Been Googled, Anyone? 2005

For months we had been scheduled to do the Southern Quilting: How It Used to Be program in Cullman and finally last week that day came.  It was a beautiful day – not too hot – and a bit overcast, which made it easier for two senior citizens.  The day was made complete when our special friends from Gardendale met us at the Cullman Power Board for the program and then later when we enjoyed lunch together.

The program went extremely well – the attendance was good (many of the ladies had gray hair — this age person can relate to what I talk about most of the time) and lots of questions were asked.  I always tell the group that I can’t teach them anything new, as I don’t know what’s new. I begin by telling them this program is from a time when “downloading” meant getting far (fire) wood off’n the wagin and “modem” meant what Pa had done to the hay patches – he mowed ‘em.  All I know is how it used to be and after all that’s part of the title of the program.  Even the quilts I show (for the most part) are oldies – made of sacks.  Guano (in SandMountain lingo pronounced “guaner”) sacks, feed sacks and even tobacco sacks. After the program we enjoyed a book signing, which went well, too, and the crowd was slow to leave.  The conversation was the kind I enjoy – about how things used to be and the kind of quilts that “mama had.”

Of course, I was into one of these interesting conversations when I overheard my contact person (from the Cullman Public Library) say, “I Googled Billie Crumly.”  Wow!!  You did?  This was so distracting to me – it took me a few seconds to get hold of myself and finish my own conversation.  Googled me?  I had no idea that could be done.  For those of you who don’t know, Google is what I think is called a search engine used on the computer when searching for whatever (in this case whomever).  What could Google tell anyone about Billie Crumly?  I said nothing to the library lady, but I was amazed that she found the mere mention of my name there; and, of course, I couldn’t wait to get home and push all the necessary buttons.

Would you believe?  There it was in black and white.  They tell about me writing for the Weekly Post, the article called Country Living and my books.  Not only that, but this Cullman lady found where I had done Southern Quilting: How It Used to Be for the East Cobb Quilt Guild in Marietta, Georgia.  I didn’t look far enough to see if this story is there or not, but the program was first put together as a result of a friend in Niceville, Florida calling and asking for John and me to do a program for her guild.  I told her I knew nothing new and could only tell about how it used to be and she said that was what they were looking for.  Well, I put together all I could think of and we motored off to Niceville to entertain and/or inform.  The day went well there and we’ve done the program quite a few times since.

I’m awed and humbled that this information about me is available on the internet.  How in the world did these Google folks (whoever they are) get this information?   I don’t understand – could it be my age?  Who, where, what and when – who knew all this and who put it on the internet?  It’s beyond me!!

Well, this week end past was my birthday week end and our eldest visited. Of course, I had to relate all this to her and, needless to say, she doubled over in laughter insisting that I tell my readers about this happening.  I’ve always heard that there comes a time in life when the parent and child change places and I saw some of that this week end.  I needed some forms I knew were on the Internet, and I found them, but I could not print them off.  It goes without saying that this younger lady knew exactly what to do and how to do it.  I dread for the time to come when this role reversal is total.  In other words, John and I just don’t like the idea of being told what to do and when to do it.  Perish the thought!!

Readers, try Googling yourself and see what you find – it may surprise you as it did me – no, I was astounded.  I honestly had no idea.  What else is out there for all to see and know?  This is  completely new to my style of country living.