Below is the crescent moon over the Wal-Mart parking lot in South Hill, Virginia.
We figured that it was more economical to have only one car and rent one when we really needed another. This was good logic and over the past year we probably have spent less than $200 on rentals versus the thousands it costs to own a second car. But now that Espen got his license we now have five drivers (Mariza doesn’t have her own car and uses ours); we probably need a second vehicle. Next week we are getting a Ford Ranger. Tony, Jerry and Andy have Rangers and like them. They know about these things, so that is what I am getting.
I had to rent a car to drive down to the field day and farm visit. Alex needed ours. I am always a little paranoid about rental cars. I take special care not to lock myself out, but I did. I went to Wal-Mart in South Hill to get some necessities: beer, peanuts and a pair of work gloves. I tossed these things in the trunk of the rental car, along with the keys I had in my hand and closed the trunk. I checked to be sure I had my keys in my pocket, but my good habit was ineffective as I misled myself by finding the keys to my Honda. Not surprisingly, those keys didn’t open the door. It was kind of embarrassing. I had to call the sheriff to help me. A deputy came by a few minutes later. He opened the door; I popped the truck, showed him the rental agreement to prove my bona-fides and we were both on our way.
It is shocking how fast and easy it is to break into a car. The sheriff’s deputy told me that a real crook would be even faster, since he wouldn’t bother to unlock the door, but would simply break the window. Maybe you would be better off just leaving the door open.
Back in 1988 some guy broke into our car in Washington. He didn’t steal much. In the glove compartment was one of those glow sticks, a Norwegian language tape and a motivational tape, ironically talking about the need for high ethical standards in business. The crook took those things. He must have been disappointed; maybe that accounts for the large number of highly motivated Norwegian speakers in some parts of Washington. The loss of the goods was inconsequential, but the cost of replacing the window was significant.