Blog draft june 10 26

Getting By

Renewed my driver's license a few days ago. Everything was going fine until they asked me for proof of insurance. My computer printer hasn’t worked since I moved into my new apartment 15 months ago, so I saved my insurance documents to my phone. I called up the docs in front of the DMV staff but couldn’t get the images to appear.

So, I asked them for help. Bless them, they jumped right in. First one staffer stepped up, then a second, finally a third. I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t do this. A few years ago I told my son I had a phone tech problem while waiting in a doctor’s office. He suggested in the future I just ask for help from the youngest person in the room. I did this time. The young fellow was most cooperative but he was stumped by my situation.

Finally, DMV staff came up with the solution. They looked up Progressive Insurance’s national help phone number. They suggested I call the number and ask them to send my proof of insurance card to my phone. They did and the DMV folks got the information they needed.

I passed the vision test quickly. I answered the other questions appropriately and I was passed on to the road test staff. The lady who came forward seemed breathless and I asked her why. She reported that she had spent two years handling permits for new drivers and this morning they told her to do on-road driver tests. She had never done that. She told me she had been scared to death by two drivers and give them both points. She reminded me you don’t want points! So, I took her on a leisurely drive in the neighborhood, she felt safe and thanked me. I passed. She went into the DMV, got a copy of my new driver’s license and my old one. She also brought me a handicapped parking card renewal form to give to my doctor to fill out.

I was home free. I drove home. Carefully. With precision and intent. I parked in my garage space and went up to my apartment. I reclined and took a long nap.

At 82 facing my 83rd birthday in a few days and using a rollator in public all the time, I know I have to do this DMV thing every two years now. I’m wondering how much more accommodating they could possibly be! For now I am thankful and taking more naps.

June 10, 2026

Remember the Epstein Files

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