Friday, October 16, 2026
Just before we left on our South Carolina driving trip, we took the convertible in to get checked out for a squealy sound. It turned out that the car needs new brakes and something is very rusty that needs to be replaced so there continues to be steering. I think brakes and steering are very important. We talked to AI about whether we should spend money fixing a 22-year-old car and AI said no.
We were pretty darned sad. You get really fond of a car over 22 years (you get really fond of having a convertible in one day). I asked if we were going to be a one car family – it seems very possible. Keith said he just was not ready to be people without a convertible (or a second car). We looked at who makes convertibles these days and the answer is not many companies. Ford and Chevy and Mazda – then you jump up to BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche. We were looking for an older car without much success. There are convertibles to be had in the 10–20-year-old time frame, most with almost as many miles as ours. I looked up an Audi TT roadster (a car I spent years pointing to and saying “that’s a cute car”.) They stopped making them in 2023. Lo and behold, I found ONE for sale from 2023 – in Denver. It was a lot more than the 10–20-year-old cars. I took a nap that afternoon and woke up to needing to go to Denver to pick up our new (to us) car.
Phew. Stuff happens. I kept telling Keith he shouldn’t just buy things willy-nilly. He immediately said, “Is that our new car’s name? Willy?”
Obviously, I guess.
He started researching donating or selling the old car this week.
I went over to Carla’s today to hear what was new at their house. Unfortunately, it was that Mark did his best Humpty Dumpty impression and slipped off a 4-foot retaining wall, then off the next 4-foot retaining wall. OH NO! He broke one arm below the shoulder and the opposite wrist. AUGH. It happened just as we left for our trip, so he is weeks into healing, but still in crummy shape. 🙁 Since he can do almost nothing, he joined Carla and I for chatting. I told them all about the convertible and Mark said he would have fixed it. Carla said he and their son, Jared, could have done it. Mark said I want to buy it. Carla said What? Mark said let’s buy it and fix it, once I am fixed.
Woooohooooo! Our car is staying in the “family”! They will love it!
Carla and I hopped to downtown North St. Paul for a quick errand. As we went by the big snowman, I pulled over. I have seen it MANY times, but never so close up. Time for a photo!
Tonight we went to Open Window Theatre to see Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus. There were six people in the cast – Dr. Faustus, Mephistopheles, and 4 people who played everyone else (including about a 114 costume changes). It was a bit confusing to me as the dialog was very old English (think Shakespeare without having read a synopsis before you went to the theater). Mephistopheles had a Loki vibe going on – very mischievous and Tom Hiddleston-ish. I liked him best. Lucifer had a fantastic costume. I liked the whole show, but when Faustus’ time ran out and he needed to go, he was very whiny and I was just like get him and be done with it. The man had no redeeming qualities and sold his soul to the devil; be gone, ye, I say.
The haunted house next door to the theater was in action tonight and there was a chorus of screams that we could hear during quiet moments. Keith really wasn’t sure it was hell background sounds from the show or the haunted house. Tee hee.
Mini makes convertibles too…just sayin’.
I do love a TT though!
We didn’t see those! They are so cute! And come in pretty colors.
I am so very happy that your old car will be getting a new life. Also looked at images of the Audi TT. I agree. That is a cute car!
It all seems to be working out!