Thanks so much for the offer, Bob. We do have Cox Cable, and it is connected to the TV monitor. Our VCR-DVD is a Toshiba DVR620KU, and the TV is a Samsung Led TV monitor, SyncMaster, series 3, TA350 and series 5, TA550, whatever that means. I don't know which letters and figures may be useful, so am repeating them all. I am sorry for not having gotten back to this problem for several months. There has been illness in the family, as well as computer problems, which are now solved, hopefully, with the aid of a friend, and what with personal problems and job demands, I just didn't feel like concentrating on the TV/recording problem. What I want most now, and can't do, is to record TV shows. Not HD or HBO or anything--just a few KPBS or sit-com things. Our TV cable service is basic. A visitor showed me that with an HDMI cable, I can watch tapes and DVDs from the Toshiba unit, a step in the right direction. However, I seem unable to bring up anything on the TV screen that will let me record to either the tape or the DVD. There is no place to plug in a coaxial cable to the Toshiba, so I figure that any recording would have to be from signals sent from the TV. (In fact, even if I could send signals directly from the cable connector in the wall to the Toshiba, there would still be no way to select channels to be recorded.) The problem is that all the ports and other places for hitching the TV to the Toshiba are labeled "IN" and, unlike our old TV, there are none for "OUT". Well, Bob, or any other kind person, does it seem that there may still be a way to record to the Toshiba device? Even to be able to record to VHS tapes would be great.

I've never used a paper towel, I'm scared of scratching the LCD. I just googled and they say to stay away from windex etc because they contain ammonia. The best bet is plain distilled water and a soft cloth. I always have distilled water on hand as we use it in the iron.

I own two Kindles and DH has one. Before the Kindles DH stopped reading much due to the his older eyes. He used to read a lot. Now he enjoys reading again. I still read both paper and Ebooks but now prefer the Ebooks also. At some point eyes tire easily as we age even with reading glasses. Not so with the Kindle. Love my Paperwhite, even in a dark room. I've decided to stop buying books as long as I can get them as Ebooks. Been getting rid of all the old paperbacks around here. Giving a few to friends, donating a few to the library but most are going directly into the recycling bin. The only books I really want to keep are those out of print, those with illustrations and children's books.

we don't have them, DH and me. smartphones, iPads..we have flip phones, no internet plan family and friends are sometimes very annoyed with us..:) ok..I can't do things just so it'll become more convenient to them. I tried all my life, and now I want to do whatever's better to me. And that smartsphone's not better..of course it has many many pluses and useful apps, but I'm struggling with it..it makes me dizzy..if kids give me their phone because somebody who called them wants to talk to me too-it's like my brain is being drilled. (regular cellphone btw I also avoid in the evenings when already tired. something with that sound that throws me off.) as for my DH-he plainly hates the idea of being constanly "wired" to the world. I understand him..I also hate this idea. He works a lot a lot of hours..if he also had an iPhone he wouldn't sleep at all. There's this expectation nowadays, of everybody being constanly available.. Kids, they have their smartphones etc(their Dad is always giving them gadgets..he loves gadgets himself, so he likes to give them too). It s considered very rude to have them out during a meal Last time we ate with relatives, and DD was very tired and a bit spaced out, so she checked her phone..I gave her The Look..:) they know The Look..:) was promptly hidden away DS did start having a problem when younger teen with playing games too much. Nothing worked, it was hard for him to establish that self control. until we just became very strict and said " you have two hours two days a week, and three hours on Sunday" or something like this. That worked. Of course if he slips-he looses his other hours this week. So he learned not to. Of course he's somebody who won't lie..so with him, it worked. He's like me-very compliant. Lying makes him so uncomfortable he tells truth just to escape this huge inner discomfort:) He saw some relatives' kids recently and they're glued to their phones..they're younger though, approximately his age when it was hard for him to restrict the time with games...he said "so sad, their addiction is stronger than mine in their age" Of course he still plays, twits, snapschats, whatnot, but he's in control...and he doesn't have much time for games anymore-school and work and sport..very busy. He still texts me to let know he's safely here or there. I had the same thing with DD when she was younger. Now she just calls, almost every day. When I was a teen I had this thing I should be at home by 10, or later 11 pm for example and if not there I call and let know where I am. My late Dad had a very severe heart disease, anxiety could literally kill him..so yes, letting know that one's fine was strongly enforced. Telling bad news was slightly discouraged though..:) So, they always mostly saw my sunny side up..my family I mean.. My kids share with me more..or so I think.. yes, times change my Mom would go to swim in a river for several hours with other kids when she was five or so:) (almost drowned couple times btw..Grandma stayed blissfully ignorant me, Mom already watched like a hawk when I was little and in the water. until I learnt to swim well. but we walked around the city and took buses since very young age and played a lot outside by ourselves..something that you won't see here usually. we were much more independent. me, I'm a pretty anxious mother. I just try to keep it quiet. with some doubtful success:) but I think it's important to understand somebody somewhere worries about you ..take a minute of your time and send this short text. If you already have tyour phone and all. Nobody's going to respect you less for that. It will be the other way around. Be considerate to others, and never be apologetic about it. Now, I'd like others to be considerate to me too, and stop bugging me about how I must communicate with them in a way that will take minimum of their precious time. I still have a cellphone, normal phone, a laptop with internet, and they're totally able to find me when needed. Winking and waving, I don't really understand. Wanna talk-talk. Not in the mood-don't talk. When I'm interested in talking I write them letters or dial their number..same if I'm worried about them. My Mom, I usually talk to her couple times a week, and if she doesn't pick the phone I write to her..same thing if she can't reach me. My going off Facebook was very fruitful, since my brother came to visit us here at last. Otherwise everybody has this illusion of participating..ah we see the pictures, ah everybody's fine, ah why should we come then, plane's expensive, blah blah I'm sorry but the plane expensive to me just the same..and I want to travel to other countries too..)) yet for years I chose my country and family to visit.. Time for them to choose me So I guess they caught my drill. and having my brother here, even for a few days-that was happiness..We felt close again as we did when we were kids. It was real.. ..wow, that was long. Sorry..