Sunday, July 28, 2013

The Pony Ride

Hey! Guess who's 15-and-a-half and has his driver's permit! If you guessed THE PONY, you are correct. Because he needs to practice practice practice, even though he has not asked how to get to Carnegie Hall, he needs a vehicle. One that he can learn to drive now, and feel comfortable taking his driver's test in. Hick found a bargain on Friday.


Is that little Ford Ranger not as cute as a bug's ear? It's even cuter without the camper shell. That camper was not on it last night when Hick drove it home. Yeah. That's how the salesmen get their hooks in you. They keep your high-mile Chrysler Pacifica on the lot, and let you smell the new-car spray in the vehicle you show an interest in. I'm surprised the wiper fluid didn't shoot out a rainbow, and dancing unicorns did not lead a processional out of town. I had no idea that Hick would score a FREE camper shell in the deal, especially after the paperwork was already completed. This is a 2002, same year as Genius's Ford Ranger, which is red, instead of maroon. Best of all, it has 4WD, which is a necessity out here in Outer Backroadsia.

You might notice that a certain sweet, sweet doggie had to insert herself in the foreground. The background is filled with the $1000 Caravan, the Hick-rigged roof of his Gator, the faded-out cedar-sided garage, and Genius's old basketball goal cranked down to might-as-well-NOT-catch the wind.

Many thanks go out to The Pony's grandma, my very own slaw-lovin' mom, who donated a healthy sum towards the purchase of first vehicles for each of her four grandchildren. The Pony is the fourth. She rocks, that selfless septuagenarian! The Pony called her this evening, to tell her all about it. He's not much of a talker. After pawning the call off on me, he high-tailed it back to his computer games. Mom was ecstatic that he sounded so excited. This might just be the prod he needs to log some drive time.

Hick and The Pony are taking his Ranger to Mom's house tomorrow to show it off. She might even get to go for a ride, though I doubt that The Pony will take the wheel in town.

It's gonna be a long way to Carnegie Hall.

9 comments:

  1. Congratulations to The Pony on receiving his driver's permit and for scoring such great wheels.

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  2. I'd be excited too! Nice truck.

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  3. Nice wheels! Good Gramma. Really cute little dog. Maybe the Pony will take you out for refill on your diet coke.

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  4. Now The Pony doesn't have to trot around...he can burn rubber instead.

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  5. Grandma looks out for her yonguns. I know he is excited and you'll worry, but he'll be fine and he may even escort you to the gas station for a 44 oz.

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  6. What an awesome grandma. Pony's truck is so cute!

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  7. Stephen,
    Thanks. Now we're waiting for his Carnegie Hall debut.

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    joeh,
    By first-vehicle standards in the state of Missouri, it's a welcome addition to our stable.

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    Kathy,
    I'm sure you saw your sweet Toni Louise looking back at you. I was hoping she would distract you from our sad lack of landscaping!

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    Sioux,
    Bite your tongue, Madam. I will thank you to try to keep it civil in your head. I'm sure The Pony would NEVER burn rubber. We are a gravel community.

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    Linda,
    As if! It will be a cold day in Backroads before I trust my magical elixir to such a novice.

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    Donna,
    She IS a very special septuagenarian. And she was duly impressed with his vehicle selection.

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  8. I was taught to drive on the back roads of West Virginia. They sound very similar to your roads. Stretches of gravel and black top wide enough for one and a half cars at the most. I learned a lot about directing and controlling a vehicle. However, I actually lived in the city and learning to deal with traffic jams and a multitude of rude drivers with no common sense finally took away my love for cruising. Defensive driving is the key once you have the basics down pat. And no - I did not hold up traffic as a new driver on the country roads - I nervously pulled over and waved them on ahead of me. Hope your nerves hold up as you now have two new drivers. Ain't being a Mom grand?

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  9. knancy,
    The Pony is not exactly chomping at the bit to practice. We had some running around to do today, and after herding the goats for an hour, he wanted to lay around with his computer games. I, on the other hand, wanted him to drive around the field. Until I made a comment on the gas and brake pedals, and he said, "I KNOW! The brake is on the right." YIKES! Hick is going to be supervising these driving lessons.

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