Olives. The next time you eat one, don't take it for granted. Pop it into your mouth; slide your tongue over its slippery roundness, savor its saltiness and chew it up. A perfect little hors'd'oeuvre. Easy to eat many. Except if you are 99 and have no teeth. A small fact that I sometimes forget when I am bringing snacks for grandpa.
He has always been an olive lover. My grandmother used to buy the green ones stuffed with red pimento and there was always at least one jar in her fridge. When I started to prepare holiday meals, I always had a variety of great olives on hand and grandpa would always scarf down several before his meal.
So on Christmas Eve, when I was bringing the meal to his house, I brought along some olives. I gave him one as I was heating up the dinner. He certainly seemed pleased to have it but as I watched him continue to chew on for over 20 minutes, I couldn't contain myself. I had to say something.
Me: Grandpa, are you still chewing on that olive? It's time for dinner...
Grandpa: Yes. It's good. Like chewing gum.
Me (wondering to myself when he would finish so we could start dinner).
The fate of that olive remains unknown, whether he eventually swallowed it or spit it out. Either way, it seemed to be an enjoyable experience.
Olive flavored chewing gum...is there a market for that?
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