Sunday, November 16, 2008

Whispers from the Cellar

Once in a while, in my line of work, I find myself on the phone with a customer from my home state of West Virginia. Good natured banter always ensues, as we are a friendly and clannish folk. The customer relays news from home, and I dutifully lament my loss at having left the place. Yesterday, though, the usual script took a surprising turn.

At the end of the call, the client recited the first line of the West Virginia state song: "Oh the West Virginia hills, how majestic and how grand." To which I found myself adding, without hesitation, the next line: "With their summits bathed in glory like our Prince Immanuel's land."

Where the HELL did that come from? I haven't sung that song since grade school. In the '50s.

But wait, there's more: Today on public radio, I heard that researchers have discovered that baby boomer brains are still carrying around an extra load of carbon 14 from the nuclear bomb tests done when we were babies. Some parts of people regenerate completely over time, but the brain just keeps packing new stuff into its original equipment. Hmm. Permanent, radioactive memories. This explains so much.

So it seems I have reached the age where I can't remember whether I took a pill with the glass of water I am still holding in my hand, but factoids from half a century ago are on speed dial. Nature has a cruel sense of humor, and she loves to screw with old people.

5 comments:

Sandcastle Momma said...

LOL That is funny. I have the same problem - I can't remember why I walked into the next room but I can tell you all about my kindergarten teacher and how she wore a raincoat every single day - rain or shine LOL

MyMaracas said...

Momma, Isn't it weird how that works? I'm constantly forgetting what I came into a room for. It's frustrating.

Carly said...

ROFLMAO!

Oh honey, we have got to get together sometime and share stories! LOL. I LOVED this post, but then again, I love all your posts! :)

Hugs, Carly

Anonymous said...

Funny how that happens, huh... and good to know we have company in that regard ;-)

Rose said...

I am so glad I am not the only one forgetting things...but I still fear what I will be like by the time I reach 60 or 70 if I live that long!