On hot summer days like we've had this week, we'll try almost anything to keep cool, especially the car when it has to be parked it in the scorching sun for hours on end.
With these bright, sunny days, the temperature inside your car can get as toasty as a pizza oven, no anchovies please. You have to develop tactics to be able to steer the car and use the gear shift and don't even think about putting your arms on the armrest. I am sure you could get second degree burns, oven mitts in the glove compartment might be a good idea. I have seen people use those reflective shields, propped up inside the car to ward off the sun and heat. But do they really work?
One little trick I have tried and I bet you have too, is the old, "leave the windows open a crack" in your car. Theory there I guess is to let the heat out. Or does it let more in?
I got in my car one morning for an appointment I had in Paris. The windows were left down a few centimetres over night. I hopped in the driver's seat, put the key in the ignition and then noticed something odd on my dashboard. A white, chalky substance. BIRD DROPPINGS! I looked a little more, noticed there's some over there and over there too and on the seat. Luckily not on the seat where I was sitting. Take note, this where I made a stupid assumption. I assumed that the bird flew in, stayed awhile and the flew out again. Right?
I didn't want to be late for my appointment so put up to the new decorations on my dashboard which I would clean up later. It was one of those appointments that if you missed it, you'd get hit with a hefty bill.
Off I go to Paris. I am driving down the 401, windows open and I hear a "tweet tweet". I really didn't think much about it because sometimes when you are driving with the windows down, you do hear the occasional chirp. I drive a little more and again, "tweet tweet". OK, that was weird, I could have sworn that came from underneath the passenger side seat. Suddenly a light goes on above my head, a very dull light in my case. That bird is still in the car, it did not go on it's merry way and join the rest of his feathered friends for a fun time frolicking in the fresh air. The bird is still in the car. Oh no, I can't have this, what if it gets spooked, as if it is not already, flies up into my face, distracts me and then the next thing you know, I'm in the ditch or worse.
I pulled over at the Puttam weigh scales to try to encourage the bird to flee. I opened all of the doors to the car hoping he would just hop out, but nothing doing. I spotted him between the passenger seat and the door I reach over to gently pick him up, but he scurried back under the seat. I couldn't wait anymore, I had that appointment in Paris. As i drove I kept in mind that for any reason the bird fluttered around my face, not to panic. I am sure that would have been easier said than done.
I made it to the town that rests on both the Grand and Nith rivers and got to my appointment on time avoiding that dreadful fee.
Appointment over and back to the task of freeing my passenger. No, it was not a pigeon. I wanted to make sure that I witnessed his departure, I wanted know for sure he was gone, I didn't want any surprises later on. I managed to coax him out from under the seat with a 5 cent Canadian Tire bill that was under there. He scooted from the shelter of the seat to the underside of the dashboard. I thought, oh no not up there, I will never get him down from all that tubing and wiring and whatnot. Fortunately he was cowering in a tiny little corner of the equipment and I was able to smoothly grab him and set him the the ground, where he took a couple of hops and flew to the nearest tree. I watched him for awhile, I am sure he was wondering about what he just went through. Within a couple of minutes he was on his way, maybe to warn other birds not to fly into cars with their windows open.
For now on, I will put on with the heat and not go through that adventure again. I think the birds will appreciate it too.
Gary brings over 25 years of broadcast experience back to Country 107 3 and Easy 101. He's always looking for ways to make his show better so your day can be brighter. Gary enjoys using his sense of humour and abundance of music knowledge to get you through your day. Keep Gary on in the office, your drive and at home.
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