Here’s an amusing story – especially for those who have had the pleasure of meeting my father-in-law of 80-something years, and who are familiar with our 15-year-old minivan. Both Paul and the Blue Ribbon News mobile have their share of endearing idiosyncrasies.
Paul flew in from Colorado over Labor Day weekend. He didn’t want to take one of our newer vehicles, so he borrowed our minivan to attend a parade inGarland. He got lost, so he stopped at a convenience store to ask for directions. When he got back in the van, he couldn’t get it started. He called my husband, who reminded him that sometimes the ignition sticks.
“Reach under the driver’s seat, Dad,” Richard told him. “We keep a hammer there. Use it to tap the key into the ignition.”
Paul couldn’t find the hammer.
“Try tilting the steering wheel up and down,” Richard suggested.
No luck.
Paul looked around the van and saw a pair of high heels on the passenger floor. He picked one up and started tapping the key. It didn’t work.
“Rich, I need to take apart the steering column,” he said. “It’s not making the connection.”
“No, Dad, keep me on speakerphone, and I’ll walk you through it,” Richard said. Like an experienced 9-1-1 operator, Richard relayed instructions to resuscitate the van.
“Tap the key two more times,” Richard said. “She’s got more than 230,000 miles on her. Be gentle and she’ll start right up.”
Paul began banging the key as hard as he could with the shoe. He worked up a sweat, so he opened the driver’s side door to get some air.
That’s when Richard overheard a deep, unfamiliar voice address Paul.
“Excuse me, sir; you’re in my vehicle.”
He was in the wrong car!
Paul mumbled something indiscernible to the stranger, in an attempt to explain what he was doing in the man’s van with his wife’s high heels. Thankfully, the gentleman was understanding and he kindly led my father-in-law to our minivan, which started right up with a turn of the key. Now that’s good news.
Which brings me to the reason we have so many miles on our minivan. There’s a lot of ground to cover and plenty of good news to share in our community. So we’re pleased to officially introduce the three newest members of the Blue Ribbon News family: staff writer Austin Wells and director of business development, Valerie Ellison. Both are uniquely qualified to shine the spotlight on the people, places, businesses and events that impact our hometown in a positive way.
Please say hello when you see any of us (or our trusty Blue Ribbon News mobile) around town. We’re here to share your good news.
To share your good news and events, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.
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Two new staffers, a pair of high heels and one old minivan added by Editor on
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