“Never lend your car to anyone to whom you have given birth.”  – Erma Bombeck

Last year we finally quit working and retired. And since that momentous decision I’ve become too familiar with a certain recliner and a TV remote.

At some point it struck me that I was turning into a marshmallow. My mind was stagnating. Giving in to the years. Slowly but surely getting really old.

I needed to get a job. Something to occupy my mind and give meaning to life. Something to make me think.

Long story short, I signed on with a medical transport co. They deliver old and/or indigent patients to doctor appointments and other medical services.

A really important service.

Before they put me behind the wheel, they had to make sure I was not insane, a good driver, and could actually walk, talk, and communicate.

To this end I had to pass a DOT physical, a defensive driving course, and a communication test. Got to be able to walk, talk, and drive.

So I took and aced those tests. Actually I really fooled them on the sanity test but that is another chapter.

Now folks, I’ve been driving for over 50 years. Good driver. No accidents. A few tickets many years ago. I know how to drive defensively.

This is what the defensive driving course taught me. I’m not as good as I thought. I’m as good as anybody and better than most. But still, I’m kind of an accident about to happen.

So, I’ve changed. Now I really focus while driving. And marvel at just how many people don’t.

I think everyone should be required to take a defensive driving refresher course every 10 years or so.

There are just too many dangerous people on the road. You see them. You know what I’m talking about.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

“Driving is a spectacular form of amnesia. Everything is to be discovered, everything to be obliterated.” – Jean Baudrillard