Bodacious Boomer

Since I’ve been having internet problems I’ve been going to the library to do my blog and check my email. Yesterday Doug went with me and drove us there. I noticed that we were low on gas and in fact inquired if we didn’t need to stop for gas. “No, we’re good.” I was told. So, I spent an hour or two there not worrying about anything. As we were leaving, the car started to make an all-too familiar sound. “Uh-oh” Doug said. And that was it. We were out of gas. I got out of the car and went back into the library without saying a word. Doug has this anomaly, that makes it impossible for him to get gas until the last gas molecule in the tank has been burned. My estimate, which is probably low, is that he’s run out of gas at least 40 times over the years- and that’s just the years we’ve been together.

I don’t understand this syndrome. However, my father had it as well. Although I was never with my dad when he ran out of gas, I’m sure he did. My mother would’ve made his life extremely unpleasant if she’d ever have had to steer a car while it’s being pushed. What’s lot’s of fun is having to help push and then jump into a moving car. (Kinda a Little Miss Sunshine moment).

Years ago, when we were traveling around the northeast we ran out of gas on Mass Pike. This was a bad thing indeed. Unlike Texas where people actually stop and ask if you need anything, no one there stopped. They all just went whipping by. I was so pissed that I set off stalking down the road, gesturing wildly. Come to think of it that may be why no one stopped. I probably looked deranged. When I finally got to a convenience store 4 miles down the road, the owner of the store, a nice Indian man said “Oh, no one will stop and help you here.” How true.

So yesterday Doug thought that it would be just fine if we walked home from the library. I’d been having hot flashes, so I was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. It was a high yesterday of 60. I didn’t relish the thought of walking miles dressed like that in cool weather. Not to mention, people would think I was crazy. So instead, I approached a nice looking older gentleman who was leaving the library and asked if he could help. He was very sweet and said it would be no problem to run us home. He asked if Doug needed to buy a gas can. Oh no, I told him, Doug has quite a collection. (I believe there are 8 out in the shed in back). Anyway, Richard AKA Santa, took Doug to get the gas and then back to the library. What a super nice guy.

Apparently it’s considered comical enough that it (seeing how far you can go without running out of gas) was included in a Seinfeld episode. Somehow it seems funnier on Seinfeld. Ho-ho-ho.