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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

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.
.

19 comments:

LL Cool Joe said...

I love driving. I'm sorry to hear about your car, what a sad story, but beautifully told. ;)

Anita said...

Awwww... What's her name? "The Subaru," perhaps? Give her my regards and well wishes. I hope she'll last a few more years before her "time." :(

lotta joy said...

When I traded in my 20 year old little Oldsmobile Ciera, I drove away from the car lot and looked back. I SWEAR I did. I'd left 20 years of loyalty sitting by itself on an impersonal car lot!!

terri said...

I had a hard time saying goodbye to my first car, a Cutlass Supreme. (She got hit and totalled.) Mark had a hard time trading in a Suburban so that we could get a family van instead.

Our cars tend to serve us well, most of the time. I guess that's why we feel guilt when we have to let them go.

Guano said...

In a similar Saab story, our car pooped out & didn't make it home, leaving the occupants stranded. Diagnosis wasn't good, but aggre$$ive treatment remained an option. Weighing fixing vs. replacing, a coworker gave a soundbite of advice, "The cheapest car to get is the one you own".

Worst advice evar. Shoulda euthanized her when I had the chance. Hope your Subie fares better!

Abby said...

Thanks. I don't really enjoy driving, but I felt so bad!

Abby said...

I'll let her know! Sue??

Abby said...

I have two previous vehicles that I swear committed suicide after our break ups! Another, I'm not sure, but I think she became a prostitute!

Abby said...

It's funny how attached we can get to "things". Except that minivan. I do NOT miss that minivan!

Abby said...

Oh man, I was ready to take that advice as golden!
Thanks a lot for nuthin!

Jimmy said...

We traded the first car I bought for Cindy and drove about a million miles, made the deal and drove it home to clean it out, on the way back to the dealer it just stopped running, I threw it up into neutral and coasted onto the lot, it never started again.

Hope yours is home soon.

ShadowRun300 said...

Loved Guano's remark... Saab story! Funny! :)
Sure hope Sue's feeling better soon! I don't know what I'll when my Mustang reaches a ripe old age. :( It'll be a sad day for sure. Now that she's over 100,000 miles old, I've started preparing myself....

Rock Chef said...

Hm, your title has got me trying to rewrite Madonna's song "Like a Virgin"!

Like a hillbilly
Drunk on the ole moonshine!
Like a hi - i - ill - bi - lly
With your pick-up
Next to mine

Can you tell it's Thursday?

agg79 said...

Sorry to hear about the Subaru. Hope the recovery is quick and fairly painless (but with children of that age, nothing is ever cheap). I get attached to our cars way too long. Had to let go of our '82 Volvo after 12 years and 230k miles when she starting having serious problems. Her replacement was the '93 Camry that is still driving the roads of Austin (190k miles). I hope the rest of the neighborhood cars don't make too much fun of her when she gets back home. Cars can be so cruel..

Abby said...

Clearly that car only had drive for you!

Abby said...

I find myself checking out other cars while at the crosswalk. Oh the guilt!

Abby said...

Get out the 6-string and jam it, RC! *gracefully waving my cell phone screen*

Abby said...

She should be home later today. Maybe I'll put her in the garage while the neighbor cars are at recess.

meleah rebeccah said...

Awwwww. I don't think I've ever loved a car as much as you loved your Subaru. Fabulously told, too!