DEAR EDITOR:

Modern technology encompasses aggravation. It is not all it’s cracked up to be, as they claim. It is disappointing compared to expectations.

Try getting through to a company on your smartphone to settle a financial matter. There is no other way to say it, “Total frustration.”

Illustrating our problem with the song by Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, “Sylvia’s Mother.”

Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s busy

Too busy to come to the phone.

Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s trying to start a new life of her own.

Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s happy,

So why don’t you leave her alone?

And the operator said 40 cents more for the next three minutes

Please, Mrs. Avery, I just gotta talk to her

I’ll only keep her a while.

Please, Mrs. Avery, I just want to tell her goodbye.

Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s packing,

She’s gonna be leaving today.

Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s marrying a fella down Galveston way.

Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s happy,

So why don’t you leave her alone?

And the operator said 40 cents more for the next three minutes.

Please, Mrs. Avery, I just want to tell her goodbye.

Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s hurrying

She’s catching the nine o’clock train.

Sylvia’s mother said, “Take your umbrella ’cause Sylvia, it’s starting to rain.

And Sylvia’s mother said, “Thank you for calling, and, sir, won’t you call back again?”

And the operator said 40 cents more for the next three minutes

Please, Mrs. Avery, I just gotta talk to her

I’ll only keep her a while.

Please, Mrs. Avery, I just want to tell her goodbye.

Tell her goodbye, please, tell her goodbye.

PAUL R. LAWSON

McDonald