By Nan Donovan, columnist
My little red Ford Focus has finally bit the dust. I’ve had that car for fourteen years and I loved it. It was easy for me to get into, I’m short and somewhat handicapped. I was heartbroken to see it go.
I’ve been three months without a car, deciding what I was going to do. Should I get another car? I really don’t need one, do I? The answer is Yes! Even though I live in town, where everything is close, I detest always asking other people to take me to appointments. Therefore, most of the time, I canceled them.
When I had to go to the grocery store or bank, I had to make arrangements for someone else to take me. Often times it didn’t suit them and sometimes, depending who the person was, they didn’t show up.
I decided to get another car. Not a new one. I was also looking for something that was ‘dirt cheap’. I didn’t care what year, it had to look presentable, good gas mileage and it had to be reliable. That wasn’t asking too much, was it?
I finally heard of an older lady who was ill, didn’t drive any longer and had a car sitting idle. She said it ran, but it needed an inspection. My grandson went to see it. He said it needed a power window, he would put new tires on it, and that was all it needed to get inspected. And best of all, the price was something I thought was reasonable. It’s in the garage now being inspected.
The next thing I did was look up things on the internet to clean the car. Since it had been sitting for quite some time, it needed a thorough job. Jeff will have the pleasure of doing that job also.
On my searches I found a car cleaning cloth that eliminates scratches, scuffs, dirt, stains and much more. Sounded good. Then there was a headlight cleaner that removed the dirty film from headlights. Got that. A hand-held car vac to get all the dirt and litter, and I thought while I was getting everything to make the 1998 car, yes, you read that right, look presentable…I got new floor mats and seat covers.
Now I will have a car that is 26 years old that will serve me well, I hope. I will not have to worry about if someone bumps into it and makes a little dent.
Who knows, that car may still be running when today’s cars will be in the junkyard. Back when this car was made, it was made with better materials, cost far less than today’s models, and it’s a Buick. They were a highly sought-after car, back then. Now they don’t make them. I wonder why?
We’ll just have to see if this old car takes this old lady where she wants to go.
Pray for me and the car.
Till next time, be safe.
“The Right Age” is a weekly column written for senior citizens by 84-year-old Nan Donovan, who has lived in the Shenandoah Valley for 45 years. She has worked for newspapers, as well as radio and television stations, including WLCC. She moved to the Valley from Pennsylvania.
•••
OTHER RECENT COLUMNS
The Right Age: How would you rate your happiness?
Page Valley’s Top 10 stories of 2023
Be the first to comment