There are some things that have gone the way of “modern” living, but not so fast. I guess I am still a bit old school.

Yes, I still write checks to pay bills. Recently, I was looking to buy a nice, sturdy checkbook cover and could not find one in any stores locally. A clerk at Boscov’s looked at me like I had two heads when I asked if the store carried checkbook covers. I suppose I could resort to online shopping, yet I’m not sure such items still exist.

More and more things are disappearing in the retail world. What happened to the L’eggs pantyhose eggs? I realize that the younger generation is not one to wear stockings or pantyhose. However, women of my age prefer such coverage when sporting a dress or skirt. Those oversized plastic eggshells were put to good use, too.

When I worked at Hornes in Wheeling, there was a hat and wig department where a wonderful woman would fit you for the perfect topper. I wish hat wearing would become a trend again for women. Hats seemed to finish a look back in the day. Plus a properly worn hat can make up for a bad hair day.

Hats have never gone out of style for men. They just have traded the traditional fedoras for ball caps, derbys and flat caps. Manners have changed, too, regarding the wearing of hats. It appears to be totally acceptable for men to wear hats indoors, say, while dining. That used to drive my mother crazy, but she was from a whole other generation.

There are some things that are local traditions that I hope never fade. When invited to a friend, neighbor or family dinner, it is customary to never arrive empty handed. That, too, is something my mother said was just good manners. It could be something as simple as a plate of cookies to show your appreciation.

Today’s instant cellphone photos may have made the 35mm cameras sitting in my desk obsolete. Yet you will still catch me printing out photos and putting them in a picture frame or photo album. No need to scroll through a phone when I can just flip a page or admire a framed picture.

I still iron clothes although the fashion industry swears by its permanent press labels. I beg to disagree. There’s something to be said for a nicely creased pair of slacks. Country singer George Strait would never think of walking on stage in anything less than his sharply creased blue jeans. I can’t argue with that use of the steam iron.

I’m sure all of the readers of this column can think of dozens of things that they do despite changing times and trends. Sometimes the old ways are still the best.

Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligener.net.