The BIG WRECK!

Ouch! My 50th birthday and I have my second crash since I have been in Memphis (Aug 13th)!.. I drove that ol' 1993 Ford Ranger through thick and thin, since it was just a pup with 7 miles on it! Nary a wreck and the only dents were ones my wife and put on the door. But within two weeks after moving to Memphis, WRECK 1, then, on my birthday no less, I am driving out Union Ave, leaving Midtown and heading out to the burbs, when some fool cuts across in front of me to make a left hand turn... well, he didn't finish the turn... I plowed into the right front passenger side of the 2002 Mercury Marquis and put a quick stop to that turn! My poor truck, still running good but looking worse for the wear, now sat, broken, bumper hanging down, spilling fluids, head light busted out (I only had one light left from the previous wreck). Memphis Mania my butt, I need to change my blog to Memphis Maniacs! Now the first time, I hit a guy from behind, as he was stopped on a curve to turn left in heavy traffic and I didn't see him through weeds grown on the road side until too late... BAM... it had just rained and my front tires didn't grip and ... well, that hurt, but my truck still ran and with a new-used radiator, we hit the road again, minus the front grill and one headlight... my hood didn't exactly lay flat, but the sucker ran and we road... Now, it is all over for good. The insurance folks say it will most likely be totaled out, I given a measly check and I will have to finally part with the only truck I have ever owned! Dogs may be man's best friend, but I would have to rank a good truck right up there with dogs!
Since it was HIS FAULT, I am getting a free rental until they can decide how much to offer me on my truck, then I will have to find a replacement... "sob" .. how do you replace a truck that had carried you through hell and high water, for 13 years and over 400,000 miles? It is times like these that try men's souls....

I will pull through, no choice really, but it will be so strange not seeing that Dark Plum, beat up but beautiful Ford Ranger sitting in my garage, waiting patiently to carry me to work and back each day.... so long ol' trusted pal.. you might be gone, but never forgotten!

Strange day, that 50th birthday, with a terrible ending.... I was fine, but a part of me still died on 01/18/2006.....


Good day