I haven't posted a blog since St. Patrick's Day. This does not mean, I've had a hangover for a week nor is it a lack of ideas or motivation. In fact, I have 3 blogs in draft mode but they're just not ready to go.
March Madness is a term that has taken over our lexicon. Everyone is susceptible, you don't have to have a mental illness to be sensitive to the changes in seasons or to be praying for the end of snow and rain. Those were some heavy floods last week as traffic was rerouted due to the overflow of the Ipswich River. It took forever to go locally from point A to point B. It helps to know the back roads!
I was traveling a lot last week to visit with all my friends who are available to do lunch. I live like a woman on a champagne budget who forgets there's beer in the fridge. Am I high maintenance? Yes and no. Sure, I can have it both ways.
Anyway, there was a trip to Boston, a couple of trips to Lawrence and a trip to Seabrook, NH. As you may have gathered, my anxiety levels rise in direct proportion to how my 21 year-old Volvo is behaving or not. Now that it is back in my possession, it possesses me absolutely. While it sat during the rainstorms, I feared the windshield would leak and the drivers seat would become saturated. I was so relieved this didn't happen, a grin and an outward praise escaped from my lips.
Then I opened the rear door. In the back seat well stood about 2 inches of water.I recall the days when that would send me in a tailspin or a crying frenzy. I threw two old towels on the floor to soak up the puddle. Cars, especially aging cars are no picnic but they do call for creativity. A car is independence and there is no public transportation in the suburb where I live. Having a car is essential but there is no budget for a new or a used vehicle in my future. So with lots of travel, floods and rerouting I wasn't paying much attention to fuel consumption. You see, my fuel tank is permanently on "E" for empty. So like others, no longer in the middle class, I have to estimate and conserve my usage.
Well, Friday I got in the Volvo to go check on the state of the renovation of the house and detected something wrong with the car. I brought it to my brother and he said it sounded like it may need gas. OK but the fuel indicator light never came on. It is probably linked by a sensor to the fuel gauge but they are clearly not communicating. I made it about 5 blocks, the long way around due to the flooding, before it came to a complete stop. What did we ever do without cell phones? Brother to the rescue for the umpteenth million time. Yup, he was right. Out of gas!
This is a first for me. Especially in these days of GPS, talking cars and bluetooth steering wheels, how does one run out of gas? I don't know but I did. I'm also not the only American living like this. The difference is I can laugh at my foibles. The Volvo and I have history together. Maybe someday the Volvo will talk and tell you some of the adventures we've shared over the years.
Do you think the President of Volvo would be interested in our storied journeys?
As for the house....the sheet rock is up and now we have rooms again. The plasterers are on the job this week and soon the painters will arrive. The house is wrapped up in TYVEK like a present just waiting for the gift wrapping of vinyl siding. We're on time and on budget with the chosen contractor. There is no doubt "my" preferred, personable and hard-working contractor would undoubtedly be at the same point. I trust he has found other work to keep him busy. We are all anticipating the final product. Stay tuned.
Don't let the little things get to you!
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