Little One's $136 t-shirt

Little One, like many children, often asks me to buy things for her, from snacks to toys, to exotic pets, furniture, clothing and trips to far-off lands. Monday evening, she asked that I swing by the local humane society and purchase a t-shirt for her.

At the time, this seemed like a simple and reasonable request that I could fulfill.

The agency closes at 1630, but as it is very close to my office, I worked through lunch and headed out at 1600 to snag the garment. Turning into the lot, I didn't pay attention to the turning radius and my right rear wheel hit the curb. Embarrassing, but no big deal. The hoopdee has had worse treatment at my hands.

I entered the gift shop and stood in the queue behind two groups of folks adopting canines. Apparently 15 minutes before closing is the peak time to get a dog on Tuesday. It was fun to watch the folks ooh and ah over their critters, and select all of the bowls and leads and collars for them, too.

Finally, it was my turn and I paid for the shirt and left. Upon leaving the building, I felt it wise to at least glance at my tire and rim and to see if I had caused any damage. I had. The tire was flat. It was raining. It was now rush hour.

I opened the boot and grabbed the tools necessary for removing the damaged tire, raising the vehicle and placing the diminutive spare in place. I went to work, and in less than 10 minutes I was road ready, albeit at a significantly diminished speed.

Fortunately for the car and my sanity, I was but a mere mile or two from the closest tire shop/light mechanical repair place. They examined my tire and pronounced it "to' up" and that I would need a new one. Of course, they didn't have my tire in stock (bad) but the courier was out getting another tire (good) and would get mine and be back in about an hour (meh),

I stood in the waiting room of the tire place reading emails and catching up on the day's news on Politico. In due course, the tire was replaced, the technician who drove my car from the bay told me "ya need a tune up." I thought of telling him, no, I don't need a tune up. I need a new mass air flow sensor, head gasket, brakes" and several other things. But I smiled and said thanks.

I went back inside to pay for the tire and their time, to the tune of $126. I eventually made it home and Little One beamed as I handed her the $136 dollar t-shirt.

Enjoy the image I found to illustrate my story.....