Do you remember life before the internet?

When I was growing up, the internet had just become popular. I had a working computer, the cookie cutter 4-1 desk, but my parents never dealt with the internet. They didn’t trust it.

Meanwhile, I was in my backyard making sunflower soup (picked from our garden, and made in a bucket) climbing the massive crab apple tree, and taking in the honey suckle bush, nearest the back gate. That was late spring, early summer.

Then, I’d pick strawberries and plums, water all of the plants and the yards, and dream of dancing in the moonlight by the Spanish roses in the front of the property. This was mid to late summer.

Fall, I would rake up the leaves and renege on dragging them to the dumpster. I’d scare myself about the attics, then decided to spend the night in one, one day. And if all else failed, I was using my late abuela’s silk satin sheer curtains as a princess dress. This was at age 12.

When winter came, I was reading books, shoveling snow (and dog poop!) and missing the leaves from the trees around our property. The moon was ever present, peaking glimpses through my blinds as I smiled, knowing its light was meant for me.

I used the internet at school on Macintosh computers (that should let you know how old I am) and it was typically for school work and nothing more. I also used the internet, at school for the school paper. Other than that, it was beyond me, even though I grew up with computers and the internet.

We didn’t get internet service in my home until I was 14, and during those days – I wasn’t impressed.

I miss my sunflower soup, and strawberry picking days. Truly.