Necessity: The Mother Of Invention

This morning started my day with an adventure. After I took my grandson to school, I went to pay one of my utility bills. The Power Board is on the furthermost side of town, so I went on the freeway to save time, and dodge traffic congestion. Along the way, I realized I didn't have my statement with me, so when I got there, I parked and went inside to get a duplicate bill. I would need it before I could actually pay what I owed.

I was the second person in line, when I remembered my check was left in the car. I thought, " No problem. I'll just go back through the drive- up window, instead of making another trip inside."

I was going back to my car, and my mind was ticking off all the things I needed to do before time for me to work. As I was unlocking the car door, a man with an accent started approaching me, coming around the front of my car from the other side. At first I didn't understand his gestures and what he was saying. Than a light bulb went on in my head, and I knew he was saying I had a flat tire. I walked around to see how flat it was. It was almost completely flat! I Just hoped I would have enough air to get me to the gas station/convenience store. I made it the two blocks and got three quarters out to drop into the air machine.I bent down to unscrew the valve cover, and heard air hissing out of the tire. Upon closer examination, I discovered the air was escaping from around the bottom of the valve stem - the part that joins the tire. Also, while I'd had my fingers down there, I discovered that if I pushed the stem to one side, the flow of air quit hissing violently at me.

I knew I had to do something, but I didn't know what. That's when I thought of how I'd seen on television(more specifically, the I Love Lucy show), how bubble gum had been used. So I reached into my pocket and quickly put a piece of spearmint gum in my mouth. I chewed until it became soft, than I took it out of my mouth, stretched it and placed it around the valve stem. at first I thought it was working, than I still heard that horrible hiss! I didn't despair. I knew I had to get home somehow, it would just be a matter of how. I looked around. Just behind me was an evergreen bush with some twigs broken off, laying underneath. I got a small twig, and than worked to wedge the little stick between the hubcap and the valve stem. I added more air, and gave the tire a sharp look, trying to judge the effectiveness of my rig. That incessant noise it had been giving me, had at least stopped being audible.

I decided, to give it a try. At the least, I would be a bit closer to home. For safety sake, I chose to go through town. With my emergency flashers blinking, I started back. Holding my breath, I made it two blocks, than three.....than a mile...two...I let my breath out, but still paid close attention to how the tire 'felt', as I carefully dodged any potholes I could. I didn't want the stick to become dislodged! Finally, I was back on my side of town. I let out a huge sigh of relief, as I pulled into my driveway. When I checked the tire, before I went inside, I was a bit surprised to see that, for the most part, the tire was still full of the air I'd gotten from the store! The tire stayed inflated for about three hours more, from the time I got back home. It is just now beginning to show worse signs of deflation.

The moral: If you think you can't do something, at least try. You might be surprised at what you accomplish!