WAS IT JUST SOME parental joke to let me get my driver's license, then never actually let me drive?" my son asked.
So began another round of the continuing family debate addressing the outrageous limitations I have placed on my children just because I felt like it. According to my son, my depression over the loss of my youth exhibits itself by refusing to let him have any fun.
I reminded him the depression began the day I received the notice of a $1,450 increase in my annual car insurance premiums after adding our latest 16-year-old driver.
My younger sister -- she has no teens, just a dog -- observed this exchange with undisguised glee, then felt the need to add to the conversation.
"Try this," she said. "When we were kids and your mom was mean to me, I used to tell everyone how she would attach a pillowcase to her head using bobby pins then sing into a Secret deodorant bottle pretending she was Lori from the 'Partridge Family'."
He fell silent as he wondered whether the disorder was genetic, then quickly regrouped to return to the mission at hand. Guilt had failed; time to move on to flattery.
"Mom, you're not unreasonable like some parents. I mean, Gina's dad makes her log in so many hours driving Ritchie Highway and parking and stuff before he'll let her use the car alone," he said.
I reminded him that on Gina's first driving trip to the Glen Burnie post office, she ended up in Arnold because she panicked every time she was supposed to make a turn.
Eventually, we reached an accord: My son may drive alone to return videos to Blockbuster and to put gas in my car, and he is to give serious consideration to dating girls who live within walking distance.
Beep, beep, Glen Burnie.
'Tobacco-Free Kids Week'
Members of the Student Government Association at Glen Burnie High School will be sending a message to fellow students that "Smoking Stinks" as they promote Tobacco-Free Kids Week with "Gruesome Day" on Friday.
Two students will dress up as diseased lungs and visit the cafeteria during lunch periods, talking to students and demonstrating the damage that smoking can cause, said Rizza Padilla, SGA president.
Padilla, a junior, said the extent of the smoking problem among students can be found in and around the school buildings every day.
"The bathrooms are always full of cigarette smoke, and outside there are cigarette butts all over the grass in some areas," she said.
Even with the information available on the addictive potential and dangers of smoking, Padilla said, too many young smokers don't see smoking as a serious health factor.
"I don't think they realize or worry how it's going to affect their health in the future," she said.
For additional information on how to prevent adolescent smoking, visit the county Web site, www.smokingstinks-aaco.org, or call the Learn to Live cancer prevention hot line, 410-222-7979.
Beanie Baby benefit
Arthur Slade Regional Catholic School is holding a Beanie Baby sale from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow in the school's multipurpose room, 120 Dorsey Road.
New and retired Beanies and the secondary lines of Beanie Buddies and Pillow Pals will be available.
Refreshments will be available. For additional information, call the school office, 410-766-8614.
Democratic Club to meet
Former state Sen. Al Lipin will be the speaker at a meeting of the District 32 Democratic Club at 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Ferndale Senior Center.
Lipin will discuss the history of the local club.
Members and their guests are invited to a corned beef and cabbage dinner before the meeting. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. The cost is $4.
Guests interested in joining the club are welcome. Dues are $10 a year and meetings are on the third Thursday of the month.
For information on the meeting or the club's activities, call John Riggin, the president, at 410-987-1557 or Evelyn Kellner, vice president, at 410-969-9325.
Pub Date: 3/17/99