The Old Coot can’t find anything.
By Merlin Lessler
I can’t find anything in my car. Where are my reading
glasses? Don’t I have a tape measure here someplace? What happened to that cell
phone charger? That’s what happens when I go looking for something. I finally
did an inventory, starting with the glove compartment. Mine is good sized, and
that’s a problem; it is so chuck full, that when I open it, half the contents
spill out: car manual, stereo manual (twice as big as the car manual), maps, a
CD pouch, hand sanitizer, a small ice scraper, registration & insurance
cards, and believe it or not, gloves. I had no idea they were there until I did
the inventory.
But the glove box isn’t the problem. It’s that plus all the
other compartments where I shove things. There is a small compartment with a door
above the glove box. It contains pen, paper, glasses and earphones. Below the
radio is an open cubbyhole. Not a problem since I can see the box of Tic Tacs,
store cards, a paper clip and a key chain with a miniature flashlight on it.
There is a small storage compartment with a door to the left
of the steering wheel. That’s where I found the tape measure. I also discovered
two jackknives, a package of Rolaids and some toothpicks. Also, a small change
purse full of loose change. It comes in handy at a drive-in window.
I’m not done! I haven’t mentioned the compartment in the
center console. That’s where I found the cell phone charger. Also, binoculars
and an emergency writing kit, in case I get an idea for an article. It contains
glasses, a pen and paper. Next to the console, stuck between it and the seat, is
a folded up reusable grocery bag. It’s usually still there when I get to the
check out counter in the store.
Each front door has a foot long trough that’s two inches
wide. Sunglasses on the driver’s side of the car and an umbrella on the other.
I won’t get into the junk stuffed above the sun visor that falls out whenever I
try to use it. One last thing, the back area of the car. It contains two
walking sticks, jumper cables, tie downs, a blanket, a bag chair, earmuffs and
a sweatshirt. Oh yea: there is a kayak carrier on the roof; I only used it twice
year.
You’d think I was a survivalist, prepared for an
environmental disaster. I decided I had to de-clutter. I took everything out
and put it on a table in the garage, to sort through things and get back to
basics. Probably a futile gesture. Little by little, I’ll fill it up again. Oh,
by the way, as I reloaded, I discovered a small backpack under the driver’s
seat. I forgot it was there. I didn’t dare look to see what was in it. I’ll
deal with that during next year’s inventory.
Comments? Complaints? Send to mlessler7@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment