tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post7202808150170379130..comments2023-10-31T15:39:09.651+01:00Comments on box elder: A sorry tale and a whole bunch of self-pity.Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09764296105901909328noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-26240732204107368042012-11-20T00:42:58.844+01:002012-11-20T00:42:58.844+01:00Oh. So sorry. Hope there are no new challenges in ...Oh. So sorry. Hope there are no new challenges in the offing (just pumpkings making funny faces.)Marly Youmanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02377938366750387442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-61021025407884631412012-11-18T23:00:10.803+01:002012-11-18T23:00:10.803+01:00Oh, Lucy, I am so very sorry to read about your ac...Oh, Lucy, I am so very sorry to read about your accident. Significant car accidents are such a shock to the system, in so many ways. All that adreanline that floods you as it's happening is part of it, I'm sure. It just takes a while for both mind and body to re-regulate themselves.<br /><br />I hope that by now you are feeling some better. I hope the new car will bring joy eventually, though of course it won't be the same, and I'm sorry for that. i tend to get attached to my cars, even though I haven't liked many of them from the get-go because I never actually chose them, they were hand-me-downs.<br /><br />"I don't really feel very much like rising to any more challenges." I certainly know this feeling, and sometimes it seems helpful to just say it. Of course I trust you will be renewed and restored, as I trust for myself. Take good care!Sheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03592157819188364751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-69062153286212149352012-11-17T22:34:01.504+01:002012-11-17T22:34:01.504+01:00Yikes! What an unpleasant adventure. I've had ...Yikes! What an unpleasant adventure. I've had a week of run-ins of a different kind and am just now reading this. You've made me think of my beloved Mustang Hatchback. Loved that car (psst ~ don't tell the Buick). Rouchswalwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01393987883437907945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-9760472969417508392012-11-17T19:02:32.387+01:002012-11-17T19:02:32.387+01:00Ah Lucy, I drive a LHD French car in Oxfordshire. ...Ah Lucy, I drive a LHD French car in Oxfordshire. It's great because whenever my daughter leaps out of the right door in traffic the folk behind me think the driver has done a runner! <br /><br />I don't overtake often so that's not a problem but joining the M-way can take me a long time<br /><br />On the + side, once I drive off the ferry at St Malo I'm equal to the French drivers <br /><br />It was quite a kerfuffle to register it here, new speedometer, new headlamps, change of reversing light and fog light and when I return to France I will have to reverse it all<br /><br />Tant pis, as they say!<br /> juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04283759962211889152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-11715002605920872812012-11-17T00:52:17.217+01:002012-11-17T00:52:17.217+01:00Everybody has said everything. So much love. I a...Everybody has said everything. So much love. I add mine, dear Lucy. I hope your notarized certificate giving you permission for a short time to suffer openly and genuinely, I hope that one arrives in a timely way and is useful. Dale is wonderful to offer it.<br /><br />I have no advice, but several caresses, a smooch or two, and some big hugs. The right hand drive situation in Pakistan kept me in public transportation the whole two years I was there.christopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04201537517464996231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-59840453184500221712012-11-16T13:25:18.253+01:002012-11-16T13:25:18.253+01:00I'm so sorry, Lucy. Sometimes one smallish tra...I'm so sorry, Lucy. Sometimes one smallish trauma seems to bring all the others (already suffered and those potentially looming) roaring in at the same time. Thank goodness you weren't hurt. Sleep, and rest, and take Mol for a good walk. . . XO<br /><br />- alisonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-81809938987748949582012-11-16T12:34:01.195+01:002012-11-16T12:34:01.195+01:00What a pity… I hope you have recovered from that e...What a pity… I hope you have recovered from that emotionally disturbing event and will soon be able to tame and earn the trust of your new vintage Saxo. Ah, those damn large white vans travelling too fast on the roads of Brittany ! As a daily rural commuter, there is hardly a day when I don’t curse one or two (or ten) careless and impudent drivers of those vehicles (many Mercedes vans among them, I have noticed), speeding over 110 km/h on narrow winding roads, over 150 km/m on dual carriage ways, over 70 km/m in villages, or sticking to the back of your car and overtaking dangerously without warning… And I am not proud to say that my curses sometimes work, because, alas, every year I see several of those vans lying on their roof or gone to the roadside ditch.<br />Sometimes they are delivering pharmaceutical supplies, then they and we are victims of the “just in time stock management” of our capitalistic society. But most of the time those quick vans are driven by builders (masons, joiners, carpenters, painters etc.) who left home too late –I suppose- and are heading towards building sites in a hurry, not minding at all other drivers and not watching their petrol consumption. What baffles me is that most of those fast travelling builders drive daily around 200 or 250 km between their home and the building site (to and fro). Why can’t a painter from the south coast work in the neighbourhood of the south coast and a carpenter from the north coast have his building site somewhere between Brest and Morlaix? It is another example of our unsustainable society.<br />Setuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02696552533529329430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-63848338765694833692012-11-16T12:33:21.850+01:002012-11-16T12:33:21.850+01:00Dear Lucy, there's not much I can add here, si...Dear Lucy, there's not much I can add here, since your other friends have chimed in with eloquent sympathy already. All I know is that this, too, will pass and you WILL feel better in time. I so appreciate your candor and courage in expressing your feelings of vulnerability and sadness in the full-throated way you have. For this and for so many reasons, you have my deep admiration and affection. Carry on, dear woman.Laurahttp://laurelines.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-3576884140043464422012-11-16T11:04:06.618+01:002012-11-16T11:04:06.618+01:00So sorry, Lucy. These bangs do unsettle one as I c...So sorry, Lucy. These bangs do unsettle one as I can remember a couple of years ago when my beloved SAAB was raped by a Range Rover in full aggressive mode.<br /><br />Still, as HHnB says, you are uninjured, Mo is likewise and you had the catharsis of "Alleluia", even if it wasn't actually the great Leonard performing it!<br /><br />.....and you have a nice fresh Saxo with the steering wheel on the "correct" side.Avushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16512540148378201058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-25470641817281937332012-11-16T09:24:45.098+01:002012-11-16T09:24:45.098+01:00Thanks again.
Zephyr - I shall keep it in my armo...Thanks again.<br /><br />Zephyr - I shall keep it in my armoury!<br /><br />Zhoen - I'm wondering if there isn't something. I might book a couple of proper lessons for the LHD anyway, and I think most of the driving schools have simulators, even some defesive situations on those would surely help..<br /><br />HHB - yes, I am grateful we are all safe and together. I haven't drunk much as I've been aware I have to keep going and try to keep my wits about me, but I'll partake of something nice tonight!<br /><br />RR - Thanks. Changing headlights is a condition of getting a car re-registered, it's not a problem. Even when simply travelling here you can remedy the problem of which you speak by the application of small black wedge shaped stickers to the headlamps; Brittany Ferries were always very keen to sell these to all their customers, but probably you knew that.<br /><br />But there are pros and cons, some junctions are easier with RHD, joining a Mway from a slip road isn't, but I don't do a lot of that either, and the matter of positioning will I think be the most difficult. Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09764296105901909328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-1071361756653092222012-11-16T08:17:36.842+01:002012-11-16T08:17:36.842+01:00Oh dear, dear, dear. There's so much I feel I ...Oh dear, dear, dear. There's so much I feel I ought to say but all of it retro and therefore it might seem needlessly cruel. Won't say. Ah'll jest keep mah mouff shet.<br /><br />I'm surprised you were able to get insurance for a RHD car in France all those years. But you must, repeat MUST, as you say bite on the bullet and go LHD. The fact is RHD has certain advantages (eg, you can drive much closer to the right-hand side of the road in tight circumstances) but also has some horrible disadvantages. For one thing overtaking is ten times more hazardous; yes I know you probably don't do an awful lot of overtaking but sometimes you're forced to with farm tractors, milk floats and - in particular - stationary vehicles.<br /><br />Also (though I can't be sure of this in your case) the headlights on an RHD car are normally set up for driving on the LH side of the road. Which means they point into the gutter and the nearby verge. When you're driving on the RH side this means they point out into the centre of the road and into the eyes of oncoming LHD drivers (ie, the majority) to their extreme irritation. On the rare occasions when I'm forced to drive at night in France I only use low beam, not even dipped.<br /><br />Anyway you must change; no ifs and buits.<br /><br />Don't like the sound of a Cosworth fin. Cosworth is a tuner of high-speed race engines; please make sure the engine hasn't been breathed on.<br /><br />White van man is of course fighting his corner; don't trust him an inch. I take it you have heard of the UK's white-van-man syndrome. All have intimations of immortality<br /><br />I want to be uselessly sympathetic, I'm trying to think what Rilke would say in these circs but he's turning out to be a wet blanket. I can't even say go with God. Go with James Joyce (I've just re-started Portratit of an Artist) but he's no use either, bad eyesight kept him away from the steering wheel. Go with my profoundest best wishes (the equivalent of a tiger in your tank). Roderick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16828395545197001637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-79604012704103577772012-11-16T06:55:36.316+01:002012-11-16T06:55:36.316+01:00Bugger! Lucy, am so sorry. Always a dreadful exper...Bugger! Lucy, am so sorry. Always a dreadful experience pranging a car. Worse still when the other party gets obstructive. But you are safe (and so is Mol) and you have dear Tom to be there with you.<br /><br />Tears and a large glass of something exceptional will help.<br /><br />Thinking of you.herhimnbrynhttp://www.notebookinmypocket.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-12831836923565143822012-11-16T03:45:58.514+01:002012-11-16T03:45:58.514+01:00Is there anywhere to take a good defensive driving...Is there anywhere to take a good defensive driving course? Sounds like you could use a bit of skill and confidence, change your focus. Not "look on the bright side" but *do* something really constructive. <br /><br />This sort of thing is a bit traumatizing and very exhausting, both body and mind need to rest and heal. Car crashes invade one's dreams and shatter one's necessary illusions of safety. Take your time. Zhoenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03515663141425057088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-83550253351215807482012-11-16T03:21:40.333+01:002012-11-16T03:21:40.333+01:00i am so,so sorry!
i so absolutely totally understa...i am <i>so,so sorry!</i><br />i so absolutely totally understand your upset and grief. i have gotten very attached to 2 of my cars...they get us through so much, they truly feel like companions.<br /><br />i hope writing it all out has helped shoo away the awful nightmares and that you can get some sleep.<br /><br />i will confess one of my dirty little secrets: whenever everything goes this cockeyed and haywire and is just plain awful, and i feel totally powerless and abused, never want to be around humans again i will let loose with, "Life sucks and then we die!" i never say it around anyone but my sister--or in a context where it will make the listener laugh. And, it does make me feel better!<br /><br />You are welcome to borrow it whenever you wish...or...if it seems just to morose, please forget i mentioned it. <br />;^)<br /> zephyrhttp://www.thegarden.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-23371981760517486412012-11-15T23:04:55.187+01:002012-11-15T23:04:55.187+01:00Thanks so much, you are all incredibly and unfaili...Thanks so much, you are all incredibly and unfailingly nice. I'll let you know how I get on.Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09764296105901909328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-49119736246555621222012-11-15T22:41:59.353+01:002012-11-15T22:41:59.353+01:00I hope the grieving goes quickly -- try not to ...I hope the grieving goes quickly -- try not to 'what if' so much. A car accident takes time to recover from. I'm so glad you weren't physically hurt. <br /><br />Some cars you bond with and some you can't wait to get shut of.Nimblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16426446791363667887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-33358922329749773822012-11-15T22:36:14.490+01:002012-11-15T22:36:14.490+01:00So sorry to hear this Lucy, I would feel very dist...So sorry to hear this Lucy, I would feel very distressed too, it's understandable, sending *hugs* from here! xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-63050955726454458912012-11-15T22:27:16.191+01:002012-11-15T22:27:16.191+01:00Aggh, I feel for you!! This is not something to ju...Aggh, I feel for you!! This is not something to just move away from and on with life. But one day in the distant future you will have a laugh. I promise, I have peeled myself out of two crashed cars. It adds to your life experiences strangely enough also in positive ways - eventually.<br />Sabinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09015827501648296977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-74409535131601299882012-11-15T22:20:03.867+01:002012-11-15T22:20:03.867+01:00Would you feel better if I own up to having driven...Would you feel better if I own up to having driven my Escort straight into a bright yellow camper van and then, the same week, reversed a brand new convertible into a white car?<br /><br />I think that's when the Rags started calling me Penelope Pittstop juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04283759962211889152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-40651655684448767282012-11-15T20:20:25.381+01:002012-11-15T20:20:25.381+01:00You are entitled to feel stressed and grieved. An ...You are entitled to feel stressed and grieved. An accident is a horrible, jolting experience under the best of circumstances (if there can be such a thing).<br /><br />Give yourself permission for downtime and recovery. Let yourself be pampered for awhile!<br />NThttp://www.somebeaut.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-87524233204008333562012-11-15T20:17:40.160+01:002012-11-15T20:17:40.160+01:00My dear, my dear, you do NOT need to add to your s...My dear, my dear, you do NOT need to add to your suffering by telling yourself you should not be experiencing it! I am going to send you a notarized permission-to-suffer certificate, good for ten days, which you can hang on your wall.<br /><br />xoxo Hugs to you. I'm so glad you're okay! It sounds like one of those particularly rattling accidents that (quite unfairly) stirs up a lot of self-doubt in those who are not given to externalizing all their woes.<br /><br />As to all your good fortune and privilege, yah, yah, yah, and how many people do I know that have made an utter hash of their lives with far more good fortune and privilege to start with? It's not all happy accident. Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14523194846272870013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-87543394718507233162012-11-15T19:56:13.131+01:002012-11-15T19:56:13.131+01:00oh poor you, how scary and horrible. Please don...oh poor you, how scary and horrible. Please don't beat yourself up - there sounds like nothing you could have done to avoid some kind of collision, just so very glad it wasn't the head-on one...Fire Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13518190677399410354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37070024.post-90616830030943362662012-11-15T19:19:48.330+01:002012-11-15T19:19:48.330+01:00Oh dear, my deepest sympathies over all this stres...Oh dear, my deepest sympathies over all this stress! I'm glad you seem to be in good hands. So now you must take care of yourself - take those knots of worry and insomnia and grief and toss them away. Good luck and feel better, dear Lucy!marja-leenahttp://www.marja-leena-rathje.infonoreply@blogger.com