Keep learning it's the only way to live

“Anything that you learn becomes your wealth, a wealth that cannot be taken away from you; whether you learn it in a building called school or in the school of life. To learn something new is a timeless pleasure and a valuable treasure. And not all things that you learn are taught to you, but many things that you learn you realize you have taught yourself.” ― C. JoyBell C.

Adam set up the new PC and tuned the laptop while data
transfer was underway

After pondering it took only a quick browse at Best Buy last Thursday to find just the laptop PC I wanted to replace the older one.  A new HP Envy Touchscreen, 23 inch with Windows 8 and more bells and whistles than I need but certainly a techie dream and a means to keep me busy in place when the snow blows outside as it is doing today.  We have had good luck with our Hewlett Packard computers so we stuck with that brand.

I have heard so many complaints about Windows 8 but when I saw and tried the Envy I could not fathom why.  The geeks tell me it is because people try to run windows 8 on older PC's, models without  all the smart touch technology. That sounds odd to me because most reputable places will advise consumers that software is not going to work well with this or that.  Still, I know people tend to ignore expert advise and tinker and likely make more problems for themselves.   I will take them at their word.  

Although I am fascinated and learning more every day, I have not had a bit of trouble.  I attribute that to my frustration a couple years back when I converted from my Blackberry phone to the Samsung smart and the Samsung tablet.  Back then I used every word and then some aabout the tablet especially.  But it was a learning curve and now today I am better off for it.  Once again one of my grandma's old sayings, "whenever you struggle remember you are learning and good will come of it if you just keep on at it."  Perseverance and victory.  

When Adam left Saturday after the installation and fine tuning, he reminded me that the Envy would be doing multiple updates and not to be surprised if it restarted itself many times,  He was so right, it is just like a new baby learning to walk,,,updates and then some.  If the updates are not from HP they are from Microsoft or Trend.  But we are humming along.  For a time I will keep the old PC here because it is just like anything else, the minute you get rid of something you need it.  All files appear to have been transferred, but just in case.  However, it's a relief to know ultimately it will go to Best Buy where they will recycle it, free. 

Meantime this is how the weather looks outside yet again today as another Canadian clipper sweeps low.  But with the new Envy and the new to me software, Adobe photo shop, that came along with I am engrossed and more than entertained.   I have always believed once people stop learning they are doomed, some wait and claim to be too old and sure enough they aged poorly but many quit learning as young adults thinking they are now out of school, etc.  

“The best thing for being sad," replied Merlin, beginning to puff and blow, "is to learn something. That's the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then — to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the only thing for you. Look what a lot of things there are to learn.”
― T.H. White, The Once and Future King 

Snow storm of the year, of the decade, of???

Yesterday was a day to stay in and wait out the weather.  After a day and night with howling winds as I have never before heard, here was this morning's greeting.  I guess it is sure gonna be a white Christmas. 

Jerry has been busy out there for hours.  I am thankful he does not want nor appreciate my help, so I stay inside, cook the bacon and take pictures.

What do you think?   Baby it's cold outside and I can use my cross country skis in this!  I need new binders and boots for them. That  well might be the only way to stay atop....this first photo is out our front living room window and the way it looked this morning first thing....snow drifts which covered the drive that had been cleared the day before...so this  is what it is like after a Minnesota Blizzard.  I have not experienced snow like this since the last year I lived in Meadville PA at Allegheny College where the drifts were still  high over my head that May!  Wish I had a photo of that time back in 1963 to share but no such luck, only in my memory.

You know it is not even winter officially yet until December 21; who has their wires crossed the weatherman or the calendar makers?


Snow dunes out the front window



Early this morning it was so cold it was blue, no photo shop touch up on this

Jerry tackling the drive near front, in one day this much more, this was cleared yesterday

Slowly  working down the front drive

 

This is the house where the motor home lives  Look at thedepth
of the snow on the roof!



This is how dug out look toward front, white snow walls

Hydrangea tree along the side is done for the year now

This is how dug out looks in the back

Dusk and it is nearly black and white again without any photo touch up

As the sun goes down the birds disappear from the feeders

I did walk around for about 15 minutes this late afternoon, early evening.  Figured I'd get some outside shots but not for too long, it is maybe  10 degrees out, smells clean and clear but the wind is starting and that really brings on the chill.  I have sufficient pictures now of Minnesota winter and am ready at any time to  head south.  If we can get out!