Ginkgo Biloba and Mr. Incredible

The cars of my childhood were named Ginkgo.  There was the white Colt Vista Ginkgo and the Datsun Ginkgo, but we just called them both Ginkgo.  That way when we prayed for them (as they were always in need of our prayers), we blessed "Ginkgo" and all vehicles were covered .  It wasn't until I was a little older that I learned that our cars had been named after the Ginkgo tree, a tree that is known to be long-lived, some even dating back two thousand years ago.  I guess you could say we believed in setting high expectations in our family, even for our cars.  They rose to the occasion, some of the time, unless it involved a trip to Sacramento or Fresno which required making it over the Cuesta grade without overheating.  We'd always clap and cheer for Ginkgo when he got us over that hill.

And then there was this Diahatsu that spent the first four years of our married life with us.  We prayed hard for this car too.  Had we named it Ginkgo he might just still be here today.  At one point I believe Ryan's parents had three different dissembled Diahatsus in their driveway so Ryan could pull parts to put together a car for the newly married us. They stopped manufacturing these bad boys a while back.  Goodness, I do wonder why?!  This one in the picture had hit a deer.  I'd say about as safe as a motorcycle.  But it sure was fun to get reactions out of people with the hood scoop and hood pins that Ryan bolted on our little three cylinder ride.

Are you seeing what I'm seeing? 

One big, strong guy like Ryan in one itty, bitty car. 

 That's right.  I got myself a Mr. Incredible!