A Conversaton with Elizabeth
1998
Re: Emoticons May be Necessary

From:          larry.m.mixsonebvs.com (LARRY M. MIXSON)
To:            Elizabeth
Date:          Fri, 27 Feb 1998 13:55:14 -0800
Subject:       Re: Emoticons May be Necessary
 
I am going to have to get a copy of Turkle's book today! I probably will swing by Crown or Barnes & Noble. I could go to the library as you have done, it is only a few blocks, away but amazon said it was only about $12 for the paper back and it seems like a book I would want to add to my library.
 
I find it interesting to be living in a time of such social shifts. My parents are of the generation Turkle described as "rigid gender roles, ... a job or remaining in one town over a lifetime." We are of the generation that is experiencing the "fluidity". Yes agree it requires adaptability to changing jobs, gender roles, career directions and technologies. In the past the children would often base their careers and even more so their marriage "style" on that of their parents. Not so any more. We are living in a time in which we are redefining some of the basic social structures. It can be exciting for some but very disruptive and difficult for others.
 
My parents are selling their house for several reasons. My mother has wanted to sell the house for years but my dad didn't. Mom wanted a nice new house but dad isn't one for change. Also my dad is into gardening and has landscaped the yard with flowers, its quite beautiful. Several things help change his mind. The bought a summer place in North Carolina and they spend all summer up there. As a result dad has not been able to keep up the yard and so when they return he has more yard work then he wants. Also he is getting older and it is too much work for him. Also three of my uncles bought new houses in Gainesville and so mom wanted a new place too. My recent trip to Gainesville was mostly to see the house one last time. Good thing I went for they got a contract on it while we were there. It did have many "loss" feelings knowing that the family will never again be in "our" house. On the other hand my parents are excited as two children about their new house which is being built and I believe it is the best thing for them.
 
Yes those child hood possessions have many memories attached. When I was home last my brother gave me a box that he said mom gave to him but it had my stuff in it. I opened it and it had all my merit badges, cards, pins and other items from my being in Boy Scouts, each with its own memory. Yes I did have such an accident when I was a boy. I was really into chemistry and my dad working at the chemistry department at the university was able to get me about any chemical I wanted. I just made up a list and gave it to him. I really got into explosives and mixed up some stuff that made hydrogen and oxygen. Well it blew up and a piece of glass hit me in the face and I had to get several stiches.
 
I know what you mean about passing thing on to a child. My daughter, even being adopted at the age of eight, has taken on some of my interests. Some have got out of hand, I got her into aquariums years ago and she really got into it. She started with a 5 gal, then went to 10, 20 and now she has a 50 gal. Last week she announced that she wanted to get a 100 or 150 and she talked me into (wasn't too hard) to go with her this weekend to look at a used 90 gal.
 
Yes children are a lot of work but the rewards can be very satisfying. Even now I have discussions about having more children with my wife but I know that I am at the age that I would rather spend my energies on other things. With my daughter now being 25 it won't be to long before she will have children although she is not yet married (god, me with grandchildren!!!).
 
Till Monday,
Larry

Hello