I have been lusting after the new iPhone4. I know, you say it is too much phone for me. It would be an expensive purchase. I probably wouldn't use all the features. It would be too costly to operate. I don't really need it.

All of these things are true, but I have been busy making arguments to refute each one. It is similar to what I used to do when my mother would point out all the reasons for me to not buy clothes when she could make them so much cheaper...better fitting...more unique. All true, but I longed for dyed to match outfits from the Jones store just the same.

In the past I have not really been a cell phone person. In fact, I am regularly ridiculed by my friends because I don't turn the cell phone on, rarely carry it, don't text, don't use speed dial and don't know how to program it. I have resisted being permanently attached to a cell phone. Sometimes I just don't want to be available.

None of this deters me because once I make my mind up to try I find I am not really technologically challenged. The issue up to now has been that I did not see a specific benefit to me in attaching myself to a cell phone. However, my friend Debbie Tyson has convinced me that it would be a wonderful way to carry a portfolio of my art work. Once I got that I began to see many other reasons to have an iPhone.

A recurring reason to embrace new technology of any sort is that it gives me something to talk about with my grandchildren. They will always know more than me. They generously teach me. I am a willing learner. I know I can count on them to tell me about the things that interest them and often I will be interested too.

My granddaughter Sullivan commented recently that she has noticed I/we are slow to embrace new technology, but when we do we get good equipment. True enough. I don't want to be a slave to new gadgets because there will always be another something wonderful available next month. However, when I can see a clear benefit, I am easily persuaded.

This summer my friend Heather Johnson showed me some of the filming and editing features on her new iPhone4. I was enthralled. By chance she also taught me an important lesson about insuring phones when she accidentally dropped hers and broke the glass on it. I see I am still a Babe in the Woods when it comes to knowing about such things.

So it seems I still have a little research to do. I won't rush into this, but I can see that I am on my way to a major phone upgrade. In the meantime, maybe I'll practice my texting.