Women in Comfortable Shoes

[Previous entry: "We're Done!"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Aunt Ceil's Surprise"]

12/23/2003: "Over the Hill at 21"

Sunday before last, I washed a month's worth of mud and dirt off the Miata. As I scrubbed the grime off the tires, I was concerned to see that the right rear wheel was missing a lug nut. I tried to find one at the usual open-on-Sunday auto parts stores, but none would fit the lug.

The next Monday, after the West Texas dust storm blew through town and screwed up my wash job, I took the Miata to the dealer to buy a new lugnut. While it was there, I decided to get its 5,000-mile check-up, being only a couple of weeks shy of its appointed date.

Good thing. The service writer said the lug was about to crack off. I haven't run over any curbs or bumps, so I have no idea what would cause the lug to crack and lose its nut. He didn't either. I suspect a defective factory part. It's fixed now, though. You can be sure I'll keep an eye on those lug nuts from now on.

This particular dealer gives you rides to work in the morning and picks you up when your car is ready. I love that.

While riding back to the shop, the driver and I heard on the radio some kind of advertising that mentioned the upcoming Super Bowl 38. The young man driving the shuttle was distraught. He said he can hardly believe that there have been 38 Super Bowls. He still remembers the 30th, he said, lamenting his advanced age. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I was 6 when the first Super Bowl was played.

Did I mention the driver was a young man? And yet, he is already fretting about getting older, being 20 and nearly 21. I nearly fell out of Roger Beasley's minivan when he said his buddies told him that everything goes downhill after you turn 21. I'm more than twice this guy's age and I'm still trying to find the top of that hill. For me, middle age is always next year.

Poor fellow. He's got a long, hard life ahead of him if he thinks he's already over the hill.