Last week I had my annual health maintenance exam (for some reason it’s not called an annual physical anymore.) Thankfully, all systems are a GO. I got the thumbs up for most everything – eating well (watch the cake), getting routine procedures (you know, the fun ones), taking my vitamins and extra calcium, and paying attention and wearing my seat belt while driving. (Whoops, did I fail to mention, I occasionally need to wear a helmet when I drive?) Despite all this good cheer, the doctor did wave her pointer finger at me for not exercising enough.

“Even if you manage just a short walk every day, it will do you a world of good.” Alas too many working hours (with a long commute) and not enough playtime! As I left the doctor’s office, and saw my MINI in the parking lot, it occurred to me that my MINI and I were rolling down the same highway. My VIVACE* was turning LARGO. Was it because the tread was a bit worn down on the tires? Hey, Abe’s head was in the groove and they were still taking the turns pretty well. There were a couple of bruises on the rims. I’m pretty sure the big one got there when I first bought the MINI and wanted to see how well it handled. I thought it would be great fun to slalom around the islands in a certain parking lot in the early morning hours. Fortunately, there wasn’t any structural damage done, just a nasty ‘island rash’ injury. Sort of like the ‘Attitash rash’ I got at MINIs On Top last year. (Please ask me about this.)

I walked around the front of my MINI to get to the driver’s side. The Chili Red color was super shining in the sun but talk about road rash around the grill! Darn those thruway miles! Eighteen wheelers and salt trucks constantly ping grit into the bonnet leaving a trail not unlike a bad razor on my legs when I’m in a hurry. And how did my white racing stripes burn up next to the scoop? They had turned the color of a golden toasted marshmallow professionally roasted by a girl scout over a campfire! Is there a whitener I can purchase to brighten them back to a ‘need-sunglasses’ level? Perhaps it’s time for a new paint job? Maybe I should consider a funky all-over vinyl and clear bra for extra protection? I wrestled with the door handle for a moment. Was it sticking or was my hand arthritic from all the computer work I’d done that morning?

It finally gave. I opened the door and I slid into the driver’s seat. I love this seat. It’s like getting into your favorite easy chair or climbing into your rocking chair when you were a kid, only better because it’s heated. So many great memories and adventures begin here. I turned over the engine and glanced at the odometer – almost 60,000 miles in less than three years. I sighed thinking about it. Guess that growly noise we make in the morning makes more sense now! And the occasional boot rattle…. Oh that’s right, the lights don’t jump right on – I’m pretty sure I need a new battery. Not to worry, I’ve got a MINI maintenance appointment set up for next week.

I sing on the way home – The sound system does a beautiful job of keeping up with me! I’m grateful for the cooling and heating that attend to my every hot flash and my chilly morning commutes! I stop to buy gas. As always, I calculate my mileage (the old fashioned way – who would rely on their car’s computer?) and I am coming up with thirty miles per gallon regularly – not too shabby – when you consider my driving…. MOST importantly, our fun factor is still at 100%. The MINI makes any drive, any traffic situation a piece of cake – mmm carrot cake, my fave. When I pull into the garage and turn off the engine, I listen to the cool down sounds for a moment. Yup, all systems GO. I walk into the kitchen and pick up our blood pressure cuff from my desk (yes, we keep track). Will a reading here be the same as at the doctor’s office? 110/70 even better! What a good drive will do for a body! Because I’d like to continue my MINI adventures for a long time to come, after dinner I tie on a new pair of ‘Rocket Dog’ sneakers and go for a walk. I think about the “Life is good” stickers which dot the ‘I’s’ on my MINI’s roof graphic and grin.

*VIVACE is my license plate. It is a musical term that means ‘lively and quick’. LARGO is also a musical term that means ‘very slow’