like a hillbilly

I was with her Monday evening.  Just seemed like another typical Monday.  Until the drive home.

She wasn't feeling quite herself.  I'd planned to stop for gas anyway so we pulled in to a station where she proceeded to expel all kinds of fluids.  Yeesh.

We were only about a half mile away from my house, so I urged her to get that far, and then we could better see what was what.  What a trooper.  She made it up the hill, and just after I pulled into the driveway, she passed out.

I'd never seen her like that before.  She was usually so full of life and energy.  But I had to admit, she's not as young as she used to be.

The next morning, I called the ambulance to come get her.  I watched as she was loaded onto the gurney and driven away.  A few hours later, I got the diagnosis.  It's pretty bad as expected, but not terminal.  She should be home in a couple of days.

We've had that Subaru for 13 years now.  I remember when we got her, mainly because I was preggars with Meego at the time, and I remember the yummy lunch.  But still, she's been a good car.  She's gotten us through some dicey winter road conditions. She taught both Chaco and Wolfgang how to drive a stick, taking plenty of bruising and grinding along the way.

Watching her get loaded onto the "wrecker" (what a name) was a sad event.  She seemed embarrassed at being unable to move under her own power, hoping the neighbor cars wouldn't see.

Driving isn't something I particularly enjoy.  I just do it for practical purposes, preferring a bicycle to a car most of the time.  But since I drive so little, I want the vehicles I do spend my time in to be good ones.  That Subaru and I have some history.

In my driveway is an oil stain from Monday night.  She left a trail all the way up the road from the gas station, but she got me home rather than leave me stranded.

And up through the ground came a bubblin crude. 

Oil that is, black gold, Texas tea. 

I was like Jed Clampett, but not in a good way.
.