I have never owned a car that reflects my personality. I drive around in vehicles that were either inherited, dirt cheap or practical. Until last week, I drove a red Jeep Cherokee -- you know, the one that you see coming and going on any given road. It was a good car. It easily accommodated my two kids and dog, and because it had a V8 engine, it could easily tow our Airstream camper.
Unfortunately, however, it started on fire while my husband was driving to Green Bay for the Packers game last Sunday, so we’re stranded in vehicle hell: getting quotes from mechanics and haggling with our insurance company.
In the mean time, my mother-in-law gave us a 1991 Cadillac Eldorado “Stars and Stripes” edition. Technically, it’s on its way to the Rawhide Boys Ranch, but for now, it’s making a pit stop in Riverwest. Personally, I would prefer something much smaller and cuter, but, in the Caddy’s defense, it’s definitely the dopest ride I’ve ever owned.
Being an adaptable person who has become a master of making things work, I have embraced "The Eldo," despite the fact it’s a two door, which makes getting my young sons in and out of the car very difficult. (I actually had a bad case of “plumber’s butt” in front of my son’s preschool last week while trying to get him clipped into his booster seat.) It’s also as much of a gas guzzler as my SUV was, and every time I use the turn signal, a bell bongs over and over again to remind me that my signal is on, which makes me think this car was designed for the over-65 set.
But, beggars can’t be choosers as mama used to say, so this is how we roll these days. And it really isn’t all bad. In fact, I’m starting to have fun with it. For one thing, it has heated leather seats. I’ve never had such a toasty-while-in-transit bum.
Plus, big ol’ Eldo inspires me to wear my bright blue coat with the white fake fur trim as my primary wrap. I figure that if I’m gonna drive around in this pimpmobile, I might as well have matching threads.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
