“Things Every Southern Woman Should Know How to Make”

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Alice clicked on the headline, mildly curious about what yet another stranger thought should be in her kitchen repertoire. Pictures of China plates mounded with crispy fried chicken, greens, cobbler, and a pile of biscuits a mile high flooded the screen, all set off with a pitcher of sweet tea beaded with condensation. The table was set; an apron draped off to the side next to a box labeled “Gramma’s Recipes” in fine calligraphy. She closed the browser and put away her tablet. She was born a Georgia peach, but she couldn’t make a cobbler to save her life. Did that mean she wasn’t southern? Or maybe just not “Southern.” For Alice, there was no recipe box full of family traditions. Her younger years were filled with rental homes in different states and her father’s voice coaxing her toward a text book rather than a cookbook. Metalworking and fabrication held more interest than learning to flambé or sauté. Did it make her less of a woman that her cooking skills consisted of fresh salads
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Book or E-book? From the POV of a Casual Tech User

I like technology. Maybe not as much as some people. My newest computer is from 2009, I have exactly 29 apps on my phone that I actually downloaded, and I do not own an iPad. I do, however, own a Kindle Fire. It’s a nifty device. I especially like that fact that I can read my personal documents on it. I’ve read a few books on it, but I’d still rather have the real thing, and here’s why:


Lighting. My Kindle is great indoors and in the shade, but if I happen to be outside or on a long trip in a car, the glare on the glossy screen makes it too difficult to read.

Battery. I sometimes go for days without using my Kindle. When I get it out to read, I often haven’t read long before the low battery warning comes on. Then I’m crawling around trying to find an outlet.

Can’t toss it around. I read all over the place. Sometimes, I’m interrupted (puppies demand play time, fiancé needs attention, mom calls) and I just sit my book wherever…not always in the best spot. If a paper book hits the floor, it’s not going to smash into little pieces.

Can’t use my bookmarks. I made my own special bookmarks, and let’s face it, you have to have a book for it to be worth it.

Sharing. I share books with people who don’t have e-readers and who aren’t tech-savvy.  



Now, here’s the things l do like about my Kindle:

Portability. I read some long, heavy books, and carrying around the entire collection of Robert Jordan’s WHEEL OF TIME series just isn’t happening without a suitcase. Preferably with wheels.

Instant gratification. If I really want to read something now, I can at the touch of a button. Boom! DEARLY, DEPARTED at my fingertips.

Variety. The number of independent and self-pubbed titles available through Amazon widens my choices beyond what a local store might offer. (Note: This can also go into the negative side of the Kindle, as quantity does not equal quality.)

Of course, if I absolutely love a book that I bought on my Kindle, I will buy a physical copy, too. Some things you just have to share!

Comments

  1. Francesca ZappiaApril 9, 2012 at 4:17 PM

    Good points! I have that problem with the battery a few times--I won't use my Kindle for a week or so, and when I turn it on I have to wait through half an hour of charging before I can use it. >.<

    I think I'm still more of a physical-copy sort of person, but I definitely love my Kindle. Especially because I can read my own stories on it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brandi M. LynchApril 10, 2012 at 8:50 AM

      I like mine, but I do prefer a physical book. I like the Kindle for research materials, though.

      Delete

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