5/18/11

Sometimes voting can teach you about more than just responsibility...


I have this thing about voting – I kind of feel it’s our privilege and duty to do so.


No vote? No right to complain.


I pulled out of my new driveway tonight, and drove down a lovely country road to my new polling place. It was located inside a lovely retirement community; in fact, it was the final residence of my sister’s father-in-law, and I felt a smile as I walked through its familiar corridors. The walls were lined with beautiful artwork, and it felt like I was walking into a comfy, cozy, familiar home.


I followed the signs until I located the room that housed the voting machines. I walked up the volunteers who were sitting in chairs behind a long table, and found the spot where I was to register. I looked at the woman and smiled, “I hope this is where I vote! I have just recently moved in a new home.”


A voice beside her said, “You most certainly have!” I was shocked to see that the voice belonged to the woman who so lovingly tended the house I now live in for the last 42 years. “And we loved your past piece in the paper. It was lovely. Just lovely.”


“Thank you!” I said. "Thank you so much." I was so pleasantly surprised, and gushed about how much I loved the home.


“Are you enjoying the flowers coming up? Have the azaleas bloomed? Did the hydrangea come up?” I answered her questions, sharing the various surprises that have popped up in the gardens surrounding the house.


“I have one question, though," I asked, "What exactly is coming up in the big garden next to the wooden deck? The garden surrounded by rocks? They look like tall, tall weeds, and I almost yanked them but I had a feeling they might be something else.”


“That’s Horseradish!” she said with a smile. "You can dig it up, wash it and I think you soak it for a while. I might have a recipe…”


“Oh, I hope you do! I love horseradish!” I was so excited, and relieved that I hadn’t yanked it all out.


She thought for a moment, and said, “I’ll look for the recipe…"


And then I heard a voice coming from what appeared to be a 100 year-old woman sitting on the far end of the table.


“Oh just GOOGLE it!” she said with a shout.


Yeah. The 100 year-old woman at the Voter’s registration table remembered Google.




I’ve been trumped by a woman with blue hair.

26 comments:

Ellie Mae said...

Hilarious! Yay for the blue-haired 100-yr-old woman!! I hope I stay sharp in my golden years. Thanks for the smile.

Captain Dumbass said...

Bah ha ha ha ha! And I agree with the right to complain. If you don't vote, keep your mouth shut.

Cheryl D. said...

That's awesome! I went to a garage at a home in my neighborhood to vote. It wasn't as much fun!

Kerry Ann @Vinobaby's Voice said...

At least SHE learned something in her 100 years. There's still time for you. Maybe. (Well, the world IS supposed to end this weekend.) But at least you voted.

Cheers.
VB

Leslie said...

I am intrigued by fresh horseradish. I like the jarred kind...so I'm interested. Let us know how it is...

Misguidedmommy said...

Bahahahahaha that is awesome. Although inwould have loved a handwritten recipe from the home owner would have been so special. Having one printed from google doesn't have the same homey feel. But thinking of the blue haired lady every time you look at that is a little special so.....

Diana of Windmasters Hill said...

Haha! I love it!!! Older people know how to catch you off guard and knock you for a loop, don't they?

Sue said...

Funny how things just "happen"! It was like your were supposed to be there because you deserve to be treated nicely and feel good about yourself. And you are right, voting is very important. Have a great day!

Take care,
Sue

Krystal said...

Well, I was shocked at how tech savvy kids are these days, now I have to worry about the old foke too? Jees!

So. Cal. Gal said...

I hate when that happens. ; ) Wait. I wish my mom knew more about technology. She's always asking me how to get on Facebook. *sigh*

Magpie said...

That's sweet. Good to live in a small town, eh?

Jeanne Estridge said...

Sounds like you've moved into a wonderful community.

Gigi said...

Gotta love older folks who are tech-savvy!

Sharon Rose said...

I do love what seniors with blue hair say, especially when it's unexpected.

Horse Radish. . . I can only imagine, grating the rooted plant, eating it with shrimp and cocktail sauce, eyes watering and nose burning so bad it hurts!

.....wait! Where was I? Oh yeah, the blue haired lady. She must have made you laugh out loud!

ChiTown Girl said...

That's hilarious! I'm completely impressed that she even is aware of what the hell Google IS!

I love horseradish, so I can't wait to hear about your adventures in harvesting and using it.

Ice Queen said...

It's a good thing you found that cute little house. The horseradish would have been lonely. =)

Jane said...

You always make me laugh! I am curious about your newspaper work. Is it something we can read here, or do we have to actually get the actual paper?
Thanks!

Dawn said...

I love it when the elderly stay up with the times!!

And to think, you thought you were gonna have to replant. :)

Carrieann said...

Ha! My 80 year old grandfather just reminded me that he reads everything I post on my facebook wall. Oops. Yummm...horseradish....

Irish Gumbo said...

Somebody got served :)

Centenarian FTW!

unmitigated me said...

e-mail me your address, lady, I got something for ya.

SSP said...

that is hilarious!!! I love it :-) Just google it...i can HEAR her voice...I wonder if my grandma knew what google was :-)

edh said...

Hi, just had to de-lurk to say I love your writing; the tales of your classroom never fail to make my day, though you also confirm my belief that teachers are saints. Thank you, on behalf of all parents.
Also, we have a sizable horseradish patch, and I don't know what we'd do without it. Once you've grated your own, the stuff from the store seems downright insipid, just dig up a few good sized roots (not the really giant ones, they can be sort of woody), wash well and grate on the fine side of a box grater. Just try to do it near an open window and, if possible, use a fan to blow the fumes out the window. Seriously, it BURNS. When it's all grated up, add enough vinegar ( we use our own cider vinegar but I think anything works) to cover, and a bit of salt. It doesn't take much salt, I think just a few tablespoons to a quart is what we use. Sorry to be so longwinded, just really like horseradish...

Joanna Jenkins said...

High Five to the 100 year old :-)

Glad the garden is coming in. It must be a treat to see what'll bloom next. I hope you're loving it.

xo jj

♥ Braja said...

Screw Cap'n Dumbass, let him hunt me down, the chicken...but I disagree with the "no vote, no right to complain" line. Why not? If there's no one worth voting for, why vote? PLENTY of reason to complain: lack of qualification.

I rest my case.

Bring it on, Dumbass....:))

Ekanthapadhikan said...

I realise that it's not age that keeps people away from technology, it's just their spirit of existence - how much someone is willing to adapt to the changing times.Thanks for the smiles...