To print, or not to print, that is if not the question, then a question. Mostly, I vote no. No back ups on paper, no paper waste and therefore tree destruction. No to clutter, to unnecessary trash. If it makes an appearance on a computer screen or my smart phone -- that's good enough for me (and I think for most people these days).
But not everything lends itself to online presentation. For example, when skiing in the Alps, I noted that there is a push for people to download trail maps onto their phones. Well now, have you tried to look at your smart phone screen in the glare of bright sunlight? And how do you feel about manipulating your skis, poles and phone when suspended in a chairlift? Aren't you a little concerned that in all that shuffling, in gloved hands no less, you'll let go of a pole, or a ski, or worse -- your phone? So, on ski trails, I'll go with paper.
And here's another retreat to paper: bring it out when you think that you cannot afford to fail. It's great to wave your phone at the boarding gate of a plane, because there is an agent nearby who will magically produce a ticket for you in case your device goes bonkers. But when flights are cancelled and you're desperately trying to re-book something by phone, it's useful to have a piece of paper in front of your nose, especially if you need to switch airlines to get yourself home (or to wherever you're going). So unfortunately, airline tickets, at least the important ones -- I vote for paper.
And when I'm planning a trip for someone other than myself -- it's paper all the way. And so guess what I did this morning, as big fat wet flakes of snow fell outside!
Well yes, I baked blueberry muffins for breakfast and for Snowdrop.
After that, I printed. Ed was totally dismayed. So much paper! Horrible waste. And yet, I felt I had no choice. All those bookings and itineraries I worked on yesterday? I have paper proof of each and every one. I can only hope that I'll someday gain confidence in e-tickets and e-reservations, even when all hell breaks loose. But this time, I have a folder of paper documents.
In the afternoon, I pick up Snowdrop. She has a busy social calendar going forward and, too, she is on spring break next week so this is the last time I'll see her at the farmhouse for a while.
I could title the visit "how quickly they grow..." Snowdrop no longer has an easily twistable arm. If she doesn't want to read a book, you can't easily convince her to read it. Or to wear a certain pair of shoes, or eat a certain food. There's usually some push back. Nonetheless, she is generally agreeable and not very demanding, so we usually wiggle in some stuff that I choose.
Not all, but some. I imagine this will last for the next year or two. After that comes the eye-roll phase, only to be followed by the "exasperated sigh" phase. Oh, the ridiculousness of Gogs suggestions!
Every generation thinks the next one matures at a younger age than they did. Maybe we excuse our past miscreant behavior by looking back on it as simple immaturity. I bet you have some memories of being young and stupid. I certainly do. Whereas listening to Snowdrop talk in the car about interpersonal relations in her class -- who is mean to whom and what can you do about it if it happens to you or to your friend -- I come away thinking that kids today do think more deeply about what it means to be a good friend or a good person. (Snowdrop confirmed that teachers and guidance counselors talk a lot about how to respond to playground taunts. Say '"stop" and walk away. Ignore, or assert your rights. This is what she learns in school. It's surely not anything I ever learned in school.)
I drop her off and spend a minute with this school boy:
Sparrow is equally immersed in classmate dynamics, though he's still too young to recognize all the good and not so good signals that kids are so adept at sending out to you, to each other in the playground.
Amazing how complicated it is to be a child these days!
Or an adult, with all the technology advances coming at you from all sides. Just remember, when things go awry, there's always paper to fall back on. Recyclable, inexpensive, easy to use paper. And (for now at least, while there are still trees standing) that's such a good thing!
