A Faithful Friend

There are two things that I never leave home without when I travel.  One is the Travel Log.   A detailed day to day, hour to hour, even minute to minute written record of the people, places and things encountered along the way.   I believe this is something either my father or oldest brother encouraged.   Many have signed the car log over the years.

The other is the car blanket.   A over-sized denim patch quilt made over 25 years ago.  The actual time frame eludes me; although the backing of the quilt is material that was used as a tablecloth at my oldest brother and sister-in-law's rehearsal dinner in 1991 (27 years ago)

Emergency warmth in the event of winter car failure is the original purpose for a car blanket. 

Thankfully,  it has never been needed in that capacity.   Instead, it has been used as a beach blanket, a picnic tablecloth,  to wrap naked kids that have gotten too muddy and wet, to camouflage Christmas presents,  to protect furniture through several moves, a play tent and a camping blanket.  It has traveled in at least 5 different family vehicles and made many trips to other states including 2 long distance trips to Wyoming and California from western New York. 

My older sister lost her car blanket in a move west.  My daughter made herself a red flannel car blanket.

Yesterday, in anticipation of summer travels, I washed the car blanket. 

Today, since I am not prepared to part with a faithful friend, I mended the car blanket. 

However,  some friendships eventually wear out.