Becoming B on Nostr: 35 degrees warmer than yesterday morning. It's almost 10 above. I will not be using ...

35 degrees warmer than yesterday morning. It's almost 10 above. I will not be using either of my vehicles today. They both didn't start yesterday. One the battery was completely dead; the other it was so cold the gas wouldn't fire in the chamber.

This is the first time in 16 years I didn't have a mail vehicle of my own available to start the day.

I tried and tried to get the Ford Escape going. Our minivan started. So I pulled it around facing the Ford, hooked the jumper cables up, and let 'er idle and charge. I did this 10 times. It wouldn't fire.

I pulled it up to the white jeep. Tried once or twice. Battery clicked the starter a couple times. Then I went back to the Ford. Turned it over multiple times, but wouldn't fire.

I went in the house and got Annie out of bed for support and ideas. I felt like a failure. It's part of my job to have a vehicle to deliver mail out of.

She would've been able to drive me in our pickup, but she had a Doctor's appointment in Duluth she couldn't miss. I should've been there with her. She needed a driver. But days off are hard to get because we're short handed, especially the day after a holiday.

I did inquire about her cancelling the appointment. It was a hard no.

So I gave in. I went out and started my pickup knowing I was going to be 45 minutes late for work without a vehicle to deliver mail out of.

I showed up to work. Let 'em know the situation. And my Postmaster said I will send you out in the Metris van. Which I'm supposed to be driving everyday anyway. That's another story.

I got my mail and packages sorted, packed up, and ready to load.. It was 3 hours after I should've been out the door. It was going to be a long day, hours of delivering in the dark.

I put the key in the Metris ignition to start and warm it up. Turned it and there was nothing. It was dead.

I went back in to ask a friend and fellow carrier if she could drive me in my pickup. She is on light duty from a fall back in late summer. She tore her bicep and injured her shoulder. It required surgery. She's fighting her way back to delivering mail before she can retire in a few years.

She said take my mail car. There's only two people in the office I'd trust to drive it, and you're one of them.

So I did! I packed every space in her car. By Noon I was off to the mail trail. By 8 PM I was headed back to the Post Office empty.

Her mail car sits in my driveway as I type this. I will drive it today. Exchange it for my pickup this afternoon. And come home to try and start my vehicles in warmer weather.

Winter in northwest Wisconsin.

I hope you have a great day!

Fire #110
1.22.25