Mennonite_NN1 in_II a_AT1 Little_JJ Black_JJ Dress_NN1 The_AT year_NNT1 I_PPIS1 turned_VVD forty-three_MC was_VBDZ the_AT year_NNT1 I_PPIS1 realized_VVD I_PPIS1 should_VM have_VHI never_RR taken_VVN my_APPGE Mennonite_JJ genes_NN2 for_IF granted_VVN ._. 
I_PPIS1 'd_VM long_VVI assumed_VVN that_CST I_PPIS1 had_VHD been_VBN genetically_RR scripted_VVN to_II robust_JJ physical_JJ health_NN1 ,_, like_II my_APPGE mother_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS never_RR even_RR catches_VVZ a_AT1 head_NN1 cold_NN1 ._. 
All_DB of_IO my_APPGE relatives_NN2 on_II her_APPGE side_NN1 ,_, the_AT Loewens_NP2 ,_, enjoy_VV0 preternaturally_RR good_JJ health_NN1 ,_, unless_CS you_PPY count_VV0 breast_NN1 cancer_NN1 and_CC polio_NN1 ._. 
The_AT polio_NN1 is_VBZ pretty_RG much_RR a_AT1 done_VDN deal_NN1 ,_, thanks_NN2 to_II Jonas_NP2 Salk_VV0 and_CC his_APPGE talent_NN1 for_IF globally_RR useful_JJ vaccinations_NN2 ._. 
Yet_RR in_II the_AT days_NNT2 before_II Jonas_NP2 Salk_VV0 ,_, when_CS my_APPGE mother_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 girl_NN1 ,_, polio_NN1 crippled_VVD her_APPGE younger_JJR brother_NN1 Abe_NP1 and_CC also_RR withered_VVD the_AT arm_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE closest_JJT sister_NN1 Gertrude_NP1 ._. 
Trude_VV0 bravely_RR went_VVD on_RP to_TO raise_VVI two_MC kids_NN2 one-armed_NN1 ,_, and_CC to_TO name_VVI her_APPGE withered_JJ arm_NN1 Stinky_NP1 ._. 
Yes_UH ,_, I_PPIS1 think_VV0 "_" Stinky_NP1 "_" is_VBZ a_AT1 cute_JJ name_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 withered_JJ arm_NN1 !_! 
No_UH ,_, I_PPIS1 'd_VM prefer_VVI to_TO name_VVI my_APPGE withered_JJ arm_NN1 something_PN1 with_IW a_RR21 little_RR22 more_DAR dignity_NN1 ,_, such_II21 as_II22 Reynaldo_NP1 ._. 
Although_CS breast_NN1 cancer_NN1 also_RR runs_VVZ in_II my_APPGE family_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 has_VHZ n't_XX played_VVN a_AT1 significant_JJ role_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 comes_VVZ to_II us_PPIO2 late_RR in_II life_NN1 ,_, shriveling_VVG a_AT1 tit_NN1 or_CC two_MC ,_, and_CC then_RT often_RR subsiding_JJ under_II the_AT composite_JJ resistance_NN1 of_IO chemo_NN1 and_CC buttermilk_NN1 ._. 
That_REX21 is_REX22 ,_, it_PPH1 would_VM shrivel_VVI our_APPGE tits_NN2 if_CS we_PPIS2 had_VHD tits_NN2 ._. 
Which_DDQ we_PPIS2 do_VD0 n't_XX ._. 
As_CSA adolescents_NN2 ,_, my_APPGE sister_NN1 Hannah_NP1 and_CC I_PPIS1 were_VBDR naturally_RR anxious_JJ to_TO see_VVI if_CS we_PPIS2 would_VM turn_VVI out_RP more_RRR like_II our_APPGE mother_NN1 or_CC our_APPGE father_NN1 ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ a_RR21 lot_RR22 at_II stake_NN1 ._. 
Having_VHG endured_VVN a_AT1 painfully_RR uncool_VV0 childhood_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 realized_VVD that_CST our_APPGE genetic_JJ heritage_NN1 positioned_VVN us_PPIO2 on_II a_AT1 precarious_JJ cusp_NN1 ._. 
Dad_NN1 was_VBDZ handsome_JJ but_CCB grouchy_JJ ;_; Mom_NN1 was_VBDZ plain_JJ but_CCB cheerful_JJ ._. 
Would_VM we_PPIS2 be_VBI able_JK to_TO pass_VVI muster_VV0 in_II normal_JJ society_NN1 ,_, or_CC would_VM our_APPGE Mennonite_JJ history_NN1 forever_RT doom_NN1 us_PPIO2 to_II outsider_NN1 status_NN1 ?_? 
My_APPGE father_NN1 ,_, once_CS the_AT head_NN1 of_IO the_AT North_NP1 American_JJ Mennonite_JJ Conference_NN1 for_IF Canada_NP1 and_CC the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 ,_, is_VBZ the_AT Mennonite_JJ equivalent_NN1 of_IO the_AT pope_NN1 ,_, but_CCB in_II plaid_NN1 shorts_NN2 and_CC black_JJ dress_NN1 socks_NN2 pulled_VVD up_RP snugly_RR along_II the_AT calf_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT complex_JJ moral_JJ universe_NN1 that_CST is_VBZ Mennonite_JJ adulthood_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 Mennonite_NN1 can_VM be_VBI good-looking_JJ and_CC still_RR have_VH0 no_AT sartorial_JJ taste_NN1 whatsoever_DDQV ._. 
My_APPGE father_NN1 may_VM actually_RR be_VBI unaware_JJ that_CST he_PPHS1 is_VBZ good-looking_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 is_VBZ a_AT1 theologian_NN1 who_PNQS believes_VVZ in_II a_AT1 loving_JJ God_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 servant_NN1 heart_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 senior_JJ discount_NN1 ._. 
Would_VM God_NP1 be_VBI pleased_VVN if_CS we_PPIS2 spent_VVD an_AT1 unnecessary_JJ thirty-one_MC cents_NNU2 at_II McDonald_NP1 's_GE ?_? 
I_PPIS1 think_VV0 not_XX ._. 
At_II six_MC foot_NN1 five_MC and_CC classically_RR handsome_JJ ,_, Dad_NN1 has_VHZ an_AT1 imposing_JJ stature_NN1 that_CST codes_NN2 charismatic_JJ elocution_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 sobering_JJ ,_, insightful_JJ air_NN1 of_IO authority_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 've_VH0 considered_VVN the_AT possibility_NN1 that_CST his_APPGE wisdom_NN1 and_CC general_JJ seriousness_NN1 make_VV0 him_PPHO1 seem_VVI handsomer_JJR than_CSN he_PPHS1 actually_RR is_VBZ ,_, but_CCB whatever_DDQV the_AT reason_NN1 ,_, Dad_NN1 is_VBZ one_MC1 of_IO those_DD2 people_NN to_II whom_PNQO everybody_PN1 listens_VVZ ._. 
No_PNQS31 matter_PNQS32 who_PNQS33 you_PPY are_VBR ,_, you_PPY do_VD0 not_XX snooze_VVI through_II this_DD1 man_NN1 's_GE sermons_NN2 ._. 
Even_CS21 if_CS22 you_PPY are_VBR an_AT1 atheist_NN1 ,_, you_PPY find_VV0 yourself_PPX1 nodding_VVG and_CC thinking_NN1 ,_, Preach_VV0 it_PPH1 ,_, mister_NN1 !_! 
Well_RR ,_, not_XX nodding_VVG ._. 
Maybe_RR you_PPY imagine_VV0 you_PPY 're_VBR nodding_VVG ._. 
But_CCB in_II this_DD1 scenario_NN1 you_PPY are_VBR in_II a_AT1 Mennonite_JJ church_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ means_VVZ you_PPY sit_VV0 very_RG still_RR and_CC worship_NN1 Jesus_NP1 with_IW all_DB your_APPGE heart_NN1 ,_, mind_NN1 ,_, and_CC soul_NN1 ,_, only_RR as_CS21 if_CS22 a_AT1 snake_NN1 had_VHD bitten_VVN you_PPY ,_, and_CC you_PPY are_VBR now_RT in_II the_AT last_MD stages_NN2 of_IO paralysis_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 may_VM be_VBI the_AT first_MD person_NN1 to_TO mention_VVI my_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE good_JJ looks_NN2 in_II print_NN1 ._. 
Good_JJ looks_NN2 are_VBR considered_VVN a_AT1 superfluous_JJ feature_NN1 in_II a_AT1 Mennonite_JJ world_NN1 leader_NN1 ,_, because_CS Mennonites_NN2 are_VBR all_DB about_II service_NN1 ._. 
Theoretically_RR ,_, we_PPIS2 do_VD0 not_XX even_RR know_VVI what_DDQ we_PPIS2 look_VV0 like_II ,_, since_CS a_AT1 focus_NN1 on_II our_APPGE personal_JJ appearance_NN1 is_VBZ vainglorious_JJ ._. 
Our_APPGE antipathy_NN1 to_II vainglory_NN1 explains_VVZ the_AT decision_NN1 of_IO many_DA2 of_IO us_PPIO2 to_TO wear_VVI those_DD2 frumpy_JJ skirts_NN2 and_CC the_AT little_JJ doilies_NN2 on_II our_APPGE heads_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 decision_NN1 we_PPIS2 must_VM have_VHI arrived_VVN at_II only_RR by_II collectively_RR determining_VVG not_XX to_TO notice_VVI what_DDQ we_PPIS2 had_VHD put_VVN on_II that_DD1 morning_NNT1 ._. 
My_APPGE mother_NN1 ,_, unlike_II my_APPGE father_NN1 ,_, is_VBZ not_XX classically_RR handsome_JJ ._. 
But_CCB she_PPHS1 does_VDZ enjoy_VVI good_JJ health_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 is_VBZ as_RG buoyant_JJ as_CSA a_AT1 lark_NN1 on_II a_AT1 summer_NNT1 's_GE morn_NN1 ._. 
Nothing_PN1 gets_VVZ this_DD1 woman_NN1 down_RP ._. 
She_PPHS1 is_VBZ the_AT kind_NN1 of_IO mother_NN1 who_PNQS ,_, when_CS we_PPIS2 were_VBDR growing_VVG up_RP ,_, came_VVD singing_VVG into_II our_APPGE bedrooms_NN2 at_II 6:00_MC a.m._RA ,_, tunefully_RR urging_VVG us_PPIO2 to_TO rise_VVI and_CC shine_NN1 and_CC give_VVI God_NP1 the_AT glory_NN1 ,_, glory_NN1 ._. 
And_CC this_DD1 was_VBDZ on_II Saturday_NPD1 ,_, Saturday_NPD1 ._. 
Upbeat_JJ she_PPHS1 is_VBZ ._. 
Glamorous_JJ she_PPHS1 is_VBZ not_XX ._. 
Once_CS she_PPHS1 bought_VVD Hannah_NP1 a_AT1 black_JJ T-shirt_NN1 that_CST said_VVD in_II glittery_JJ magenta_NN1 cursive_JJ ,_, NASTY_JJ !_! !_! 
She_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX know_VVI what_DDQ it_PPH1 meant_VVD ._. 
When_CS we_PPIS2 told_VVD her_PPHO1 ,_, she_PPHS1 said_VVD sunnily_RR ,_, "_" Oh_UH well_RR ,_, then_RT you_PPY can_VM wear_VVI it_PPH1 to_TO work_VVI in_II the_AT garden_NN1 !_! "_" 
Besides_RR being_VBG born_VVN Mennonite_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ is_VBZ usually_RR its_APPGE own_DA beauty_NN1 strike_NN1 ,_, my_APPGE mother_NN1 has_VHZ no_AT neck_NN1 ._. 
When_CS we_PPIS2 were_VBDR growing_VVG up_RP ,_, our_APPGE mother_NN1 's_GE head_NN1 ,_, sprouting_VVG directly_RR from_II her_APPGE shoulders_NN2 like_II a_AT1 friendly_JJ lettuce_NN1 ,_, became_VVD something_PN1 of_IO a_AT1 family_NN1 focus_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 'd_VM take_VVI every_AT1 opportunity_NN1 to_TO thrust_VVI hats_NN2 and_CC baseball_NN1 caps_NN2 upon_II her_PPHO1 ,_, which_DDQ made_VVD us_PPIO2 all_DB shriek_VV0 with_IW unconscionable_JJ laughter_NN1 ._. 
Mom_NN1 would_VM laugh_VVI good-naturedly_RR ,_, but_CCB if_CS we_PPIS2 got_VVD too_RR out_II21 of_II22 hand_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 'd_VM predict_VVI that_CST our_APPGE Loewen_NP1 genes_NN2 would_VM eventually_RR assert_VVI themselves_PPX2 ._. 
And_CC they_PPHS2 did_VDD ._. 
Although_CS I_PPIS1 personally_RR have_VH0 and_CC appreciate_VV0 a_AT1 neck_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ ,_, by_II my_APPGE early_JJ forties_MC2 ,_, the_AT very_JJ picture_NN1 of_IO blooming_VVG Loewen_NP1 health_NN1 :_: peasant-cheeked_JJ ,_, impervious_JJ to_II germs_NN2 ,_, hearty_NN1 as_II an_AT1 ox_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 rarely_RR got_VVD sick_JJ ._. 
And_CC the_AT year_NNT1 before_II the_AT main_JJ action_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 memoir_NN1 occurs_VVZ ,_, I_PPIS1 had_VHD sustained_VVN a_AT1 physical_JJ debilitation_NN1 --_NN1 I_PPIS1 wo_VM n't_XX say_VVI illness_NN1 --_NN1 so_RG severe_JJ that_CST I_PPIS1 thought_VVD I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ statistically_RR safe_JJ for_IF years_NNT2 to_TO come_VVI ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ only_RR forty-two_MC at_II the_AT time_NNT1 ,_, but_CCB my_APPGE doctor_NN1 advised_VVD a_AT1 radical_JJ salpingo-oopherectomy_NN1 ._. 
For_IF the_AT premenopausal_NN1 set_NN1 ,_, that_DD1 translates_VVZ to_II "_" Your_APPGE uterus_NN1 has_VHZ got_VVN to_TO go_VVI ._. "_" 
A_AT1 hushed_JJ seriousness_NN1 hung_VVN in_II the_AT air_NN1 when_CS the_AT doctor_NN1 first_MD broached_VVD the_AT subject_NN1 of_IO the_AT hysterectomy_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 said_VVD ,_, "_" You_PPY mean_VV0 dump_VV0 my_APPGE whole_JJ uterus_NN1 ?_? 
Ovaries_NN2 and_CC everything_PN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM afraid_JJ so_RR ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 considered_VVD a_AT1 moment_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 knew_VVD I_PPIS1 should_VM be_VBI feeling_VVG a_AT1 kind_NN1 of_IO feminist_JJ outrage_NN1 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX happening_VVG ._. 
"_" Okay_RR ._. "_" 
Dr._NNB Mayler_NP1 spoke_VVD some_DD solemn_JJ words_NN2 about_II a_AT1 support_NN1 group_NN1 ._. 
From_II his_APPGE tone_NN1 I_PPIS1 gathered_VVD that_CST I_PPIS1 also_RR ought_VMK to_TO be_VBI feeling_VVG a_AT1 profound_JJ sense_NN1 of_IO loss_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 cosmic_JJ unfairness_NN1 that_CST this_DD1 was_VBDZ happening_VVG to_II me_PPIO1 at_II age_NN1 forty-two_MC ,_, instead_CS21 of_CS22 at_II age_NN1 --_NN1 what_DDQ ?_? --_NN1 fifty-six_MC ?_? 
I_PPIS1 dutifully_RR wrote_VVD down_RP the_AT contact_NN1 information_NN1 for_IF the_AT support_NN1 group_NN1 ,_, thinking_VVG that_CST maybe_RR I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ in_II denial_NN1 again_RT ._. 
Maybe_RR the_AT seriousness_NN1 and_CC the_AT pathos_NN1 of_IO the_AT salpingo-oopherectomy_NN1 would_VM register_VVI later_RRR ._. 
By_II age_NN1 forty-two_MC I_PPIS1 had_VHD learned_VVN that_DD1 denial_NN1 was_VBDZ my_APPGE special_JJ modus_NN121 operandi_NN122 ._. 
Big_JJ life_NN1 lessons_NN2 always_RR kicked_VVN in_II tardily_RR for_IF me_PPIO1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 've_VH0 always_RR been_VBN a_AT1 bit_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 late_JJ bloomer_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 slow_JJ learner_NN1 ._. 
The_AT postman_NN1 has_VHZ to_TO ring_VVI twice_RR ,_, if_CS you_PPY get_VV0 my_APPGE drift_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE husband_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS got_VVD a_AT1 vasectomy_NN1 two_MC weeks_NNT2 after_CS we_PPIS2 married_VVD ,_, was_VBDZ all_RR for_IF the_AT hysterectomy_NN1 ._. 
"_" Do_VD0 it_PPH1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 urged_VVD ._. 
"_" Why_RRQ do_VD0 you_PPY need_VVI that_DD1 thing_NN1 ?_? 
You_PPY do_VD0 n't_XX use_VVI it_PPH1 ,_, do_VD0 you_PPY ?_? "_" 
In_RR21 general_RR22 ,_, Nick_NP1 's_GE policy_NN1 was_VBDZ ,_, if_CS you_PPY have_VH0 n't_XX used_VVN it_PPH1 in_II a_AT1 year_NNT1 ,_, throw_VV0 it_PPH1 out_RP ._. 
We_PPIS2 lived_VVD in_II homes_NN2 with_IW spare_JJ ,_, ultramodern_JJ decor_NN1 ._. 
Once_CS he_PPHS1 convinced_VVD me_PPIO1 to_TO furnish_VVI a_AT1 coach_NN1 house_NN1 with_IW nothing_PN1 but_II a_AT1 midcentury_NN1 dining_NN1 table_NN1 and_CC three_MC perfect_JJ floor_NN1 cushions_NN2 ._. 
You_PPY know_VV0 the_AT junk_NN1 drawer_NN1 next_II21 to_II22 the_AT phone_NN1 ?_? 
Ours_PPGE contained_VVD a_AT1 single_JJ museum_NN1 pen_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 pad_NN1 of_IO artisan_NN1 paper_NN1 on_II a_AT1 Herman_NP1 Miller_NP1 tray_NN1 ._. 
Nick_NP1 therefore_RR supported_VVD the_AT hysterectomy_NN1 ,_, but_CCB only_RR on_II the_AT grounds_NN2 of_IO elegant_JJ understatement_NN1 ._. 
To_II him_PPHO1 the_AT removal_NN1 of_IO unnecessary_JJ anatomical_JJ parts_NN2 was_VBDZ like_II donating_VVG superfluous_JJ crap_NN1 to_II Goodwill_NN1 ._. 
Had_VHD the_AT previous_JJ owners_NN2 left_VVD a_AT1 beer_NN1 raft_NN1 in_II the_AT garage_NN1 ,_, as_CSA a_AT1 thoughtful_JJ gift_NN1 to_II you_PPY ?_? 
No_UH thanks_NN2 !_! 
We_PPIS2 were_VBDR n't_XX the_AT type_NN1 of_IO people_NN who_PNQS would_VM store_VVI a_AT1 beer_NN1 raft_NN1 in_II our_APPGE garage_NN1 --_NN1 not_XX because_CS we_PPIS2 opposed_VVD beer_NN1 rafts_NN2 per_RR21 se_RR22 ,_, but_CCB because_CS we_PPIS2 did_VDD not_XX want_VVI to_TO clutter_VVI an_AT1 uncompromising_JJ vista_NN1 of_IO empty_JJ space_NN1 ._. 
Nick_NP1 led_VVD the_AT charge_NN1 to_TO edit_VVI our_APPGE belongings_NN2 ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 willingly_RR followed_VVN ._. 
Had_VHD you_PPY secretly_RR been_VBN wearing_VVG the_AT same_DA bra_NN1 since_II 1989_MC ?_? 
Begone_VV0 ,_, old_JJ friend_NN1 !_! 
Were_VBDR you_PPY clinging_VVG to_II a_AT1 sentimental_JJ old_JJ wedding_NN1 dress_NN1 ?_? 
Heave_VV0 ho_UH !_! 
Nick_NP1 's_GE enthusiasm_NN1 for_IF the_AT hysterectomy_NN1 made_VVD me_PPIO1 a_RR21 little_RR22 nervous_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 kept_VVD taking_VVG my_APPGE internal_JJ temperature_NN1 ,_, checking_VVG for_IF melancholy_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE parents_NN2 and_CC I_PPIS1 had_VHD been_VBN on_II the_AT road_NN1 since_II 7:40_MC a.m._RA ,_, having_VHG spent_VVN the_AT night_NNT1 in_II a_AT1 two-bed_NN1 ,_, one-room_JJ Travelodge_NN1 accommodation_NN1 ._. 
The_AT room_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN distinctly_RR inferior_JJ ._. 
Thirteen_MC years_NNT2 prior_RR my_APPGE husband_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN hospitalized_VVN in_II a_AT1 crisis_NN1 unit_NN1 on_II a_AT1 5150_MC -_- "_" Detention_NN1 of_IO Mentally_RR Disordered_JJ Persons_NN2 for_IF danger_NN1 to_II Self_NN1 and_CC Others_NN2 "_" --_NN1 while_CS I_PPIS1 suffered_VVD the_AT helplessness_NN1 that_CST comes_VVZ form_NN1 loving_VVG a_AT1 man_NN1 who_PNQS takes_VVZ a_AT1 fistful_NN1 of_IO pills_NN2 ._. 
Even_CS21 if_CS22 his_APPGE doctors_NN2 managed_VVD to_TO turn_VVI him_PPHO1 around_RP with_IW medication_NN1 who_PNQS would_VM make_VVI him_PPHO1 take_VVI antidepressants_NN2 on_RP at_II a_AT1 time_NNT1 once_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ out_II21 of_II22 the_AT hospital_NN1 ?_? 
And_CC how_RRQ was_VBDZ I_PPIS1 going_VVGK to_TO manage_VVI the_AT medical_JJ bills_NN2 on_II my_APPGE tiny_JJ grad_NN1 student_NN1 's_GE stipend_NN1 ?_? 
"_" That_DD1 's_VBZ terrible_JJ ,_, "_" my_APPGE mother_NN1 had_VHD said_VVN on_II the_AT phone_NN1 ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ an_AT1 infinitesimal_JJ pause_NN1 while_CS I_PPIS1 waited_VVD for_IF the_AT bounce-back_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 came_VVD right_RR on_II cue_NN1 :_: "_" You_PPY are_VBR hurting_VVG ._. 
But_CCB at_RR21 least_RR22 with_IW Nick_NP1 in_II the_AT hospital_NN1 you_PPY 'll_VM have_VHI some_DD peace_NN1 and_CC quiet_JJ to_TO work_VVI on_II your_APPGE dissertation_NN1 !_! "_" 
I_PPIS1 therefore_RR recognized_VVD her_APPGE signature_NN1 style_NN1 when_CS she_PPHS1 observed_VVD ,_, on_II entering_VVG the_AT shabby_JJ motel_NN1 room_NN1 ,_, "_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ not_XX elegant_JJ ._. 
But_CCB at_RR21 least_RR22 there_EX are_VBR towels_NN2 !_! "_" 
Whenever_RRQV my_APPGE parents_NN2 used_VVD a_AT1 coupon_NN1 to_TO procure_VVI something_PN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 felt_VVD 100_MC percent_NNU committed_VVN to_II liking_VVG it_PPH1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 three_MC were_VBDR en_RR21 route_RR22 to_II Bend_NN1 ,_, Oregon_NP1 ,_, to_TO visit_VVI my_APPGE sister_NN1 ._. 
The_AT car_NN1 trip_NN1 was_VBDZ a_RR21 little_RR22 over_II a_AT1 thousand_NNO miles_NNU2 ,_, half_DB of_IO which_DDQ we_PPIS2 drove_VVD on_II Christmas_NNT1 Day_NNT1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 had_VHD spent_VVN the_AT morning_NNT1 drifting_VVG in_RP and_CC out_II21 of_II22 uncomfortable_JJ sleep_NN1 ._. 
The_AT night_NNT1 before_RT ,_, my_APPGE father_NN1 's_VBZ snoring_VVG had_VHD kept_VVN me_PPIO1 up-that_DD1 and_CC the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST I_PPIS1 had_VHD packed_VVN my_APPGE prescription_NN1 sleeping_NN1 pills_NN2 in_II a_AT1 suitcase_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ wedged_VVN in_II the_AT trunk_NN1 of_IO the_AT car_NN1 ._. 
Because_CS the_AT backseat_NN1 of_IO the_AT Camry_NP1 was_VBDZ overflowing_VVG with_IW beribboned_JJ presents_NN2 for_IF my_APPGE niece_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX have_VHI much_DA1 room_NN1 to_TO negotiate_VVI my_APPGE legs_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 lay_VVD with_IW my_APPGE head_NN1 on_II my_APPGE father_NN1 's_VBZ shaving_VVG kit_NN1 ,_, legs_NN2 crossed_VVD Indian-style_NN1 ,_, but_CCB with_IW the_AT crossed_JJ legs_NN2 up_RP in_II the_AT air_NN1 against_II the_AT window_NN1 ._. 
Around_II noon_NNT1 my_APPGE father_NN1 asked_VVD us_PPIO2 if_CS we_PPIS2 could_VM prefer_VVI Burger_NN1 King_NN1 or_CC McDonald_NP1 's_GE ._. 
It_PPH1 had_VHD been_VBN at_RR21 least_RR22 a_AT1 decade_NNT1 since_CS I_PPIS1 had_VHD visited_VVN either_DD1 of_IO these_DD2 establishments_NN2 ,_, so_CS I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ unable_JK to_TO offer_VVI much_DA1 input_NN1 ._. 
Mon_NPD1 elected_VVD McDonald_NP1 's_GE ,_, on_II the_AT grounds_NN2 of_IO better_JJR coffee_NN1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY could_VM use_VVI your_APPGE senior_JJ discount_NN1 to_TO order_VVI Rhoda_NP1 a_AT1 cup_NN1 of_IO decaf_NN1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 suggested_VVD ._. 
My_APPGE father_NN1 liked_VVD this_DD1 idea_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD not_XX drink_VVI coffee_NN1 himself_PPX1 ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 had_VHD no_AT objection_NN1 to_II my_APPGE drinking_NN1 it_PPH1 ,_, especially_RR if_CS he_PPHS1 could_VM save_VVI forty_MC cents_NNU2 ._. 
"_" See_VV0 there_RL ,_, Mary_NP1 ,_, "_" said_VVD my_APPGE father_NN1 ,_, pointing_VVG to_II a_AT1 sign_NN1 in_II the_AT McDonald_NP1 's_GE window_NN1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 says_VVZ here_RL that_CST you_PPY can_VM get_VVI a_AT1 McChicken_NP1 Sandwich_NP1 for_IF a_AT1 dollar_NNU1 ._. "_" 
"_" Okay_RR !_! "_" 
My_APPGE mother_NN1 accepted_VVD this_DD1 hint_NN1 ._. 
Fast_JJ food_NN1 is_VBZ always_RR a_AT1 hurdle_NN1 for_IF cooks_NN2 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 admit_VV0 I_PPIS1 blanched_VVD at_II the_AT thought_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 sucrotic_JJ chicken_NN1 party_NN1 injected_VVN with_IW flavorlike_JJ chemicals_NN2 and_CC breaded_VVN into_II the_AT dimensions_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 crunchy_JJ McSand-dollar_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 therefore_RR announced_VVD that_CST I_PPIS1 would_VM have_VHI a_AT1 burger_NN1 instead_RR ._. 
The_AT burger_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 full_JJ three_MC dollars_NNU2 ,_, so_CS I_PPIS1 offered_VVD to_TO get_VVI the_AT lunch_NN1 tab_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ for_IF three_MC of_IO us_PPIO2 ,_, after_CS the_AT senior_JJ discount_NN1 ,_, came_VVD to_II $6.20_NNU ._. 
How_RGQ different_JJ road_NN1 trips_NN2 were_VBDR with_IW my_APPGE father_NN1 than_CSN with_IW my_APPGE mother_NN1 !_! 
Both_DB2 were_VBDR refreshing_JJ in_II their_APPGE way_NN1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT trip_NN1 with_IW my_APPGE father_NN1 as_CSA driver_NN1 unfolded_VVN in_II mile_NNU1 after_II mile_NNU1 of_IO soothing_JJ silence_NN1 ._. 
Dad_NN1 did_VDD n't_XX converse_VVI ,_, did_VDD n't_XX listen_VVI to_II the_AT radio_NN1 ,_, did_VDD n't_XX enjoy_VVI the_AT music_NN1 that_CST my_APPGE mother_NN1 urged_VVD him_PPHO1 to_TO play_VVI every_RR31 so_RR32 often_RR33 ._. 
Mon_NPD1 always_RR fortified_VVN the_AT Camry_NP1 with_IW a_AT1 spiritually_RR edifying_VVG variety_NN1 of_IO CDs_NN2 ,_, including_II one_PN1 by_II my_APPGE parents_NN2 '_GE neighbor_NN1 Chet_NN1 Wiens_NN2 and_CC his_APPGE Mustard_NN1 Seed_NN1 Praise_NN1 Quartet_NN1 ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ also_RR a_AT1 new_JJ release_NN1 by_II my_APPGE cousin_NN1 's_GE daughter_NN1 Starla_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS had_VHD carved_VVN out_RP for_IF herself_PPX1 a_AT1 career_NN1 in_II opera_NN1 ,_, but_CCB who_PNQS had_VHD recently_RR begun_VVN rendering_VVG perfervid_JJ coloratura_NN1 show_NN1 tunes_VVZ a_II21 la_II22 Ethel_NP1 Merman_NP1 ._. 
And_CC there_EX were_VBDR some_DD instrumental_JJ CDs_NN2 too_RR ,_, particularly_RR one_PN1 that_CST featured_VVD some_DD worshipful_JJ stylings_NN2 upon_II the_AT pan_NN1 flute_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ one_MC1 thing_NN1 at_II a_AT1 time_NNT1 for_IF Si_FW Janzen_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX what_DDQ you_PPY 'd_VM call_VVI a_AT1 multitasker_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 liked_VVD to_TO concentrate_VVI on_II driving_VVG ._. 
