The Widow Meets the Tire Gauge
Just something else to learn
As a new widow, everyday is a challenge.
So many widows are faced with issues that they never dealt with when their husband was alive.
I have a love/hate relationship with car maintenance.
We all know how difficult it is for a woman alone to take her car into a garage or car dealership for service of any kind. Sometimes, I think there’s a separate price list for parts and service when the customer is female, older and alone.
Years ago when I first started driving, I could go to a “service station” to purchase gas. There was an attendant that would pump the gas, clean the windshield, check fluids under the hood, check tire pressure and if needed, add air to your tires.
I could get all this done for a dollar’s worth of gas. Yes, it’s true.
I had a new Ford Mustang and I drove around all the time.
Those were the days in the U.S.A.
Fast forward to today. I’m a new widow trying to keep my 4 Runner running.
The 4 Runner belonged to my husband, so I’ve kept it for now.
It’s old, it has a V-8 engine and runs like a scalded dog.
4 Runners seem to run forever.
It’s high mileage, but right now I’m not up for a new anything.
Besides that, I’m not interested in these tech bloated cars. All the tech crap has highly inflated auto prices. I don’t like being forced to buy equipment that I don’t need or want.
It should be offered as an option.
My car used to be my sanctuary where I could get away from work. Too much tech in cars doesn’t allow you to get away from anything.
Well, of course, you can turn it off, most won’t.
I’ve driven for many years without lane assist, backup cameras, and a screen in the dash, which is a distraction.
American cars used to be fun!
Well anyway, today I was trying to check tire pressure because I had an obviously low tire.
So, I’m having to rely on myself to figure this out. I hate having to ask for help and being thought of as a needy widow that always needs something.
These are new General tires that I bought in August.
First, I checked on You Tube to see how to read the stick tire gauge.
I really don’t know if the gauge reading is correct, so I think I’ll get a digital gauge.
My husband had a small portable air compressor that he kept in his SUV.
I used to see my husband use it, but I really didn’t know how.
You Tube is a gold mine for new widows.
I attached the air compressor hose to the tire valve stem, being ever so careful not to loose the stem cover. The compressor has a small gauge on it, too, but it doesn’t seem to move much.
I stopped the compressor to check the tire with the gauge a couple of times. Not sure about the reading, but the tire is not as low as it was, so I guess it’s okay until the next time.
I only started pumping gas after my husband died. I didn’t know how to do that either, as may husband always kept up with it.
Again, thanks to You Tube.
Personally, I don’t want to learn about the mechanics of vehicles. I just want to put the key in the ignition and drive.
I don’t want to know what makes it work!
Since my husband always took care of the vehicles, maybe I need to hire a companion.
I feel like my life is in a holding pattern flying around DFW and never coming in for a landing.
Trying to balance life today means keeping up with the bills, insurance, taxes.
I managed to navigate thru the real estate waters, dealing with attorneys, realtors, house inspectors, and having the sewer scoped.
So much to do alone.
I make lists so I can keep up with all my to-do’s and bills to pay.
I make a list for my lists. I have all the fuel, oil and gas on automatic delivery for the house. That way I don’t have to check gauges and worry about running out.
I hate trying to read gauges.
I guess I don’t have the proper genes to understand gauges!
Maybe I do need some type of an assistant and have him go buy a new digital tire gauge.
Otherwise, I will be wandering around in a fog, searching on You Tube for an answer.
Is there a channel for “How to move on with life?”
I should really check that out!