Politely Pumping

As the last notch on my digital gas tank was angrily flashing at me, I pulled into the nearest Shell station to fill 'er up. After swiping my card, pumping the gas, and returning the nozzle, the gas pump machine asked me if I wanted a receipt. My options were "Yes" and "No, thanks." I thought, well isn't that nice? Shell is teaching folks manners! But I wondered, why not the affirmative option, "Yes, please." It goes both ways, Shell! Oh well, at least the negative option wasn't, "No way, you jerk, and screw you for even asking!"

My 19-Year-Old Cat

My sister took this picture and posted it on her blog, but it's just too good not to post on mine too. This is Mario. He's 19 in human years. He is diabetic and gets insulin shots twice a day. His meow could wake the dead. He's a good cat. And very very old.

Two Peas in a Pod for 60 Years

My granddad is dying. This weekend my family went up to Pennsylvania to visit him and say our goodbyes, which was hard of course. My aunts visited the funeral home to start making those arrangements. My grandma told us that Granddaddy said he wanted to be cremated, which surprised her. She had never considered that an option, and seemed kind of grossed out or creeped out about the idea. I think she said, "Ehhhleck!" She seemed to be throwing in the towel, though. She said, "Not that it really matters...you used to think all this was important stuff, but it doesn't really matter after all."

Apparently, though, they have the option of just getting one plot. If she still wanted to be buried, they could put the casket in and have the urn go on top. Or, if she decided she would be cremated too, they could put both urns in one plot. As she was telling us these options, she said, "Well, I think as long as we're together. Two peas in a pod for 60 years, we ought to be together."

I am continuously reminded of how unbelievably, truly fortunate I am to have so many models of love and commitment in my life.