On the Porch
Onisha Ellis
Sometimes I feel I am the only person I know who reads books on a device. Of course, I know that isn’t true.
When the Kindle and Nook readers first came out, almost everyone around me were buying them. I didn’t join the party.
As time moved on, my friends, first excited about the devices, put them on the shelf and went back to reading hard copy books.
So of course, me being me, I decided it was now time for me to join the e-inreader party. However, in my defense, I claim extenuating circumstances.
The first circumstance was my poor eye sight. The second, wholding a hard copy book was at times, too much of an effort. So, I downloaded the Kindle app to my iPad and instantly fell in love. Once I put the app on my phone as well I was delighted to always have access to a book to read.
I confess to having some instant gratification issues. When I finish a book, I want to start a new one almost instantly. With the library Libby app I can do that! When I borrow a library book through Libby, I get the option to read the book on my Kindle. I always say, “yes please”
There is a downside to getting books through the library Libby app. Just like checking out a hard copy book there is a due date. Then one has two choices, return the book unfinished or renew. The big difference is that an overdue digital copy is magically zapped from my app. The first time this happened to me I was aghast. How could they steal the book from me? Of course it wasn’t stealing and I did have an opportunity to renew the loan if no one was waiting for it. Now I don’t ignore the warning texts that a book is due soon.
For the most part, I also read the Bible digitally, either in an app or from a website. Several months ago, a popular Bible site changed the wording in some scriptures. It wasn’t a faith shattering change but it disturbed me. I remembered how my library book had been zapped from my device. With all the anti-christian animosity on social media I can’t help but wonder if it will become socially acceptable to change or even remove Bibles from our devices.
I have a fascination with vintage Bibles. The writing is so small in some of them. I wonder if it was to keep the printing cost down. I collect the vintage ones, finding them in thrift stores and yard sales. Most have been inscribed with a message to the owner. Sometimes it is a gift for a birthday or Christmas.
I wanted to include pictures of my collection but as I am writing this we aren’t home yet.
When I was a small child growing up in Florida of the 50s and 60s, the children were encouraged to memorize scripture with the admonition that one day it might not be possible to own a Bible. I couldn’t imagine such a thing.
I would encourage everyone to have a physical copy of the Bible as well as any book you cherish. And, if you come across a Bible while thrifting consider buying it for yourself or to share.
I also collect old hymnals, but that is a story for another time.
After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience. Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites, Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix
In addition to blogging, I’m a general “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books
My 2023 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.
Old Things R New 
