"These happy golden years are passing by, these happy golden years." Laura Ingalls Wilder

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Minus The Boob Tube


... and getting back my mind.

There, I canceled our TV service this past June. It was costing me $65 a month for junk being teleported into my home. Junk news (especially politics), junk sitcoms (mostly reruns), junk soap operas (I never watched them .. except as a new bride .. nearly thirty years ago), junk home shopping clubs (I never could figure out how someone would spend money by seeing some person that talks and talks about a product .. then tells you you only have five minutes to hurry and call to order .. fill in the blank product), junk info-mercials, junk cartoons, junk sports (sorry hubby).

In place of tv, we have been reading the newspaper, going to the library and checking out books and a few movies, cleaning house, staying focused. No more lure in the middle of the day to suck me into the family room to sit and have my mind zapped. Our socks have all been mended, sewing projects that had been put off and put off forever (curtains) have been completed and I've taken up writing letters the old fashioned way (not that old fashioned .. those sent by pony express .. I did buy stamps).
If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.

Can't you just see us come this winter when the snow is blowing, wind howling, and we can restart the old tradition of playing board games at the dining room table instead of sitting on the couch with a mindless look on our faces staring at a black box.

Ecclesiastes 10

1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell,
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of the fool to the left.

3 Even as he walks along the road,
the fool lacks sense
and shows everyone how stupid he is.

4 If a ruler's anger rises against you,
do not leave your post;
calmness can lay great errors to rest.

5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun,
the sort of error that arises from a ruler:

6 Fools are put in many high positions,
while the rich occupy the low ones.

7 I have seen slaves on horseback,
while princes go on foot like slaves.

8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;
whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them;
whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.

10 If the ax is dull
and its edge unsharpened,
more strength is needed
but skill will bring success.

11 If a snake bites before it is charmed,
there is no profit for the charmer.

12 Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious,
but a fool is consumed by his own lips.

13 At the beginning his words are folly;
at the end they are wicked madness-

14 and the fool multiplies words.
No one knows what is coming—
who can tell him what will happen after him?

15 A fool's work wearies him;
he does not know the way to town.

16 Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant
and whose princes feast in the morning.

17 Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth
and whose princes eat at a proper time—
for strength and not for drunkenness.

18 If a man is lazy, the rafters sag;
if his hands are idle, the house leaks.

19 A feast is made for laughter,
and wine makes life merry,
but money is the answer for everything.

20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts,
or curse the rich in your bedroom,
because a bird of the air may carry your words,
and a bird on the wing may report what you say.


This chapter from the Good Book speaks volumes!

12 comments:

Diane said...

I cannot tell you how many times I have threatened to do just what you have done! Every month I gripe and complain about the bill, but just keep paying it and complaining! I can honestly say I don't watch that much of it, but I just leave it on for noise in the house. Then, I remind myself that I could have noise in the house with the free radio!!!! So spoiled am I! I admire you greatly for actually following through and cutting the cable! Good for you AND for your family!

Many hugs...........

Diane

Constance said...

Balance is everything in life. It's amazing how dependent many people are on TV. While we have cable, it doesn't enslave us. We tend to enjoy our own movies on the big screen more than TV shows. I know of people who do NOTHING during the week because certain TV shows are on. When I asked why they don't DVR their shows I found out that they already do! They can only DVR a certain number at a time and they have like 3 shows all on at the same time that they watch!!! THAT is just plain crazy!
Connie

Amrita said...

I am not a TV person at all.

I like the news once a day. Some political humour and satire, quiz shows (rare) and a few Animal Planet, Discovery, Nat Geo and History shows. I like cookery shows the most.

Mother watches her soaps.

Good decision

Maggie Ann said...

I say good for you too! Our Dish bill is under $20 a month...but there is VERY little on to watch. Once in a while Masterpiece Theater charms us. We didn't have tv in our home while our kids were growing up and we always found plenty to entertain us. And reading was King! lol. Then along came Anne of Green Gables & Avonlea. I would go up to Mom's to watch Avonlea and she would be so glad I came she talked thru most of the hour show...and so I craved a tv of our own. Again. who knows though, if things get tighter, I know we can live without the black box also-easily. Plus, having your own movie collection is great. The Proverbs are rich with thoughtfulness and wisdom. I'm ready to call it a day for sure....I always seem to be the last one up. That's a no brainer...grin. I don't have to get up for work in the morning. Oh....I'm thankful!!!

Crown of Beauty said...

Good wise choice, dear Mrs. Mac.

Hats off to you for having the guts to do this.

Yes, you will be more productive without that boob tube in the middle of your LIVING room.

Enjoy the coming days and months rediscovering what life was before the tube came into our lives!

Love
Lidj

Jada's Gigi said...

I get SO sucked in if I let myself...but rarely do. Especially in the summer..too much fun going on elsewhere. I'm thankful that I have learned to just walk away...:) Cause its gonna be on a lot around here! lol

Pat said...

I'm just a boob tube lover. Most programs I watch are on the cable channels, so I can't imagine not having it. I watch about 15 minutes of news in the morning, then its off till evening....but I do enjoy it! I even have it at the cottage..on 2 TV's!
Now, where's that remote?

Nancy McCarroll said...

So glad to get to know you. The idle hands analogy has such meaning for me; crafts keep me sane, and especially knitting. God bless you, your family and your sweet DOG ! :o) Nancy

Crown of Beauty said...

Thank you for praying for praying for my son. I appreciate it. Will keep you updated.
He's in hospital starting Saturday morning.

Louise said...

How I wish I could do what you've done. Sadly it wouldn't work in this house. The Mr. watches TV in the evenings and to be honest, when I'm not feeling well, I plant myself on the family room couch & watch HGTV or the old b&w movies.

Anonymous said...

Standing ovation, Mrs. Mac!

No cable service in our home for the last 16 years. (Only when I was on bedrest for 10 weeks to fully cook Younger Teen before birth.)

(I'm a bit behind commenting here...) The only reason we use 'energy efficient' stuff is when it saves us money. Hate those squigglies, too, AND we had to haz-mat clean one up once, too.

The summary on eating/feeding will be up this week. Barbara

LynnS said...

Thank you for the Ecclesiastes verses. I needed that reminder.

I've been asking my husband about the TV and satellite for the past couple of months. It's a lot of $$ for the little bit that is watched. He isn't ready to give up that connection yet, but I'm working on him. At least we never sit-and-watch anything live because of commercials. We only watch from TIVO, then fast-forward all commercials. I can't take all of that bombardment.

You made the best decision -- I've lived without TV for many years. Never missed it, but some of my friends thought I was odd. Imagine that...
:-)