Changing Times

I've been thinking about how times have changed. Only a few years ago my main Christmas presents were books. Christmas always meant getting enough books to keep me busy and happy for months.

This year, like last year, total books received- zero.

I guess most of my friends figure I have access to a Christian book shop all year round so books aren't an option.

Instead Margaret and I received lots of DVDs- which are great. In fact I've just been watching a great Gardening Australia DVD about permaculture and organic gardening.

The trouble is that I grew up being told that watching television in the daytime was sinful. My mother used to say, "Why are you watching that rubbish? It's a beautiful day outside, go and play." Any day was beautiful even if it was foggy or there was a blizzard happening.

Whereas I can pick up a book at any time of the day or night, and just read a few pages (even taking it outside if the weather is good), somehow a DVD seems like a commitment of at least half an hour or more.

And still my mother is there telling me to go outside and play!

Meanwhile my children put in to buy a Wii together. Right now they are discussing how they burnt off the fried chicken they didn't have running and hoola hooping in front of a screen. For some reason actually running outside is far less appealing than running on the spot in front of a TV screen watching images of a make believe city go past.

Technology has a lot to answer for!