Sometimes a girl just needs something new to make her feel young and invigorated once again.
The girl I am talking about just happens to be my 96 year old mother. She has a mind as sharp as the day she graduated university in 1940. Being born and raised in California she is a Democrat through and through.
Other than her family, teaching and literature, my mother's greatest love is world politics. When Barack Obama burst onto the scene in 1994 with his DNC speech it was like a fire had been lit under her. With no racial slur intended, and only his age as reference she said 'you just watch, that boy is going to lead the free world one day and we will all be better for it.' She was off to the races to support her new found political idol. Mom has an extreme dislike for 'that weasel Willard' as she calls him. Every time he lies she smiles and says 'another one for the President to put on his list for the debates.'
I have been asking mom for the past year if she would like a new TV because the one she has is small and old. I always got the same answer 'it still works so why would I get rid of it?' Yesterday was a very different story. I dropped her apartment and had hardly gotten through the door when:
Mom: I've got to get a new TV now
Me: Why right now at this moment when you have said no for over a year?
Mom: I just need one - you know those big ones that are flat and black around the edges with the people that look so real they could step out and shake your hand.
Me: OK so you want a HD TV. No problem but I really would like to take one of the grandsons with us because neither of us knows much about buying and setting them up.
Mom: 'they have people to do that'
Me: How do you know?
Mom: I just do
Me: OK we'll go tomorrow
Mom: No we'll go now.
And so we did. The young man in the store was most helpful and told me that it was as simple as plugging it in and hooking the cable. She reserved her 'I told you so'. Driving back to her place she just sat with a smug smile, didn't want to stop for lunch or even a coffee - 'just get us home and hook this thing up I need to be sure it works properly'.
Once back in her apartment, TV hooked up and working fine, over a cup of tea I asked her why the big rush.
Mom: The debates
Me: But Mom they aren't until next week. We had plenty of time.
Mom: I had to be sure
She asked if I would come and watch the debates with her. I am so looking forward to next Wednesday - an Evening with The President and my Mom.
Note: Mom called me this morning to tell me she had a hair appointment for next Wednesday and was going to wear her red suit. Her slogan has always been to look good at all times because you never know. Apparently she wants to be ready if indeed The President steps out of that big screen and shakes her hand.
The teabagger sisters are not invited.