I admit that for the major portion of my life I was overly interested in technology, especially electronics, and ESPECIALLY, especially anything having to do with broadcasting, whether receiving or sending.

And I've always been handy with tools, primarily because I like doing that kind of stuff.  I think I got that from my mother's daddy who was quite a craftsman.

But in recent years, say the past ten, I've let the new innovations get away from me.  For an example, I have no need for an I-Pod.  I probably have nearly 1,000 CDs of the music I love, and a stereo that's big, I'll admit, but will drown out any kid's booming car driving down the street.

Patty has been after me for more than a year to upgrade from the old Sony 24 inch TV set that we've had for a very long time.  She wanted a flat screen high definition TV that could be mounted on the wall.  "The grand kids expect us to have one, and it'll be a great way for us to watch "Dancing with the Stars," she told me.

So between her and her son, Randy, they figured out which TV we should get, how big it should be...the whole works.  My only criteria was that it had to be a Sony.  So they ordered a Sony KDL-4024100 from Walmart's web site.  It's a 40 inch job.

It arrived and after we unpacked it, I learned that it didn't come with the parts to mount it on the wall, and further, if you want the one Sony sells, you're looking at about $225 for 5 or so pieces of metal and a handful of screws. 

So I went shopping.  I bought a wall mount from Fry's.  $125. Millions of parts and a quadrillion ways to mix and match the parts so it would fit the customer's TV.  It didn't fit ours.  Then I bought another style from Target.  $100.  Half as many parts, but it was too small to reach across the back of the TV.

After church I stopped by Home Depot to rent a tile wet saw.  While I was there, on a whim I looked to see if they had a contraption to hang our new TV.  They did, and I hung it today by myself (important because most of them are so awkward that they require two people).  There are only four parts plus a wide selection of screws so that there will be the right ones for every TV.  It cost $125.

So I'm writing this piece to save you from misery.  Buy the Space Saver Mounting System, Model #30630.  If you know how to use a level and an electric drill, you can easily and quickly wall mount your flat screen TV.  And thank Home Depot for carrying them.

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS

214 503-8563

1 800 314-7110

Our 43rd Year Selling Texas