Sink or Swim

Buying a car was and still is an exciting experience. Sometime around 1965, my Dad and I found a good buy on a 1960 Ford Falcon at a used car dealer on Hoosick Street. We drove there in Dad's car to pick it up. Since it was a standard shift, and I had very little standard shift experience (none), I suggested I drive his car home to the Burgh. He could drive my "new" car home and take me for a driving lesson. Dad "taught" sailors to swim in the Navy. His favorite technique was to make them jump into the deep end of the pool and have them learn quickly. He "taught" me how to drive a stick the same way. He said "It's your car, you drive it home." And off he went. By the time I got home, I was pretty good with the stick.