Nothing Gold Can Stay
Sigh...
SIGH.....
So, my car just returned from the shop. "It's a '97 Ford Escort with 175,000 miles on it," my mechanic kept saying. "It needs a new transmission. Your clutch is slipping. You need new rear brakes. You have a leak in the [insert car part I can't remember]. Is this a northern car? Because it's all rusted out underneath. And did I mention that it's a '97 Ford Escort with 175,000 miles on it?"
Yes. Yes, you did. So? SO?? WHAT'S YOUR POINT??!?! WHERE'S THE LOVE? I LOVE MY CAR!!!!!
Here's the prognosis: Either I accept that my car is dying and allow it to die a natural death; or, I spend $3500 over the next year or so to rehabilitate the car. I am, of course, choosing the first option, because I am not insane. But I do so with a heavy heart.
As Robert Frost once (sort of) wrote:
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
so dawn goes down to day.
Nothing silver with dark gray interior can stay.
Sigh....
:o)
This will probably be my only post this week, on account of travel and general merry-making. I hope the year closes peacefully for everyone. For those of you in the southern hemisphere, enjoy the long days. And for those of you in the northern hemisphere, be of good cheer, because the light is coming back!
Comments
My mom was following me in my brand new car, and just as I parked the car in the driveway, poor Two-Tone's muffler fell off. I think that was the signal that the tone needed to be retired. :)
Nice reference to Frost, by the way. His poetry has guided me through many times of my life. This one also brings back many memories of teaching middle school and discussing The Outsiders. :)
Happy Holidays to you, Kristin, and to everyone else as well! I'm off to finish some shopping. I'm buying two copies of Graceling for my nieces. :)
-Lesley
Happy Holidays!
shelli
http://faeriality.blogspot.com/
I am sorry that your car is sick. I love my car too (for the most part) but it is also ailing. It's a 98 Nissan Pathfinder with only 130k something miles. My speakers are blown (I didnt get the pleasure of doing that), the volume wont turn up or down on the stereo on the off chance I still want to attempt to listen to it w/the blown speakers, I failed my inspection and had to replace exhaust things, my brakes are shot...shall I continue? Ok, now I've depressed myself. Maybe Santa will bring me a new one? Bah humbug. That bastard's not bringing me anything!
Have a happy xmas and an f***in fabulous new year!
I FINALLY finished the series I was reading and started your book yesterday. I just want to say that you absolutely rock my socks off!!! I am half way done, I had to stop and make myself go to bed at 1am this morning. (I drove from Charleston back to Asheville part of the day, so I couldnt read or I'd be further). Gettin ready to enjoy the rest of my vacation and read the rest!!! I already want more. I love your book!! I cant imagine you writing garbage.
oh and my rents have a '96 toyota landcruiser that they saved from death. dont give up. oldies are the best. ies. course now its the hotels (my dad owns and runs 2)(with my mom) there and back vehicale.
so charly i have no idea where u live but dont wish for snow. just move to berrien county, michigan.
great it just started snowing. CURSE YOU CHARLY!!!!
"but god it just feels so good"-misery buisness by paramore
"but i knew she was jealous from the start"-boys with girlfriends by meiko
(thats for u charly ;-P)
We also have a layer of ice in between it all.
:P
Long story short: Old Cars make me happy, too. Old Cars dying also makes me sad. My sympathies.
Kristin im sorry im not talking to you. me and charly are sharing snow stories.
"breathe......just breathe"-breathe (2 A.M.) by anna nalick
And thanks to everyone sharing their sad car stories.
And for those who celebrate a holiday, happy whatever-holiday-it-is :o)
"days of auld lang syne"-auld lang syne (whatever that means) by straight no chaser (i know, weird name)
Hondie is older, and I named him once when I was like 7 and he "saved" us from an onslaught of pouring rain.
Hondie might need to be replaced soon, by a Prius. Hondie is (guess!) a Honda Accord, with hardly any blind space. Both me and my mother will be sorry to see it go.
Sorry about that little speech about my cars. ;)
Molly
I hate the vacation. I have a two week hiatus from school and absolutely nothing to do except ride horses, write my drash and learn my Haftorah. Ugh.