I’m enjoying the calm January weather, although the paranoia of a sudden snowstorm hangs in the air. My worry and upset this month is the non-response to my conversational text messages by certain family members. Are they really that busy?
What is the current texting etiquette? How long after I send a message should I expect or hope for a response? I’m heading into my 80th year and damned proud that I have achieved minimum modern technology skills. I even know how to send pictures along with my text messages!
I do call, but no one answers the phone, not even the landlines. Few of my relatives have voicemail set up. My nieces and nephews have fancy Apple iPhones. I know for sure they are receiving the weekly humorous messages from their uncle in which I share a bit of my day, but never a response. Am I being paranoid about this, too?
Alone in Twin Peaks
Dear Alone,
THX for reaching out. I am sure that the members of our mountain community reading this column can certainly relate to your anguish. With all the communication devices in use today, from social media to good-old snail mail, it has become easier and easier to be cruel – by omission. BTW, it saddens me that certain relatives on my Christmas list have opened their cards and deposited their gift checks, but as yet have not thanked me in any way or form. IDK, but in the second week of 2024, I’m truly rethinking my last will and testament.
I wish there was an easy answer, but IMHO complaining to the guilty will only make you the Bad Guy, right?
Chin up, my friend. Make new friends. Join the Crest Forest Senior Citizens Club – but don’t do so in order to latch on to some lonely lady, but to form relationships to carry you through the next decade on this mountain. You, like so many, are now estranged from relatives that, truly, were never close.
Enjoy breakfast – my favorite is the biscuits and gravy – at the Crestline Café where you will hang out with lovely, positive people. There you will also find mimosas.
If you don’t have one yet, get yourself a doggie, your best friend for life. My dog and I will look for you both walking the Lake Gregory trail. TTYL.
Sidney
Send your questions for Sidney to Sidney@thealpinemountaineer.com or by snail mail to Dear Sidney, The Alpine Mountaineer, P.O. Box 4572, Crestline, CA 92325.
This advice is intended for entertainment purposes only. No animals were harmed in the writing of this column.
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