I don’t own a smart phone, or what is typically called a “mobile device.”

 

I still have just a cell phone I use as a phone or to send a text.

 

My phone is one of those “flip” phones or trac phones. I got it earlier this year when Net 10 said they would no longer support the original phone I bought in 2006. 

 

The old one worked fine, but Net 10 wouldn’t let me add more minutes. They sent me the new phone for free. I guess my old phone is a collector’s item now.

 

I notice there’s lots of uses for mobile devices. Everywhere I go, I see ads for new apps to make life so much easier.

 

People can download an app so they can order their favorite fast food, and even get discounts or free stuff - but only on their mobile device.

 

It seems there are hundreds of new apps each year people can use for just about anything - as long as it doesn’t involve actual physical work.

 

There’s no app that will  mow the lawn in the summer, or rake leaves in the fall, or shovel snow in the winter.

 

There’s no app that can take the kids to school, or buy groceries, or fix a flat tire.

 

Sure, there are apps where people can find other people to do those things. But that’s what people did years ago by just using a telephone.

 

Most new inventions these days revolve around mobile devices. That’s okay, but I think we need more practical inventions - things that help with everyday work.

 

How about a lawn mower that is also a snowblower? I know I’ve cut my grass so late in the season, it’s almost ready to snow the next day. Plus, it would save a lot of space in the garage.

 

Or how about shopping cart wheels that don’t squeak or wear flat on one edge. I don’t know how many carts I go through in the supermarket before I can find one that rolls easily without a thump, thump, thump.

 

I thought of a great idea for hunters - making camouflage from the skins of zucchini. That idea came to me yesterday when I found four baseball bat-sized zucchini in my garden the day after I thought I had picked them all. Either they grew like that overnight, or they really blend in with the background.

 

Finally, someone should invent a device that sets off an alarm in a vehicle when the driver is tailgating. I don’t know how many times I’ve had someone behind me who looked like they would rear-end my car. 

 

Chances are, they were probably using their mobile device at the time.

 

Maybe a better idea would be to have a tailgating alarm that also automatically disables a mobile device.

 

That would solve two problems at once.