Notes on my refrigerator

When we visited my in-laws a few weeks ago, they gave us their nearly-new Subaru Forester. Very exciting, but hmmm, how to get it home? I enjoy traveling, don’t get me wrong, but epic car rides give me claustrophobia. (Are you surprised?) But my husband adores road trips. Long story short, he drove the Subaru back to Orange County via the backroads and byways of America.

On this sunny Monday morning, two quasi-related thoughts: 

1) Our new silver steed is sturdy, shiny, safe. Just a few tiny scratches — beauty marks, let’s call them — and that new car smell still lingers. I am grateful for this unexpected blessing, but honestly? I’d like to give it a little makeover. It’s a sensible car, which is all well and good, but a little frivolity never hurt anyone, right? So…how can I transform my Granola Mobile into something a little more girly-girl? (No offense to those who prefer the former to the latter.)

2) My husband visited the International Bluegrass Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky, where he was fortunate enough to see a live performance by Bill and Maggie Anderson, I would have liked to see them in person, but my husband brought me a CD as a consolation prize. Now, I’m not all that fond of bluegrass, but trust me: it’s a toe-tapping, hand-clapping platter o’ down-home goodness. My favorite song on the album is "God’s Refrigerator." This video features a different artist, but I think you’ll get the picture. 

Yeah, it’s as corny as all get-out, and maybe a bit too twangy for my ears. But the metaphor’s kinda cute, don’t you think? No matter your religious beliefs, I think everybody understands the significance of love made visible. And–please forgive me for this shallow interpretation–I’m wishing my story was ready to tape to the refrigerator. You too? Well, let’s get cookin’!

26 Comments

    • Hey, Robin has one, too! We should totally form a club.

      This is my first new car in 15 years, can you believe it? I’m sad to sell my Camry, which is only just now starting to show its age. But the Subaru is a very nice surprise, and I’m looking forward to taking it on lots of adventures.

  6. Floor mats, seat cushions, hummingbird throw pillows in your favorite colors…how’s that? 🙂 Congratulations on the lovely new ride! And how funny – our fridge looks just like that, covered with family photos that I smile at every morning.

    • Oh, these are GREAT ideas! I’ll have her accessorized in no time. 🙂

      I love that your refrigerator doors are plastered with memorabilia. Not surprised, of course, but it makes me smile to think of it.

  9. Bumper-stickers are way too much of a commitment (like tattoos for cars!), but you can get cute window decals to dress up your back window. Flowers and hummingbirds come to mind. 🙂

    I think someone else said that, but that also looks EXACTLY like my fridge. The only thing it’s missing are the magnet alphabet letters and other random magnet toys my kidlets play with.

    • Do those decals peel off quickly? Someone gave me a decal– glittery-silver flip flops surrounded by hibiscus flowers–but I worried that removing them would be a nightmare. And hey, a girl can’t wear the same shoes foreverandever!

      Flowers and hummingbirds…ah, you know me well. 🙂

  10. A personalized license plate, if you don’t already have one.

    A giant stuffed animal strapped into the backseat?

    I dunno. Looks like you have some good suggestions already. I’ve never really thought about personalizing a car before.

    • Never ever? Truth be told, I haven’t, either. 🙂

      But there’s something so, uh, utilitarian about this vehicle. I feel the need to add a little Hello Kitty. (Not really that, per se, but something fun and frivolous.)

    • Love it! Lust after it! Oh Lorraine, that picture has me grinning from ear to ear. How could you drive it/pass it on the highway without smiling?

      (P.S. If you’re using Photobucket, just copy/paste the “embed” link, instead of the URL, into your comment.)

  12. Thanks for your beautiful thoughts. I am deeply moved by the concept of unconditional love. “God’s Refrigerator,” silly as it is, symbolizes for me that kind of love.

  13. I definitely believe in the significance of unconditional love and show it to my peers in and outside of church. The objective isn’t to just go to church, but to BE the church. 🙂 (Okay, that was on a billboard outside of a church in a very pastoral setting, but it’s very true and I look forward to reading them!)

    By the way, Happy Birthday (November 12, right?) Hope you have a good one!

  14. Hummm… girly girl car stuff…well the car is silver right, then what about a Pink Leopard Fuzzy Steering Wheel Cover? If you wanted to go whole hog you could always get Pink Leopard Seat Covers or a Pink Princess License Plate 😀

    But seriously, if it was me, I’d buy a flower bud vase that clips onto the car’s air vent.

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