Photos by Susie Nelson
Technology is expected to advance in such a leap one day computers will actually be able to think independently. Possibly as bizarre a thought as it is even have the capability to have distinct personality traits like their human counterparts, or feel happy, sad, angry, or confused. Imagine logging on one day and having your computer say it doesn’t want to boot up, it has a headache. What if your Toshiba decides it thinks your current blog smells like fish bait and decides on its own not to publish it? Worse yet, maybe it will have the capability to rewrite it or change it. There’s something kind of sinister about this concept, at least to my mind. With absolutely nothing private anymore except what we are thinking and the government droning about peeking in our underwear drawers and reading our emails, I don’t know if I’m wholly up for my computer out thinking me as well.
Along the same vein I was privy to a discussion about one day possibly actually being able to store a person’s soul electronically. Essentially saying hi to your grandma on your laptop or smartphone before heading off to work. I wonder if she could knit you virtual socks for Christmas? This one gives me the chills. Would be curious to know how other people feel about this idea?
I can recall the first time I saw 2001 A Space Odyssey. Remember Hal? That didn’t end well. I don’t want to have to install in-house monitors to keep an eye on my computer. Who knows then would I have to install an exterior monitor to monitor the in-house monitor. Could get sticky.
Some of the new technology showing up in vehicles is pretty awesome. A car that parks itself would work for me. I have to admit it would take some getting used to. Somewhere in the back of my mind I’d have to learn to trust the built-in technology to do its job. Cooled seats are an option now. The hot seats have been around for a while. Several times I’ve been driving along sweat pouring down my cheeks (all cheeks) and realized I’d accidentally hit the “on” switch on those babies. They definitely take the chill off on a cold morning.
Many luxury cars have a feature that gently closes the doors for you. You know how tiresome it can become having to actually close the door yourself. I know I require a nap and a margarita afterwards. Audi has a massaging seat option saving you the need to stop in at the spa on the way home from work. Some high-end Lexus models have reclining rear seats like having your recliner in the car for an additional $16,000 and change added to the dealer sticker price.
I think of this because I had occasion to hitch a ride with a new friend over the weekend in her new luxury SUV. So many bells and whistles were included in the sticker tag of this vehicle really a driver is superfluous. The reason we were heading out together was to stretch our legs on a road behind Nevada City winding through the redwoods.
Walking is cathartic for me. Outside in the fresh air, the sun weaving patterns on the asphalt as it sifted through the foliage of the high 
trees. Glorious. Vehicles of another sort maintained a significant presence as we walked along. Bikes of all shapes and descriptions with well outfitted riders some alone, others in groups, whizzed past us going both directions.
Biking has also moved ahead a few notches since I learned to ride on my first Schwinn with the tassels on the handlebars. It was a basic bike at best, two pedals, two handlebars. The only thing propelling me forward were my own two feet. Every kid had a bike back then. If asked what you wanted from Santa a new bike was often at the top of the list. There were no helmets and up until I hit high school I never owned a bike with gears.
New bikes are far more sophisticated as are the bikers riding them. Aerodynamic clothing with convenient pockets to store gear and lightweight backpacks to keep your hands on the handlebars allow for riding long
distances in comfort. Bikes come equipped with cup holders, storage areas, contoured seats, and more these days. Mountain bikes with ten speeds allowing you to traverse rough terrain require a much more advanced learning scale than hopping on and pushing the pedals around. Not to mention, the stress they put on your bank accounts.
Helmets reflect the space age, allowing for wind resistance and speed in their design. You don’t see many little kids these days pedaling in their driveways, depressing the little handle on their bells. There are different shiny things attracting their attention indoors it seems, leaving the bikes to more seasoned riders.
For us, walking along, it was nice to go at an easier pace an occasional butterfly stopping by for closer inspection. What a beautiful area to find ourselves in. Homes tucked in the woods were reminiscent of Hobbit 
dwellings with carved wooden doors held by metal belts. Lush blooming gardens featured fountains and statues of whimsical elves and fairies. I was ready to put a for sale sign on my house and buy a house right there. At one house we stopped in front of two tin statues, one the tin man and the other possibly the Mrs. The sign read, “push the button and follow the Yellow Brick Road”, so we did. “If I Only Had a Heart”, filled the air. Wow. Loved that.
At any rate, Mother’s Day was a success. We had this melt in your mouth steak for dinner with the divine sauce. Yum.
Tenderloin Provencal with Roasted Red Potatoes For Two
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 6 oz. trimmed filets
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced thin
2 Tbsp. green pepper, diced
1 1/2 cups brown sauce (recipe follows)
1 1/2 oz. Madeira wine
1/2 cup diced tomatoes with juice
1 Tbsp. freshly chopped parsley
Brown Sauce
3 Tbsp. butter
1 onion chopped
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
3 cups beef stock
Salt and pepper to taste
Melt butter in skillet over med. low heat. Add onion and cook 5 mins. until onion is translucent. Add flour. Brown, stirring constantly, about 5 mins. until golden color.
Slowly stir in stock, stirring constantly. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 6-8 mins. Season with salt and pepper.
Strain in fine strainer. Discard onions.
For fillets
Heat oil over med.-high heat until shimmering. Add filets and sear on both sides. Keep warm on warm plate.
In separate skillet saute garlic, mushrooms, and green peppers until tender.
Add 1 1/2 cups of brown sauce. Simmer for 3 mins.
Add Madeira wine, diced tomatoes, and filets. Let simmer in sauce until desired doneness.
Roasted Red Potatoes
8 small red potatoes
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
Salt to taste
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Slice potatoes in half. Place in bowl and add remaining ingredients except salt. Toss to coat.
Cover a cookie sheet with tin foil. Spray with cooking spray. Place potatoes cut side down on cookie sheet. Bake for 25 mins.
Turn over and bake an additional 5 mins.
Sprinkle with salt to taste.
You make an excellent point, Susan. Be very afraid.
While away on vacation recently, I brought along my new iPad mini for picture taking. Since this was a tour and we had a schedule, I decided to organize pictures by day so a month later I could match up Day 2 tour with March 29 -Day 2 Pictures. I was organized for two days. Afterwards, by the time we hit the hotel at the end of the day, falling face first onto the bed was more important than a bunch of picture. Here’s the scary part. Apple took it upon itself to put dates to my pictures without asking me. I have groupings like: March 29 – 30, March 30, March 30 – 31. A little mixed up but kind of on when I gave up being organized. 🙂
I’m especially taken with the brown sugar with the wine etc. 😀
Tess, yes keeping up with all the conveniences making life simpler can be stressful. 🙂
This meat was so good. This is an old time recipe I haven’t made it years. Every once and a while I need good old gravy and meat.