Saturday, April 18, 2009

Facebook frenzy...

After reading my post on Aging by Megbyte, you probably have surmised that all the hot new trends in our world have pretty much left me in the dust. I do e-mail and I'm blogging, of course; but I'm just not quite ready to enter the world of Twitter and Facebook. My wife, however, recently plunged into the social networking wonder of Facebook (to see pictures of all the nieces and nephews, she claims) and snuck me in the back door kicking and screaming. While I still have not stepped into the world of Facebook, I now have a "fan page" on that site, thanks to my wife. She tells me I even have a few fans. I'm in shock. A recent article on CNN.com explains that women over 55 are becoming the fastest-growing age group on Facebook. They're calling it a tipping point that is pulling older people in to join Facebook. One woman called it her living room. I guess I'll throw this one out to you. Are you networking on FB or Twitter? Am I really out of the mainstream by continuing to stay clear of all of that? And... what do you think of this growing social network craze on the Internet?
Posted by Jim Heffernan at 11:36 PM
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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Try it out Heff!

April 20, 2009 11:42 AM
Becca said...

Jim,

Stick to your guns. Those Web sites have some positives (pictures, et cetera), but overall they're unnecessary if you already have a working telephone and can call the people you would like to speak to.

--Becca

April 22, 2009 11:40 AM
Jim Heffernan said...

Becca: Thanks for the support. I totally agree with you. I think I am in the minority now though. But... I am sticking to it and vote for the simple life!

April 23, 2009 11:18 PM
Erick H said...

Hi Jim.
I'm not a member, and do not have the inclination to become a member, of any of the social networking sites on the internet. Are those of us who feel that way Apples in a PC world, maybe. Over the years I have happily made my thoughts known to all who wanted to listen. Now if anyone wants to know what I've been up to, or wants a recent snapshot (heaven forbid anyone would want to see this ugly old puss), I be happy to call, mail or even email. It's not that I'm against technology. It's that as I get older I seem to feel more the hermit. To that point I have come to the conclusion, that hermit feeling could be of Scandinavian origin. Something to the effect "I vounta bee lefsa lone", but if you come with applekaka we'll talk.

April 24, 2009 1:17 PM
Jim Heffernan said...

Erick: Apples in a PC world? Good. How about a lonely little petunia in an onion patch? Same thing. Always enjoy your comments.

April 25, 2009 1:01 PM

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COOLER NEAR THE LAKE

COOLER NEAR THE LAKE
Duluth Lake Walk/ Aerial Bridge

SCROLL DOWN...

Check out the writings (below) from time to time...
as I will feature hand-picked columns from my writing days with the Duluth News-Tribune along with other of my musings. These will be positioned at the bottom of this page, unchanged, while while current posts (above) move on down the page and into older post pages at each posting. I hope to also include some Twin Ports memory pieces, more about the rich and famous in Duluth, slices of life, and…yes…outrageous nonsense. My plan is to let you know that I've added something on a post (above). Hope you'll stay tuned...

Everyone has complained about it being "cooler near the lake" this summer so thought I'd publish the poem I wrote that became the title of my book. Bring your sweater when you head down the hill 'cause it's cooler near the lake!

COOLER NEAR THE LAKE (the poem from the book by the same name)

COOLER NEAR THE LAKE
by Jim Heffernan

They say we're in God's country;
And few could argue that,
With forests tall and waters blue
And folks who’ll go to bat.
But one thing gets my dander up,
Beyond just give and take,
And that’s the report on the radio
That it’s cooler near the lake.

It happens every springtime,
And in the summer too,
Just when buds are popping
And the skies are getting blue,
When the world embraces sunshine
And our bones for warmth all ache,
It’s then you know the reports will show
That it’s cooler near the lake.

It’s only here, and nowhere else,
That such a case is true;
In nearby towns and villages,
There’s no need there to rue;
They get the balmy breezes,
They’re out with hoe and rake,
But in Duluth, you know it’s the truth,
It’ll be cooler near the lake.

Just take a ride to Hermantown,
Or Hibbing or Virginia;
Go down to Minneapolis
If you think you’ve got it in ya.
You’ll find that they are basking
In the heat, make no mistake,
But in Duluth, you know, forsooth,
It’ll be cooler near the lake.

I sometimes think the weather here
Will never get past fifty;
If it happens to rise to sixty-five
Everyone thinks it’s nifty;
By afternoon you can bet your boots,
If you don’t you’ll be a fake,
By eventide the temp will slide,
And it’ll be cooler near the lake.

We love our lake, don’t get me wrong,
Its gorgeous shining water,
But looks are only surface deep,
There are other things that matter;
Like warming bones that winter froze,
And limbs that quiver and quake,
Fat chance we’ve got to heat ‘em up
When it’s cooler near the lake.

It’s not as though we don’t get warned
By all those darn forecasters;
I swear each night, as they give our plight,
That they’re no-good dirty --------.

They say the same thing every time
When they describe our fate:
We’re sorry folks, and it’s no joke,
It’ll be cooler near the lake.

I know the day is coming when
The real God’s Country beckons,
And when St. Peter meets me there,
He’ll ask my home, I reckon.
And when I tell him it’s Duluth
He’ll say, “For heaven’s sake,
“Ain’t that the place everyone says
“Is cooler near the lake?”

“That’s it,” I’ll cry, “oh kindly saint,
And in this realm please spare,
From chilly off-lake breezes,
And winter underwear.”
“If it’s heat you want,” he’ll reply,
In the other place you’ll bake.”
“Fine, send me any place except
Where it’s cooler near the lake!”

Originally appeared in the Duluth News Tribune
on Sunday, June 3, 1979