Catching on, reluctantly

For most of this year I've been blogging about how the new, newer and newest technology dominates so many lives. Not mine, of course, because I'm well out of the 24/7 loop.

However, I did witness an intelligent display of technology right in my own home this afternoon. We had the pleasure of a visit from my son, Rob, and grandson, Ben. As usual, my wife offered them some of our no-longer needed possessions.

Back story: this is exactly what her mother used to do to us whenever we visited. Gee, thanks, Mom, but we really don't need (or want) this, that or the other tchotchke (would you believe this word is in the dictionary?). Sometimes, not to embarrass her, we would take an item and then quietly dispose of it.

Guess what? That's what our kids do to us now. I guess it's a generational thing and we understand it. Here's the update, though.

We have some very nice French Limoges soup bowls we did take from my mother-in-law's treasure trove. Since Rob's daughter, Samantha, an art history major, is very much into French these days, we asked him if he thought she might like them.

Wait, he said, I'll send her a picture and see what she says. He whips out his smart phone, takes the picture and within minutes gets a response from Sam that she loves the bowls and would relish having them. Score one for technology.

I still don't need a smart phone but I have to admit it worked for us all today.

And, by the way, Rob and Ben each left with two sweaters I no longer wear.

Score one for the grandparents.