mrdreamjeans | Two Old Birds With Gumption!

I had barely taken my seat in the heart surgeon’s office opposite my Dad today when a voice with a heavy Texas twang informed me, “I don’t mind being old. I just mind the side effects!” I turned around and looked at two senior ladies of a certain age ... actually 86 and 88 ... sisters ... skinny and bony with carefully coiffed upsweeps (purple rinse gleaming in the fluorescent overhead light), in full Texas matron make-up ... large baubles in their ears and on their fingers ... colorful sexy tops and capri pants, tasteful pumps showing off still well-turned ankles. Texas women of a certain age don’t go anywhere without making an effort. Their effort must have been considerable:)

When I realized the chat was aimed at me, I nodded and smiled and asked how they were doing. The first voice belonged to the older of the two sisters. (I’ll call her Lottie:) Lottie quickly (and loudly) shared with me that she was from Kemah; her sister “Neva” was from Rockdale. Neva at 86 years young had had a quadruple bypass three weeks before and was getting around just fine, thank you, without the assistance of a cane or walker.

Neva was at a dance three weeks ago when her chest started to pain her. She said to her beau, I do believe I need to sit the rest of this one out. She stayed at the party (evidently, it was a good one) till it was over. She didn’t go to the doctor the next day either. When she finally called two days after the attack, he told her to get there as soon as possible. She drove herself and showed up at the hospital alone. When the doctor scolded her, she sassed back, saying, “You told me to get over here right away. I did. You didn’t mention me bringin’ anyone else.”

Neva and Lottie have seven brothers and one sister, all of them alive and kicking. Before going in to see her surgeon for her second followup, she was scolding the office clerk. Saying aloud to everyone in ear shot, “Can you imagine this little ole heart attack and bypass surgery’s cost me $90,000 so far and they tell me all the bills aren’t in yet!!” Lottie was most offended that they charged $12 a tylenol. “Why, I coulda brought Neva a bottle from the house and saved Medicare some money if they just had a told me!!”, she declared.

A couple of minutes later, Neva and Lottie were called to the examining room. Neva shuffled by me with determination, arms outstretched for balance, with a list of questions for the Doc. About 15 minutes later, she triumphantly re-entered the room. She told me, “I got all of my questions answered. I’m gonna go dancin’ soon. I’m gonna be back drivin’ ... (and most importantly) ...He told me I could have a drink!” The two women, both forces of nature, exited the room, slamming the door behind them. I looked at Mom and Dad and another couple in the room and suddenly, we all began to smile, then laugh. Gotta love that kind of gumption!

I’m in serious like for Sirius radio. All of these trips to the doctor have been made much easier by having great music bouncin’ off the walls of the car. I’m really into the Country Roadhouse, Bluegrass and Broadway stations and listen to OutQ106 daily. This small corner of the world sure seems a lot bigger with 198 choices, no commercials or censorship while I’m driving!

Kevin Smith was on “Regis and Kelly” this morning pimping his new film “Clerks 2”. I have several close friends who speak of his movies with reverence. I haven’t seen any of his films, so this isn’t a comment about his work. I can only speak to my impression (negative) from seeing this show. Smith showed up today on the program looking like a slob in cut-off shorts and bowling shirt (didn’t even look clean), talked about his smelly feet, was rude and abrasive. (I suspect he was trying to be funny and at the same time let the audience know he was slumming.) It was priceless seeing Regis non-plussed, but if you don’t want to do that kind of promotion, don’t do it. He makes someone like Michael Moore, whose mocumentaries I enjoy, but personally dislike, look like a class act.

Current Mood: amused
Current Location: Brenham, Texas
Current Music: Midnight Hour