Old Clunker

So, I managed to get the old car going. (It was so cold, our new, pampered car blew a fuse when my hubby asked it to do more than one thing at once.) After having the Shadow sit in freezing weather for days with the odd failed attempt to start it combined with crappy extension cords that may or not have been running the block heater, I figured I was going to require the assistance of a tow truck. But alas, the old beater did it. I went out yesterday and gave ‘er a couple of pumps of gas (even though it is fuel injected–I had forgotten to tell my hubby that it needed this special ‘touch’ once we got below -25C). And it started with barely any battery to spare.

Okay, your applause is embarrassing me. What, don’t stop!

That car just keeps going. Maybe because in its fourteen years its only gone 100,000km (although, I think that may have been jiggered with). Naturally the ‘check engine light’ glowed red all the way to the recycle depot and back. (It’s the car’s way of giving me the finger.) Being the dutiful and diligent driver that I am, I ignored it. When I went out again later, it forgave me. Just as I figured it would. Just as I know it really, really wants me to paint it all funky. In case you are thinking I am an abusive car owner, I did check the manual. I figured maybe it was giving me the tall finger salute because it was feeling pissy for having a low battery. You how helpful the manual was? “See dealership.” Thanks. In hell, I will.

Anyway, that car just keeps trucking. That’s why I love it. I do need to get the clunk in the front end checked out. It’s weird though, the car places here in town seem to know less than I do when it comes to cars. How many times did I have to have them check the tires before they discovered that they were dangerously out of round? Quite a few. So, any bets on this clunking? I’m guessing boots or CV joints. Although, funny story. Less than 2,000km ago, I had them inspect the front end (and specifically the steering) not once, but twice. Oh, it is all merry. Right, because clunking is natural?

Just because it is a clunker, it doesn’t mean it should clunk.

Oh, so cool! On the Spectrum they are doing a Sheryl Crow thingy with all her songs and stuff starting on Monday on Sirius Radio. I’m a little pumped. I can actually remember the first time I heard Sheryl Crow. I was driving Mikey (my car–that, in fact, I did paint up all crazy) along the gravel road East of home and when I heard her I was like, “I’m buying her album.” My then-boyfriend (I was in high school) always referred to her as “Your Sheryl Crow”. There’s this one song that always reminds me of the summer where I was supervisor for honey extracting. Long story. Had to be there. Moving on….

Anyway, the poor Shadow. It needs a new windshield, but that need keeps getting sent to the back of the line, kind of like the outlying schools around here when it comes for renovations. But anyway, I discovered that when you use the big worn out shovel to shovel the snow off your car, it doesn’t leave tiny little scratchy trails like I anticipated. Gouges in the already exfoliating paint. Don’t tell my husband. I’m betting he won’t notice until the summer when I wash the car. He hasn’t noticed yet and it has been a couple months. What, read about it here? Nah, he doesn’t read my blog!

Oh, and I told him about the broken shelf in the kitchen. In case you were wondering. That story was basically the most exciting thing that had happened in my day. Plus, it is kind of fun to watch the little vein in his forehead grow when I tell him about things that have broken on our 2 1/2 year old house.