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Actor Rob Lowe has written an article on caregivers in USA Today today:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2019/01/13/rob-lowe-caregivers-social-security-self-care-column/2539450002/?fbclid=IwAR28IaXK_yTLujwBqOemBtzyLrgN6Qge_JOJ-PWB6_xtlflwILoUfpIKXe8#

I started looking at what's been written on this subject and found that there are two articles that have appeared in multiple publications and I didn't find much else beyond that. Both of the articles could be improved by giving specific examples taken from life. For instance, I received a phone call in the middle of the night from mother one time just to chat. It turned out that she was suffering from Sundowners' Syndrome, but it took me a while to find that out.

I drive roughly 12 000 miles a year. A far way from 90 000. Maybe you misread it as 120 000 in that FB post? Or maybe I accidentally slipped in an additional zero?


Anyway, I just bought a new car last November. A Toyota Auris Hybrid. I'm very happy with it. It's smaller than my previous Hyundai, which gives me the possibility to rent a lot in the parking garage across my workplace, which I did. I've had the parking spot for three days so far and I love it!
And I totally love the hybrid. It really saves me quite some gas. Katherine is right, gas is expensive in Europe. Currently 5,62$ per gallon.

Here's my new drive:

Well, now I'm more confused than ever!    Maybe because you left a space, I think, where here we would use a comma. But anyway, my car is 10 years old and has 90,000 miles on the odometer, meaning it has been driven just under 10,000 miles a year. I think the average here might be 15,000.

Last time I looked, gas here was about $2.20 a gallon.

Yes, John posted the article in its entirety here, just a few posts down.

I found Patrick Radden Keefe's Jan.7 article about Mark Burnett, and Burnett's relationship to the Fake President, appalling, enthralling, and enlightening.

But functionally, it's fine, and still has low miles (90,000) for its age (10 years). I believe that's less than Chrissi said she drives in a year! In Europe, where gas is probably still kind of expensive.

I drive roughly 12 000 miles a year. A far way from 90 000. Maybe you misread it as 120 000 in that FB post? Or maybe I accidentally slipped in an additional zero?


Anyway, I just bought a new car last November. A Toyota Auris Hybrid. I'm very happy with it. It's smaller than my previous Hyundai, which gives me the possibility to rent a lot in the parking garage across my workplace, which I did. I've had the parking spot for three days so far and I love it!
And I totally love the hybrid. It really saves me quite some gas. Katherine is right, gas is expensive in Europe. Currently 5,62$ per gallon.

Here's my new drive:

I like the look of it. A lot! It's a beauty!
And it reminds me of previous car, that I had until November, a Hyundai Tuscon.

Electric cars are becoming popular, but I'm not sure I'd get one at this point.  If this car also lasts 15 years, I'll only be 65.  If I'm still able to drive at that point (I'm assuming I would be, my dad is 80 and still is driving, but only during daylight hours) perhaps the next car will be electric.

LOL
I turn 75 in March so have to renew my licence. In NZ driving licences last 10 years but they only gave me a licence for 9 years when I moved here in 2010. I have to go for a medical but do not expect any problems. I  will then have a licence for another 5 years.

Well, I know somebody who'd rather live where the altitude exceeds the population.

Electric cars are becoming popular, but I'm not sure I'd get one at this point.  If this car also lasts 15 years, I'll only be 65.  If I'm still able to drive at that point (I'm assuming I would be, my dad is 80 and still is driving, but only during daylight hours) perhaps the next car will be electric.

Or perhaps you won't need a car by then. I keep hearing that self-driving cars are going to be common any day now. And when they are, I assume some will operate like Uber only cheaper because there's no driver to pay. You summon one with your phone, have it take you to work (or wherever) and summon another to go home.

I'm looking forward to that day and to saying bye-bye to car ownership and all of its hassles. Not to mention the massive amount of real estate occupied by parking lots, parking ramps and garages.

I've owned two new cars, three inherited used cars, and two purchased used cars, including the car I drive now. I bought it when it was three years old.

It's still working pretty well seven years later. The body doesn't look great (multiple fender-benders, like the time the plastic garage cans attacked the side of my car and the time a telephone pole ran into the bumper. But functionally, it's fine, and still has low miles (90,000) for its age (10 years). I believe that's less than Chrissi said she drives in a year! In Europe, where gas is probably still kind of expensive.

It's a Mazda 3, which is semi-sporty for an ordinary compact car. But it dents more easily than, say, SUVs.

I've had numerous cars through the years, but only one new one, which is the one I have now.  All the used cars seemed to have their share of problems when I owned them.  The new car was the one that seemed to require the least amount of work.  I'm hoping this will hold true for the next car. 

The only used car I have owned was my first one which my parents gave me in lieu of a 21st birthday party. It was a 1958 car which i was given in 1965 but literally owned by a little old lady. I did buy a 2nd hand Kombi camper in London in 1974 but ended up replacing the engine in Germany then taking it back to London to sell.

I bought my Ford Fiesta Hatchback https://www.carsguide.com.au/ford/fiesta/price/2009/zetec?id=BlDM3MjS    when I moved to NZ in January 2010 so almost 9 years and it is yet to pass 70,000 km (43,500miles) I have driven it from top to bottom of NZ twice but it sits in the carport for days on end as I prefer to catch the bus unless going to the supermarket or hiking. On Tuesday I drove over 200km, nearly half on gravel roads with 3 women passengers and they enjoyed the day.  It is officially a 5 seater but I have only put 5 in for a short distance in an emergency. No dents yet. Very fuel efficient which is important here as petrol is over $2 per litre (NZ$7.60 per gallon or US$5.20)

I would like to replace it with an electric vehicle. they are becoming quite popular but still expensive and not good for touring yet.

Electric cars are becoming popular, but I'm not sure I'd get one at this point.  If this car also lasts 15 years, I'll only be 65.  If I'm still able to drive at that point (I'm assuming I would be, my dad is 80 and still is driving, but only during daylight hours) perhaps the next car will be electric.