This column has been planned for quite a while. Part
of it had to be added because of an experience I had
last week.
20 years ago this November I became the happy
owner of a new 1999 GMC SUV. This occurred in
1998 as the new Yukon models were arriving. I really
needed an SUV because I owned an antique store
and frequently needed to transport furniture. After
looking at several different models, I decided the Yukon
was the best choice.
20 years later, I know for sure that I made the right
decision. “Baby,” as I named her, is without question
the best car I’ve ever owned. She is definitely the
most reliable vehicle in my experience.
My previous cars couldn’t be described that way.
I frequently wished I could drop a lit match into their
gas tanks! Fortunately that remained an unfulfilled
fantasy.
As November arrived, I began planning to write
about Baby reaching her 20th birthday with me. Then
last week, I met the Car from Hell.
We’d gone to New Orleans to visit family for a few
days. We flew there and rented a car. Our introduction
to our temporary wheels began when we attempted
to start this late model automobile, only to discover it
had no keyhole.
After a long search, we asked an employee how to
do this. That was our introduction to the “keyless car”
concept. It was just the beginning.
Those of you who own one of these newfangled
vehicles will probably find this tale
of woe humorous. I just named it “the car
from Hell.” Just imagine driving this (to us)
high-tech car through New Orleans traffic.
(Think Indy 500 but more intense.) What
a fun trip!
Things did get better. My husband adjusted
to the challenge, and we survived.
I personally gained a deeper appreciation
for Baby.
This appreciation is so deep that I think
I will keep Baby for the rest of my life. Just
put me in the driver’s seat when I die and
bury us together.
On the tombstone put these words: Technology is
NOT our friend.
Happy Thanksgiving! May your turkey be moist and
your gravy have no lumps. As for what I’m especially
grateful for, I can put that into one word: Baby.
Photo Source: kbb.com
