Last Thursday I had attended an informal get together for machine embroidery stitchers. On the way home on the 45 mile trip from Mankato the idiot light came on . . . “check engine soon.” Flutter, flutter went the heart. I cannot express how much I like my 1999 Lincoln Town Car that is sporting 183,000 plus miles.

Dennis called our local fellow that afternoon and made an appointment to get the car in this morning at nine. I used the ole cowboy’s pickup to get to Stewart yesterday. Right after lunch Rod Rushing called and said we could pick up the car. “Is she going to live?” I asked. I was assured all was well.

I drove the pickup out with Dennis riding shotgun and Dennis went in with Checkbook in hand. We knew that whatever the bill was it would be worth having the car road ready.

I was sweating bullets waiting at home for Dennis to return home and drive the car into the garage. When he got out of the car he handed me the invoice. His words . . . “sometimes you have to pay the price to learn a lesson.” The total bill was $42.64. The charge was for having the computer analyzer hooked up. The gas cap had become dislodged enough to trigger the idiot light. Who knew!! Dennis and I both got a good laugh of relief. I do have trouble getting the cap twisted with the just the right amount of tension to first off, get it off, and just as much of a challenge when I put it back on.

Needless to say it was worth the price to drive down the highway knowing that the old girl is road safe, and this old gal will need to be a bit more attentive to the gas cap.