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Across the Fence:  The love-hate thing with the computer  |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 11 2010 : 7:30:52 PM
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Being a farmish kinda girl, I really love the information I can get from the computer. I like that I can connect with people like all of you who live a similar lifestyle. Its nice to know I can find a pattern for a skirt on someone's blog, learn how to churn butter on Youtube, ideas for homeschooling, and various other things I would have a lot harder time learning about if we weren't online.
But.
Being a farmish kinda gal, I really hate how it sucks up my time. Finding this place (MJF) has spurred me on to start sewing more. And reading the greatest books ever. And continuing to cook. And not feeling like I'm some total freak for liking to do all the above things and more. But oh my, the computer is a vaccum, sucking time from the day that you'll never get back.
Does anyone struggle with this? It would be SOOO easy for me to flip the switch and say no more computer...but then I would miss out on things like this forum, and really great useful information. So there isn't any chance of that happening!! Sometimes I feel guilty, living the farmgirl simple life...and having highspeed internet, sacked out in my office chair when I could be reading or sewing or figuring out supper for tomorrow, etc....etc. Anyone else ever feel like this?
How about you? Where do sit on the love/hate fence regarding the computer?
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.wakeupstartlearning.blogspot.com
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2010 : 7:50:49 PM
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I have exactly the same struggle - some days I dillydally at the computer and barely get anything done, but then I go through periods where I don't have time to get online and I feel really out of touch. It is a challenge finding a balance definitely - very easy to go overboard but in moderation okay.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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cheneygal
True Blue Farmgirl
503 Posts
Suzie
Cheney
Wa.
USA
503 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2010 : 7:50:59 PM
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Amy we are on the same page....at times I just want to pull the plug on this thing, feel guilty because I love the simplier way of life, and yet, sit here in my office chair a couple hrs. each evening going over emails and reading MJF.....that's about all I do, do on the computer other than write letters, and occasionally look things up, but it does suck the time away....I'm not much of a TV person so I guess this is my entertainment!! I have to say I have never had so many wonderful acquaintances, or so much support than right here, not to mention everything I learn, each day!! So, I guess this thing will stay plugged in.
live, laugh, love |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2010 : 03:32:38 AM
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As with all things, strike a healthy balance
Set an alarm if you have to or just set aside 1 day for doing nothing but loafing
Unlike the t.v. with the internet, you do have control |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2010 : 05:22:58 AM
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Anna, you're right. And I've found that I need to really set time limits if I want to get anything done. I'm generally only on the computer at night, after my husband has gone to work and my kids are in bed (or morning before he's home or kids are up). There's just a lot I want to try and get done on the computer (info I'm looking for) and then trying to crunch wanting to sew and other things I don't easily get done with the kids around, etc...maybe that's what is frustrating me. Trying to pack too much into a few hours at night.
Its also frustrating to me when it almost seems like to find the information you need on living the simple life...a computer (which isn't simple) is really helpful. Sure, you can do it without the computer (if you have a lot of books and real life references) but the convenience and wealth of information available at the click of a button is really hard to pass up. And maybe that's what bugs me so much. It seems kind of hypocritical sometimes. :) I don't know how many times people will insinuate "So what if you make your own bread, sew, homeschool, garden like there's no tomorrow, use EO for health, etc etc etc....you have a computer!" like that makes everything else I do *fake* somehow. ( I guess that's just the people in real life who think I'm weird...because no one here would ever say that!) ;)
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.wakeupstartlearning.blogspot.com
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
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aunt boby
True Blue Farmgirl
173 Posts
toby
polo
illinois
USA
173 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2010 : 06:03:42 AM
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I here ya! I was reading another post about tv wasting all of your time. Somehow, I think the computer is the new idiot box. I sit and read all these wonderful posts and learn new things daily but then I feel totally guilty. I'm sure I could get alot more things accomplished and I too must become more disciplined with my time.
POOR IS THE MAN WHO CANNOT ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE- anonymous |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2010 : 07:36:42 AM
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Amy- Here is how I look at it- In the past people have used books and real life references to gain knowledge- those were their tools. Now in this age when so many have run away from the time-tested ways of life, there is a lot of knowledge that is dying out with the older generations and moldering away on library shelves. However- that knowledge is perpetuated online in communities like here at MaryJane's farm where real everyday homesteaders like MaryJane, Kris, and others who work the land every day share their knowledge and experience. I think having an online community like this not only strengthens our bonds as friends but also is a wonderful source of information.
I have realized I have to be somewhat organized in how I approach the internet though. Just like you can get lost in a good book- you can get lost in the internet as well. I jump from blog to blog and then look up realizing it is 3 hours later! So if there are certain things I NEED too look for I write them down on a pad and cross them off as soon as I have my answers- bookmarking sites for future reference if needed. Then once I am done I am done. Sometimes I will make a folder in my favorites of a blog I want to read further for fun etc.
But I don't think that using or having a computer in anyway invalidates being a farmgirl or wanting a simple way of life. I think it is just a prudent use of resources- including your time! You can find more good information about raising chickens or whatever in 5 minutes that it would take to get to the library, search for reference material, browse through them to find a book that was credible and relavant etc, check out the book or make notes, come home, and read the whole thing! So when you think about all the research time you are saving- the computer can actually make your life MORE simple! :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
Edited by - Alee on Feb 12 2010 07:38:12 AM |
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knitnpickinatune
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Sherrie
Gardena
California
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2010 : 07:53:31 AM
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I think I look at it from a different angle-if one gathers helpful info from the computer such as gardening tips,luthier tips,raising sheep tips,or whatever,that time is not wasted as you would've spent the same amount of time reading it from a book...and if it's online it's saving you space because it's enabling you to cut down on the amount of books you have. (Simplifying!) Personally I think of myself as a 21st century farmgirl-computer is a part of farmgirl life (well at least mine) ,and sometimes,it s our place of business as well. (speaking personally here) I'm not saying spending all day on it is good-it isn't-but I don't have a love hate thing going on with it-it's been a huge blessing for me & a gateway to meet all of you,and live my dream of owning my own biz. Just my 2¢......
http://www.mandolinbabe.info
http://www.mandolinbabe.net
@MandolinChick on Twitter
fingerpickin Farmgirl #702 |
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knitnpickinatune
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Sherrie
Gardena
California
USA
1140 Posts |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2010 : 3:04:32 PM
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I justify the time I spend on my computer as time not spent watching TV. (Which I rarely do anyways). I also have fun on my PC and can listen to all kinds of music that you can't get on the radio stations around here. So I guess you could say I've made friends with it--but I still try to limit how much time I spend sitting here. It's reassuring to know, after a hectic day at work, that there are people who strive for a simpler lifestyle than the people around me seem to have.
Cindy |
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LakeOntarioFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
933 Posts
Brenda
North Rose
NY
USA
933 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2010 : 3:10:35 PM
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I hear ya! I could spend my whole day on the computer, and really learn a lot, have fun, be entertained, listen to good music, watch I Love Lucy all day, etc. etc.
One of my 5 children lives in Alabama(I'm in NY) and she just got a computer with Skype and a videocam, so I try to talk to her a few nights a week.
I have to make sure though that I don't play games, don't chase in circles looking for any one thing, don't write long emails, and that does help.
I am like prariehawk though, I never watch TV, so I justify my time on the computer that way.
I know when my elbows and knees get sore, it is time to get off! ;)
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
Nothing we achieve in this world is achieved alone. It is always achieved with others teaching us along the way. Lee J. Colan
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2010 : 04:42:05 AM
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Thanks for the perspective, ladies. You're right...its all in how you use it.
Alee and Sherrie - I've never thought of it as a time saver, or being helpful to the farmgirl life in that way. Thanks for pointing that out! You're right...if I had to hunt down books or real life resources for churning butter, or waking up kiefer grains or any of the other questions I just researched online in the past 24 hours...I'd still be looking!!
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.wakeupstartlearning.blogspot.com
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
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Across the Fence: The love-hate thing with the computer |
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The love-hate thing with the computer
