I have a lot of pride tied up in the fact that I drive a 1999 Pathfinder. I have been its proud owner for eight and a half years, and it almost has 115, 000 miles. Love it!

We brought both of our children home from the hospital in it. I drove it to my first day of work at three different jobs. Each year we strap our Christmas tree to its top. Oh, and my favorite memory of all – we wrote the check for the last payment three years ago. Yeah, that’s nice.

Now, as it approaches its tenth birthday, the BRAKE light comes in with red intensity on especially cold mornings. It doesn’t do it on warm mornings, and it doesn’t do it once it warms up.

I think that’s charming.

Seriously, I do.

Endearing even.

I’m easily amused, I guess.