Alexa informed us that we are in the top 1% for listening to Neil Diamond on Amazon. My mother was thrilled. Since introducing the devise - or Alice, Alexer, Allie, Alec, or what’s her name? – my 90-year-old mother has wholeheartedly embraced her new cyber friend. Jeff Bezos would be pleased.
Every morning at 6:30 I am awakened by a series of shouting of commands until one finally sticks. Inevitably it is, “Alexa play Neil Diamond” quickly followed by “Alexa louder.” And just like that, “Sweet Caroline” fills our home.
The other day my mother commented, “That man can sing.” Yes indeed. Having heard him for eight hours a day, seven days a week, for three months straight, I would have to agree. Every once in a while, I try to sneak in Bob Dylan. No go. Alexa receives her instructions loud and clear: back to Neil. He has truly become the third member of the household. There are even times when my mother states, “He could be my husband I listen to him so much.”
I will say, Neil is a welcomed change. Last summer, pre-Alexa, we relied on my Spotify for our musical pleasure and it became the summer of Les Misérables. Every day, all day, we heard Jean Valjean ask “Who am I?” over and over and over again. At the end of the year Spotify wrapped up my listening habits and based on my musical choices, guessed my age at 88 while confirming a deep love of musical theater. Yup.
I am savoring the last days of summer. Soon I will return west where my own Alexa awaits. I am going to miss my mom terribly, but Neil will give me strength and guidance, “Song sung blue/ Weepin’ never did nobody no good.”
Every morning at 6:30 I am awakened by a series of shouting of commands until one finally sticks. Inevitably it is, “Alexa play Neil Diamond” quickly followed by “Alexa louder.” And just like that, “Sweet Caroline” fills our home.
The other day my mother commented, “That man can sing.” Yes indeed. Having heard him for eight hours a day, seven days a week, for three months straight, I would have to agree. Every once in a while, I try to sneak in Bob Dylan. No go. Alexa receives her instructions loud and clear: back to Neil. He has truly become the third member of the household. There are even times when my mother states, “He could be my husband I listen to him so much.”
I will say, Neil is a welcomed change. Last summer, pre-Alexa, we relied on my Spotify for our musical pleasure and it became the summer of Les Misérables. Every day, all day, we heard Jean Valjean ask “Who am I?” over and over and over again. At the end of the year Spotify wrapped up my listening habits and based on my musical choices, guessed my age at 88 while confirming a deep love of musical theater. Yup.
I am savoring the last days of summer. Soon I will return west where my own Alexa awaits. I am going to miss my mom terribly, but Neil will give me strength and guidance, “Song sung blue/ Weepin’ never did nobody no good.”
