Truly, dear

   Mom was precious today, flirty, funny and wiggling her nose. 

   We read headlines out of the newspaper, including a story about the 50th anniversary of Star Trek. I don't think she recognized the characters or the show, but the headline "Live long and prosper, y'all" cracked her up.

   She started asking me how she could get the daily newspaper delivered, and at first I kept telling her that she simply had to ask me. I could make it happen. Then I started telling her she had to ask "Celia."
   "Oh, she's a wonderful person."

"I Love You Truly" first appeared in 1901 as part of
Seven Songs as Unpretentious as the Wild Rose, but
it was covered in Mom's heyday by everyone from Bing to Edith Bunker.

   "She certainly is."

   "And you see her often?"
   "Yes, I see her every day."
   "You will ask her about the newspaper?"
   "I will do that."
   "Did she curl your hair?" 

   Uhh ...  "She did. She's kind of a slob. She doesn't wear makeup."
   "She doesn't?!"

   I read her horoscope — Gemini — which said, "Exercise, reading, studying music — these are not frivolous extras to reward yourself with when you are 'good.' They are keys to your happiness and as important as other things you do to keep life running smoothly.

   "You know the horoscope lady is pulling this stuff out of her hat," I said. "She sits down with a Manhattan and her ballpoint pen and makes it up."

   Mom giggled, and then, as though surprised, she gazed at the print of the Betsy Ross painting and said, "That's a beautiful painting." Then we were right back to how could she get the daily newspaper. 

   But out of the apparent blue maybe 10 minutes later, she said, "Exercise is important. I exercise all day."

   "You also need music in your life. Do you have some music?" I asked, wondering if she was really referring back to the horoscope.

   She didn't even blink, she sang out, "I love you truly." Just the one line. 

   But that is a high class ballad. It only needs a line or two to get the job done.

   "And we just ask you for the newspaper?"
   "Just ask, and it shall be yours. But don't forget the magic word, 'please.'"
   "I would like the newspaper ... please."