It's embarrassing

I'm reading all the reports and all the organising efforts to start getting aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and what did I do? I bought a car. Never mind that it's been overdue and put off for two years or longer - I feel vaguely guilty. Indulgent. I know there's not a danged thing I can do (save throw money at the Red Cross - at Lowe's, so they'll match my donation) from here, not yet. Later, I can see what needs to be replaced that I can assist with, but now it's a waiting game as the experts move in and do what they can. I pray. I light candles. I donate money (can't donate blood). And then I bought a car. It's not even licensed yet and I'm already worrying about getting gas in it. Lines are forming here as a result of panic. It'd be nice if I could drive it tomorrow but with only $10 worth of gas in it, I'm thinking I might be admiring it in the driveway for a couple of days. At least until the panic relaxes at the pumps. (Silly people.)

Oh - hey, guys - I got a new (to me) car! A big black Ford Explorer. Larger than I'd planned, it was so inexpensive that it beat out the smaller "event cars" that I'd been considering. And it has air conditioning, something my Cavalier does not. And no leaking windows or trunk (Wow!). And anti-lock brakes along with a working radio and CD player. It even has a place for me to put a drink while I drive. Since it's used, I can't really feel guilty about what comes with the packaging, right? It's definitely an upgrade from what I have been driving although I'm sure going to miss getting 32 miles to the gallon in the city.

And it will transport my geteld. On a lovely, heavy-duty, adjustable roof rack. Now THAT's indulgence.