Being unwired is a blissful experience. Over the last few days, I’ve spent time on the river working at the house, where I was unwired, then I came home and worked around the yards and remained unwired. Not owning a smart phone makes that easy for me, but I didn’t wish to delve into the computer or internet world at all. Being unwired around Lake Superior is the plan, so I’d better get used to it, but last night at the restaurant, I was reminded that this choice in lifestyle is a choice. There was a lovely couple that came in for an early dinner and asked me to take their photo. I, of course, said yes, and the gentleman handed me his phone and I was honest and said I hope I did okay because I don’t use a smart phone. The woman was aghast. She asked what I used? I explained that I had an old flip phone and lived life unwired. After her momentary befuddlement, she conceded how people get addicted to their phones. I didn’t go so far as to agree with her on that point but did nod my head as her and her husband had their phones in hand and were texting and doing whatever else one does at the table in a restaurant with a phone. As I said, this was a very nice and inconspicuous couple, but they reminded me of my choice. And I was happy. At the same time I do understand our new world connections, and in a strange comeuppance, count on people being wired to buy my books, review my blogs, and connect with me in all sorts of ways; however, my writing life is set-up so that everything, except for a couple of blogs, is printed. Magazines, papers, books, all printed. I never struggle being unwired. I find my productivity in life rather abundant – some days more so than it should be for my age – and I don’t feel the daily stress or drama I watch everyone else experience. In fact that is one comment the woman at dinner made: You’re probably less stressed, she noted. I am. I do experience stress and I do work through drama, but I guarantee it’s nothing like the norm. in fact, when some little tidbit does occur, I REALLY feel it. As I did yesterday. For nine years, I have been the emcee at the Youth Writer’s Awards at Crooked Tree Arts Center, and yesterday went wonderfully well with one of the best audiences in years along with some amazing works from local children and adolescents. But afterward I felt anxious. Not having free-floating anxiety for years, especially this long into my recovery, it was an odd feeling. I didn’t pick up a phone or a computer. I went into the garden and worked. I concentrated on being mindful of my experience and mindful of my task. It worked. And best of all, I didn’t Twitter about it, Facebook my dilemma, or Instagram a photo of my affect, I simply raked, pulled old plants, and readied for the changing season. Being unwired is a choice that I can live with, because it allows me to live.