them.
PC To Apple:
I’m trying to transition from a PC to a MacBook Air. I purchased the Apple product at the end of last year.
For the most part, it has sat in a drawer, so I don’t see it often and feel guilty for not using it.
Whenever I get it out and try to learn how to post or bring up photos, I get frustrated. Then I’ll finally figure something out, but I’ll forget it the next time I use it.
This is even more frustrating. I asked myself, “How can you figure something out and then have to learn it all over again?” Is it age? Or is it just me?
Then I wonder if it’s all the things that have happened in my life in 2024—just the first six months, anyway.
“Aging does not make women powerless objects of pity but colorful and entertaining individuals and, on occasion, fire-breathing dragons that wise people don’t cross.” – Unknown
I don’t learn new things very well. If I ever did, I don’t anymore. So, trying to transition my computer work has been so frustrating. The more aggravated I get, the more anxious and irritated I get, and then I can’t seem to type worth diddly, either.
Also, when I open a new window and look up something like the dictionary, I realize I’ve forgotten to save my material first. Oh, Lord, my brain is weary.
Sometimes, I feel like my head has detached itself from my body, and it goes round and round, and I get dizzy.
Working With Photos:
The hardest part is working with photos. Somehow, I changed the Canon camera settings. I don’t know how, but I managed to mess up how I stored the images and how to find them again.
So, I began taking photos with my iPhone. And that hasn’t been so easy either.
Then, I had to figure out how to proceed with those photos. I finally gave up trying to get the PC, where I downloaded the images, to work with the MacBook because I quickly learned that they don’t look nice together.
“It’s wonderful to know you’re aging, because that means you’re still on the planet, right?” – Goldie Hawn
So I told myself, “Get that MacBook out and learn something new every day.” In the past, PCs just didn’t last long for me.
Usually, what goes out is the charger, which fits into the little round hole on the side of the laptop. Even though I never take it out anymore, it still wears itself out. And then I can’t work on the computer because it won’t charge.
Why can’t the companies that make PCs figure out what Apple figured out long ago? The goal is to create a more secure way to attach the charger to the computer. Heavenly days.
So there’s that. Now, I’m worried about another little problem today.
Walmart Delivery:
I was expecting my Walmart InHome order this morning. Lately, I’ve had the same delivery guy named Andy. He’s very sweet.
Well, last time I ordered, I was just sure I ordered a package of 12 Lipton tea bottles. I like the raspberry flavor. But I was so sure I hadn’t gotten them delivered that I gave Andy 4 stars on the survey instead of the usual 5.
“Aging gracefully is supposed to mean trying not to hide time passing and just looking a wreck. Don’t worry girls, look like a wreck, that’s the way it goes.” – Jeanne Moreau
Then I called Walmart and asked for a refund, which they gave me.
The other day, it occurred to me that (I think; I never seem to know anything anymore) I might have left the tea in the Cart and not actually ordered it.
This wouldn’t have occurred to me had I not seen the tea in my Cart on the following order. Then I felt terrible. Oh, Lawsy, I blamed Andy when it was probably me.
I didn’t want the $7-something dollars they refunded me. Was there a way to rectify the situation?
So when Andy delivered my groceries this morning, I haltingly told him what I had probably done. I asked him if there was a way to fix it, and he said no. I really wanted to give him 5 stars instead of 4 and give him his refund, but it seems I can’t.
Andy laughed and said, “Don’t worry about it.” But here I am, still twisting it around in my head.
The Rules:
Well, I’m one for rules, and when I’m wrong, I want to take the blame. And the Walmart InHome service is relatively cheap, so my guilt is slightly magnified.
Then he told me that last week, he delivered someone’s groceries. At the end of the day, he realized he hadn’t given that family their refrigerated items. They were in the back of his car and obviously ruined, so he had to go pick out groceries again and deliver them.
It didn’t make me feel any better to hear that he makes mistakes too.
Old Dog New Tricks Guilt:
Still, hours later, that little kernel of blame sits on my chest like a heavy package.
I guess it’s good I don’t have a dog because, obviously, if I can’t learn new tricks, how would I possibly train a dog?
Why is it so hard to do what used to be simple?
Does this type of thing happen to you? Do you have horrible trouble learning new things? And do you make mistakes like I did with Andy and Walmart?
Oh, woe is me. When they send me the survey today, I will certainly give Andy 5 stars. I would give him twice that if it would fix what happened. He’s a good guy and very careful when choosing my groceries.
You see, you don’t tip with Walmart InHome, so I can only give him credit with the surveys.
“Guilt: the gift that keeps on giving.”
Erma Bombeck
If you haven’t tried Walmart InHome and are considering having your groceries delivered, I have had a wonderful experience.
With Walmart+, it was hit-and-miss. I would grow anxious around the time my groceries were supposed to be delivered because sometimes they would leave my groceries on someone else’s patio.
But with Walmart InHome (and no one is giving me anything for saying this), it is like a whole other world. With InHome, you can have them delivered to your garage if you have one. Or inside your home. You can ask that they put your groceries away if you like.
I have Andy bring the groceries inside and set the bags on the kitchen floor. Then, I can wipe the products down if I wish. And I always want to do that, but I almost always forget.
“I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade… And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party.”
– Ron White
Why Can’t I Remember Things?
I forget and forget and forget things all day long. Sometimes, I’ll look up something, immediately switch to another site, and in mere seconds, I will have forgotten what I read.
Then I have to reread it, hoping I can remember it long enough to type it where I need it.
I get up to do something, and by the time I get there, I forget what it is. And forget multi-tasking!
So this is one of those posts where I ramble. And let’s see if I can publish it because I’m on the Mac. It will probably be a monumental task.
However, I’m thrilled beyond measure that I could go to another website, copy the URL, and paste it here!
So, I copied and pasted many quotes into this post. I hope doing something repetitively will help me remember how I did it.
And This & That:
The font is too small and hard to read on the screen. But every time I try to fix it, I make it too big, so I have to revert.
And what’s going on with the arrows on the laptop?!? Why can’t I use the arrows like I did on the PC?
Also, why can’t I keep the darn screen from scrolling when I don’t want it to? Stuff on the screen hops about like grasshoppers. It’s like dealing with a slippery eel!
Why is everything such a challenge anymore?
It has taken me FOREVER to write this post!
“My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She’s ninety-seven now, and we don’t know where the hell she is.”
Ellen DeGeneres
A Dream I Had Last Night:
I just remembered a dream I had last night. It seems I was crossing a three-lane road. Then, because it must have been a highway, I had to cross the three lanes on the opposite side.
I can remember the fear I felt as I ran through traffic. How do we experience fear while we’re dreaming, I wonder?
Then, in the dream, I went into a convenience store next to the highway. I recall telling the clerk how they should rearrange the store to make it feel cozy.
Why on earth would anyone want a cozy convenience store? That made absolutely no sense. I recall looking at the chocolate bars on the store shelves. And again, why?
So, I would leave and cross the six lanes of traffic, and this would happen repeatedly.
If you’re halfway good at figuring out what dreams mean, please decipher that one.
Steve & Ivy:
This is Steve playing with a very lazy Ivy.
Ivy prefers to lie on her back most of the day and sleep that way. Looking behind my chair, I see Ivy sleeping on her back, all splayed out.
Have you ever known of a cat that does that?
Steve is leaving for an Alaskan cruise with his girlfriend tomorrow. I told him not to bring COVID back home.
“I don’t want to sound like a Hallmark card, but to be able to wake up each day with food and shelter, that alone is good. Forget aging and the fact that my butt is becoming a little more familiar with my knees than my tailbone. If you are six feet above ground it’s a good day. So, give me more!”
– Unknown
Yes, this turned out to be quite a rambling post. But I did it on the Mac, and I’m kind of proud of myself.
you made me smile, great blog today
I switched to Apple while I was still working (about 2007). At work I had a Windows pc & at home I had an iMac with a huge screen. The screen was so large I had to get rid of the corner desk as it didn’t fit.
There were many days I wondered if I had lost my mind for spending so much money and struggling to use it. But I came home every night and spent time on it. Slowly I kept thinking how hard & goofy Windows was to work with. Once the brain switched, the iMac just seemed so logical.
Every now and again some of the updates drive me crazy because they like to automate some things I prefer to manage myself – Photos being the biggest one. But I wouldn’t change a thing. I love my iMac.
I have an iPad to use when I watch tv for shopping and reading the news. I haven’t yet converted completely to iBooks because I like to hold a book to read. But it’s great on a plane. It’s small and is only wifi.
Hang in there Brenda!
I absolutely loved this post! Hilarious! I can SO relate!
I have no desire to ever transfer to anything Apple. I’ve always used PCs and have had Android phones. The current laptop I have – an Asus – is almost 9 years old! It’s the longest lasting laptop I’ve ever had. I do need a new one right now and I’m looking at getting another Asus, but they look so complicated. They have all these bells and whistles that I don’t even want. There’s even a little screen in the touchpad. Why, who knows. But I certainly don’t want that.
I feel the same way about new cars. Too many bells and whistles. I’d be so distracted I would be lucky to get someplace. I can’t imagine keeping a laptop for 9 years. I’m lucky to make it 3. But then I’m always on mine.
Brenda, I was right in the middle of a long reply, and the next thing I know, everything I wrote disappeared! That’s not the first time that’s happened. Has that happened to anyone else? It’s way too much to retype. Let me try the cliffs notes… PC’s and Apple products definitely don’t play nice. If you convert to all Apple devices, just know that they sinc with each other, and if you delete a picture off of one device, it will delete off of ALL your devices! All your forgetfulness that you described happened to me too. Everyone tells me it’s just my brain’s way of dealing with stress. I hope they’re right. I had a similar Walmart situation, but instead it was with my medicine. I’ve been worried in coming down with dementia. Anyway, you are not alone!!
Did you know that if you immediately click Control and Z after losing what you’ve written, it will pop back up? You can’t do anything in between. It has to be immediately after it disappears. This works on the blog; so I’m assuming it would work on comments. I use this quite a bit and it saves my sanity.
No, I did not know that! That’s good to know. Thank you. I happened to be typing my response on my phone, so I don’t think I can do that, but that should definitely work on my desktop!
I think when you’re stressed it’s much more difficult. I had a horrible year and my mind was just – gone. Why can’t I? Was the question I asked often. As the stress left – two huge stressors gone, my mind all of a sudden was new. It’s weird how that works. But for techie stuff. I hate it. However, it’s all so much more complicated now. I need a new I-phone and wading through the sliding left to right or (now) angle to angle, no “on” buttons, but more swiping maneuvers and all the garbage one has to wade through is just such a time waster to me. New computers are the same. Now they come with an incredible amount of JUNK that no one needs. So stress will do it, but the complexity of the nonsense that comes with this stuff, is something I could do without. I say if it’s a stressor, cut your losses and remove it from your life. That does wonders for the mind!
Oh, I’m trying to remove the biggest stressor I have from my life. And once I move I’ll tell you all the whole story. Can’t do it now or I get fined.
Oops again. When I taught sewing lessons for Singer years ago, we suggested that people store their old machine for a couple of weeks so they would use their new one.
And the box! Save the box. I bought a cheap Amazon sewing machine but now can’t find the instructions or box, which might have helped me to some degree.
Oops. I forgot. I love my MacPro because it operates like my iPhone. That is less to remember. I find having the wall plug on the same side as the computer cord plugs in works best. It does not have to wrap around my computer. Also keeping it with a full charge eliminates the use of the cord.
I remember older people doing their chores in the morning before ten and eating lunch and working a short time again. Have a good day.
I think stress has played a big part. I’m hoping when that is eliminated I’ll have some brain cells left to function.
Yes Apple has excellent support that is free. I make pictures and print info that I look up. It is in hand and that paper is my memory.
I had computers for years and replaced them after two or three years. My MacPro is old and I still love it. Have you thought about making a post where we share our ways we adjust to changes in our life? Be careful when driving. Thanks for the info about Walmart deliveries and services.
That’s a great idea! Thanks!
Well, we all make mistakes, Brenda…and certainly this year with all the stress, one should think you would be allowed to make a few more!! I think we make mistakes all through life…cause we are human!! No one is perfect. Will have to investigate if that Walmart program is here in this area…I see quite a few shopping for others, so I wonder…
I don’t know what I’d do without Walmart InHome. Amazon’s version is Whole Foods and it’s expensive plus you still have to tip. Neighbors have told me they like to pick their own produce. Well, I do too if I could walk that far in a store. But when I have Andy deliver, he picks out good produce.
Brenda, I meant to mention in my earlier comment that you are an honest person and in no way were you trying to get something for nothing from Walmart. The refund and the 4 stars instead of 5 for Andy were honest mistakes. Please don’t beat yourself up about this anymore. You can always give the $7.00 to the next homeless person you come across. I know where you are coming from … I have the same kind of reaction to things like this, but we just have to try to be easier on ourselves if it happens.
I’m pretty much over it. I gave him 5 stars and a glowing review.
My goodness Brenda, I can relate to everything you’ve said. I can’t remember anything either. I have to write everything down. When I read an article I cannot remember what I read, so I have to read it over again and make notes. Everyone I talk to has the same problem. My sister said she thinks it has something to do with Covid.
Same here.
Everything you said Brenda is me!!
Although I’ve been fortunate never to get COVID-19.
Wal-Mart InHome is interesting. Never heard of it before. We shop online at WM at least once a week.
No problems so far.
Keep using your new PC. Eventually, you will grow to really love it!!
Picture of Ivy & Steve is cute!!
Greg says he thinks it’s long Covid. I’m constantly stopping in the middle of a sentence because the word just escapes me.
My cat, Abigail frequently lies on her back either when she’s awake or asleep. I’ve read that this is an indication that they feel safe and trusting and are willing to be totally vulnerable by baring their bellies.
On the subject of forgetting things, I find this happens to me if I am doing routine things, not focusing on them, and getting distracted by something else I’m thinking about.
Heaven forbid if I have to figure out new things not in my usual routine!
Great subject today, Brenda. Welcome to my World once again…Even my thoughts in a mere minute are forgotten. Good grief, I can write things down sometimes, and of course, then forget where I put the note, or if I wrote it in my note “book”, I can’t find the page.
So, I know how you feel, don’t let it get you down, at least you are trying new things, and I bet before long you’ll be ahead of it all.
My desk top computer mouse is failing, and I’ll have to get a new one and a keyboard too. I’m holding off because I know, even something so simple, will give me a headache.
Wishing you the best Brenda, hang in there.
I never realized how much I dread the new version of products coming out till recently.
Eons ago, my company switched from PCs to Macs. I was amazed at how intuitive the Macs were. Of course, over time all computers have become more complicated with so many features and apps. If your local library has a copy of Apple Macs for dummies, reserve it. Those dummy books were a godsend for me. About your dream, I believe it’s your response to how complicated even the simple things should be, like going to a store. Wanting it to be cozy is wanting it to be familiar and welcoming. Also, stress, anxiety, and depression are major factors in forgetfulness.
That makes sense.
I would never be able to learn a Mac. I realize that I have hit my technological ceiling. I’m still working, so when they introduce something new, I dread it.
Can you give Andy cash when he drops off your order? I usually give my yard guy a cash tip because I’m not sure the whole tip goes to him if I tip him online.
Walmart says do not give tips. They are compensated through the company apparently. I hope adequately. You are urged to tip with Walmart+, but Walmart InHome is different.
Brenda reading your blog I thought I had written it! It is very frustrating to learn something and then go to do it the next day and forget how I did it!
I have a new computer but it is exactly the same make as my previous one but still things are different as my old one was 16 years old but it still works. I think you are brave to get a Apple computer, I just know I would never ‘get it’.
Same thing with instructions I read them but still have to go back to read them again.
I don’t know if things will get better or not but I am in good company.
I don’t think it works that way. Don’t think we can go back, and moving forward we will probably just get more forgetful. Now if only we could forget about forgetting!
And there is Ivy living her best life! I just turned 65 and in the last six months or so I am doing such STUPID stuff. I am making such stupid mistakes that it scares me. Throwing important things away, checking the yogurt container and thinking a July date is expired, taking my sister in law’s leftover containers home along with mine from my Dads. This is not helping my anxiety. With it being so hot many of us are stuck inside which is fine with me. When I do go out shopping and to lunch with some nice lady friends, I sit there and think that I wish I was home. Oh, well I guess that is just who I am. For the most part I am very content being home. Stay safe and cool everyone.
This made me laugh! I do the same things and it scares me witless!
That was so much fun to read, Brenda! I definitely can relate to everything you said. LOL I used to fret about all of it and I don’t anymore. I laugh at myself and go along with my day. LOL
I’m almost afraid to go out anymore. If I make such stupid forgetful mistakes at home, then I’m terrified of ones I could make when I’m out somewhere.
I’ve had Apple and iMacs for YEARS and would Never go back to anything else. The main reason is because they have HUMANS that you can SPEAK to……..how incredible is that!!!! They are wonderful and will go onto your screen and walk you around and solve your issues….at NO charge!!! Try it….you’ll like it!!!! Talking to a real person,,,,how novel!!!!
That is novel! I’m on it right now.