I haven’t put my foot to the pedal in anything other than a minivan since 1999.
Before that, it was station wagons – first a Chevy and then a Buick. Kids. Dog. Flowers. Dog. That has pretty much been my life.
As much as I needed these large vehicles, it totally bugs me to drive a large car. I rode my bicycle eight miles to school on Earth Day #1! After school, I rode home. Mostly uphill. Eight miles. I am a conservationist at heart.
Anyway, my minivans have been total champs for my lifestyle, work, and budget until they reach a certain age and mileage. Recently, major repairs looked imminent on my high-mileage vehicle. I have been down this road before. I know the signs. So, I took the plunge.
Please, help me welcome my latest minivan. Her name is Magnolia. (She’s from the South, although technically, she was put together in Ontario, Canada.)
Ah, Sweet Magnolia.
She’s gorgeous!
Spacious.
Comfortable.
And she is a soft, silky gray color that reminds me of the beautiful, fuzzy, winter overcoats that keep a magnolia’s buds safe from harm until it is time for them to open in spring. Magically, the paint on the sideview mirrors appears to take on a mint-green color through the driver’s side window as a result of light reflecting in some awesome manner. Of course, green is my favorite color. Magnolia looks like a million bucks, as they say!
Contrasting with this serene exterior image is an ELECTRONIC BEAST OF A MACHINE.
She’s more electronically-loaded than I have a clue what to do with. Give me a couple of tires and a steering wheel, and I am happy. The beeps, lights, music options, self-this- and self-that-options on my new baby were definitely developed for some other driver.
I mean, I’ve been doing this driving thing for fifty years. That’s a Big 5-0. I know how to park! (I might even take pride in this fact, were it not that difficult once you learn to do it.) I don’t want to trust Magnolia to get us in a parking space. I see this self-driving stuff as a road down the wrong path. Sure, it’s easy, but shouldn’t we learn to do a few things for ourselves? Isn’t there a reason to try and try again? Hmm...
Well, in any event, no matter who’s parking us, here’s to Magnolia! May she live forever, as the others nearly did... until I had to put a ton of money into them.
Question: Have you ever donated a used vehicle to an organization or person who desperately needed it for transportation?
My last vehicle I traded in to the dealer, and did not donate. I always question whether a high-mileage, or a high- high- high-mileage vehicle is much of a gift, or if it is simply a risky, expensive, potentially dangerous accident waiting to happen. Have you ever donated a used car? Email me your thoughts at eblee.author@gmail.com .
In Clean Sweep, I introduce two vans in Chapter 1. They are late-model, high-mileage loaners that run by the grace of God. It is an icy night in November when the vans first appear. A vicious wind whips through the streets. Within these vans are life-saving food and clothing to be given to homeless men and women sleeping on the sidewalks of Manhattan. Can you imagine how critical these vans and the volunteers handing out supplies from the vans must be to the characters in the novel?
Now, imagine how vital real vans like these are to real people living on our streets. Have you read Clean Sweep? Once you do, vans will never look the same.
Here’s to happy driving, no matter what your vehicle! Oh, and while I’m thinking of it, Clean Sweep is available in audiobook format to keep you company, and your mind engaged, on your commute or longer trips.