third down, one to go

My thanks to this website for helping me understand, in simple terms, how my clutch works. Howstuffinmycarworks not only provides an in-depth explanation of operational systems in mechanized vehicles, but also provides instructions and videos for you to do the work, should you decide to do so.
Best of all, the people explaining the operations are women.
That's right - women.
Hooray! The site has only been in operation since late 2006, but, now that I know it is there, I plan to share it with all the women I know. No longer should unscrupulous auto mechanics be able to prey upon those of the fairer sex!
I've been pretty savvy about basic car repairs since 1983. I had bought a POS Chevy Monza when a guy I worked with - big mistake - and it seemed to always need repairs. I did the oil changes, changed the spark plugs, set the timing, flushed the radiator, and even replaced the water pump. (That last one is how I injured my lower back...but that tale will keep for another day.) Of course, I was thirty-two years younger then, and could easily get under the car, if need be.
My next car was a 1983 Subaru. What a great car! Sadly, the spark plugs in the cramped little engine required a special tool to get to them, so I started leaving the grunt work for the professionals. One time, I had taken Surefoot to get an oil change and the guy behind the desk told me I needed a new timing chain. Oh, really? How could I need a new one when my car did not have a timing chain? What a scam artist, trying to steal money from fake repairs!
So...why am I revisiting the clutch in my car?
Well, on Tuesday, I had returned to Dixie Motors for the third replacement of the master cylinder. When I had taken it in last Thursday, again for clicking, they decided to try another source for the part. This master cylinder had been ordered from a different manufacturer than the first two.
Still, it came in a box, so we know what that means.
(smile)
I know you are wondering why I seem to be happy about all this. Honestly, it is because I know they have become a little embarrassed about my frequent trips back to them for the same repair. I have heard only good things about them from anyone I have told this tale to, so I trust them. If Tim and Mark say they are going to make it right, then I can take them at their word.
Plus, none of this has cost me another dime. They have absorbed the labor cost these two other times and are set to absorb yet more.
You see, this third master cylinder started losing its capability yesterday. No clicking sound this time, so that was good. But the problem was worse: my clutch was riding the floor and shifting, especially into first gear, had become an iffy proposition.
Yikes!
Tim, the mechanic who is now in charge of my car, had come to meet me when I drove up this morning. Frankly, he was amazed to see me! He had been sure the problem had been resolved. He verified that I had almost no clutch positioning and told me another master cylinder would have to be ordered. In the meanwhile, he would do what he could to adjust the clutch play so I could still drive.
And so he did.
I shall return on Tuesday for the fourth replacement.
I wonder what movies I'll see that day?
You see, that's another reason I haven't been too hard on them about all these extra trips to the shop. They are located near several restaurants, a Home Depot, a Target, and... a cinema! Frank Theatres offers "Tightwad Tuesdays", with all movies only $6 all day long!
Also, their medium popcorn is only $2.50 that day! So, I have deliberately been coming for the repairs on Tuesdays. I get to see two movies on the cheap and I even get a munchie treat!
So far, I have seen "Hitman: Agent 47" and "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." as a Tuesday doubleheader. (Excellent, but I think seeing the first one with "American Ultra" would have made for a better comparison and contrast discussion.) Good thing I saw that one about Ilya and Napoleon - I finally understand their relationship in the television series!
This week, I had another Tuesday doubleheader, featuring "Hotel Transylvania 2" and "The Perfect Guy". Totally different movies, but both new to me! This duo let me hear Mel Brooks again and gave me good dating tips, too. (Listen up: If your new catch doesn't introduce you to his chums, you should cut him loose and keep fishing.)
Plus, on my Thursday outings to Dixie, I have seen "Paper Towns" (actually seen with my first niece), "War Room", and "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials". Quite a mixed bag, but good to have seen.
What will I see this next Tuesday? Most likely "The Martian" and "Everest", as they have just begun their run here in the cinemas and I have not yet seen them.
I'll have to let you know.
(smile)

schrodinger's master cylinder

Yesterday, a new master cylinder was installed in my car.
This is the second one since the accident.
The first was installed about three weeks ago. I had noticed a clicking sound when I depressed the clutch, but I had thought maybe it was from the master cylinder wearing in.
I was wrong.
That was not normal.
I had called Dixie Motors about it and they had asked that I bring it back and they would replace it for me.
Apparently, master cylinders are like Schrodinger's cat. In short, you don't know if the one in the box is "alive" or "dead" until you install it and see if (and how) it works.
Rats.
Let's hope this one is alive.

finding my confidence again

What a slow slog it has been in this effort to recover from the accident.
i thank God that the Fall semester has begun!
That is forcing me out of the house,
into the car,
onto the road.
Sure, I've been going to see my boys of summer... but that is just around the corner from the middle school I attended. My family lived too close for the bus to pick me up, so I walked the mile and a piece to it.
In other words, it's pretty close and I know the non-busy route.
Sure, I've gone to some movies, too... but those are no farther than the stadium... and I know the safer ways to them.
The grocery store is less than a half-mile from my house.
I've had my car back for less than a week. That means, really, I've been off the road for most of two weeks.
Me.
Not driving.
For most of two weeks.
That is unheard of. Everyone knows what a social butterfly I am, attending diverse events all over town, spreading the love and the joy.
Of late, that has only happened if someone has fetched me to the event.
After the drive to Tybee on Friday, I cancelled my attendance at Angela's birthday party. It was to be held at Tybee, all day on Saturday.
I simply was not up for the drive and the weekend traffic and trying to finding parking and... I was not up for it.
Her daughter's birthday is later this month, so I will be sure to be there. It's in town, even though it will be southside, at Olive Garden.
That's near the school.
By the end of the month, I'll have plenty of practice driving out that far.
I'll have to do so. Now that school has begun, I have a responsibility to thirty paying clients to be the one in charge, two nights a week.
The invisible trees will just have to take a break.

NEVER disengage from a 911 call until help arrives

I have been in tears for most of the day.
One person after another has had bad news for me, all day long. One after another, the people I called upon for aid, the people in charge, had no help for me.
The Police Reports division had told me this morning they had no record of the report being filed by Officer Powell. Several calls later, Sargeant Cleveland Lovett had determined that the report had, indeed, been filed on Monday evening, just as Officer Powell had said he would do. However, though filed, the report had been lost within the software program ("GEARS world", as the Sargeant called it) they use for reporting. I was told that there is nothing more to be done until they can speak with the software representative in the morning, a person who will hopefully be able to retrieve the report, a person who has had to do this several times for the police department.
That means my insurance company can do nothing for me at this time. Until GEICO has the Police Report, they cannot arrange for an appraiser, for a rental car, for nothing to help me.
The call about the 911 operator not dispatching help to me? Well, it took two hours to be resolved. And when the resolution did finally arrive, it was in the form of an accusation of my actions. That's what I was told by Judy Miller, the one in charge of complaints about 911 operators.
I posted her advice on facebook, to enlighten the world.

To one and all: NEVER disengage from a 911 call until help has arrived.
Got that?
It was MY FAULT for trusting that help was on the way.
So, NEVER let that happen to you.
Thank God I wasn't having a heart attack.

The rallying round of my friends and family has been reassuring.
I'm even going to dinner and to see "The Phantom Lady" at the Sentient Bean tonight, courtesy of my dear friend the librarian.
That doesn't mean I'm over all of the hurt bestowed upon me today by people who are supposed to have my best interests in mind.
The police department.
The 911 system.
The insurance company.
I may consciously admit that they are doing what they can, but my heart and psyche are bruised and broken.

Responses from those who know and love me have helped.
I'm including them in the body of this post, instead of as comments afterward.
I need them right here.
The bfe will know what that means.


Marguerite Dismukes Fischer Are you okay?
August 5 at 6:19pm

Faustina Smith I don't seem to have any wounds that show. My heart and psyche are terribly bruised from the whole ordeal. I cry every time I talk on the phone to yet another person who SHOULD be helping, but is instead BLAMING ME or passing the buck. Very disheartening.
August 5 at 6:25pm

Megan Dunphy Rakaric I'm sorry you are having such a terrible time with this. I wish I could help somehow...
August 5 at 6:38pm

Faustina Smith Prayer is good. I am truly having a crisis in faith right now.
August 5 at 6:40pm

Jackie Frant Is this still the yesterday accident. Or has something new been brewing?
August 5 at 7:09pm

Faustina Smith same one
August 6 at 1:33pm

William Peterson "Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving, but where on earth can you find one?"
~ Proverbs 20:6 So sorry you are going through this. Sometimes life presents challenges that are difficult to understand.
August 5 at 7:14pm

Faustina Smith Thanks for the phone call.
August 6 at 1:34pm

Pat Andres Sending good vibes.
August 5 at 7:55pm

Juliet Fabbri Withem trust me Faustina, it is not like that everywhere. And don't feel bad; we've called in shots fired, identified ourselves as the police and we don't get police contact either. "You're not in Kansas anymore Dorothy.."
August 5 at 8:14pm

Hema Kaviratna I am so sorry Tina. Remember what doesn't kill you makes...
August 5 at 8:40pm

Jennifer Cohen Incorvaia Praying for you. Let me know how I can help.
August 5 at 10:44pm

Lindsay McCord Norman I'm so sorry you're going through this. I hope they find the person so justice can be properly served.
August 5 at 11:06pm

Linda L. Walker Please le me know what is the matter and if you need me to come.
August 5 at 11:09pm

Sandra Voelker Sorry you are in such a sucky situation (((hug)))
August 5 at 11:21pm

Rachel Strickland Sending you hugs from afar to heal
August 6 at 12:57am

JinHi Soucy Rand I am so sorry you are getting such shit from those people, Tina. Know that I love you and am so glad you were not more seriously hurt, and I know that you are right in this matter.
August 6 at 1:07am

Penny Walker Bos Lovelovelove YOU
August 6 at 9:25am

Faustina Smith Thanks, y'all. I have uploaded the police report to my claim, but it may yet be another few hours until anything happens. Officer Powell delivered it to my door.
August 6 at 1:36pm

Faustina Smith Many thanks for Kristin Stout for being my knight in shining armor last night. I very much enjoyed dinner and a movie with you and your family and having a chance for some time with your bouncing - literally- baby boy.
August 6 at 1:38pm

Kristin Stout Thank you for the awesome company!
August 6 at 1:41pm

Faustina Smith My thanks, also, to Axelle Kieffer, Jordan Mooney, Jim Reed, Teri Lowery, and Carolyn for getting me out of my head last night and making sure I got home safely. Y'all are fabulous!
August 6 at 1:40pm

hit and run

Honestly, the song that comes to mind, in between the tears, is this one by Def Leppard.
Here's what I posted on facebook just moments ago.

"To the white, brunette female in the white SUV that slammed into the back of my car on E-516 yesterday, just before the Montgomery Street light, and then DROVE AWAY: Officer Powell informed me that the police have traffic cameras at that "reduce speed" caution light. YOU WILL BE FOUND AND PROSECUTED FOR BEING A HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER.
Meanwhile, if anyone knows someone who witnessed the accident, about 1:30 PM yesterday (Monday, August 3), please contact me or the police dept and ask for Officer Powell. The road was full of people and we were all stopped for the light when the reckless driver hit me."

Honestly, I am still in shock.
My poor, disabled car is sitting, crippled, in my driveway.
I had it towed here, to my home, rather than to a service center.
I know I wasn't thinking clearly. I was almost home from the weekend trip to the wedding in Tennessee, the visit in Summerville, and the birthday of my great-niece.
I was almost home.
I am so glad I had stopped for an early lunch, to have an iced tea and use a bathroom. I almost had forgone that side trip. After all, it's only about two hours from Louisville to Savannah. I should have made it with no problem, even with the sporadic rain showers.
However, considering that I sat in the heat, in the left-hand pull-out on ever-busy Lynes Parkway for more than forty minutes, waiting, waiting, waiting for help to arrive... taking that early lunch break was a blessing.
Another blessing is that I was not seriously injured.
Sure, when the stray police officer riding westbound pulled over to see what was going on, and I found out that the 911 dispatcher had botched the call, I lost it and started hyperventilating. He must have seen in my eyes that I thought I was going to die. He immediately changed his call with the dispatcher from Code 5 to Code 8 (or something like that) and an EMS crew and police officer arrived within minutes. The EMS duo found my blood pressure was crazy high (180 over 110); after they had me sit in their cool van for a few minutes, those numbers had both dropped 20 points. They had me sign off that I did not want to go to the hospital.
Of course I didn't want to go to the hospital. All of my important possessions were now in a car with a busted trunk. I wanted to go home, to try to feel safe again.
And I wasn't in any pain.

Here are the responses from those who know and love me.
These are posted right here, not afterward as comments, because I need for them to be part of this post.
Please bear with me.

Jim Casey Are you ok? Somehow I feel certain you have a sore neck and stiff back.
August 4 at 10:34am

Faustina Smith I do not as of yet. I was very relaxed, just enjoying the tune on the radio, and I think that probably saved me. I had no idea she was screaming up behind me until she actually hit my car.
August 4 at 10:40am

Lorretta Ruggiero Hope they get her!
August 4 at 10:36am

Kristin Stout Oh my! I hope you are alright!
August 4 at 10:40am

Faustina Smith I think I may be alright. I was very relaxed at the time of the collision, so that helped. My trunk was shifted inward by 3 inches and the clutch came disengaged. I hope she has blue paint all over the front of her vehicle. I hope she goes to jail.
August 4 at 10:42am

Faustina Smith The scariest part was when the police officer came by, on his way to elsewhere, and I found out the 911 dispatcher had not sent assistance to me. I started crying hard and hyperventilating - very scary. EMS checked me out and, except for elevated b.p. and pulse, I was okay.
August 4 at 10:47am

Faustina Smith I had already been waiting 40 minutes.
August 4 at 10:48am

Heather Szatmary Let me know if you need anything. Still on summer schedule and very flexible.
August 4 at 10:50am

Keller Jones Probably the same one who hit me four years ago...White SUV, brunette with shoulder length brown hair. Weasley her way our of it in front of five or six witnesses, by saying "Now I'm not SAYIN' I ran the red light. Do you hear me?..."
August 4 at 10:57am

Faustina Smith Sounds like her. The traffic camera is going to send her sorry self to jail and strip her of her drivers license.
August 4 at 10:45pm

Bunny Jones Roberts Oh, no!
August 4 at 10:58am

Eric De LaSalle Omg Faustina, are you ok?
August 4 at 11:08am

Jean Marie Morgan Oh no! Are you ok?! We will be praying for you and keep us posted on how you're doing as well as catching the "lady" who hit you
August 4 at 11:11am

Sarah Logan-Reynolds I'm glad that you are okay!
August 4 at 11:15am

Susan Goodwin So sorry that happened, Tina.
August 4 at 11:45am

Emily Barry Blackmon Glad you are okay!!!
August 4 at 11:59am

Lindsay McCord Norman I'm so sorry! I hope you weren't injured?
August 4 at 12:00pm

Sandra Cherise Karlin That's awful! Sorry, Tina! Hopefully someone got her license plate number and will turn it in. Glad you are okay!
August 4 at 12:06pm

Shea Lee Are you ok?
August 4 at 12:28pm

Jackie Frant Are you ok?
August 4 at 12:28pm

Sharon Frain Novinger I'm sorry!! Hope you are doing better!
August 4 at 12:30pm

Sherry LuvsLyfe Allen You didn't get hurt did you?
August 4 at 12:59pm

Fae Hill Kameron I hope that she is identified and charged. Do you know if the police alert local body shops when incidents like this happen?
August 4 at 6:42pm

Faustina Smith I have no idea. I hope so.
August 4 at 10:46pm

Kathy Landers Schaal Oh no!! Glad you're ok!! Keep us posted.....
August 4 at 8:11pm

Jo Coleman Are you o k? One doesn't usually feel the aches and pains until the adrenaline wears off. Take it easy
August 4 at 10:23pm

Faustina Smith So far, I seem to be okay. Usual aches and pains from being on this planet for more than five decades. I'm glad I had no idea it was going to happen until it did. My feelings are hurt more than anything else, by her dastardly behavior, by the neglect of the 911 operator. And by the disabling of my car. I was returning from a wedding in TN and had all kinds of plans. As always, right?
August 4 at 10:50pm

Jo Coleman And in addition to the physical.... There is the disappointment that people don't treat us the way we treat them. Karma will get her
August 6 at 2:38pm

barefoot on firestone in vero beach

I should have paid
more attention,
honestly.
As I began my journey yesterday
toward Vero Beach and
points farther south,
my odometer clicked over again.
Oh! Cool mileage - 166000!
That was my only thought.

I was traveling east on FL-192, a sweet stretch of nearly empty four-lane under a blue summer sky.
It was already approaching 100 on the Fahrenheit scale.
What did I care? I had the windows down and the breeze of my own making to keep me comfortable!

When I got to town, I went in search of a local spot for lunch,
with Nuvi's assistance.
Spirit Sage?
Um.. this is an herb store.
Mama Mia's Deli & Bakery?
Gone. Just an empty building.
The Barefoot Cafe?
Closed, but would be open tomorrow.

Seriously?
Well, it was a Sunday, and a Father's Day, too.
(Nice coincidence, isn't it,
that I was in
Daddy's birthplace
on this particular day?)
Still, I had already parked,
so I would walk a little.

Pocahontas Park was full of swings and slides and inviting benches.
Very nice, and shady, too!
Patriot, the horse, had been refurbished and was near the entrance of the playground. I wonder what his story is?
The Vero Beach Heritage Center looked interesting, but was closed until Tuesday.

I immediately was drawn to the turtle statue.
What gorgeous colors!
Then I came upon another turtle statue!
It was decorated with bits of mirror and broken shards of colorful tile.
What is that all about?
Are they part of a fundraiser, like the turtles down on Tybee?

Maybe so!
When I reached McKee Botanical Garden, a Rhinestone Turtle was awaiting me.
So very shiny!
It brought to mind Glen Campbell's tune, a nice diversion from thoughts of how very hot it was outside.
Because it was ridiculously hot.
I bought a bottle of water and splashed half of it on me, before draining it.
It was the first water I had since leaving the condo.
Stupid, right?
And the cafe on the garden grounds was closed for the season.
So, I went ahead and toured the grounds, found the bathroom was air-conditioned and rested in there, and refilled my water bottle.
Time to check in to Comfort Suites, maybe take a dip in the pool.
THE CAR WOULD NOT START.
It didn't even try to turn over. No sound at all.
It was as if the battery was not attached.
Seriously?
Now? When I was so hot I thought I might explode?
Seriously.
Two young men, both fathers, both locals, at the garden with their families, tried to jumpstart the car.
Nothing happened.
I thanked them for taking the time, then called GEICO Road Assistance.
To my rescue they came, successfully starting my car.
Off I went to the hotel, no stops along the way.
As soon as I reached the room, I shed clothes and got into a nearly cold shower for the next twenty minutes.
Finally, cool again!
I had been afraid I might have a heat stroke.
Seriously.

Now, what about food? It was already 6 PM and I had eaten nothing since breakfast at 8:30 AM.
Stupid, right?
Fortunately, Country Pride was a short walk away.
I had the Cajun Whitefish with Fried Shrimp dinner.
Ate every bite, too.
That was in addition to the chicken soup and the big salad that I helped myself to at the salad bar.

Then I strolled back to the hotel, watched the last half of "Men In Black 3", and crashed out.
The next morning, I was not surprised when the car did not start.
I had expected it.
After all, I've been waiting for the battery to go out on me.
I take that back.
I had expected the battery would die during the winter months. When it did not, I forgot about it.
Good thing it didn't fail while I was in the mountains with Morgan.
For it to fail on just me, when I had no time table to be kept, was ideal.
How very fortunate and blessed I am!

So, I called GEICO Road Assistance again. Again they rode to my rescue, this time towing me to Firestone.
I had called before even leaving the room today, to make sure they had the battery in stock.
Not only did they, but they also had a special on a synthetic oil change!
Most excellent!
Good fortune blessed me more:
the Firestone was only one block from the downtown area I had explored yesterday. I could entertain myself while they took care of my girl!
How incredibly fortunate and blessed I am!

My first stop was at
The Barefoot Cafe.
I even ate my lunch at an outside table, shoes off - very nice!
(smile!)
The Black Forest Melt, the special of the day, was immense, packed full of meat and vegetables!
Wow!!!

I put half of it into a "hot bag" -
right there at the table! -
and got more iced tea to
take with me.
Very important to stay hydrated on these ultra-hot days, right?
(smile)
I took time for more exploration of the area, out of the direct gaze of the midday sun.

I made good use of several of
these cut-through courtyards between streets.
As well as encouraging a breeze, they serve as small art galleries.
Look! Here are more turtles,
and a graceful dolphin arching
out of their midst!

And oh, look at this one!
What a sweet moment of time between a boy and his dog!
I sent that one along to my artist pal, Bill, for him and Tucker.
(smile)
I sat and watched the traffic for a while, from the comfort of a shady wall, then went to check on my car.
She was done!!!
Time to hit the road for South Beach, y'all!
And I have breakfast from Barefoot for tomorrow morning!
(smile)

bet yer bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun

I can be such a wienie.
Poor, poor, pitiful me.
Waaah.
That point was driven home for me while waiting for my car to become more street-legal. I'd thought I was just there to have the oil changed - no, wait, that's not quite true. I had TOLD myself I was there for the oil change, for which my car was 1,000 miles late and a month early.
I had also told them that I had a wobble at midrange speeds and needed that to be investigated.
I already KNEW what they would find and I had done some research to find out what that was going to cost. You know, to psych myself up for the financial one-two sucker punch.
I already KNEW they would find that my tires needed to be replaced, that they had reached the end of their lifespan. That said, I knew the price tag for that would be about four hundred bucks. Oh, sure, the tires would be about sixty dollars, so you're thinking $240, plus tax, DONE.
No.
You see, there's the fee to dispose of each old tire.
There's the State Tire Impact Fee.
There's the fee for the valve stem so the tire can be inflated.
There's the fee to balance the tire before it's put on the car.
Oh, and there's the fee for the bits of metal to balance the tire.
Altogether, that's $4.00 + $1.00 + $4.99 + $7.00 + $2.99, or $19.98. Per tire.
Plus tax.
So, I KNEW I was going to buy new tires today and came prepared to do so. Mentally, at least. Thank God I have plastic to pay for it all.
I also KNEW they would find my car was out of alignment. I've known that ever since I ran over the deer.
Oh, didn't I tell you about that?
No?
Well, when I was driving from Pennsylvania to Virginia in July, I was tooling along, enjoying the blue sky and rolling highway and steady traffic flow, lah dee dah, lah dee dah. Then, as I topped a rise in the road, I saw it: a downed deer, straight in my path!!!
There was no time to maneuver around it into another lane. No time at 80 miles per hour.
So I steered the car to pass OVER it, trying to hit as little as possible. Hopin' and prayin' my car had enough clearance to pass over and not get lodged atop of the dead beast. Holding my breath and trying to levitate the car just a little bit, just enough to float over the animal...
And as quickly as I had come upon it, I'm past it. Whew! Relief!
I hadn't felt an impact from running over any part of it! Yeah!
But what was that awful smell???
Indeed. What WAS that awful smell? That smell of burned hair, burned flesh?
I had tried not to think about it, though it persisted for several days. But my car still ran, when I could get it started. So I had continued with my vacation, telling myself I would have it checked out when I returned home.
But I didn't.
Today, I found out the hook that holds the exhaust pipe in place had snagged a bit of deer hide. The hook had stayed in place, miraculously, rather than breaking off. But that hook had snugged that bit of animal flesh against that hot metal, too, releasing the horrid smell.
If you ask me, I was given a miracle that day. The entire episode could have been so much uglier.
So, back to today's events, yes?
Yes.
As I was saying, I knew today was going to cost me and was mentally ready for it and was even carrying an appropriate piece of plastic to absorb the financial hit.
At first, I'm sitting there, texting with my ex about my sorrows and commiserating with him about his. Then I finish with him and pick up the issue of "People" sitting on the table. It's a fairly bedraggled issue and is dated 24 June. Hey, at least it was for this year, right?
I was skimming through the contents, trying to find a tale or two to pass the time. Whoa... what's THAT? It was an amazing story of love from the ashes.
Literally.
Both of these people had been horribly burned.
He had been painting a church when he made near-fatal contact with a live wire, burning his face off. No exaggeration.
She had been texting while driving. Her car flipped over and burst into flames and she was trapped inside it for twenty minutes. She has no idea what the text was that had seemed more important than attention to the road.
They had met and fallen in love and were wed in March.
Incredible.
And there I've been, whining about my first-world problems, as the bfe calls them.
Waah.
That kind of story puts the world back into a better perspective, doesn't it?
So, now my tires have new bling and I'm safe to drive again.
I've had an hour-long texting session with my ex, with him starting it.
That was nice.
I've had a real-live talk with my first niece, with her starting it.
That was nice, too.
My bff checked on me this evening and had this message: "You're not broke, you're not starving, and you're not alone. Everything else is small stuff." She is SUCH a mom!
And that was very nice.
For dinner, I actually cooked something besides soup. A lot of onions, a bit of garlic, and some discounted filet mignon bought a few weeks ago and now rescued from my freezer. A bit of pasta with olive oil and some Mrs. Dash, too.
Very nice! I even used a real plate, too.
Later, I'll be joining some friends for a special Friday night edition of the improv show I now miss on Mondays. Actually, there will be TWO of the Odd Lot shows tonight, and one of them will be bLuE!!!
Tomorrow, I have a baby shower for a niece I haven't seen since her graduation from high school several years ago. She and her honey had moved to Tennessee, then to Mexico. I am very much looking forward to that!
Then more friends at movies and pool parties and dinner!
I think my pity party has been called on account of love.

no, i think it was a ball...and the ump says?

My car has officially earned its second strike. Last Saturday was the first strike.

Oh, no. Really? It broke down again?

You betcha. And with a real lack of imagination, it did so the same way it had before: gear shift knob just rattling around loose, not even trying to find a gear. Very aggravating.

You were out and about?

Well, no. Fortunately, I was at home. I had moved the car earlier in the driveway when I was mowing the front yard and the car had not even hinted that it had a problem. No. It waited until I was showered and ready to go... then it wouldn't. I was to meet the best-hugger friend at an art reception and had to let him know he would need a different ride home.

How terrible!

Not really. I mean, it could have been raining buckets. And he could have ended up stranded, but didn't.
And when I called my first niece for assistance, she could have been out and about.
Fortunately, she was not.

What about the tow truck?

Well, fortunately, my road assistance picked up the tab on that. I was here, so i knew where to have the car taken, so that was fortunate, too.

Excellent!

Really, it was. My first niece and her family picked me up and we went traipsing off to dine on Italian fare and had a nice meal together.
Then I came home and the librarian fetched me and we went dancing with Magic Rocks, accompanied by a cooling breeze and night view from the roof of the purple and red palms.

Ohhhh-kayyyy! That sounds like fun!

It really was! I had feared I wouldn't be able to get any dancing in, with my car having failed me again. My night's fun was rescued!

Very good. And your car?

Well, knowing the librarian had other plans today, as did my first niece, I decided to take a cue from the wave and researched bus routes. Fortunately, the 31 bus stop is just a few minutes from my front door and it would take me almost to the car shop. Nice! Even better, the trip would only take about 35 minutes, which is pretty incredible, considering how many stops are along the way.
Things were going pretty good. I only waited about ten minutes for the bus. The driver understood that it had been awhile since I rode and was patient with me, reassuring me that this bus would, indeed, take me close to my destination.
So, off we go! And the bus is making good time, too.
And I mistakenly get off about two stops early along my route, but that's only about a quarter-mile off, so I start walking.
And the rains come! Torrential downpour, with gusting winds and thunder and lightning!

Oh my God! Did you have an umbrella???

Seriously, that would NOT have helped! I managed to run up under the eaves of a nearby business and that was helpful for a bit, until the wind started blowing the rain nearly perpendicular. I noticed the side of the building looked a bit more protective, so I ran over there... and was out of the path of the downpour. Whew!
Then it was a matter of waiting it out... and waiting... and waiting. Even after the opaque downpour had slowed to a steady soft rain, it was still enough water falling that I would have been totally soaked long before I reached the car repair shop. Which would be closing in less than an hour.

So... the rain finally stopped?

No, I didn't have to wait that long. When I could tell that the worst of the storm had passed, I ventured under the front overhang again, making me visible to all driving by. So, I'm watching the raindrops hitting the parking lot puddles, watching for a sign that it was safe to hit the street again, and the street came to me!

That sounds like a cute trick.

No, really, I'm just standing there, fairly damp from earlier, and this little, faded red car pulls in and a window lowers partially, and I hear the words "do you need a ride?"

Seriously!? What the hey!

Yeah, right? But there was actually a little concern in the voice. So I looked at the young man driving and told him I was waiting for the rain to stop so I could retrieve my car. And he said he could take me there. So, I made a quick decision and let him do so.
Yeah, I know. You NEVER get into the car of a stranger. N E V E R. But I did.
Fortunately, he was a good guy. He knew the woman who owned the business I was sheltered by and he had been concerned for her sake when he saw me there.
Then he saw my bedraggled self and my butterfly bag and decided to offer help.
Seriously. I think it was my Italian butterfly bag that tipped the scale in my favor, in his eyes.
Maybe.

You must be out of your mind. You got into a stranger's car? And no one knew where you were??? You simply do NOT do that!

But I did. And fortunately, all ended well or I would not be writing this now. Right?
He wasn't a big, burly guy, so I feel sure I could have muscled my way around him. And he was alone in the car, so I wasn't concerned about getting overpowered.
He was a nice young man on his way home from work. And I think he was at least as nervous as I was when I accepted his offer and climbed into the car.
Fortunately, he took me straight to the car repair shop, which wasn't far at all, dropping me off right at the door. Very nice!
Of course, I thanked him several times.
How very fortunate I was that he came along...

How very fortunate you were that he wasn't dangerous...

Yes, yes, yes. I know. And fortunately, the guy at the shop was very understanding of my being put out with them earlier. He had the two cables there waiting for me, explaining what was wrong with them and reiterating what I had already found out: only one of the cables and the bushing had been replaced before.
I guess sometimes we hear what we want to hear. And I had not known of there being twin cables leading from my console to the transmission.
But now I do.
So I waited about fifteen minutes for the rain to slow, then I took my cables and went home. In the rain. Waiting for the car to try to strand me again. Hoping it would not.

And...?

And I arrived home just fine. As did the car.
And I put on dry clothes and tried to decide what to do with my evening. I let my first niece and the karate kid and the wave and the librarian know that I was home. Of course, I didn't tell them about my taking a ride with a stranger.
I didn't want them to fuss at me about it.
I can be a bit too trusting at times, I know.

You think?

Yes. I had thought the librarian and I would go to a new play tonight, but she had an out-of-town friend show up unexpectedly and so those plans changed. Still, I thought I would still go to the play, until my Quaker friend called. He was concerned about my car situation and was a bit upset that I had not called him for a ride! So, I'll do better about that next time...Maybe. You know how stubbornly self-reliant I can be sometimes, right?

SOME times? You do mean, MOST of the time, right?

(Grin.) Maybe. Anywho, he invited me to come to the concert of the cigarbox guitar and cigarbox bass and cigarbox ukelele, so I agreed to go.
What a great idea!
I had expected my copper friend to be there, but she ended up changing her plans.
I did see my baseball foodie friend there and met some of his buddies.
And I did dance! By myself at first, but then joined by a fellow named Jay, who was pretty good on that concrete floor. Woohoo!
And to think, I had not planned to be there at all.
How fortunate that I was!
And afterward, I had dinner with my Quaker friend and his neighbor and she insisted on paying. What a treat!
And now, I am home, and gratefull to be in for the evening.
My librarian asked if I wanted to go out with her and her group tonight, but I need a night off, I think.
Or, if not off, at least early.
G'night, all. And sweet dreams.

no Professor Doom gonna stand in my way

My car broke down late last Saturday night, while returning from a long trip in the midwest.
Fortunately, it was not on the highway, but on an acess road, surrounded by lights and businesses.
Fortunately, I was with a friend who kept a good attitude and kept trying to reassure me and lighten my concern.
Fortunately, I have road assistance with my car insurance, so I didn't have to worry about the expense of getting the car towed.
Fortunately, the road assistance people recommended a mechanic who would be open on a Sunday to assess the problem.
Fortunately, I was on the outskirts of a town where I had family.
Fortunatle, my nephew was home and able to take in me and my friend and his furry companions, late on a Saturday night.
Fortunately, we found a rental agency that was open the next day and had cars available.
Fortunately, my nephew was able to take us there and patiently wait for us, keeping the cats safe in his truck.
Fortunately, my friend did an amazing thing: he took on the expense of renting the car.
Fortunately, we made it back here with no further difficulties.
Fortunately, he allowed me to keep the car for the next day, so I could easily get to a mandatory workshop.
Fortunately, he traveled with me the next afternoon to retrieve my car, even though it meant a late night on a weeknight.
Fortunately, he did it all without ever once complaining.
Not once.

Incredible.