Every time I open my computer I get another message. One fine day I am not going to be able to write anything. I am working on a seven-year-old computer which by today’s standards is a dinosaur. The only thing I use my computer for is this column. For Internet access, reading and ordering things I have another device.

The major program will stop being updated this October. I am not sure what that means, but just in case I want to be prepared. I do not intend to buy another computer so whatever happens my column will cease when it dies.

I have made so many friends doing this bit of writing for the more than 30 years that it has been published. People come up to me everywhere. Don, my husband, told me he had to read it before he went golfing because his golfing buddies read it and commented on it. He had to know what I wrote about.

Thank you to all of my faithful readers who have contacted me by computer, by letter, and by telephone. To be a successful writer you must have readers and I had plenty. The editor told me years ago that I had as many men who read my column as women. She wanted me to make sure that it appealed to both sexes. I think I have done that.

People always tell me that my columns make them remember and I guess that is really what I hoped for. I wanted people to relate to me. I wanted them to get in touch with their memories.

For a young woman who took her college master’s exam orally because she was unsure of her writing ability it has been a real blessing.

I have visited various organizations as a speaker. I have met you when I sold my books. I have conversed about the columns. I love all of you.

I just want you to know why I am quitting. It is not because I have run out of ideas. There is still plenty of material out there. It is because of technology.

I will truly miss writing. It has become a habit over the years. I always met my deadline. That is one thing various editors have commented on. I will have to find something else to do to keep track of the days. My column did that because I had a deadline.

I went to my computer by Wednesday at the latest and roughed out the column. Then I was back on-line Thursday or Friday to edit what I had written. The next column would ready to print for the following week. Thank you to the staff at the newspaper who did the final step to get it ready to print. I have worked with many different editors during this thirty-year period. They have been wonderful to work with.

Farewell my friends. I wish you well. If you have not written down some of your memories for your family, I urge you to do so. Everyone has a story. The next generation needs to hear it.

When I knew I had touched someone it meant the world to me. God bless you. Thank you to all of you for making my life so worthwhile.

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell. Contact her at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.