Do You Know This Typing Tip

I’m probably the last person to know this, a tip for typing on my iPad that’s going to save me so much time and frustration that I had to share the information.

Have you ever fought to get the cursor in the right spot to make a correction while typing on an iPad?

Here it comes, I’m excited about this. If you lightly hold two fingers on the keyboard the keys go blank, and it becomes a trackpad. As you slide your fingers the cursor moves. So far it works wherever I’ve tried typing documents, emails, notes, and messages. By pressing a little harder with first contact you can highlight this way too.

Now, I’ll explain why this tip makes me do the happy dance. A lot of my typing is while riding in vehicles where it is even more difficult to tap precisely where you need the cursor.

It is also handy for me because I’m a one finger iPad typer, and when going fast it’s common to not not hit the space bar correctly. I’m so tired of getting the “learn to spell” pop-up when two or three words have been combined and I’m trying to get the cursor in the right spot to separate them.

I have a great portable keyboard which has arrows to move the cursor, but I only use it when planning to write for a long spell. Writing while traveling is sporadic, usually just jotting down thoughts between watching scenery, reading, knitting or napping. Mister enjoys and does most of the driving.

I wish this two finger method worked on our iPhone, but it doesn’t seem to. I think I’ll do more checking though, maybe I’ll stumble across some handy phone tips.

What do you use most, a desktop, laptop, iPad or notebook, or a phone?

Do you have a hint to share?

Missing Information

Fresh from sleep, before daily thoughts and duties influence my mood, is when I enjoy writing. When I’m connected with my true feelings and creativity seems to flow.

When a crazy nightmare gets me out of bed earlier than usual, I can shift that energy and spin the heavy thoughts into interesting post topics. Those mornings can be very productive, but health wise I’m glad they’re not a regular occurrence.

For me, writing is therapeutic. Putting thoughts down on paper often brings clarity to issues.

Blogs are great platforms to share lessons, hints about life or interests, or inspiring stories.

I wish everything I posted was upbeat and made people smile, but that wouldn’t honor the “life as it comes” part of this blog. I do sensor my subjects though. Tucked deep in my iPad are drafts that will likely never get published. The stories I regard as too sad or the subject is too sensitive to share.

Does January have power over us like people suggest? Is it more depressing than other months? I’m not sure about all that, but it seems to make me contemplate life. Here’s where my heart and thoughts recently visited.

Retirement isn’t for the weak. No, that’s not quite right, aging isn’t for the weak. I don’t mean in the physical sense. I’m sure this statement and my following explanation is thought about by many, realized by most, but is seldom spoken out loud.

My fingers have already paused periodically over the keyboard, debating if I should continue, but here goes.

Have you ever watched or seen a retirement condo advertisement. The lifestyle they flaunt looks grand. They boast about gatherings and activities. Sometimes they have me comparing them to child summer camps. Of course, there’s no large bunk-bed quarters, shared washroom facilities, and usually no chaperones. (Not that I’ve been to summer camp, but I’ve seen them on TV.)

The lake development where Mister and I live isn’t a retirement or even a restricted adult park. There are plenty of young people and families who own places here. We love it, and we love the friends we have made. The majority of the time, life is grand.

The thing is many full time residents are, I hate using the word but, older. So, back to what you don’t see mentioned in commercials or pamphlets about places with an aging population.

Using a well-known cliché reality can sure, “take the wind out of your sails.” I’m not naïve, I know it’s our destiny and that bad things can also happen at any age. But, seeing an ambulance with lights flashing visit the park always sets a bad feeling. No one told me about the high exposure to sicknesses, diagnosed diseases and worse that comes with aging and sometimes where we live.

Emotional strength is needed and tested far too often as our circle of friends decreases. Smiling and staying positivity is sometimes the most difficult thing to do in a day.

So there you have it, the not so rosy part of aging. What do I hope this post accomplishes? I hope it reminds us to appreciate every waking day we and our loved one’s have.

On a lighter note something else I was never warned about that also happens regularly in retirement is, how hard it can be to figure out what day of the week it is. This makes us seem like we’re losing our marbles, but honestly it just doesn’t hold as much importance. Smiley face.

Blog Recognition Award

A big thanks to, Riddle From The Middle, for nominating me for “The Blogger Recognition Award.”

As a new blogger, having my posts viewed brings satisfaction. Getting likes and comments is rewarding, and I’m thrilled and honoured to have RFTM, whose blog inspires me, enjoy my work.

Riddle From The Middle’s blog is about her journey through everyday family life. What makes her work worth reading is she writes with a genuineness that’s inviting and entertaining. Check out her blog here.

These are the Blogger Award questions and my answers.

How my blog got started.

Layered with years of experiences, a mind stocked with stories and an inquisitive nature, I’m surprised I took this long to start blogging?

When I’m writing a novel, I spend an abundance of time wrapped up with the characters and their storyline. After my recent book hit the presses, I wanted a short break from writing fiction but not from writing in general.

A new passion started when I began reading blogs and following favorites. That led to commenting on posts, and soon I joined the fun and created, “Saddles to Shorelines and Life as it Comes.”

To me, blogging is a version of reality TV, but the drama is more controllable. I enjoy connecting with real people while we discuss concerns and sometimes silly topics. It’s a way to share interests, inspire each other, or make us reflect on precious moments. A bonus for a writer is bringing a smile to someone’s day.

Two huge benefits to blogging is I can be in my PJ’s, and I’m never followed by a camera.

While I plot my next novel, blogging keeps my mind in writing mode and my fingers practised on the keyboard.

My 2pc of advice for new bloggers.

– With my blog less than a year old I don’t have the experience to say what works or doesn’t, but if you enjoy sharing thoughts and writing join me in, the learn as we go group. The hardest part is pressing the publish button.

– Although getting readers and gaining followers is wonderful and satisfying, write for your own joy. You get out of blogging what you put in to it.

Rules for This Award:

Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their blog.

Write a post to share your award with a brief story of how your blog started, and give two pieces of advice for new bloggers.

Nominate 10 to 15 bloggers for this award.

Comment on each blog to let them know you nominated them and link back to this post.

I have nominated 10 blogs which I thoroughly enjoy reading, check out these links;

A Cooking Pot and Twisted Tale

A New Day Living Life Almost Gracefully

Empty Nest Full Life

Invisible No More

Muddling Through My Middle Age

Retirementally Challenged

Rhythm in Life

Ron’s Country Musings

The Traveling Todds

Views and Mews by Coffee Kat