Last November, I wrote a blog entitled, “Don’t Give Up Your Power Just because you are a Lady-of-a-Certain Age”, where I talked about how important it was for me to take care of myself.  I felt if I allowed others to automatically do things for me or monitor my daily activities because I am an older woman, it would just weaken me or their attempts could be efforts to control or diminish me.

Recently, I was aghast to find myself doing the very same thing to me I did not want others to do.  I started giving myself the excuse of “Oh, I am too old to do that!” “Well, sweetie, Elizabeth, this is just not acceptable,” I stated.   I found myself doing this because I did not have the knowledge I needed, and I was afraid getting the information was beyond my ancient brain!

In this case, it had something to do with a computer!  (Maybe, you can relate.)  You see I have many younger friends that use Instagram – “A simple, fun & creative way to capture, edit & share photos, videos & messages with friends & family,” the site description reads.

I knew it had something to do with photos, and I thought because photos of ladies-of-a-certain-age are rarely seen, I could start putting some up.  Just think what this would do to show the world we are not invisible!

Then, it dawned on me that I had taken a class at my library about how to gain access to thousands of free classes on-line via the “eResources” section on their web site.  I remembered one of those classes taught Instagram!  Darn.  I no longer had my “old-lady excuse!”

Can you imagine the wealth of free information that is available at the library?  I am sure that my library – Mesa County Libraries, specifically – is amazing; but, I bet yours is too and probably has this incredible resource section on their web site.  Specifically, I am talking about “Lynda – An online educational site that includes over 3,000 courses (and over 130,000 videos) in popular fields like web design, web development, IT, education/instruction media production, and business. Experts create and deliver all courses as well as provide supplemental materials like exercise files and relevant work samples. Receive a certificate upon completion.”

By the time I write my next blog, I am going to be using Instagram.  I found the perfect class, “Learning Instagram,” with Garrick Chow.  In the comfort of my own home (with dog Bonnie Buttercup snoozing by my side) I am going to learn this new skill in one hour and 20 minutes.  This will be perfect since the March blog is my annual “Spring Fashion Report” for Ladies-of-a-Certain-Age.”

Oh, and at that workshop I took at the library last fall, I learned about the online “Universal Class” that offers over 500 free online courses on numerous topics such as alternative medicine, crafts and hobbies, cooking and baking, fitness, gardening, herbs, home decorating, outdoor activities, writing and  travel.

So, sorry, Elizabeth, you can’t slink off to your rocking chair and pet the cat.  You need to get “your rear in gear” and hop on your computer.

Copyright – Elizabeth J. Wheeler February 8. 2019