Maggie's Farm

We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

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Thursday, July 1. 2010

Another Maggie's Farm Summer Questionnaire: What's in your car?

I was doing some Spring clean-up on the old horseless carriage last weekend, and began to wonder what stuff other people keep in their vee-hickles.


I keep a small shovel, an ice-scraper, a bag of sand, one of those giant Cabela's flashlights with a car charger, a bunch of accumulated maps - I like maps despite my GPS thing,  my shotgun shell mini-humidor with a few smokes, a plastic baggie full of spare change, a random assortment of CDs, my car cell charger, a pair of sunglasses, and a loaded handgun in the glove compartment just so as to be "always prepared."


Plus there is always stuff from my last few errands or outings (eg dry cleaning, ammo, fertilizer, dog food, boots, can of gas, a hat or two, containers of 2-cycle oil, etc), but that stuff rotates, slowly.


What lives in your car? Tell us in the comments.

Posted by The Barrister in Our Essays, The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 09:59 | Comments (23) | Trackbacks (0)

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A dead IRS agent.
#1 Cilla Mitchell, Galveston Texas (Link) on 2010-07-01 10:20 (Reply)
Where are you going to bury the stiff?
#1.1 jappy on 2010-07-01 17:56 (Reply)
Recommend keeping the handgun somewhere other than the glovebox as a) cop will get real nervous when you reach over for registration and sees that b) a is enough reason
#2 grant1863 on 2010-07-01 10:23 (Reply)
I second that. I'm in Ohio and have a concealed permit. I've noticed that cops like it better when you have your weapon holstered on you. Either is legal here, but you can see them wince when you reach over to get into the glove box. Also, a lot of "smash and grab" petty thieves go right for the glove box. Best to have your sidearm on you, where it belongs!
#2.1 jayfellows on 2010-07-01 12:28 (Reply)
DeLorme Maine Atlas & Gazetteer, assorted Dylan, Dead and The Band CDs, tobacco and lighter and corncob pipe, Cobalt pocket-tool, Bible, golf clubs, a few bottles containing various essential automobile fluids, a bow saw... in the winter I add a sleeping bag.
#3 Pajak (Link) on 2010-07-01 10:39 (Reply)
I always have to clean mine out before a trip; and since I took a trip a couple of weeks ago, it's fresh in my mind. Nothing terribly unusual. A flashlight, blanket, jumper cables, binoculars, cell phone charger, various screwdrivers, a cheap socket wrench set in a zip-up case, extra sunglasses, folding umbrellas (which I always forget are in there until I'm soaking wet), sunscreen, outdated maps, spare change. After the last trip, there's now a fold-up chair in a bag. No gun, but I'm thinking about getting a baseball bat.

Oh, and a male urinal. Something I highly recommend. (I'd buy the missus a female urinal, but she says she'd rather hold it in.)
#4 OldNewB on 2010-07-01 10:49 (Reply)
I carry a lot of the same type of stuff as The Barrister but I add a small shovel, axe, gal jug of water, collapsible water bucket, flares, fire extinguisher, qt. of oil, and some long shelf life food - granola bars and such. Oh and a big ol' honkin survival knife.
#5 Tralfaz on 2010-07-01 11:27 (Reply)
Wow, I'm jealous - I live in CA and can't get a CCW permit to keep a gun in my car - but if I could, my Ruger SP101 would go everywhere with me!

That said, I keep a hammer, small shovel, knife, rope, first aid kit, granola bars, big jug of water, baseball bat, umbrella, tool kit, and jumper cables.
#6 Krystal on 2010-07-01 11:41 (Reply)
In states like Calif, only the crims can carry firearms.
#6.1 The B on 2010-07-01 11:48 (Reply)
My car is always a mess.

Leatherman and a folding knife. Maps of California, Oregon, Nevada, Idaho. Blanket and some old towels. Assorted CDs ripped from other cds. Oil and a funnel. Cell phone charger.

Extra napkins and straws from McDonalds stuffed in the side pockets of the door. Box of kleenex on the back seat along with several bottles of water rolling around on the floor. Ice scraper also on the floor along with an umbrella that I always forget is there.

One of those comfy neck pillows like you take on an airplane, or used to be able to take. Great for those long trips so we can nap while the other person drives.

Pencils, pens, pad of paper, tape.

And a fold out windshield screen to keep the sun and heat from damaging the dash.
#7 Dust Bunny Queen on 2010-07-01 12:23 (Reply)
Well, I'm going to have to update my list. I live in the country and drive a Forester, which is good for on-road bad weather travel in up to about 5 in of snow. My primary concern is breakdowns in bad weather between towns. I commute into a major city, but if TSHTF, I would hole up and defend by home.

What I have now is first aid kit, flashlight, umbrella, poncho (2), blanket, neck pillow, jumper cables (the idiot proof kind), flares, rope, bungy cords, extra windshield washer fluid, paper towels, compass, maps (local, ohio and national), glass breaker (in driver's door) and belt cutter, allergy pills, lens cleaners, weatherman tool, folding saw, pens, paper.

I always carry a fully-charged cell phone, turned off.

In the winter, I also carry cat litter (sand has water in it and freezes), a small shovel and window scrappers.

I do not have a CCP, and I do not carry a gun. If you have to carry routinely you should move. However, if TSHTF, and I had to leave home, I would hide an auto pistol and spare mags in reach near the driver seat. If it gets really bad, and I absolutely have to leave home (say, to get my daughter out of the city) I'll carry an AR15 with several 30 rd mags in addition to the auto pistol.
#8 bob sykes on 2010-07-01 14:02 (Reply)
My cellphone; the security entry card for the garage at work; a flashlight; a tire pressure gauge; a Bible so I always have one when I go to church; old towels to sit on after I go jogging so I don't stink up the car seats; a folding beach chair to sit on while watching my kids' little league games (not used for a while since both my kids are now in college); jumper cables; two umbrellas (one for me, one for my wife); a jacket so I don't get cold going to the movies; four hats (two broad-brim, two baseball style); a book of street maps for Honolulu; a workout bag containing running clothes and shoes, a change of clothes, deodorant and sunscreen of various strengths depending on how long I'm going to be out in the sun; and a steering wheel "club" to prevent my car from being stolen (or more precisely, so they will steal the car parked in the next space because it's slightly easier to steal than mine). Although as my car gets older and older, I worry less and less about it being stolen.
#9 Jim on 2010-07-01 14:42 (Reply)
I haven't driven it in a couple of years. Lots of junk accumulated since 1987. Never cleaned.

On the bicycle though are enough tools for common road repairs and a baggie of Milk Bone dog biscuits.

Regular angry bike chasing dogs along the commute route run to the end of the driveway and sit, because that's where I will stop and hand them a treat.
#10 rhhardin (Link) on 2010-07-01 14:54 (Reply)
Two ratty umbrellas, flares, dried up ballpoint pens, hand sanitizer, dog barrier, assorted hardback books that didn't make it to the library sale, polar bag for toting frozen food home from the nearest grocery store (nearest is far), and about a half pound of miscellaneous crush and run plus unidentified particulate in the nooks, crannies and carpeting.
#11 MissyW on 2010-07-01 15:44 (Reply)
Maps, napkins, registration and car manual in the glove compartment. in one of the door handles there's a bar of homemade cinnamon soap for air freshener. assorted cds. umbrellas, jumper cables. stuff to go to goodwill. spare contractor sized plastic bag in case of .... well, you never know 'til you need it. change. plastic grocery bag looped over the shift for trash.

Don't quite know what's in the back seat - the kids aren't as neat as I am - though I suspect that's where the missing leotard and reading program contest thing-y are.
#12 weaver on 2010-07-01 15:49 (Reply)
A blanket for spur of the moment picnics, an ice-chest because we live 45 miles from the better grocery stores, cell phone charger, first aid kit, spare diapers and diaper wipes, a few books, water bottles, and too much trash.
#13 deputyheadmistress (Link) on 2010-07-01 15:57 (Reply)
Ah - well, most things as the others, but I'd add a 500 watt DC/AC inverter, AC/DC radio, didn't notice any fire extinguishers - I carry two 25 lb A/B/C types in the tool box, full emergency medical kit (from my EMS days), 2 meter FM handy talkie and a FT-857D transceiver (communications), MRIs (about a weeks worth if careful), half case of water. Also carry a US road atlas to compliment the GPS. My wife's car has smaller extinguishers and no transceivers (I take those out of my truck when we travel in her car any distance), but everything else is pretty much the same. If we are traveling any real distance, I take a two gallon can of gas.

I would recommend something that I didn't notice - a complete change of clothes w/shoes. Both the wife and I have emergency changes of clothes in vacuum sealed bags - small, easily stored, don't take up much space at all, We also have spare rain gear stored the same way along with blankets. All that in a cardboard box that we buy printer paper in.

I am licensed to carry, but I don't when traveling long distances or out of state - the various state gun laws are just too complicated to make that reasonable. I carry a (heh - you'll love this) Shakespeare shark bully - basically a 1 inch round solid fiber glass whacker ready to hand. That thing can really do some damage. :>) There is also a 9" Bowie knife in the glove box but I don't advertise it.

One last thing - shovels are all well and good - a trenching tool is better - will do all kinds of things - they are small, easy to handle and don't take up much space.
#14 Tom Francis on 2010-07-01 16:04 (Reply)
My car is a jeep but here it goes:

'glove' box: Registration, owner's manual, Altoids tin containing toothpicks, pill bottle of TUMS.

Tuffy console (replacement): GPS, phone chargers, sunglasses, keys for various trailer locks, pill bottle of TUMS.

Tuffy Trunk: Tool bags, shovel, binoculars, snatch strap, spare belt(s), additional oil, fuses, tape (electrical, duct, masking), connectors, wire, spare bulbs, and on, tools, and on, did I mention tools?, and on. The trunk is full. Probably nearing 500lbs including the steel of the trunk itself.

Under driver's seat: Flashlight, hitch pins & locks, tow hook for the receiver.

Under passenger seat: 12v to 19v inverter/adapter for the laptop

In between the seats and console: About a half gross of napkins because my wife thinks every visit to a fast food joint on a trip requires a snatch of another dozen or so.

In the backseat: Wal-mart bags (for trash)---that's my story and I'm sticking to it!, rags, wet-wipes, box with more oil, and first aid kit, three travel blankets. 12v powerpack/ jumpstart battery. Spare hat. Umbrella.

Under trunk: camp chair, walking stick, light duty camera tripod.


whew I think that's it.
#15 JoeC on 2010-07-01 16:12 (Reply)
Barrister, yall really, really don't want to know.

Tell me, i cain't dodge.
#16 Leag on 2010-07-01 18:50 (Reply)
Let's see: a 6-ft. coil of 10-4 stranded wire for the compressor; a bag with house plans/receipts/lists; a diamond chisel honing jig; a magneto for a 1957 Gravely walk-behind that needs points; a bag with books to go back to the library; the mail for the wifely treasurer to address this weekend; a bog O' guns; a couple of chargers for BB, navigator, etc; a couple of CDs; a couple of listening books.

Can you tell I've been batching this week and am headed to Riverhouse tomorrow at oh-dark-thirty?

Leatherneck
#17 Leatherneck on 2010-07-01 19:19 (Reply)
Phone chargers, sunglasses, registration, proof of insurance, owner's manual, tissues, Purell, stadium seats, backseat always full of antiques (coming and going)...hubby calls it junk...I call it treasure. Gold clubs in trunk, spare tire and jack. Flashlight and jumper cables have disappeared. I think they went to college without telling me. I've picked up some good ideas from all of you, so Thanks!
#18 jubry on 2010-07-01 20:13 (Reply)
Hum-appears to be several Buckeyes on here given the maps and Hardin. Anyway, my Aztek (yeah, it's ugly, but has been a really good one) had as of today: two umbrella, about 12 maps (Oh, WV, Ky, Va, New Emgland, one of Mi I keep to burn in November if necessary-hasn't been for some time now) dupes included. My .22 WRM Ruger(yeah, CC holder) in driver's door panel when traveling, a leatherman, 4-5 BSA Merit Badge Phamplets, cell phone charger, combo battery pack, light, and inflator that chages on car outlet, poncho, army blanket, washer fluid, candle lantern, minimag light, inflatable pad, two yellow pads I thought were lost, small tool kit, extra sunglassed, hardhat, and safety glasses, spare boots, and a first aid kit.
Not too bad,
#19 MikeinAppalachia on 2010-07-01 20:46 (Reply)
I drive an F-250 FWD with a cap.

In the cab - tire thumper, 2xsmall medical kits, big flashlight, AM/FM radio with spare batteries, trailer chains, four racheting tiedowns, huge spanner, flares, CD's, WA/OR/ID/MT maps, rags, spare wiper blade, red flag for carrying stuff longer than 8 feet.

In the truck box in the back: tools, change of clothes for my wife and I, 2 space blankets, 2xgreen coveralls (they're even better than clothes), spare boots, winter gear (mittens, hat, Army blanket, long underwear), more tools, huge spotlight, more flares, wheel blocks (wood), a jack, a bigger medical kit, granola bars and so forth.

Bugout bags and medical bags are not usually carried unless needed. Neither are gas cans.
#20 Old Salt on 2010-07-02 09:57 (Reply)

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