I enjoyed your “Fully manual’s fine…” editor’s column in Wednesday’s paper. You cleverly put into words my thoughts about things automatic versus things manual. I heartily agree that power windows are a pain, as are automatic seatbelts. I, too, miss the little triangle window for ventilation that was once standard equipment.

How about dedicating another article to other innovations that are supposed short cuts? Voice mail for instance…the loss of the human touch by the use of the recorded messages. Have you tried to call the phone company lately? Or the bank? Or Social Security? Do you have an hour to wait until “all of our operators” aren’t “busy with other customers”?

How about a column on manually written letters? Nothing seems more disappointing to me as a keyboarded, Xeroxed Christmas letter. When you care enough to send the best (thanks, Hallmark)… send a hand-written note.

This handwritten note is also to thank you for your friendly paper full of Whidbey Island human interest news. I don’t get over to “Thistles,” my Coupeville cabin, as often as I’d like, but through your paper I keep up on the news of the rock.

A note of appreciation should be extended to Rick Levin for his well-written, informative article on Beethoven.

Marilyn Ridge

Shoreline