text: Paula Shene/cover Pam Dutcher AAK! Bookrix is down!! 
   
   
     
   
   
   
   Day 1 
   
   
   AAK!  Bookrix is down! Right in the middle of the book!!  Just great!  I hope they extend the time when it comes back up.   
   
       “Looks like you’re writing.  Oh,  that 
     cig 
    article.      Why aren’t you on Bookrix?  I thought you were not to be disturbed because you were reading contest entries.” 
   
       Sigh.  “Its dead, Jim!  Dead, I say!  The pixel gods have redirected my circuits.   
       Bookrix is down supposedly for a couple of hours but knowing technical problems with servers, it could take days.   
       I check back every couple of hours on the Bookrix Facebook page for status information and according to the time posted, it’s looping a two to four hour window.  How much you want to bet it’s down for another day, Pres?  No?   
       So, you and Meg heading up island now?  Do I make dinner for you two or not?” 
   
        “We’ll call and let you know, but probably just you and dad." 
   
   
   Day 2 
   
   
       Jeesh.  My face look like I’ve been run over by a tractor.  Five hours.  Well I guess that’s better than the four the night before.  Hope this new medicine kicks in and helps him sleep better.   
       Yawn.  Coffee, next stop ... bypass the siren and get that coffee! 
       Yup, still down.  Guess I’ll get some more work done. 
   
   
       “Say, Mom, looks like Bookrix is not up yet!  So could you fix my computer?  It’s isn’t running right and I can’t unclog it!  It’s driving me nuts.” 
   
      “Sure, put it over there on top of the freezer. I'll get to it after I do some more research for this article.     
       It’s the second in the series and I want it done for the first of the month.  There are so many facts on this subject and even if I don’t specifically quote them, you know I don’t like going off half cocked, so it may be a while before I get to the hard drive. 
      Did you do what I told you to, to clear it out?  Yeah, I can see by the look on your face, you didn’t.”  
   
       “Mom, I need this fixed so I can do my farm and I’m afraid to delete anything, I might need it.  I think some of the programs could go too.  I’m just not sure which. ” 
   
       Sigh.  “Yeah, that’s why this house looks the way it does.  Sometimes, I feel like I relocated to the local dump.   
       Before I do your computer, I’m making up a list of what needs to be done and we’re scheduling it in.  You know those ‘to do’ lists?  You seemed to accomplish more with the list pinned near to your heart - I’ll put it on the refrigerator and we’ll discuss it when you get home. 
       Are you and Meg going to be home for dinner or just dad and I?” 
   
       “Just you two.  Love ya.  See you later!” 
   
            “Bye.” 
   
   
       “Look at the time!  Why didn’t you tell me you guys were hungry?  There better not be any fights tonight, you hear me, Shadow?  You leave them alone.  It’s not like you don’t get your share! 
       Hey Hon, dinner will be in about forty-five minutes. Feeding the dogs now.  Been working on the chemical additives background and got sucked right in; well, metaphorically speaking, that is.” 
       Okay, okay, just a minute, you dogs!  Let me check and see if Bookrix is back up.  It’s not.” Sigh. 
   
   
       “The ball game is on late tonight, isn’t it? Oh, LA, right.  Well, I’m going back to research and...oh damn, no I’m not.    I’m going to defrag Pres’ computer and since I’ve been after him for weeks, and with all his complaining, this may take some time.” 
   
      Whew  ..I would say it's long overdue for a cleaning.  If he’d just do what I say about clearing the data this would not be a problem.   Okay, now on to the programs. 
   
       The dogs barking announces the arrival home of Pres and Meg. 
   
       Are they early?  No!  Wow, didn’t realize all that time has gone by while doing this. 
   
       “Hi mom, did you get my computer done.” 
   
       “That’s a greeting if I ever heard one.  Oh yeah, let’s dissect that sentence.  Oh, pardon me, you did say ‘Hi Mom’ before wanting to know about the computer."   
   
  Meg grins and winks as she walks by. 
   
       "What do you think?  I told you I would do it.  You know the roles are reversed here.  You, in your thirties should know how to do this stuff and me, ‘being older,’ statistically, really shouldn’t.   
       It’s a machine.  Machines, at least for now, do as we tell them and with the technology today, there are backups so if I screw up, it can be re installed.  Give it a try.” 
   
       “I can’t get into Google!” 
   
       “Oops.  Let me fix that.  This could take a few minutes.” 
   
       “My farm is going to rot!” 
   
       “Use my machine.  I’m going to bed when I get this up.”  Hmm... now I see the problem.  “It’s fixed.  Told you, I can’t really screw things up too bad.  The machine knows if something’s missing and fixes it.  Now.  I’m off to bed.  Just make sure my baby is put to sleep before you leave it for the night.” 
   
       “Will do.  Night Mom.  And, hey thanks!  G’Night.” 
   
       “I hope so. Tell Meg goodnight, too.  Oh, take a look at the list on the fridge before you head downstairs and  please 
   , please take  your baby 
    with you.  Don't like it in harm's way and that's the path to the bathroom.  Can't guarantee your dad's actions if he goes sleepwalking.” 
   
   
   
   Day 3 
   
   
       Yawn. Need some coffee, lots of coffee.  Check for Bookrix... no!  Coffee first. 
   
       “What’s the noise about?” 
   
       “Sorry, Hon.  Bookrix is back on line!” 
   
   
   
   
   
   Publication Date: July 31st 2011 https://www.bookrix.com/-paulashene