Fob Folly

For July 20, 2022

I’m gonna blame it on the heat.

A tree popped up outta nowhere in my front yard and I backed into it. Though not a bad bump, it was in a bad place so a new hatch was ordered.

I was fortunate to be able to borrow a car for a week. (A ‘thank-you’ to that individual)!

How long have I been driving? Loooong time. Operating a keyless vehicle spans a short segment of my driving timeline. One would think reverting to using a key for a week would be no big deal. Wrong. My brain loves the keyless approach and has wiped clean all the previous neuropaths for starting a car.

My brain had to keep tabs on the fob/key required to start the borrowed vehicle for a whole five days.I switched to a smaller purse to reduce frustration. Still exasperating so I attached it to an easy-to-see-and-grasp coin purse.

I gave up using the fob for locking/unlocking since I honked the horn too many times to count. Even though using the key to get into the driver’s seat, I would first reach to press the start button. Then I would feel silly and insert the key into the ignition, then reach for a button. Feel sillier and turn the key in the ignition and…yep…reach for a button to move. Slight confusion…oh yeah….this has the ol’ stick shift.

More button-related dilemmas. The bright lights don’t dim automatically. There's a pedal in the floor for the parking brake. My index finger was flying all week with no place to land. Each time I stopped, it wanted a button to press for park or drive or reverse.

My car with the new hatch is ready so a switch is pending. As long as the keyless fob is anywhere in my purse and I have the purse on my person…have index finger, will travel. I will dig in the cavernous depths of my purse only to search for blood pressure meds. I’m spoiled.

PS. A nod to David Brooks of Doniphan for the title. Perfect!