Saturday Memory
May 24, 2025

One effect of “remembering,” is often to increase desire for something left behind. A typical experience is the high school dream or memory coming late in adulthood. Such dreams and memories bring up the “road not taken” [see Robert Frost’s 1916 poem]. It comes back again as a potential aspect for completing one’s life. This remembering can bring up the oddest things at the oddest times. For example, my main computer is a Windows 10 desktop which is about 3 years old. Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 in October of this year. Unfortunately, my computer does not have the necessary hardware to upgrade to Windows 11. Microsoft suggests buying a new computer with Windows 11 already installed. The thrifty Scot in me rebels at this. So, as I was mulling over what to do, I was flooded with memories of making my own high-fidelity system in the early 60’s, and more than 60 years ago. I have not thought of this in decades and here it comes again very late in my life. What I remember was the great joy I experienced in building the system. With that, a started to feel joy again and saw perhaps that building my own computer now was the solution to my dilemma. I haven’t fully decided to do this until I do some research, but I’m leaning toward fulfilling this desire this old memory instills in me. Now, I recall as well, the first thing I listened to on my new DynaKit hi-fi system: Beethoven’s 9th symphony and how stunning it was to hear Ode to Joy.