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As a Senior Citizen, I'm just a carbon copy of my old car that has
more than 100,000 miles of bumps, stops, and starts, trying to keep up with city
traffic, and occasionally stalling when the going gets rough. Yes, I have to go in
for repairs more often now and have regular tune-up jobs to keep me running.
Fortunately, the good Lord has not issued a recall on my particular model and I
am grateful for that. Here are some of the problems that we old-timers have
to contend with:
I can't scratch off like the teen-agers in their souped up sports cars. My brakes seem
to be dragging and my clutch slipping, but I do get around and arrive at my
destination in one piece. My frame is bent a little, my bumpers are bulging in the wrong
places, and I lack that new, shiney, wrinkle-free look of the latest models. But as they
say: "Beauty is only skin deep."
My warranty has long since expired, and the Blue Book lists me practically
worthless as a trade-in. But it's what's under the hood that counts, and my
wife wouldn't trade me for anything or anyone. And with the love of my family
and friends, I feel that I'm a Rolls Royce. Senior Citizens have much the same problems as old
cars with regard to leaky radiators and hoses, and unpredictable water pumps.
Many of my friends complain that they have to make two or more pit stops during
the night....and so do I. But the walk is good excercise and it keeps one's creaking
joints alive. A couple of years ago my engine didn't run smoothly because
my timer was off kilter. Doc Mecanik installed a cruising gadget called a pacemaker
and now I'm good for another 50,000 miles or more. |
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My tailpipe and muffler show some wear and tear so I now have
to lubricate with a grease preparation. Unlike some of the later models
we still perform marvelously on regular gas.The doc says that my drive shaft and transmission
are also worn and that my battery needs charging. Father Time, Mother Nature
and automobile manufacturers evidently share the same view with regard to planned
obsolescence and overproduction. I flunked the inspection test last week because my headlights were too dim.
My good friend, Sam Eyedock, corrected the problem with a replacement set of new
bifocal lens. Lately, I haven't been galavantin' around much at night anyway. My
engine loses some of its zip after 9:30 pm, and my "spark plugs" yawn at Ten. I have been bragging to my friends that I have the quietest old-time car
one the road. And now the bad news; My ear specialist says that I have a hearing
impairment and that's the reason that my car sound so quiet. I have an appointment
with him next.......now, where did I put that card? Oh well, I'll call Dr. what's his name
tomorrow if I don't forget. A word of warning to the youth of our land; fast living
and reckless driving will make a new car and a young body die before their time.
Avoid the junk yard and the graveyard by sticking to the rules of clean living and
careful driving. And now for the good news to all Senior Citizens--a well preserved antique
is worth more that the latest model and becomes more valuable with age. So pretty
yourself up, put on your best show, there's much to be done when you're living, the
past has gone by, so LETS GO!! |
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