Boom Boom

I had a very pleasant morning today, even if it did strart very early. I was outside with the dogs at 5:30 am, visiting with a neighbor who also has a beagle. She walks past my home every morning that early, but usually we sleep through it. This morning, we were already outside.

Today was also massage day, and I must say the Vampire really does have a wonderful touch. He can get rid of any kinks I have. He makes me laugh, too.

The day was going like that - all smooth and happy and sunny. The dogs were well behaved and were rewarded with a nice stroll through the neighborhood. All was good.

I hopped in my car to go meet Late for dinner and a walk, which we do most Fridays. I knew she would be late, so I didn't worry too much that I was running a few minutes behind, but I did decide to take a different, likely faster route than usual. Perhaps that was not a good decision. Perhaps the outcome would have been worse if I hadn't.

I found myself on the phone a few minutes later. It was about 10 minutes past the time we had agreed to meet at the mall, and Late answered. I heard her car radio, so I knew she wasn't there yet. I told her where I was and asked her to come get me.

Why? As I drove peacefully down the 3 lane boulevard at a nice brisk pace my right rear tire decided to blow up. I heard a BOOM, thought oh crap, a rock hit my car. I hope it didn't do any damage. Next thing I knew, I heard thump thump thump and I headed for the nearest parking lot. The Elk's Club.

Late showed up, and I was in the process of deciding if I should change the tire or call road service. I asked her if she had a tire guage, since I had taken mine out when I had planned to get a new car. She did, and I found myself underneath the Highlander, using a tire guage on the spare, while talking to AAA to see how long they would take to come change my tire. I figured the chances of me lifting a tire that large were low.

Just two nights ago I was discussing tire changing with someone on the phone. I had mentioned that the only time I ever had to do it myself I was on my way to work in downtown Detroit and was wearing all white, and had to change the tire on the side of the freeway. I was successful, and my clothes remained white. Somehow.

Tonight, I wasn't in the mood. The tire had adequate air pressure, but I told AAA that I was going on to dinner and would call them before I was ready to return to my car and hoped they could meet me then to change the tire for me. I didn't want a blown tire to ruin my night.

The guy, who wasn't too bright, said sure. Late and I went to the mall, had dinner, walked, stopped in to say hi to the child, and walked some more. I called AAA and said I would be at the car in 15 minutes.

The tow truck showed up about 5 minutes after that. I stood outside with Late and I watched the stars, still looking for Cassiopeia, which I did not find. That is not a surprise, since I was standing in a well-lighted parking lot. I did find the big dipper, but that isn't very hard.

We will be having a Blue Moon on May 31, if anyone needed to know that.

The nice guy in the tow truck changed my tire and I said goodnight to Late. I drove home. Molly was all in a snit, just jumping at me and carrying on whining until I told her the car and I were just fine. Then she settled down. Sometimes I wonder about that dog.

Oddly enough, two minutes before the tire blew up, I was thinking it was time to get a new car because the inside of my windows were dirty.