Leap February 29, 2008
Posted by indigobunting in Uncategorized.trackback
This morning I will drive north with my beloved 1998 Subaru Forester—the one that has served me well for more than 10 years, the car that is part of life-as-I-know-it in Vermont, the vehicle that has clocked thousands of miles on Route 153—and trade it in for a 2008 Subaru Outback.
Why do I always feel guilty?
Without going so far as to name vehicles, I must in some way personify these relationships. I feel as if I’m trading in the loyal, mostly reliable friend, a little worn around the edges, for a much younger model. I am in fact using it to do so. My Forester could last another year or two or three—how could I be so heartless as to turn my back on it? This is how I repay years of service?
I felt this way when I traded in my 1988 VW Golf for the car I say goodbye to today. In fact, I’m still able to conjure up a feeling of guilt about that—yes, there it is. Has that Golf yet forgiven my betrayal?
Heated seats, whispers the new Outback. Baby, a warm ass can make you forget.
Route 153 
Haha. I love it! But I know what you mean about car relationships. I still feel sad thinking about my tan Hornet (the shit car with the great sound system) that we used in Pittsburgh. I also feel nostalgic thinking about our ’85 Tercel – we brought both babies home it her.
And speaking of Vermont – Clare’s considering visiting the University of Vermont next month.
Cedar, you just made me love my Venture van more. Both babies did come home in that van. Oh. I will miss it when it goes (it is 8 years old, we’re hoping to make it to 10 or 11, but there’s already 165,000 miles on it). I did not miss the Cavalier or the Prizm when they left. Those were more like divorces due to irreconcilable differences rather than adultery.
I think I’ve only had one car that I named. I always WANT to name my cars, but I feel too silly, especially the older I get.
But I don’t miss my cars when I move on to a new one. Usually that’s because they’ve fallen apart bit by bit, causing me to get angry with their decrepitude. If they want my love, they should last forever.
My father didn’t have a car so we walked, walked walked and walked when I was a kid. We threw stones over the bridge into the creek and all that on our way to the only plaza and all that.
Sing along, my sweet friend:
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=iCSUfTEcWow&NR=1