Achieving lift-off.

For the Gen-X’ers who have never seen a typewriter, let alone changed a ribbon, it can be a bit of a shock.

I remember when Jamie had some girlfriends visiting from Rhode Island School of Design.  They were headed out to a club — all dressed up in 5-inch heels and absurdly short skirts — when I came to the door to wish them ‘goodnight’.

One girl looked at my hands and I could see the shock on her face.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“What’s what?” I responded.

“In your hands,” she hinted.

I looked down.  Like a mother who changes her newborn’s diapers and it doesn’t phase her — I realize I change a typewriter’s ribbon — or lift-off tape — as automatically as other people change socks.  The dirty gray case had left a soot on my fingertips, and I looked like  a homeless person who’d been smoking butts for years.

“It’s for my typewriter,” I explained, cheerful she’d asked.  “Want to see?  I have two!”

I could see Jamie’s eyebrows go up in exasperation.

“Not now, Mom,” she declared, steering her friend safely toward the front door.

“Another time,” I promised, gaily walking back to finish the job.

My typewriter needed a new ribbon and I was the only one who could do it.