February has been a series of ups and down, highs and lows at our house.
Some “wonderful” person sideswiped my SUV while I was inside having lunch with my daughter and just left without a note or any notification. The restaurant had no cameras but we do know I parked by a white truck and there was white paint on my car.
The whole process from filing an insurance claim to getting a rental car was more stressful than it should have been. Don’t know why we make things so complicated.
Getting in touch with Centerville PD was almost impossible. Even leaving my name and number on their answering machine did not get a return call. Fortunately, insurance company said no problem since it was on private property and we didn’t know the other driver.
Though I wanted to use a local collision center, we had to choose from three in Warner Robins, none of which we knew anything about. I’ll withhold my verdict until we get the car back.
Getting the rental was even more stressful. First car had expired tags and check engine light was on. Moving on to another car, my hubby said it was too small. You are supposed to get a vehicle that is comparable and none of them were. Hubby ended up getting a convertible Mustang! He watches too much of Grand Tour, I think.
I’ve had several sports cars in my lifetime and while I loved my 1971 Mach I Mustang, the newer ones are not comparable. In my experience, most sports cars are limited in room and sit too close to the ground for me. Why would you want a convertible in the wintertime and with as much rain as we’ve had, I don’t know. Men and their cars!
I’ve outgrown sports cars because they don’t interest me in the least. I’m more into comfort when it comes to cars. After all, a vehicle is only to get you from point A to point B and as long as it’s reliable and comfortable, I’m good.
Since I needed the rental, I’m the one driving the Mustang of course. It is too loud and takes off with very little pressure on the gas. This took a little getting used to and sometimes I forget.
It does have some nice amenities that I never thought I’d like. It has heated seats and on extremely cold days the seats heat up before the heater does. It also casts a light on the ground at night and since I am forever dropping my keys getting out of the car, it makes it easier to see the keys without just feeling around on the ground. Besides a racetrack mode, it also has a wet road mode which seems to make it drive smoother on the roads when raining.
Getting in and out is a challenge and you absolutely could not have anyone in the back seat unless they were small children because there is no room whatsoever. Another reason to never had a two-door car. It’s also black which is my least favorite car color but hey, it’s a rental so I will survive.
We aren’t sure at this point, when our car will be ready to pick up, but I certainly am ready for it. The bumper, passenger side fender and door were all damaged so the person had to know they hit another vehicle. David has been enjoying the rental on weekends and has even let the top down a couple of times. Imagine that! I could get into that in 75 degree weather but not the weather we’ve been having lately.
I will certainly be glad when the weather clears up because I need to get my potatoes in the ground before too long and get the soil prepared for the rest of the garden. Our garden didn’t fare as well last year and I think the soil needed more fertilizer so will be working toward that end soon.
Gardening helps take your mind off things and just let’s you not think about what’s going on in the world. An added benefit is that you are growing your own food and most years, have some to share with others. Putting your hands in the dirt is good for you I think.
Some of my fondest memories with my grandmother are gathering produce from the garden or getting fruit off the trees. She planted a lot more than I do and always had plenty of canned vegetables put up every year. I’m not quite that studious every year but sometimes we do manage to put some up. I hope to do a little better in that area.
David is building a large kitchen island for me and that will help facilitate working with vegetables better. We have been wanting to do this for a while but just kept putting it off. I’m very fortunate he can build most anything as well as do lots of things. God blessed me with him and I’m thankful.
On another note, we (The Georgia Post) have decided to hold a community celebration for our 100th birthday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, March 19th. We will have giveaways and refreshments. Make plans to drop by and celebrate with us. We had hoped to be able to do a time capsule for the community but it was just too cost prohibited. If you have roaring 20’s attire, wear it to the celebration. You may receive a special prize. It really is a big deal for a newspaper to have survived in a community for 100 years. ©2021

VICTORIA SIMMONS Is a columnist, author, motivational speaker, minister and publisher of The Georgia Post/Byron Buzz. Contact her at: vsimmons54@gmail.com