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The language of the universe can be very peculiar and telling at times, if one is sensitive enough to
hear it. I used to be a lot better at it, but I have grown older and more headstrong. As a result,
brushing off the subtle hints has become a little too easy for me at times, and I occassionally create a little
trouble for myself as
a result.
Prior to making the move down to Taos, I took my car to a service station for an oil change and a couple of new belts.
While waiting for the mechanic to work on my car, a woman was also waiting, and she related to me her story about how her car had
developed some problems soon after being serviced by the very shop I was at. I tried to sympathize, but I had not had any problems
with my car to speak of in years, and had no similar experience upon which to comiserate. Enter the mechanic, telling me my cooling
system was extremely bad and recommending a flush and seal. Considering I was about to haul a heavy load for quite a distance, I decided
it would be a good idea, figuring it would be added insurance against overheating. I think you already know how this story goes :)
On Saturday, May 26th, the day I had planned to get a hitch installed and leave for Taos, I got a call from U-Haul, telling me
they might not have the trailer I had paid to reserve! They told me they might have a larger one that my car could tow, at
the same price, so I said fine. As it turned out, I barely fit all of my belongings into the larger size anyway. What
they failed to mention is that a 5x8 trailer is really pushing the towing capacity of a 1994 Olds Achieva! More on that later.
Word to the wise, incidentally, I later learned that U-Haul (and most other moving services for that matter) are under no obligation
to make good on your paid reservation, and as a kicker, are also under no obligation to tell you that! Buyer beware indeed!
Anyway... whilst idling in my car, waiting to have my hitch installed, listening to the radio, not hauling jack squat, my car
starts spewing steam from
under the hood! It turns out a large hole had suddenly appeared in the pipe that feeds the AC and heating vents, possibly a direct
result of the recent flush and seal I had done to prevent such a thing! I shut
off the AC completely, and that seemed to remedy the problem. A day and 200 miles later, the steam returned, this time taking the
next path of least resistance
around a gasket at the back of my beleagured V-6! It shed a magnificiently fragrant spray of water and coolant all over my wiring,
leaving most of my system warning lights fixed in the "on" position. LOL!
Lucky for me, the steepest inclines on the way to Taos are flanked by streams. So, keeping an eye on the thermostat, I pulled over
at any sign of trouble to refill, and made it all the way to Taos without a hitch. I mean, well... you know...
So the universe
decided it wasn't good for me to make it down completely void of any resistance or challenge, and on the other hand it did not present adversity that could
outright prevent it or crush my spirit. Either these were additional hints that I remain too dense to process, or it was a test of my emotional mettle and
resolve. I kept my cool through it all, even when things got hot (ha ha), and am now, amazingly, living in the place I set out to live in. If there was
any ease to this at all, it was solely due to the unprecedented focus I have had to accomplish this over the past 3 years.
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