The road to and from Automatonyville

It used to be that when I wanted to know something, my mother would say “Go ask your father.” And I would. I would walk up to my father, who would undoubtably be sitting (watching TV, eating, reading) and ask a question: “Daddy, how long will it take to drive from point A to point B?” Or whatever it was that I needed to know.

I asked, and he answered. An interaction. Exchange. Physical communication. And, there was always a chance I’d get a hug, or an extended conversation, or I might just sit next to him while he watched his ball game. Whatever ball it was that was being played at that moment
in that season.

Now when I want to know something, I Google it. Don’t get me wrong:
I LOVE Goggling, It makes me feel so smart, in whatever language I choose. I Google many times a day for various reasons. And with delight. It’s great.

But I also realize that I miss a certain kind of casual interaction. I don’t have that anymore. That casual hanging-out, talking about whatever, “Honey, can you get me a drink?” kind of casual, except when I’m with Bernie. But that isn’t my house and my kid or mate. I love having electronic access to just about anything I can conjure, and more. But it doesn’t fill me the way I was filled when I asked Daddy what I wanted to know, and getting more than one kind of question answered in the bargain.