Come to think of it, I wouldn’t mind losing that either

I have been thinking some pretty deep thoughts about nations, laws, ethics, human rights, economics, and all that good stuff, but the thing I want to start with is just a small picture of what strange characters there are in the middle of this desert. Chipotle has been doing a series called “People We Are Glad to Know” on their cups, and I am going to borrow that for some of my entries.

This is a conversation that was recounted to me by a man named Del about his grandmother's visit to the doctor the day before. Del’s grandmother is what my dad refers to as a “live wire,” a woman totally without a personal censor, and old enough not to care even if she stopped to think about the words streaming out of her mouth. She wears a sort of permanent scowl on her face, made more pronounced by her strong chin and what I suspect is a row of missing bottom teeth.

Doctor: So I am told that you are having problems with your hearing, is that so?

Grandmother: Yes.

Doctor: Have you lost anything else before this?

Grandmother: I lost my sense of taste some time ago, and that hasn’t come back.

Doctor: Anything else?

Grandmother: Well I lost my virginity when I was 21, but to be honest I haven’t really missed that and I wouldn’t bother trying to get it back for me.

Classic.