Priceless

There's just something about a convertible. Friday, we met two of our friends for an outdoor concert that took place at the top of a hill overlooking an apple orchard and winding trails, along with a pond and a beautiful horizon framing the view.

C. and I got there first and waited in the field where we parked. Within minutes our friends, L. and M. arrived in their Miata convertible with the top down. Their golden retriever was tucked in behind their seats waiting for L. to give her the OK to jump out, which he soon did. M. looked "movie starish" with a scarf around her head and wearing dark sunglasses. I giggled inside, grateful for friends that can make you happy just seeing them.

With music in the background, we had wonderful conversation, a walk down the hill (and a climb back up) and a nice little glass of wine. L. and M. invited us back to their house after the concert. Minutes before the concert was to end, we noticed huge dark clouds rolling in on the horizon. People began to leave. During the last song we packed up and headed to our cars. L. mentioned they did not have the top for their Miata with them. After a minute of trying to decide the best way for us to get back to their house M. was once again the movie star donning scarf and glasses, the dog was in her glory spot tucked behind the seats and L. was racing against the weather. We were following close behind. It got darker and darker every moment. When we pulled on to their street the droplets began. With impeccable timing L. pulled in his garage, we jumped out of our car and joined them in the garage and the torrential downpour started. It was one of those moments you know you will talk about and laugh over time and again. Driving home that evening, C and I talked about our luck escaping the weather. It brought back other unforgettable memories of weather and convertibles.

FLASHBACK

Some years ago, my sister, V. and I went to Arizona in June to celebrate my birthday. On line, we rented a convertible sebring to pick up at the airport after our flight. I wanted a chance to drive one since I was considering buying one when we came back. The airport thermometers were showing 115 degrees as we waited for them to bring us our car. They pulled up in a mustang. There was a five foot scratch down the side. As we explained we rented a sebring, they explained it was comparable and that it was a class of cars not the actual car that we chose online. We said fine, but we wanted a car without a scratch. They directed us to one halfway across the tarmac and gave us the keys to get it ourselves. V. and I dragged our over sized luggage and bags a half mile or so until we found our car. By this time I am sure we lost weight just sweating. When we opened the trunk our luggage wouldn't fit. Only one carry on bag and our purses fit. Being troopers, we put the top down and loaded the back seat with our luggage. At this point, we realized we would not be able to put the top back up because the suitcases were too bulky even for the backseat. I contemplated downsizing my wardrobe right there at the airport but gave up the idea and settled in with luggage under my feet on the passenger side. We ended up driving 50 dusty road miles to our resort hotel with the top down and the air conditioning blasting. Not that we felt it. We pulled in to the valet parking under a beautiful pergola, and stepped out all sweaty and dirty with wind whipped hair and sunburns. We watched in horror as the valets pulled on our luggage one piece at a time trying to pry it from the back seat. When we told them there was more in the trunk, the valet pulled out the carry on using his pinkie. I vowed never to own a mustang.

PRICELESS

Flash forward 8 months. February, 14 degrees. Snowflakes the size of my fist. My sister V. and I are on an adventure at the mall 17 miles from my house. I drove us in the sebring (I brought my luggage to the dealership after returning from Arizona and when it fit I bought the car!) We were two women on a determined shopping spree decorating our homes. It was the best shopping trip ever! We were both having such luck finding things. I bought a beautiful picture 3'x4' to fit over my fireplace, another large painting from a Midsummer Night's Dream and an intriguing statue of a fairy (for my Midsummer Night's Dream inspired family room of course!) and tons of other things.

V. also had great luck finding large treasures and statues and lamps and things in big boxes. Now picture us in the parking lot, rearranging our purchases over and over trying to fit them in the car. I get the bright idea of putting down the top, filling the car and putting the top back up for the ride home. Genius. If it would've worked. Oh, the top came down alright, but could not go back up. Sound familiar? Our treasures were to big and we had far too many.

Finally, we decided to take the plunge, turn on the heat full blast and just drive home with the top down. Did I mention 17 miles, 14 degrees and snowflakes the size of my fist? We were brave, but could only feel the heat and our noses when we stopped at a light. Each time we hit a red light, we were careful to not make eye contact with anyone on the road. I still remember a family in a car next to us with kids who had their faces pressed to their windows laughing at us. We had to laugh at ourselves. At one of the intersections I yelled to V., "One shopping trip at the mall with your sister, 389 dollars 67 cents. A drive home with your sister in 14 degree weather and snowflakes the size of your fist, all with the top down . . . . . . Priceless!