ASTILBE AND MY COMPUTER

          Have you ever heard of Giant Astilbe? I hadn’t either until I bought some years and years ago. I planted it in two different places and it seems to be another of those plants that likes to travel. I managed to remove most of it from the one flowerbed, although when I was working there this week, I found a couple of small growths…they were surgical removed.

The Astilbe has gone from one small plant to probably one-fifth of the back flowerbed. Just this spring, I pulled several of the invaders out so the dahlias and hydrangea would have room to grow and bloom. By the looks of what’s there now, I’m going to have to do some further removal in the fall. If anyone would like a start…you’d only need one, believe me, I’d be happy to provide.

Moving on, I am so annoyed, but I’d best just get over it. Microsoft has been bugging me for days or weeks about downloading the program adjustments for Windows 10. Finally, my computer decided to be difficult and needed to be restarted. Rather than just restarting, I chose the “Restart and Update” button, and boy was that a mistake. An hour or more later, my computer had restarted and it updated, including the updates for Windows 10.

          To tell the honest to God truth, I don’t want to learn a new program or a new way of doing things. I just want my computer to stay the same so I can do what I always do without having to learn a new system or a new way to traverse from one application to another. Well, guess what??? Apparently, I do not have a choice with regard to learning how to navigate and use the programs on my computer. And, here I thought it would be absolutely wonderful to invest in a new Microsoft Surface...they look so very cool...but I just might not be up to the challenge.

          Anyway, the big “e” is no longer a choice. Instead I have a green/blue swirl which leads me to the internet and Microsoft Edge. Once there, when I choose the star in the upper right corner, I get a few choices followed by “Other Favorites” which is where the majority of the links I use reside. Then, instead of those favorites showing up at the right of my screen, they show up in the middle. There’s a down arrow that will allow you to move down your list, but the list flies by, so you have to be careful in order to find what you’re looking for. Sheesh!!!!

          If that isn’t enough, this morning I wanted to look at an article in The Seattle Times. MS Edge took me there and then quit responding when I was almost done reading. I could ask to have it fixed or just close. First I tried fix, but nothing seemed to be happening, so I just closed and left. The next time I went to MS Edge, it told me it hadn’t been closed properly and did I…so I used the “x” in that box to make it go away.

          And, OKAY, it’s good for us older and wiser individuals to try to use our brains, especially when it comes to learning new data. Supposedly that prevents atrophy and a loss of wisdom. I’ve come to the conclusion in the few days I’ve been “updated” that the prevention happens because my brain was suddenly and completely engaged. I’ve remembered all the swear words I’ve ever heard/learned. My imagination has run wild with ideas and ways about what I’d do to whoever came up with the “updates.” I’ve made serious plans on how I could initiate and complete those plans. And, finally, I’m paying attention so my brain can relearn all the data it had already acquired when Windows 10 first went on my computer.

          The one thing I haven’t mentioned is the fact the updates also managed to eliminate some of my passwords. Not to anything important, but to little things like the Next Door site or the Buy Nothing site. When I first wanted to return to one those sites, I had to try to remember my log-in information. Now, if that isn’t just the most fun time ever, I don’t know what is. It wouldn’t be so difficult if I allowed my computer to “save” my passwords, but I don’t like doing that. At least I seem to have utilized a method to passwords that works well, but doesn’t use the same password every single time. Still, there’s always that one password that doesn’t allow me to use the criteria, so I’m stuck trying to remember exactly what was different about that password.

          Okay, enough whining about my computer difficulties. The other night as I was going to sleep, I thought of something I could blog about that would be funny and interesting. Unfortunately, I didn’t sit up and write it down, nor did I make a mental note, because I haven’t been able to remember exactly what that blog idea was. I’m sure it’s only because of all the new computer stuff I’ve had to concentrate on the last couple of days. Just as soon as my brain gives a huge gasp and kinda melts back into my skull, the idea will pop up. I don’t know about you, but I simply cannot wait…it’s driving me nuts; even more nuts than the “updates.”