Computer Purgatory
Are you computer savvy enough to identify the purpose of these directions?
- Cable the mobile phone to the laptop.
- Click on the desired photo from the “gallery” on the mobile phone.
- Ah! There it is on the computer screen!
- Now drag the photo to the desired folder,
“Wait,” I say to my daughter, my instructor. “The picture is still on the screen.”
“Yes, but you also just put it into a folder.”
“I know that, but it is still on the screen. You can see it right there.”
“Trust me, the photo is in the folder.”
“But then why is it on the screen?”
“Because that’s just the way it is. When you close the computer, everything on the screen that you see right now will go away. But the photos will be in the folders.”
Frustration! A growing sense of panic rises from my core. I just learned how to transfer photos from my phone to my laptop. Having that brand new knowledge doesn’t mean that I understand it. If a photo has been moved, how can it remain in the same place?
Kat tries again, “The screen is holding the photos while you are working with them.”
“Oh!” I exclaim with sudden enlightenment. “It’s like purgatory!”
A burst of laughter explodes from both of us, but Kat says, “Well, I don’t know about that.”
“Sure it is. The photos are moved from one place to another, a holding place on the screen. They stay there until they are assigned to their next place. Purgatory!
My mother grew up a Catholic, and she told me a bit about this religious concept. I am actually ignorant about it, but it served me well to understand just one of thousands of technical concepts in our modern age of communication. It served as a metaphor, and metaphors have helped me understand a lot about life . . . like death.
C. S. Lewis in his final Narnian chronicle, The Last Battle, pictures death as a dirty, dark stable that holds a terrible, frightening unknown. How the array of characters enter it and what they find inside is profound and simple all at once.
By the time Lewis had reached this point in his life, he was a devout follower of Jesus who taught eternal truths, using common pictures like a lost sheep, a wayward son, a light on a hill. They are termed parables, and they always follow Jesus’ words, “the kingdom of heaven is like.”
Which metaphors, analogies, or parables have significantly increased your understanding of something?
As smart as a whip.
As smooth as silk.
And many more as I look out the window of our resort in Peoria, AZ. AZ has been wonderful for us this week. Heat only up to 75.
We will be back home on Sunday.
Are you enjoying weather there similar to Portland?
Thanks for the response, Tom. Your time in Arizona with the temperatures in the 70’s sounds lovely, indeed, because what we have here in Yorkshire is quite identical to Portland. The temperatures here haven’t risen above 50 since I have been here, and I’ve been here now for nine weeks. You began your reply with two similes. To what do they refer?
I like it! Thank you.
I am glad to know of your pleasure. This regular, weekly writing exercise of blogging improves my self-image as a writer as well as giving me worthwhile practice incorporating advice I’ve recently read.
I finally figured out how to get into your blog. I am using Sheila’s I-pad since I am unable to read your blog on my normal computer (a PC). We got your card with the link but I couldn’t respond until I figured I needed to use an Apple product. Things I Portland are routine. I have started singing in a choir at a different church where the music is more tailored to the lower range.
I tried to send you an email but am not sure if you ever received it.
We will try to communicate on this darned I-pad until we see you in person again.
Keep up the posts.
Sheila and Ray
Thanks, Ray, for your comment. I regret the difficulties that you have had accessing my blog and emailing me. I did not receive an email from you; so, just to make sure that you have the correct address, here it is: believer56@outlook.com. Thanks, too, for telling me about your change of choir. So, which choir is it? This means that RLC will see less of you. Right? Scripture tells us to “sing and make melody unto the Lord.” It doesn’t specify where we should do that. Obviously you desire to sing in a choir, and I’m glad that you have found one with whom you can be more comfortable.
I’ll keep up the posts; you keep up the reading of them. Sincerely, Linda
A second comment. I finally got onto your blog with my Apple computer so now I can communicate without using just the I-pad.
Do you use “WhatApp” so that we could talk, etc.?
This is my first opportunity to read your blog and I’ve truly enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed CS Lewis “Chronicles of Narnia” and the movie “The Shack”. I’m glad you are having a great time with Katie & Ian as you go sightseeing. Portland is expecting some snow early tomorrow & we’ve been experiencing below freezing temps the last several days. I pray God’s continued protection & provision over you, Katie & Ian. 🙏💌
I’m so glad to know that you are reading blog AND enjoying it. My next blog will be published tomorrow. It’s title is “Let It Go.
Interestingly, I’ve received the severe weather alerts about freezing temps, high winds, and snow in east Multnomah county. Thankfully, the temperatures have stayed mostly in the 30’s and 40’s. On both continents, we have had enough of winter. We all look forward to spring, don’t we?
This isn’t a metaphor, but growing up religiously believing in Heaven and Hell after death, I’ve come to believe that death may be black- until the prophecies of Revelations completely play out and humans are wiped from life. But we don’t comprehend that time. Instead, we close our eyes at death and wake up on judgement day, or wherever the start of eternal life takes place. Almost like how kids hope to go to sleep and wake up on Christmas morning in the blink of an eye, or how anesthesia knocks you out and you wake up in what feels like moments later. Nevertheless, I love the connection between the growing knowledge of modern tech, how frustrating and misleading it can be at times! Thank you for writing! God Bless!