Digital Shortcuts Are Great . . . if You Don't Come a Cropper

        "Pay your bills online."  Easier and faster than checks and snail mail.  And then you get emails about it, bills upcoming, bills just paid, and shortcut language accompanies it.

        Verizon says, "Thank you for your auto payment."  Wait!  What?   Did we buy an automobile?  Oh. automatic!  Still,  each new email reminds me we are paying for a car we never bought!

        Then other companys' thank yous, and I'm suddenly seeing the word "autopsy."   What have autopsies got to do with bill payments?  And remember, we're older, don't start talking death with us!

        No the word wasn't autopsy, but "a" between "p" and "y" can look a lot like "s" to older eyes!  The word was "autopay."

        Look out with us over-eighties.  Your shortcut may be our painful detour!
      

         

"Never Reapply Iodine!"

       How such dire warnings stick with one.   I learned it from Miss Swihart in Groveland Park grade school, who taught gym, but also health and First Aid.   Big-voiced Miss Swihart made it stick.

       But the language by itself.  "NEVER" is a long-lasting word.  Perhaps you recall such an admonition from when you were young and impressionable.

       I was tending to a cut this morning, using some Polysporin to hold off infection.  But  I had put some on with the original bandage four days ago,  Did the admonition apply to Polysporin as well?    

       We are enlightened but also encumbered by every learning.   I'm not going to worry about my second application!  And besides, what ever happened to iodine?