Social events that sound like fun

Hi neighbors. It's been a good week. The farmers got some needed rain with no tornadoes, and the temperatures have been tolerable.

Since I have retired I've tried to become more knowledgeable about the workings of various social network sites. I do participate on Facebook as many of my cousins from across the country also post there almost daily. Like many before me, I seldom bother reading the instructions (Help menus) and am so doomed to a trial and error course. I think I have Facebook down pretty well, sort of, sometimes. Still I am not comfortable with it. It offers a thing called "chat" where you can exchange quick messages. Like the old Yahoo messenger, this can be a one-on-one session which is better than entering a "chat room" which to me is a horrid experience. Basically I avoid any situation that starts with the word chat. At least on Facebook you can post photos and this is great for genealogists!

I also am listed on Linkin (I think that's what it is called) but I don't know why. Oh, yes, now I remember, my daughter said I should. This is a social media site that is more business related and offers professionals a chance to network with each other about their jobs. Someday I'll get more into that maybe, but probably not. I am retired after all; but who knows?

There is Twitter as well. But the best I can figure out on this one is you can post some short, really short, messages, called "tweets" and those that "follow" you can read these messages. You can also follow other people to read their tweets. Having a multitude of followers is the basic competition and the more people you follow, the more people will follow you. There is very little interaction or actual conversation. Pictures can be posted via another internet device called "Instagram." I've not figured out how to do Instagram yet (although I think grade school students use it). I think I might need a cell phone with a camera to do that program and I have no interest in having a cell phone. I see Twitter as a large computerized bulletin board on the web where people can put sticky notes up about odds and ends of things. Still, as a "shout out" medium, it serves its purpose.

There are other social media sites out there but I'm sometimes overwhelmed with the ones I already have. None of these mentioned cost anything to participate in and as the saying goes, "you get what you pay for."

My favorite communication now-a-days is email. I like to talk on the phone of course, but I never write letters. I do still send greeting cards via snail mail for holidays and other occasions.

Monday the Creative Writers group struggled on with scheduling conflicts and confusion abounding thus limiting attendance. A new member was present and is talented and enthusiastic -- two necessary traits for writers of any genre. Welcome Janice!

The Creative Writers group meets the first Monday morning of each month in the Nevada library meeting room from 10:30 to 11:30. New members are always welcome. The creative process of writing in all of its forms is discussed. How we write, why we write and when we find time to write being some topics. We have speakers on special topics and genres that lead a round table discussion where all participate, interacting directly with the speaker about the topic at hand. Maybe some of you will drop in at a meeting and see what its all about.

Don't forget the Vernon County Historical Society will hold a quarterly meeting at 2 p.m. tomorrow, April 12, at the Bushwhacker Museum featuring "The Balladeer of Bates County" Hank Roberts.

He will debut his latest historical ballad, "Nevada City Burned". There is no charge to attend. I think it is going to be a great program and encourage all of you to attend.

Backroads Steakhouse will feature several bands from the southwest Missouri area next weekend (17th and 18th) and my soon-to-be daughter-in-law Amber will be doing the introductions! I will be there of course, as well. Please come join us!

Until the next time friends remember, as the weather gets better we need to get out and go places with our family and friends. There is no reason not to have some fun.