My take on summer bugs
At the end of last week’s Sunday stills, I mentioned that the coming week’s theme of summer bugs might pose a problem to me as we’re in the middle of winter. But then Denyse and Marsha mentioned some different ways of sharing bugs, in their various comments, and so a germ of a creative idea started in my brain.
Creativity – it’s a wild ride isn’t it?
So today I’m sharing my late brother-in-law Cliff’s old Vdub bug. It’s not the best photo I’ll admit but it’s the only one I have.
Ahh, but the memories of this car, are cemented in my being!
A few things you must know
Cliff was a great saver and didn’t part with his money easily.
He was an ardent St George Rugby League supporter (NSW NRL).
He paid cash for this vintage Vdb back in the late 1970s and decided to repaint and fit-out the car in his favourite team’s colours – red and white.
He did all the work himself.
He was inordinately proud of his handiwork 🤣
We had some wild adventures in that little bug!
The rest of the family just accepted Cliff and his hobby, but enjoyed teasing him about it – of course!
A special Vdub bug memory
One day his younger sister (she was about 9 years old) and I were given the task of picking up and driving the car back into town.
I had just got my drivers licence (I was about 17) and still wasn’t all that confident with driving, especially as the gear stick was on the steering wheel and I’d learnt to drive with the gear stick on the floor.
I was a bit nervous at being given this responsibility in Cliff’s pride and joy no less!
Well, everything that could go wrong did go wrong.
I stalled the car at an intersection at the bottom of a big hill, as I was turning onto the main road.
Then the car wouldn’t start! Carol and I didn’t know what to do. This was well before mobile phones and my limited car related skills had me way out of my comfort zone.
We were pushed off to the side of the road by some kindly helpers and just had to wait for Cliff or his brother, (my boyfriend, now the Mathematician), to come looking for us. I presume someone found us! I don’t remember the ending of the story, just the feelings of embarrassment and worry that i’d done some grievous damage to Cliff’s Vdub bug.
Carol and I still look at each other and laugh at the memories every time we drive through this particular intersection. It takes us back to those days of Cliff’s vdub bug, to a time when that car reigned supreme and Cliff was with us.
It’s interesting that this story is the first thing I thought of when I started thinking outside the square for summer bugs and so I had to go hunting for this photo, knowing I had at least one of the famous red and white vintage vdub.
It’s also interesting because it was 7 years since Cliff died, just last week, and he has obviously been on my mind. I’m happy to share this lovely memory with you.
Sometimes these challenges aren’t just about the photo but what the photo means to us in terms of memories and feelings it evokes. This is one of those times for me.
Anyway that’s my slightly different take on this week’s theme of Summer Bugs for #SundayStills. Make sure you visit Terri to see her post and her wonderful photos.
Next week Sunday Stills is all about images inspired by favourite song lyrics – that should be fun!
Thanks for stopping by and taking a moment to read my posts. Your visits are always welcome.
Debbie 🙂
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Everyone has a story to tell! Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. She never imagined being Granny Debs would bring so much joy to her life! You can read more of Deb’s story here
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My first car was a VW Bug! Fond memories….especially activating the reserve gas tank by pressing the button on the floorboard! 😂😂😂
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Fond memories all round Carol!
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What an awesome memory and a wonderful tribute to Cliff. An awesome creative twist on ‘summer bugs’!
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Thanks to other bloggers who help me think outside the box at times :). It was lovely to share these memories of Cliff.
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Awww, I LOVE this Debbie! And what a great creative take on the theme. I remember stalling on the street the first time I drove my stick shift Volvo…it was terrifying! This is such a cool tribute to your BIL, Cliff. Men love their cars and cherish them, so no wonder you were nervous!
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Thanks so much Terri, it was a lovely way to combine a few memories and share!
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Deb, what a lovely post. VW Bugs were in my past as well. I learned to drive my mother’s bug, and it, too, stalled in the middle of an intersection. I had mistakenly put it into third gear instead of first. She didn’t let me practice driving with her after that. But she didn’t stop driving bugs. By the time I had my license, she had a new one. I was stopped at the top of a hill at a red light and I knew I couldn’t get it to go without going backwards a ways. There was a city bus on my tail. I just sat through that light. I thought maybe it would give me a push. I think I must had gotten it started, but as you can tell from the immediate end of my story, my memory of how I got out of there is a complete blank. LOL. So many bug memories though that have lasted. I could write an entire chapter about them. Thanks for sharing this post. It would have bugged me if you hadn’t! 🙂
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Thanks Marsha, it was a different look at bugs anyway! So many great memories between us both, and love the connection as always 🙂
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Yes, it’s amazing. I’ve loved getting to know you this year. Sorry we didn’t know each other four years ago when I was there!
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What a WONDERFUL way to go with this ‘bug’ challenge before you. I really enjoyed reading the story and the memories. I have a feeling Cliff was leaning over your shoulder reading it as you wrote it, happy that his memory lives on in unexpected ways.
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Yes I’m sure Cliff was doing just that Trisha! Thanks for tour lovely words.
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Haha! I just posted about VW Bugs too! We don’t have a lot of regular bugs around here so it seemed like the logical choice. I love your story about driving the VW… it’s hard to believe that Cliff would trust his baby to an inexperienced driver. I’m glad it worked out ok!
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Janis I still don’t understand why he even asked me to drive the car! I’ll never know but it was a lovely memory to share, just like your post!
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I am so glad that someone did a VW bug post. A great memory Debbie 🙂 🙂
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The thought came to me Brian and I ran with it!! Thanks for stopping by.
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THat is a great take on the theme. Love it.
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Thanks Kirstin, it was a fun one to do in many ways, lots of memories!
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