Thursday, November 17, 2011
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Thursday, November 17, 2011 |
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Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | New Photo Gallery |
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Close to Nowhere Car troubles and woes It’s my own fault. For years, especially the last couple, I’ve bragged on my car -- never had a minute’s trouble with it! I was just asking for it! Recently I had to have the starter replaced. Not too bad a problem, only a couple hours in the shop. Then, the last time I had my oil changed, my car had a “trouble.” Mind you, even after living 40-plus years with a top-notch mechanic, I have no idea what goes on in an engine -- but when the guy who changes my oil said that my front oil seal was leaking pretty badly and I needed to get it fixed, I was pretty sure that was gonna be serious -- by that I mean expensive. By happy coincidence, a new, wonderful mechanic has moved into town. By even happier coincidence, he used to be a rodeo rider and, more importantly, at least to me, a Toyota mechanic. My Toyota was made in America. Pop’s Ford Escort was made in Japan. So, why do most garages favor the Ford over the Toyota? I suspect it has something to do with the metric system (I think that’s a joke, but it might not be). Tuesday morning, as I write this, my car is in the shop getting its front oil seal replaced and all the leaky, nasty oil washed off the engine, etc. And, I’ve been driving Pop’s Ford Escort. Pop loves this car. Orginally my brother’s car, Pop has coddled and pampered this car for probably 10 years now. In fact, next time the Ford gets a new license plate, we can get an antique car plate. Wow! It’s very strange going from one car to another. Habits are almost impossible to ignore. I’ve tried to open Pop’s door with my clicker every time I walk out to it. I’ve tried to start the Ford with the Toyota key. The dashlights don’t work on the Ford, so at night you have to either guess what speed you’re driving, or, use the flashlight-type “thing” Pop keeps in the console. Monday night, I finally opted for the flashlight thing. I tend to have a lead foot and Hwy. 7 is a regular route for the state highway patrol. The worst problem I have with the Ford though is the headlights. My car has lights that are on all the time. Turn on the car, the lights come on, day or night. Turn off the car and the lights go off. For many years, while McClatchy’s hardware store was across the street from the paper, Stanley would come and tell me that I’d left Pop’s headlights on -- again. Stanley and the hardware store have moved. I’ve had to remember on my own. Not pretty! (37 days to Christmas!) |
     
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