Styrofoam coffee cup in hand, I find myself sitting at the Davenport Subaru dealership awaiting news on the fate of my
2000 Outback. Two days ago, while on the road, I noticed a strong smell of burning rubber upon stopping for gas.
Although I was concerned, the car was extensively serviced before leaving Boise and I wasn't noticing any leakage or
warning signals on the dashboard. But last night the smell had returned and it was still there this morning when the car
started up. Had to get it checked out and I'm not sure what the verdict will be.
I am of the ilk that says, "We can always purchase a new one if this one is broken."
This mantra is one I keep repeating to myself because, on a trip of this magnitude (for the business), I have to maintain
my sanity knowing that a charge card can take care of everything but the precious cargo of thousands of hand silk
screened cards. It's that precious cargo that MUST make it to NY unharmed or I may just lose my mind. As it is, I take
my stress out on my jaw, clenching and grinding my teeth every unchecked moment. It's an internal sort of worry, I try
not to explode, I try not to let it all show. But I worry about everything, if it could be thought of - I've thought about it.
I've tried to work out every scenario that could go wrong and this is why I can sit here calmly, worrying only about the
precious cards that sit inside the rear hatch of the Outback high on the maintenance platform. I do not worry about time
or cost or the car - I had left Boise a day earlier than necessary; there are plenty of credit cards in my possession that
have zero balances and therefore lots of options; and a new car is not out of the question, the Outback is fully paid for
and was bought brand new so perhaps it is time?
If I plan for the worst, I hope to be pleasantly surprised. And this is how I am keeping my wits about me right now.
For the time being, I am surrounded by local Iowans and they look very much like Boiseans waiting for their cars only
here they seem a bit less fit - you know, that midwestern diet and lifestyle is nothing like Boise's 300-warm &
sunny-days-perfect-for-walking-biking-running and that fresh-food-Pacific-Northwest dining. I do love Boise and all that
it has to offer, after living in the Midwest and on the East Coast, it is the Pacific Northwest that I crave and it is where I
wish to be. Even now.
But the hiking will still be there and for now, I must await the fate of my Subaru...
always, t