Whether it’s a grandmother showing the family tree to a grandchild on the internet, or a grandchild showing a grandparent how to play internet checkers online, computers are quickly bridging the generation gap.

Maybe you have never owned a computer or don’t even know how to turn one on, but there are plenty of ways to learn how to use one.

Some community colleges and community centers offer courses in basic computer skills. Some instructional DVD’s and computer CD’s are available. Or maybe even a friend or relative can show you in a few simple steps.

It’s not so hard. If you can work a sewing machine, a computer shouldn’t be too hard.

Don’t let the idea frighten you. It can open up a whole new world, for you as well as your family.

Using the internet is like going to the library to find reading material and pictures on your favorite subjects, only faster and in your own home. And if you don’t have one in your home, you can always use a family member’s or one at the library.

If you enjoy gardening, you can find countless articles and images related to gardening. You can print the pages out and refer to them whenever you want, even start a scrapbook.

If you like quilting or cooking, you’ll find patterns and recipes on the internet.

Just type a key phrase into the search window of a search engine, and you’re on your way.

Let’s say your grandchild has a book report on spiders due tomorrow. You don’t have time to go to the library, so you hop on the computer, type “spiders” into the search window, and there you will find more than you ever wanted to know about spiders.

You may be surprised to find that your grandson already knows how to use a computer, and probably does at school, so it could very well be that he is the one showing you how to find that antique lamp you’ve been looking for.