Strong Women Can Laugh At Themselves
By Arlene Kay
One of my hallmarks for a strong, self-confident woman is one who appreciates the absurdities of life and some of the truly STUPID things she herself has done. That made me recall one of my less stellar performances some years ago in Dallas. I had an unfortunate run of luck with my Corvette (Lord, I loved that car), and decided that a brand new sports car was a smart move. Forget what Pope Francis says about FIATS, I purchased a Fiat X-19, a beautiful little red number dubbed “baby Porsche” and proudly sailed around Texas in it—-until it hit 12,000 miles, which coincidentally meant the end of warranty. That piece of excrement was towed more than driven until one day while motoring to work; I looked in the mirror and saw that rear engine on fire! Actual flames spurting from the back! Naturally, I panicked fearing an imminent explosion. I was relieved to see a gas station ahead and turned in. The attendant waved his arms in what I assumed was a welcome gesture but I was so wrong. Actually he was screaming, “Lady, DON’T come in or this place will explode.”
He ran toward me, florid of face, with a fire extinguisher in hand, and sprayed that foam all over my smoldering heap of Italian engineering.
Later, everyone who heard this tale said virtually the same thing: “That’s the dumbest move you’ve ever made!” Come to think of it, they were right and the final irony—my Fiat X-19 survived to break down yet again.
Reformed Federal Executive Arlene Kay is the published author of seven novels including the SWANN SERIES by Bellebridge Books. Despite attaining many of her goals, she still finds joy in everyday blunders, particularly her own.