Howdy all,

It is time to name my car. I have always put a name, most times after a sports figure, to my vehicles. A fitting name usually comes to me from out of the blue. My '70 Chevy pickup is Babe (Zaharias). She isn't pretty but she sure is good at everything she does. I had a '62 Impala I called Jessie (Owens). I've owned a Rocky (Marciano), a Jim (Thorpe), a (Boston) Blackie, and a Wahoo (McDaniel). I also owned a Mary Kaye, as in cosmetics. Cadillac called the color Antelope Beige. I called it pink. ;-)

But this car doesn't lend itself to any such name that I can think of. I have rejected any modern sports figure simply because today's hero is tomorrow's villian. The only thing I would even consider is George (Foreman). But this car is definitely feminine. And, even though George named his daughter George, I can't bring myself to do that.

She is not elderly but not young either. She is battle scarred but carries the scars well, almost like badges of honor. She isn't powerful but she has stamina. She isn't fast or quick but she will go as fast as she can for as long as I ask her to. She isn't beautiful but is certainly comely and turns heads everywhere she goes. She will do anything I ask and requires very little in return.

I know only a tiny bit of her past life. She was beaten and nearly dead when I found her. Her owner was a teenager who grew tired of her and moved on to a SUV. She was neglected and unwanted. She couldn't start. She had accident damage that eventually proved to be more involved than I first estimated. She had over 400 hail dents, an Earl Schibe paint job sprayed right over the damage, a broken windshield, and fake sheep skin seat covers to hide the rotted upholstery. I almost walked away. But I didn't.

She still has some wounds to be healed. She is about 90% of what she ever was and that is more than most new cars will ever be. It took more time and money than is sane to bring her back from the brink of death. But she is back and she needs a name.

I've thought of Norse mythology as a source for a fitting name. My knowledge of Norse myths, gods, and legends is, to say the least, limited. So I turned to Wikipedia to learn the basics.

So far the only name that tickles my fancy is Sckuld. The name means necessity. She is a Norn, the youngest of the three Fates. She holds the future in her power. She is also numbered among the Valkries as the shield bearer to Odin. She rides with Gunnr and Róta over every battlefield to determine who is victorious, who lives, and who dies. The article calls her a minor diety. I think she is more important than minor diety would lead you to believe.

But I don't even know how to pronounce Sckuld properly. And, I'm not sure it fits my lady. Sckuld is not a mischevious goddess but she can be cruel. Would I be tempting the Fates by using this name? I'm open to suggestions for alternatives.

Here is a link to a photo of my car.

--
Mr. Shannon DeWolfe -- (I've taken to using Mr. because my name tends to mislead folks on the WWW. I am a 51 year old fat man ;-) -- KD5QBL