Flat tires

Speaking of being sick of your car, I have had some bad relationships lately with both cars. Now remember, the heat here is more than our little automobiles can bear, so I had to forgive them of their follies. But a few weeks ago I was driving home in the Passat when she suddenly just gave up and slowed down to 25 on the freeway. I put on the hazards and cautiously inched over to the side. It was scary! My tire had blown out. So Billy the intern from Verizon came and helped me, seeing how I didn't know there was a jack in the back. Oops! :) (Oh, and Trent was in class) THEN a few days ago I was driving around looking at some apartments down there in the Mazda, when I had the strange sensation that I was driving lop-sided. I stopped in a parking lot and lo and behold! Another flat tire. I couldn't believe she at least didn't have the courtesy to wait until Trent was driving. So this time I was a pro of course, and got the job done, although I put the jack upside-down. There were at least 10 guys who just drove by me and tried not to make eye-contact. It was 115 out there and I don't blame them. But finally one guy did stop and ask if I needed help. The lug-nuts were hard to move, so he loosened them for me and was on his way! This was a very character-building experience, and I exhort you all to be sure you know how to change a tire before you are in this predicament.