I bought my 1988 Honda from a supervisor I was working with at Providence Hospital seven years ago. I paid $1 for it. She had inherited her father’s van and was ready to get rid of her car. I volunteered to take it off her hands.

She often asks how “Old Blue” is doing. The odometer has flipped over three times. It has had four sets of tires, two mufflers, three batteries and quite a few tune-ups. The gas cap cover never closes, the upholstery is shot and I have lived through six summers in South Carolina without an air conditioner.

The paint, or lack thereof, is light blue mixed with lighter blue. It clicks, pops and pings when going around corners. My grandsons say, “Man, Mimi, you really need a new car. This one is old and worn out and makes noises.”

Yeah, well, so am I. But I can’t explain the state of the economy or gas prices to their satisfaction. It might be held together with a coat hanger, duct tape and a daily prayer, but, hey, I am recycling.

I drove it to Columbia a week ago to the car wash. My mama was with me and kept saying, “You’re going to need more quarters; that red clay isn’t going anywhere.” When it was finally clay free, I got back in the car to leave and ta-da ... a no go! Mama was freaking out, saying we were not in a good place to be breaking down, etc. I told her to relax, it happens all the time. I proceeded to get a can out of the floorboard of my car and lift the hood. I knocked the battery cable with the can a few times, calmly got back in the car with my mother, who just shaking her head, and away we went.

I already have a person interested in buying my car. She said she would give me double what I paid for it ($2). She gets why I am not buying a car right now. People make fun of it all the time. I am glad they have something to laugh about.

I was going down another muddy road the other day. My brakes were not real great at the time, and the car just sort of drifted across the slick road when I applied the brakes. Once I caught my breath, I decided the experience had been awesome. It brought out my adventurous side.

I intend to drive my exceptionally good bargain until it drops. That is what cell phones are for in case I get stranded. I like to take a few chances.

That’s just the way I roll.

T&D Correspondent Jan Jordan can be reached by e-mail at Jor8J@aol.com.

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