Monday, September 10, 2012

Smart Technology ... and gardening ?!?

There was a time ... not that long ago, that I would have laughed out loud if someone asked me if I had a 'smart phone'.

"Ooooh look at this! That cell phone technology - I think it will catch on?!"
(photo courtesy of the creative minds at Microsoft)

"Puleeezzzzzz!!!  I have a perfectly good phone that 'makes phone calls' (whoa, what a concept - talking on a phone), can send text messages (to communicate with people under 30) and take pictures (Ah!  Now we are talking...).  What could I possibly do with a 'smart' phone, that I can't already do?"  WELL! - 'how far the mighty have fallen'.  I caved ... and went to 'the dark side' early this year.  Yep, I "have an app for that".

My 'grab n go' "field camera"
It started innocently.  The camera in the iPhone 4S is phenomenal - 8 megapixel, and the thing is attached to my "hip" anyway.  So if I saw a cool plant or inspirational garden design, I could discretely whip it out (Careful now!  Don't get any ideas - this post is "PG") and take a picture.  No harm done!

Wild Flowers in the Florida sand dunes - 2012
But then I got hooked on the instant access to the fancier features of smart technology.  Internet access, Facebook, Pinterest ... it's all so seductive and pulls you in.  BUT - lo and behold, all of a sudden it came in handy when I least expected it - at a garden walk ?!!  I was an invited guest for a local garden club's "twilight garden walk".  As we strolled around the gardens, we came upon a lovely variegated grass - but no one could remember the name of it.  It was on the tip of my tongue, but it just wouldn't come to me.  Then ... DUH!  I have a SMART phone!!

"... and a choir of angels sang..."
(Another clever image from the creative minds of  Microsoft)

So out in the middle of a prairie, I "Googled-images" variegated grasses.  Within 30 seconds I had the plant photo, Latin name and the 'Wikipedia' description of everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask!  ...And these garden club members were astonished...   (she says with a 'humble brag')

So, I've embraced this smart technology - with verve!  Nothing could replace my Canon DSLR, but - in a pinch - it's a winner.  In the meantime, here are a few shots of the Summer drought carnage around the Bunnies Buffet... with that sweet little smart phone:

Victims of the Summer drought & storms:
Provence French Lavender, Liatris spicata and  'New Wave' Asiatic Lily
So, now that it's cooled down a bit, maybe I can plant those perennials hidden in their pots, in part shade all Summer?  I will embrace Autumn with open arms!


Pacim, Amici...

23 comments:

  1. Your phone takes Wonderful pictures, I would never have guessed it was a cellphone. And just yesterday I was thinking how cool it would be to have the internet on my phone to be able to look things up in a hurry. Fun post!

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    1. Karen - thanks! Like you, I would have never expected such clear photos from a cell phone until I started uploading them to my PC. Once I opened them in a photo editor, I was hooked. "Easy peazy, sharp pictures - and a super portable camera!

      ...AND - you totally would LOVE a smart phone; I find myself doing quick 'dashes' on the internet, and often not using our home PC. (Adding a wireless modem at home was the 2nd best technology we invested in.) ...what can I say, I'm a GEEK!...

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  2. It'll come soon. I was a 'phone for phonecalls' person. Then the iPhone started to become more widely used. I found myself laughing at the fools who wanted more, who wanted an iPad. Then one day, withou realising, I bought an iPad. I was the wrong side of a few drinks, and had just made a few quid by offloading an old bike. At first I wondered why I'd bought it, because I couldn't see how I'd use it. Now, I wouldn't be without it. Even Mrs IG (who hates technology) liked it so much I had to buy her one.

    Do it; get an iPad!

    *Note: The writer of this comment does not work for Apple. If he did he'd probably get the sack for stealing things. And getting in to work late. And harrassing the secretaries. And drinking during the day. And taking off in the afternoon to do his garden.

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    1. IG -- you are SUCH a bad influence! Here I am, so 'suggestible', coveting technology that I have no business getting and here you are - waving that carrot of temptation under my nose!

      I was just talking to someone about the rumored new toys coming out from Apple: the iPhone 5 and some "mini-iPad"? I'd have to hold out for a full-sized iPad, they are just too slick! (Bad Shyrlene!! Stop the madness! One minute you are talking about it, then next minute - you OWN it...)

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  3. (still use a landline as a phone ... but Kindle is calling, or one of those other nameless to me gadgets!)

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    1. Diana - we actually do too, have the land line; can't beat the reliability). The cell phone 'rabbit hole' started with work, then branched out to the convenience of keeping in touch with my family. I dodged 'smart technology' for 4 versions of the iPhone - kind of a "hold out" in all realms of friends & family.

      My friends made fun of me (for waiting so long), and warned me of the 'addiction' of smart phones. Other than my "fat thumbs" on the screen keyboard, I took to everything else like a duck to water. (and I'm hooked)

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  4. I don't have a smartphone, but I do envy it when other people google things instantly that I want to know! Sounds pretty handy to have, too, for quick photo opportunities. You must be the darling of the garden club!

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    1. Holley - it has been fun playing with this technology, other than that "fat thumb" thing I mentioned in my comment to Diana. So far I am only a 'guest' of my friend's garden club -- but I do think I made some "inroads" with them after the 'Google search - in the field'! ;D

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  5. You will be amazed at the things you have at your fingertips. Totally hooked to my smartphone (droid version), I am a tech geek in a gardener disguise. Hey, you can even do a "blogger" posting from your phone while you are out there taking those fabulous photos...

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    1. Tufa Girl ... you just gave me chills! "Blogger" posting from my phone ?!?! Can it get any better than that ??? (we are obviously kindred spirits)

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  6. Oh, I am so disappointed in you! You totally caved. But just so you'll feel better, and for no other reason, I'm going to replace my only-makes-phone-calls-and-does-texts-doesn't-even-have-a-camera-phone with a smart phone, too. I was looking at some today just before - um, I mean just after - I read your post. :)

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    1. Lyn - I'm sheepish! ... I hate to be a wuss, but "my kids made me do it!"

      (Well, I couldn't let them have better technology than me when we renewed our cell service ?!!) Anyway - I don't think you will regret the new phone. The 'touch screen' takes a bit getting used to, but then it's smooth sailing!

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  7. I have a regular cell phone with a touch screen, a stereo but no iPod, one working computer, one sort of not working computer, and one TV. If you ask me about Apple, I'll point you to the fruit bowl. My 17 yr old has an iPod, iPhone, and super cool laptop. I Facebook, she Twitters. I am a huge source of humor/frustration to her but I don't care! I can grow stuff and she can't. :o)

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    1. CM - I'm right there with you! iPhone came out with 4.1 versions of their 'smart phone' before I caved (who even knows how many droids there were - I didn't even know what the difference was until now??!!). We still have a 18 yr old BIG console TV in the living room - that works perfectly fine.

      Now the iPod --- that is another weak spot; I am a closet "mix-master" with my iPod! LOTS of 'retro' music ... which brings back happy memories!

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  8. When we were kids, did your mind conceive of such a device? Mine sure didn't. The closest I got was Maxwell Smart's shoe phone. We've come a long way in a very short time. Great post.

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    1. Grace - never, ever in a million years could I have imagined it!! I LOVE the reference to Maxwell Smart's phone (one of my favorite shows!) ... Thanks for the kind words!

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  9. Fabulous post, Shyrlene! That photo at the top made me laugh out loud. I can SO relate, lol... I totally have I-phone envy ; )!
    Have fun!
    K

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    1. Karen - Thanks! That photo was too fun to pass up; wish it was an original!

      BTW - LOVED your "Morning Glory" bloom in your recent post on FB; I was thisclose to buying some this year - then I ended up hardly getting anything in the ground with the heat & drought. I have 5-6 plants still in their nursery pots - that will be going in the ground tomorrow.

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  10. Hi Shrylene! I have been wanting an iPhone. It would be a big leap for someone who only turns on her cell phone when she wants to make a call. My husband thinks I would never use it, but I tell him that ain't so. I am wondering how you get the iphone photos into your computer and how many photos it can store.

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  11. Deb - you can actually email your photos to **any** email account (I use my "gmail" account). The awesome thing about the iPhone, is that it takes 'high def' photos; so you really can get crystal clear, high resolution photos from your phone.

    You can also set up email on your smart phone, to get email right to your phone. AND you can take advantage of "WiFi" technology - and use the 'data' functionality of your phone, and NOT use up your monthly data plan. (we have a WiFi router in our house: with 2 teens/young adults, 3 laptops, one pc tower and 3 smart phones - it's a saving grace). It's pretty painless! Pinky swear ... :)

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  12. I have had my iPhone for a while and really don't use it as much as I should. It is a great devise though and will be traded in on the iPhone 5 when I place the order on Friday. I did find out that the iPad and iPhone share many features, making having both seem almost pointless.

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    1. Donna - I'll be curious how you like all the additional features of the iPhone 5. I agree with you on the iPad / iPhone thoughts. My friend has an iPad, and while it's cool because of the screen size - I'm hooked on the iPhone. Having both seems redundant to me ...

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