“Grandparents are not dummies. We simply grew up when radio and television were the cutting edge of technology and a mouse was something we sent the cat after.”

These were the words of retired West Virginia University administrator and former West Virginia Supreme Court Judge and Welfare Commissioner Edwin Flowers as he explained the concept behind his new book,”Computer Smarts for Grandparents.”The publication, he said, was inspired by his grandchildren, Adam and Katie Flowers of Reisterstown, Md., who enthusiastically encouraged their grandparents to join the computer generation.

“As the computer age continues to dominate our lives, consumersespecially older adultswant to know how to navigate and operate one, but are often intimidated,”Flowers says.”My book encourages the older generation to enhance their lives by becoming computer literate.”

In the comprehensive book, Flowers gives tips on how to do simple word processing, surf the web, send e-mail, balance a checkbook and even shop for a computer.

He”talks”to his grandchildren frequently via e-mail because its convenient as well as cost effective, and he wants other older citizens to experience that connection too. As a tribute to them, Flowers had artist and friend Peggy Mangano draw a charcoal portrait of the three of them working side by side on the computer for the books cover.

Basically, this is a”how to”book, but more important, a”why not”book, the Morgantown resident claims. It is intended to encourage older beginners to overcome their reluctance to enroll in community computer classes and become computer users.

It is the only such guide written by a senior citizen for senior citizens. It is written in an easy, conversational style and printed in 14-point type for”mature eyes.”Over 100 pictures and illustrations accompany the light-hearted, but practical text.

It differs from the best seller”dummies”books because”it covers fundamentals that other books take for granted,”Flowers adds.”It explains the parts and what they do; how to make the computer do something useful; how to shop for a computer and softwareand its skinnier,”he quips.”Its exhaustive without being exhausting.”

“I simply had trouble with most of the computer books on the market,”he says.”The trouble with most is that the author knows too much about the subject. I am not handicapped that way.”

Flowers is working with a national publisher to market the book by fall, but it is currently available from Educational Publishers, P.O. Box 4162, Star City, WV 26504 -4162, or by contacting Flowers at 464 Aspen Street, Morgantown, WV 26505 , eflower2@wvu.edu , 599-6102. The manual costs $21.95 plus $2.50 for postage and handling and state tax for WV residents.

A sequel,”Computer Smarts for Cool Grandparents,”is also in the works, Flowers says, including more advance instruction on how to use a scanner and send pictures via e-mail.

Flowers has also authored two books on higher education laws.