Rust Buckets

I was running errands the other day and ran into the dry cleaner to drop off a couple of things. Salt on the bottom of my trousers - happens every time this year... those nasty white rings - but I digress..   After I left the dry cleaners I popped into my favourite consignment store next door.  I managed to find a good wool dress coat for a ridiculous price - Holt Renfrew - 100% wool, navy, original price would easily be between $200-$300.  I've been needing a new wool coat for years now since my old one has to be 15 years or orlder.  It was time.  

As I walked back to my car feeling pretty pleased with my find I noticed that the rust around the wheel  of my car was starting to get really bad.  You know how the paintj chips right off because it's just that old?  That's what I saw.  I also noticed that my Support Our Troops magnet banner was gone.  I figured it must have fallen off at the car wash where I had been earlier in the day. 

I walked around to the other side of the car and saw that the rust was really starting to take hold. It was so bad that a chunk of the metal fell olff into my hand.  "When did that start to happen," I wondered.  The rust just hadn't seemed so bad.  The servie rep  where I take my car for maintenance had told me there was rust underneath the car but the stuff falling off in my hands was pretty bad.  I stupidly broke off a couple more chunks and watched as red changed to rust in front of me. 

By this time I was pretty much done my little rust inspection and decided to roll.  I hit the open door thingy on the key fob and the door didn't open right away.  I hit the thing again and nothing.  WTF?

I then finally looked up into the car and saw a woman's purse open on the passenger seat.  "Hey!  That's not my purse and gee what's that crap in the back seat?!?! " 

That's. Not. My. Car. 

It's a red Taurus sedan all right.  Looks exactly like mine.  But. It's.Not.Mine.   It doesn't have the little DOHC thingy that mine has. And  it sure is a helluva lot rustier.  So, where's MY car?  Two cars over, hidden behind the damn yellow Hummer.   Seriously people, who buys a yellow Hummer? 

But now I remember the damage I've done to the twin Taurus and figure I'd better get outta Dodge before the *real* owner comes back and sees half the back fender lying rusted out on the ground.

I took a quick scan of the parking lot and stores and it sure didn't look like anyone was going to come chasing after me. 

So I peeled out of the parking lot and took off for home.