My iPad's an iPhad

Since getting my prized beloved iPad 2 this past summer, I notice something. It's a discovery about me. And it's quite disturbing, actually. But the truth is I'm glad I caught it when I did.

Here's my confession. I'm not nearly as creative, innovative or productive using my new iPad as I was when using my laptop computer or journal. I've come to a couple of conclusions as to why my iPad sucked me dry:

• iPads are great for reading books, surfing the net and keeping up with social media, but not much for really really writing.
• Keeping notes on the Pages App has been OK but for the longterm writing of a book or manuscript, it's quite fatiguing for me. (I know - I need a Bluetooth keyboard or something..)
• It's an exceptional device. Smart, like they say. But it's not a stand-alone-computer.
• Editing personal videos? Forget it.
• Taking pictures? I look like a goober holding up a Vintage Kodak Box Camera. Or worse, it's like holding up a file cabinet.
• Extraordinarily convenient and great for using when speaking my messages, using my soundtracks, etc. but that's purely because I use my laptop to create and set up my iPad to do all of that!

I notice that since August, I barely write, journal or do any videos. I take tons of pictures but not with my iPad. I do that with my iPhone.

I was beginning to get down on myself and even wondered if I was tired, depressed or just in a season of blank writer's block despair. 

Then the awakening happens. I jump up and down! I figure it out! 

I dust off my seven year old MacBook, as limited as it is, and type this post!

I'm not deplete, dead or deactivated. I'm just in a catatonic viewing-mode-only of iPad-land!

And thankfully it's only January 1st. This discovery just saved me a ton of money in self-help recovery books, jump-start devotionals and a stint with a coach or therapist. And imagine this - All this rhetoric your reading today could have been prevented if I just would have re-read last year's New Year's Resolution from Sue Duffield's custom recycled ®Ecosystem journal. Using a ®Bic pen, she writes this: "Write more. In your own handwriting... Use less technology." 

The Plight of the Ponytail

I pulled my hair back into a ponytail and put it through the opening over the strap in the back of my Phillies cap. I can get a headache from pulling my hair back too tightly, so I just loosely gather it back this time and head out for walk.

The pretty picturesque countryside of middle Pennsylvania announces that I am an intruder. I'm interrupting much of the domestic and wildlife along the back roads. You may ask how I know this... I know this because, like a boat wake, I shuffle my feet on the hot asphalt with a rippling intrusion and presence.

A huge doberman pinscher makes an "out-of-no-where" dash towards me showing off his pearly whites and ear-piercing bark. I freeze and stare him down. I'm not afraid of dogs and I thank Cesar Milan's "Dog Whisperer" TV show for teaching me.

A young boy then bursts through the screen door of the house on the side of the road.
"Max! MAX! Leave that lady with the ponytail alone!"
The boy, who was half the size of the dog, grabs the beast's collar and walks him back to the house. I try sneaking away when the little boy yells to me,
"Hey lady! Sorry about my dog. He does it all the time. He hates walkers. I wish I could go for a walk with you but my mom won't let me. I have to stay in the yard. Where are you going?"

I'm taken by the verbal exchange of trust from a little boy. How does this happen? I wonder if he feels comfortable enough to converse with me because I have a ponytail? Or is it my confidence, stance or posture, dealing with his vicious four-legged friend? Or maybe it has little to do with me. Maybe he's just lonely and wants a buddy.. I talk and walk and smile back to this little guy. He stands at the edge of his driveway, until I am out of sight.

I make the turn onto Stoney Road when a woman in a late model Kia slows down beside me. She rolls her window down and asks,
"Have you seen a black and white little dog? He's a Maltese. I lost him last night along this road and haven't seen him all morning."

"I haven't seen a small dog, no. But I will keep my eyes open for it. I'm making a complete circle around the area. It's about a three mile hike for me."
Then she asks a curious question.. At least I'm thinking it's a curious question, to ask a stranger...

"Will you help me look for him?"

Now I'm really wondering. It absolutely must be the ponytail...

"Sure, I'd love to help you. Why don't you park your car over there and let's cover the next half mile together."

We walk for about a half hour calling for "Odie", but no dog. She thanks me, gets back in her car and goes on her way.

I promise you, I hadn't walked another two hundred feet when again, another car stops me along my walk on Carlisle Road.

"Do you know where the Smith's home is?" she yells.
"I'm sorry ma'am, I'm not from around here..."
"OK", she says. "My son is supposed to go to a birthday party today somewhere on this road and we just can't find their house."
I try to help.
"You know, I can look on the White Pages app on my iPhone and see if we can get an address," I said.
"Oh wow," she said. "That would be great!"

So here I am on the side of the road using my iPhone to find her son's friend's birthday party location. And as hilarious as all this sounds, I actually find a name and address that matches what she thinks is right.
She screams and says,
"OH, thank you! That's it! That's it! I completely forgot the number of the house, but now that you say it - that's it! Thanks so much! Love your ponytail, by the way! Looks cute sticking out the back of your hat."

I'm convinced now. It absolutely IS all about the ponytail.

It could also be the answer to a prayer I prayed earlier in that morning.
"Lord, put people in my path today."

It's common for those who wear tight ponytails to experience what's called traction alopecia, a form of hair loss, believe it or not. It can also cause a headache if the hair is stretched back too tightly.

But for today, there is no loss. And there is no headache. But there surely was a lot of stretching going on.