A Random Assortment of Stuff

This is one of those random assortment posts of everything in my brain. A brain dump - you might say.

First up is my progress on the mockingbird. I am steadily plodding along. I am purposely leaving the beak until last. I feel like the bird is the star of the show and should be finished last. There is a good bit to do underneath the bird similar to the top.

I am still working on my Advent calendar to be completed for Christmas 2020. I have #2 done and really almost done with #3. I am very excited about this calendar. I think it can be made to be something fun for grandkids.

I read a good book. I often read 2 and 3 books at the same time. I have always done this....nothing new for me. I got this book Thursday or Friday and finished it on Saturday - well let's say early Sunday morning. I had a heartache on Saturday and had to take Excedrin. Kiss of death for sleep, but necessary for headache. I gave up, got up and finished my book.

Richella has blogged at Imparting Grace (in my sidebar) for many years. She has a beautiful home and I have followed along for many years. She hasn't blogged a ton in the recent months as this book has been in the works. I don't often tell you guys about the books I read BECAUSE as I have said many many times before--- my taste in books is eclectic and I might sway you, but this one is worth mentioning.

Richella tackles the problem of comparison that really most of us deal with to some degree. Given today's bombardment with social media it heightens it all the more, but it is a Satan trap that has been around forever. 

I have read other books through Bible studies and just on my own. This one is different. I sent Richella a note that said I thought God has given her "her" story to write this book. The thing that makes it different from all the rest is that I think she gives very practical Godly solutions to help with it AND I think those practical solutions are realistic and doable things.

So yea, this is one is worth reading. It is on Amazon. I like the cover...it is a mirror.

I think this would make a great Bible study. It reads very easily and flowing- hence I read it quickly, but now I am going back to all the pages I dog-eared and looking through the study questions at the end of each chapter.

Now, onto something Jeff came home and shared the other day. He had a workshop for educators and he shared some interesting tidbits from it with me. It was the kind of thing I would love if I were still teaching. I don't know who the presenter was or where the information came from since I just listened about the info. Sorry, I know it came all footnoted.

I think you will enjoy reading some of it as well.

Statistics about phone usage.

People look at their phone up to 110 times a day.

Up to every 6 seconds in the evening.

Overall, 9 times an hour.

Peak time for use is between 5 and 8 PM (homework and family time??)

24% are checking it between 3and 5 AM

This was a slide from the presentation.

The captions says "The Swipe and Feed."

I found this photo on the Internet. Basically, it lets you work on your phone while feeding.

Photo Credit: https://www.swipeandfeed.com/media

Seriously!? I think we might need to put it down to cuddle.

Comparison of phone usage from 2000 to 2013 (probably even worse)

In 2000, people spent 2.7 hours online per week compared to 2013's 30 hours per week online.

In 2000, there were one million Google searches daily, compared to 2013's 4.7 billion daily Google searches.

2000 - 34 billions text messages sent daily. 2013 - 188 billion text messages sent daily.

2000- 0 apps downloaded. 2013 -25 billion apps downloaded.

There are tons more about Youtube views, Facebook, Twitter, etc. 

You get the picture!!!

68% of people said they lost track of time with devices.

28% extended restroom visits at work to look at devices.

75% check phone while someone is talking to them.

53% respond to messages while driving.

He went on to talk about attention spans are diminishing with the use. I don't even think you have to ask a teacher to know this is true!

Food for thought!

It has made me lay mine down more, and I will be purposeful about laying it down more.

I am heading to Auburn for the weekend. When we had the cabin at the lake, we had very little cell phone coverage out there. It made me unplug. We have plenty in Auburn, but I on many occasions try to continue to lay it down and really relax. This weekend will be one of those times, so if I don't respond to a blog post that will be the case. 

I will say keeping Tucker has been good for just that as well.

 I don't like being on devices when he is up, so that has kept me usage down. I am writing this while he is napping, but honestly most days I rest too while he is napping. I ain't a spring chicken any more!

I most likely will not post until next week, so until then may you be blessed.

Sandy