Interesting

Received an email several times and just ignored.
Arrived again and it stated they would ask one more time.
I responded to their request.
A University was obtaining information on people who wrote online over 65, this information
may be used in the future in a special presentation.
I was asked to be a part of this study and hey wanted to interview me, ask some questions, could refuse any questions
and interview would go on, I could stop anytime and I went foreword.

Before beginning asked my writer daughter "should I do this" and she responded
"yes" that it would be interesting and good for me...

I did fine it interesting and was interviewed for an hour by phone, asked a number of questions and here are a few.

When I started, she found it interesting that I obtained a computer at age 70, mostly
taught myself with a number of questions I bothered my daughter with.  At this same time
bought a printer and camera which I use online.   Always one who kept journals and enjoyed
writing special thoughts so when I look back this was just continuing what I had always enjoyed doing but now with a computer.

The first blog I read was my daughter's, http://blondemomblog.com/
Jamie, shared that an online friend reminded her of me, I began reading this blog and
sharing.  Liza in Hawaii began to encourage me to write online, began writing and immediately
surprised at the number of people who responded.

Why did I do this, answered it was shared in my profile, for my grandchildren and children
to share genealogy, recipes, pictures, stories of past and present, did not want this information lost  they might know me better
and more about me.  Have found it interesting that occasionally a grandchild will comment
that they did not know what I was sharing and they found it interesting.

Wanted to know how I found people who commented, I shared they just seemed to appear and I
discovered many from reading other blogs and interesting people who commented on their sites.

Did I find any comments to me unsettling, answered no and that I had met the most interesting
and kind souls :)

Do I plan my entries, 99% never, just seem a thought arises and I sit down at the computer
and my fingers take over....Also my camera is with me most of the time and living surrounded
by nature there is always something that catches my eye.

Also another question "in what other ways did I use my computer"  really limited when you
realize the many many options you have, but I only use for
emails daily and my children, grandchildren and I have continual contact this way, what would
I do without Amazon and google :) my computer is so important to me.  One saves me time and such a convenience to one who lives
in the country and the other is like a continual education as it answers my ongoing questions, also what other type of communication devices did I use - only my $16.95 cell phone, which is only used when in yard or vehicle with purchased minutes (no phone bill) and a simple land line phone in home.    None of the other devices that all in my family, including young grandchildren seem to use.

Interview continued with many questions and I also shared that when I started sharing online that
did not want to embarrass my professional children in any way and tried to be careful what
I shared and would not discuss any controversial subjects.   Also asked my writer daughter years ago would she edit what I wrote and she replied "no way, these are your words."  I still smile when I think of her reply. Also usually do not proof read and probably should when I notice the mistakes :)

Also went on to say that I had thoughts of no longer sharing because I feel all has been shared
and did not want to evolve into a health and aging blog :)

I would like to put my blogs in a book form, would take several books and just have not
had the time or energy to do this.   Have asked my daughter to help me but everyone is
so busy....In the future when I am no longer here there may be no one in the family interested and there might be a grandchild
who finds something interesting....

Enjoyed this interview and who knows it may be used in presentations at some time.  If it is
I requested they send me a copy of my responses.

Asked how they found me and said some of my comments had been noticed on a special site.

Interesting as you never know who is reading about you.

This one can hardly believe she has been sharing her thoughts online for almost 8 years
entries numbered at over 1400.   At one time wondered what I would write about
and seems I never run out of thoughts or words....