When do You Get the Privilege?

There are a couple of interesting debates that I am following. One has to do with lowering the drinking age from 21-years old to 18-years old. The argument is that a young person who is able to serve his or her country in the military, vote for our president, get married and/or have a child might have a right to buy a beer.

The flip side of this (and the irony is not lost on me) is people who want to up the age to get a driver's licence.

Just like every other phase of life, some people are more mature and certainly more responsible. If I had the answer, I might run for office.

In our state, we're also debating a bill that would allow liquor to be sold on Sunday. It's been amended so many times that now you can order a drink in a restaurant or in a sports facility but you can't walk into a store and buy a case of beer. This makes no sense to anyone but all the politicos are rallying.

Hindsight is 20/20. I'm not one of those 15- or 16-year olds waiting to have the freedom of a driver's license. I've never been in the military and I'm so thankful no one put a rifle in my hand at 18-years old. The Sunday liquor law is annoying and I do understand the loss of revenue but of all the problems in this state and this country, this little tidbit doesn't come close to making my top ten.

The "Get Me Out of Here" Window

Remember being pre-teen or early teens? In my day, you did not have the option of cell phones and texting. You were at the mercy of your parents and what they chose as family entertainment.

For a while, my parents chose square dancing -- complete with the full outfits.

Ok, I admit I enjoyed the dancing part but most of the time I felt like a dork. I've always loved dancing but this was not my fave. Part of it felt like I landed on the set of Hee Haw. When you go to school and someone asks, "What did you do this weekend?" Trust me, you don't want to say, "I went square dancing."

We dragged others along. One of my first crushes was Greg Davis and that kind boy accompanied me to many square dances. What was he thinking?

I used to count the days until Jan would get her driver's license. She didn't need my help but I would've taken the test for her. Just get it and let's get out of here!

The Belle would be proud that I was wearing pearls.

Driver's License

Do you remember passing the test and getting your driver's licence? I do. But even more so, I remember when Jan got hers. Who cares who is driving? One of us had the freedom and flexibility to take on the world.

This is the way the doctor explained the oldie's situation to me. (Remember, he has been instructed by me to speak to me like I'm a 5-year old.) "This is the antithesis of the day you get your driver's license. That day represents an open world, open choices, everything is an option. The day you go into (or are put into) a Home, it is the complete full circle. Your options are narrowing. The road is limited. You are no longer in the driver's seat."

I could use some military training. Both Hangdog and Big Daddy are keeping a stiff upper lip. I'm still spending a lot of time on the dog's pillow.