November 18, 2010

Today I Passed the Test





I drove.

Tuesday I didn’t hit the streets hard enough, but Wednesday I did. For one hour before going to the Cancer Society and one hour afterwards, I rolled down the pavements of San Diego.

Then again, once I didn’t come to a full and complete stop, and over there I ground the gears. I can’t believe I did that and had to apologize to my poor old truck. Most of the time I remembered to stop the right distance from the car in front of me, and once I got out of the way of an ambulance in good style. Those left hand turns into massive traffic continue to slow me down, but no one rammed me. I didn’t use the right hand mirror enough, but I kept an eye on my dials and gauges. The horrible noise Grumpy is making seems worse, but it doesn’t show on the dashboard.

I’ll be clean. New “Jones” levis from the thrift store. They are clean too. He’s clean. His innards got vacuumed and detailed….a little by me. New floor mats that say Chevrolet as if I were one of those obsessive truck folks. Wash outside and shine up those new tires.

We are the best we can be….




...all but remembering to look over our shoulders every single time the turn signal is used. Even if I don't have a blind spot, I need to look over my shoulder. And too, twice, the Examiner said, I held the truck in place with the clutch.

I know, I'm too hard on myself. Still, I passed and am now officially back on the road again free....

12 comments:

  1. If you take one of those driving classes for seniors, one of the things they teach you is to plan your route to avoid as many difficult left turns as you can.

    The thing about the right-hand mirror, which I use a lot, is to look at the back of your own vehicle in relation to anything else in the mirror. I have no choice but to use the mirror, way down here. When I stop behind another verhicle, trying to see their back wheels, I am probably much farther back than is required. So what?

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  2. Congrats on being mobile again. Sounds like you're doing all the right things, keep up the good work. It'll get easier.

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  3. You rock, woman! Most absolutely you do!

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  4. Oh my, I'm nervous with you and sending every bit of good luck I can find your way.

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  5. I'm so happy for you. Congratulations. I certainly relate to free. I couldn't wait to get my own car. At this point, though, I'm happy to take a bus, most of the time.

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  6. Congratulations. Don't know how much your are thinking of driving, but it is always good to have the possibility. Good for you and G. must be happy as well.

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  7. I have missed the reason why you are having to get tested again, but YAHOO, its always good to get something off your "to do" list and onto the "DID THAT" list! EXCELLENT!!!

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  8. Woohoo you! I can only imagine the freedom.. I never learned to drive. I suppose I should, eh? Good for you!

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  9. Congratulations! As someone who has lived through a medical limit on driving, I know how wonderful it is to finally be independent again.

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  10. Congratulations! It is nervewraking to have to prove to someone else that you can do what you know you can do - but it's also validating to know that someone who is supposed to know if you can do what you know can do, signs a paper that says you absolutely can. Yay and hooray!
    PS - I selected my dentist, my doctor, my grocery and my library because they were all right turns! No unnecessary left turns for Ms.Rivers.

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  11. Congratulations, Maggie! I'm so happy for you!

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