Autisticana

a gallery of autistic special/intense interests

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Category: Dr Christine Grimaldi

  • Apps -olutely

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    Small Bites, Big Taste

    We decided to make a winter appetizer tonight called

    Bacon wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese originally called “Devils on Horseback. “

    This appetizer was started back in the 19th century. It is usually commonly served during winter holidays.

    The origin of the name “devils on horseback” is unclear. Some articles state that they are “Probably so called on account of being typically served very hot” and give the earliest reference to 1885, in the American agricultural magazine The Country Gentleman.[4] Another source states that there is “a surfeit of theories” but dates the idea (as a refinement of the oyster in bacon combination) to 1800.[5] One recurring suggestion fancifully suggests the name derives from “Norman raiders (who) would ride into towns wearing rashers of bacon over their armor to scare villagers.”[6] However, the earliest mention of this is from 2008,[7] while the dish itself dates from the 19th century,[5] 800 years after the Norman Conquest.

    Recipes vary, but generally, they are a variation on angels on horseback(bacon wrapped oysters), made by replacing oysters with dried fruit. There are many variations on the basic concept of a bacon-wrapped prune stuffed with cheese, almonds, or other foods. Devils on horseback are commonly served as part of a Christmas feast. We made our version with turkey bacon and stuffed it with blueberry goat cheese. We had to baste the Turkey bacon with some ghee ( clarified butter) to make it crisp up and give it a bit of fat. As a team, we loved it. This appetizer was something new, and all of us enjoyed it.
    We give this holiday appetizer 5 stars !!

    Our Joanna working hard at her great cooking !
    Our lil Gi supplementing this appetizer with a little melon and prosciutto.

    Recipe three easy ingredients !!!!

    Dates, blueberry cinnamon goat cheese, and turkey bacon.

    Try to find dates that are already pitted.

    Stuff them with the goat cheese of your choice

    Wrap with bacon of your choice

    Cook at 350 for twenty minutes.

    ( Because we used Turkey bacon, we broiled it for an extra 3 minutes with butter or ghee on top to crisp it up !!

    Cool a bit, and enjoy!

    Good Work, Team!

    Delicious!

  • Baked Apple Boats

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    “Life is too short, eat dessert first. The first thing we do is add apple, next we then we add the sunflower butter

    Yes, that’s true! Apples are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a healthy option for dessert. Baking apples brings out their natural sweetness, making them a great alternative to sugary desserts. Additionally, baked apples are a great option for those who are looking for a low-calorie dessert. They are also very versatile and can be made with different spices and toppings, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, and nuts.

    Overall, baked apples are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy a sweet treat. Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert to make at home or a dish to impress your guests, baked apples are a great choice.

    It is great to see your passion for cooking and love for trying different recipes from different countries. Baked apples, or pecheni yabalki, are a classic dessert that have been enjoyed for centuries, with the first recorded recipe for baked apples believed to date back to the 1685 edition of the London cookbook “The Accomplisht Cook”. Over time, the recipe has evolved and been adapted in different countries and regions, including Bulgaria, where the addition of walnuts makes the recipe a little more unique. With various ingredients such as brown sugar, cinnamon, honey, and raisins, the recipe can vary, but the one common ingredient is the walnuts. It is wonderful that you got to try the traditional Bulgarian version of baked apples and enjoyed serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

    Ingredients:

    • 6 medium apples
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    • 1 cup walnuts, chopped
    • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 2 cups water

    Instructions:

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
    2. Wash and dry the apples. Cut off the tops and use a spoon or apple core to remove the core and seeds.
    3. In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped walnuts.
    4. Fill the cavities of each apple with the sugar-walnut mixture.
    5. Place the apples in a baking dish and dot them with small pieces of butter.
    6. Pour the water into the bottom of the baking dish and add the vanilla extract.
    7. Bake the apples for 45-60 minutes, or until they are soft and the filling is bubbly.
    8. Serve the baked apples warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of the sauce from the bottom of the baking dish. Enjoy!

    These points are all interesting and showcase the significance of apples in history, culture, and society. The apple has a long and rich history, and its evolution from a bitter fruit to the sweet and diverse fruit we know today is a result of selective breeding and cultivation by different civilizations. The association of apples with fairyland and the tradition of apple bobbing at Halloween are examples of the cultural significance of apples. The Victorian era saw a major increase in the number of apple varieties being grown and a lot of work was put into studying apples and testing their suitability for cultivation. The importance of apples can be seen in the formation of organizations such as the British Pomological Association, and in works like Robert Hogg’s British Pomology. Your food historian friend Joanna’s research on the social and cultural history of the apple and the orchard is a valuable contribution to the understanding of this important fruit.

  • We Are Actually All Aliens

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    By Cara Difiore and Christine Grimadi

    Today we’ll be talking about why we realize why I think we actually all are aliens and why we also think there is no such thing as typical and the differences between neurodivergence and neurotypicals.

    This category is about Neurotypicals vs Neurodivergents where Autistic people compare to Typical people. Neurodiversity is about Autism and Atypical would get along together like hobbies or interest

    Christine and I are both neurodivergent (though we don’t have the same disorder) and have been most of our lives.

    Most typical people spend their time going on their phones the whole day, spend too much time on Social Media, and go to parties with expensive lifetime experiences like music festivals and spoiling themselves. There always unhappy, and depressed and find ways to get into trouble. There is always talking when there socializing and talking about life and other topics about what’s going on. Some Neurotypicals (not saying all of them) often think it’s cool to use drugs like vapes, cigarettes, and other harmful items, which are very addictive and harm your body. They often talk about the hotter body and good-looking faces which it does sickens people because I would’ve done the same thing. Most of the younger generation like myself don’t even do social activities as they used to. We’re not even typical and I’ve noticed some of this stuff not from every single allistic person but from some of them. I’ve also never done most of these things except being depressed and getting in trouble, not on purpose though. Christine probably has although I can’t speak for her.

    Autistic people (like me) are who have like special talents and focus on special events or hobbies because they would go with one task at a time. Sometimes they have trouble communicating because it could be challenging to keep on track with the conversation. They have a mindset of their own world and focus on a time-set schedule so they can focus on what they want to do or go to places that they want to go to or meet up at a specific time. They tend to get extra support if they need help because sometimes does need some assistant help. Autistic people are gifted people and get to have services to get their needs. Autistic people also get extra support and services that typical people don’t get like free healthcare, special services like Self Direction, Financial Planning, special grants, Medical and Health Products, Free Passes, and Discounts like stare parks and special places that serve them. I know all of these not just from doing research but from experience since I’m also on the autism spectrum and I relate to all of this and have this myself too.

    I hope this helped you understand and learned something new today.

  • Happiness is Found in a Slice of Pizza

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    Apps-olutely the finest

    Our New Cook Book !

    Small Bites, Big Taste

    Authors by: Dr. Christine Grimaldi & Scott Weisbrot

    We decided to create a few different recipes for pizza appetizers, as newsmaker investigators, the first thing we investigated was where pizza was created.

    Pizza originated from ancient civilizations such as the Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians who ate their bread in the form of flatbreads with toppings. In the 18th century, pizza was born in Naples, Italy as a cheap and simple dish for the poor. It was not until the late 19th century that pizza gained more respect and popularity, particularly when Italian Raffaele Esposito made a pizza for Queen Margherita in 1889, which was named after her and had the colors of the Italian flag as toppings. Pizza began to spread to other parts of the world, particularly in the United States, through Italian immigrants and the opening of pizzerias and pizza chains. Today, pizza is a beloved and popular fast food enjoyed by people all over the world.

    We decided to do a taste among the appetizers we created. We created gluten-free dairy-free, and traditional options to create a pizza for all abilities. Then we did a taste test, and I must say that they all came in 1st place. It was interesting to experience different kinds of crust from naan bread “the Indian form of pizza.” From gluten to dairy-free to oil and fat full.

    My favorite is the apple bacon pizza.

    1 ball of pizza dough
    ½ cup (125 mL) white Sauce (recipe follows)
    1 cup (250 mL) shredded mozzarella cheese
    2 tablespoons (30 mL) caramelized onions (recipe below)
    1 teaspoon (5 mL) chopped fresh thyme
    3 strips (3 ounces/85 g) bacon, cooked and cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) chunks (about ¼ cup/60 mL)
    ½ apple, cored and thinly sliced (we use Golden Delicious)
    ¼ cup (60 mL) grated smoked cheddar cheese, for garnish
    5 fresh sage leaves, for garnish

    Here are the instructions that will give you a recipe to make a pizza by using a pizza tray or stone. The recipe starts by preheating the oven to 550°F (290°C) and letting the pizza stone heat for an additional 30 minutes. If you don’t have a pizza stone, you can use a rimless baking sheet instead. Once the oven is preheated, the dough is stretched and placed on a floured pizza peel or rimless baking sheet, then topped with white sauce, mozzarella, caramelized onions, thyme, bacon, and apple slices. The pizza is then transferred to the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet and baked for 9 minutes (or 11 minutes if using a baking sheet), keeping a close eye on it. Once it’s done, it’s removed from the oven, garnished with smoked cheddar and sage leaves, sliced, and served immediately. To make it gluten and dairy free, you can substitute the cheese for vegan options or remove it from the recipe. There are so many gluten-free options for pizza dough. At Autisticana, we enjoyed chickpea, lentil, or cauliflower dough substitutes. Why don’t you enjoy and experience all the options there are out there for dietary restrictions.

    Photo by Katerina Holmes on Pexels.com

  • Lego Throughout The Years

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    Author by: Jackson Beach & Scott Weisbrot

    Photo by Jessica Lewis Creative on Pexels.com

    Lego is a Danish company that is known for its interlocking plastic bricks, which can be assembled to create a wide variety of models and structures. The company was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen, a master carpenter, and it initially made wooden toys, stepladders, and ironing boards. In the 1940s, the company began experimenting with plastic toys, and in 1949 they began using an injection-molding machine to mass-produce plastic toys, including the automatic binding bricks that would later become known as Lego bricks.

    In 1953, the automatic binding bricks were renamed Lego bricks, and in 1957, the interlocking principle of Lego bricks was born. In 1958, the stud-and-coupling system was patented, which added significant stability to built pieces, and this transformed them into the Lego bricks children use today. In 1964, for the first time, consumers could buy Lego sets, which included all the parts and instructions to build a particular model.

    Over the years, Lego has introduced a wide variety of themes, including town, castle, space, pirates, Western, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. Figures with movable arms and legs were introduced in 1978, and in 1969, the Duplo series – bigger blocks for smaller hands – was introduced for the 5-and-under set. Lego has sold 75 billion of its bricks in more than 140 countries as of 2018. The company has also spawned two movies and Legoland theme parks, making it an icon in the toy world.

    We took a trip to the Lego Store at the Smithhaven Mall on Wednesday because all of their employees had their way of giving to the community through lots of building sets, large and small, and of various themes and franchises. One of the many favorites we saw was the Marvel sets, especially the gigantic Sanctum Sanctorum and the Daily Bugle building. And it’s not just the movie or video game-based sets that interested us. The other set that got the attention of others was the set of the famous painting Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh as well as the set of the famous Roman Coliseum.

    We also interviewed one of the employees, Andrew. Andrew has been interested in Lego for practically his entire life of 35 years and more to come. His favorite Lego set ever is 1994’s Pizza to Go; despite its small size of 142 pieces, he likes it because it provides old memories of his youth, and presumably’ pizza is his favorite food.

    Andrew’s favorite set Pizza to Go from 1994
    Ninjago City set from the Ninjago Ctiy Movie

    Andrew’s favorite theme is Ninjago, one of Lego’s most successful franchises of all time as it has spawned multiple sets, a TV show, and even a movie. The largest set Andrew ever built is Ninjago City from the movie, which boasts 4,867 pieces and even has two companion sets Ninjago City Gardens and Ninjago City Docks.

    Another highlight of the event was the Lego Friends Edition, which featured detailed apartment sets with different segments of stores, including apartment complexes, providing a fun and interactive way to play with the characters from the cartoon series. Andrew, as a dedicated worker, took his time to explain the history of Lego and provided great insights about different sets.

    Even though some of us may not have made a purchase, the event sparked ideas for future purchases at Lego stores or other retailers such as Target, Barnes and Noble, and more. Overall, the event was a great opportunity for attendees to learn more about Lego and explore different sets, and also to learn from Andrew’s insights and experience from the Lake Grove store in New York.

  • Appetizers or the full course ?

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    Stay tuned for our new book

    App-solutely the finest

    Small Bites, Big Taste

    by Christine and Scott

    Appetizers appear simultaneously in England and America in the 1860s, mainly to provide a global counterpart for the French ” hors d’ oeuvre.” Also called finger foods, these little bites have popped up in one form or another in practically every civilization since ancient times. One may say it was an instinctual evolutionary throwback to our hunting and gathering days of fruits and nuts.

    As the founder of Autisticana, I asked one of my newsmakers what the difference was between the two.

    Lisette replied,”” appetizers are usually served in restaurants or before you usually have a big meal.

    She then said, ” Hors d’ oeuvre is typically served at parties as one-bite meals.

    As investigators, we then researched the difference and this is what we found.

    Appetizers and hors d’oeuvres are similar in that they are both small bites of food that are served before a meal. However, there are some key differences between the two.

    One key difference is the time at which they are served. Hors d’oeuvres are typically served before the meal even begins, while appetizers tend to indicate the beginning of the meal. Another difference is that hors d’oeuvres are not considered to be part of the meal, whereas appetizers are usually chosen specifically to complement the following courses.

    In summary, Hors d’oeuvres and Appetizers are similar in that they are both small bites of food, but Hors d’oeuvres are typically served before the meal even begins, whereas Appetizers are usually chosen specifically to complement the following courses and are considered as a part of the meal.

    The literal meaning between the two is really about serving time. Hors d’ oeuvres are typically served before the meal even begins, while appetizers tend to indicate the beginning of the meal.

    Hors d’ oeuvre isn’t considered to be part of the meal, but appetizers are usually chosen specifically to compliment the following courses

    We asked the team if they prefer to eat a whole meal, or do they enjoy eating appetizers instead.

    They said they rather eat appetizers and dessert and call it a night!

  • What Makes me want to be like Barbara Walters

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    Barbra Walters has spoken to a lot of celebrities around the world and she was the first woman to change society and now women can forever be a news reporter. She was also the top 10 fascinating people around the world. Barbara Walters was determined to interview a lot of famous people around the globe even people that wanted to help others and advocated for people with develop disabilities and others with special talents and special needs. . Barbara also interviewed pop stars, princes, dictators, divas, world leaders, and so many other famous people which she was not afraid to speak to on her show. She was the best female interviewer in the world and was not afraid to talk to people from all different backgrounds and generations. She was also the first Co-Host of a U.S. news program. She and Harry Reasoner co-anchored the ABC Evening News from 1976 to 1978, which makes her a historic moment to be the very first U.S. female network news anchor which is something interesting. She was also on The View which made history about women running their own national television show. She also interviewed people at the biggest events around the world. She unique model is that fact that she interviewed people in a special way and she had a very special type of talent that very little amount of people can do but Barbra Walters could. She used to work for ABC News and 20/20. She became a journalist because she always wants to make news stories and every detail.

    She had a sister name Jackie which she was on the Autism Spectrum which back then they used to called “mentally retardation” which it was an old term that Autism wasn’t a thing at the time of that period. She helped Jackie to show her how to have empathy and compassion , this way she could grow and develop her independence. Part of the reason that she looked after Jackie made her realize that she wanted to be in the show business and news reporter in the first place.

    Why do I want to interview people?,Because Christine has taught us through her years with Barbara that she was not afraid to interview anyone even if they sounded strange to the world and people thought that their personality, politics, sexuality, lifestyle, was not accepted. She had respect and saw inside of the thoughts or talked about what was going on in the world. Barbara professed a dream to be a professional journalist. The show 20/20 gave Barbara Walters a whole different kind of platform which she can combined emotional interviews with hard edge news. She has empathy for everyone around the world that very little amount of people on their prospective side. She was able to deal with people that were convicted criminals or admitted to cheat on someone which she was not afraid to talk about, and interviewed and saw them as human beings. She was unafraid to promote every interview in a different light. . She was self coached and didn’t think it realize about all she had done for others. . Barbara Walters used all of her techniques to show the sense of humor, her sense of outrage and her sense of curiosity which people could be aware if they want to study being a therapist or a person who loved to bring up questions.

    What inspired me to be like her is that she is very open minded at people and let them speak from their heart and not push them. want to talk about like some people don’t wanna talk about certain topics like most of the time .Christine does the same with our news group and has taught us the same. I would not mind if something is going through someone’s mind I just want to help. She is a good interviewer and a good listener because she know what’s she’s doing. Barbra Walters worked hard to get ready for the interview so she can get ready for the big interview like the toughest questions or the top headline of the day.

    Our coach Christine taught us to be like and the lessons she learned to pay it forward to all of us to be the best we can be and help others. We have all become investigators and news reporters because of Christine in honor of Barbara and her sister Jackie. Dr. Christine has helped us to to use our voice. if I want to ask someone a question or I am meeting someone at a greet local business like we have done in the past , like going to the dealership or a gym or bakery or local events. This is a good opportunity that we have the chance to go on sn interview and ask them a few questions about the business or history about the place they started and are passionate about. We learned how to talk about our company Autisticana , and see what we can do to raise awareness about the Neurodiversity community that we can show case our amazing special talents.

    The reason why the whole Autisticana Crew should be like her is because she had the inspiration of interviewing people for their entrepreneurial careers and what is like to work for the company, or what brings you the idea of developing the company. This whole team would be interested to meet and greet with people around the country and soon talk to people around the globe. This could be the opportunity to interview, staffs, celebrities or former athletes and possibly local legends that once accomplished their dream and passion during their famous careers. Someday we are going to be local heroes of what we accomplished in helping others. We @autisticana are excited what the future holds and thank coach Christine for pushing us to be are best selves and have a purposeful life just like Barbara Walters taught her.
    We never knew who Barbara was because we are young but Christine always tells us how proud she would have been for all of us and what we are doing as a team. We hope others will join us so we are stronger as a team to help others that are sad and ostracized by society. Barbara paved the path for

    Wonan, we are paving the path for people with disabilities. Thank you Christine and Barbara for helping and caring.

    Scott Weisbrot. CEO of Autisticana

    ” A news media company that is going to sweep the nation.”

    “We are a non profit and hope the right sponsors will come in so Christine who has done everything can have help bringing us to the top. “

  • Charles Dickens’s Festival in Port Jeff

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    It was on the 5th of December, 2022 which we stopped by at Toast in Port Jefferson which they also have another location in Patchogue. The whole group went out for some brunch and had a wonderful time with delicious food and had some interesting conversations. I had Cinnamon bun pancakes which it was really delicious out of this world. There has to be stories about Scrooge and his life and time in the Victorian Era in the United Kingdom. Knowing old times of England is really good to know about their history and their past generations.

    We got to the Charles Dickens Festival Port Jefferson, New York. Next we stopped by to see some interesting events and people being all dressed up for “A Christmas Carol” which it was Charles Dickens famous plays in the local theatre for the performing arts. The show also popular in books, tv shows, movies, live plays, and other media sites. There was a campfire where everyone gathered and roast up their marshmallow with the whole crowd. I also saw a couple of people dressed up as Ebenezer Scrooge and saw other people being all dressed as people of London during the Industrial Revolution. Going back to the 1800s was interesting to see what was life back then. I took a picture with Ebenezer Scrooge with the cast of the “A Christmas Carol” and saw so much more live events. I saw a group of singing carol’s and then saw a horse on a wagon carried passengers around the Town Centre. At the end we saw the fire truck and get to see Santa Claus.

  • The Retreat House of Autisticana in the Hudson Valley Region

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    The first thing that Dr. Christine and I did was that we stopped by at the Cafe called Golden Russet Cafe & Grocery. It was a Cafe and Grocery Store which is very interesting and it only happens in less populated areas especially in the woodlands or the rural suburbs.

    I ordered myself a bacon and egg and cheese sandwich with tomato which was really delicious.

    There was a play room and a reading station for the kids while the grownups got to have coffee time with friends and family. I thought that was a great idea !

    I was able to meet Jenny( the owner) so Christine and I interviewed her about the place and how she and her husband ran it so successfully. We also got to discover the beautiful historic houses, a local farm, and a local brewery around Rhinebeck. We also visited the Omega institute which is the most famous health and holistic retreat center in the United States.

    Afterwards, we stopped by at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, a hamlet in Dutchess County, New York. We saw a very old tree which was over 350 years old, It is called the survivor tree as Christine always teaches us the tree pose and how to stand tall with resilience. ,

    I also thought it would be a very nice spot for holiday tourism or a weekend for a day trip in the area.

    When we drove to Poughkeepsie, there was a section of Marist College which is near the downtown area of Poughkeepsie.

    We also had great exercise and spa time at Mike Arteaga’s Health and Fitness

    We got to go swimming in a great salt water pool, and there was a hot tub included and a cold plunge and sauna that we rotated over and over for detox

    There’s also a cardio room in a movie theatre room where you can go on the treadmill while watching a movie. That was so cool , and we made a pact to go tomorrow again at 7 am.

    Then we got onto our obligation to wash our service animal doggies ( Mabel n Moon and company , of which their books are coming at soon!)

    Foam and wash is also a car wash which opens 24 hours a day. Two for one ! As conscious and accountable news makers, Christine has taught us how to really effectively multi task.

    Afterwards, we drove through the Mid Hudson Bridge which was beautiful with the rainbow lighting on the bridge which was meant to be as it represents us at Autisticana.

    Finally we drove all the way to Kingston to stop by at a progressive urban book store called “The Rough Draft Bar” and Books, which it’s a cafe where writers can work on their blogs or their upcoming books. The place was very interesting and we ended the night with a healthy and delicious dinner.

    I had a nice adventure and a great trip around the Mid Hudson Valley.

    The Cold Plunge Challenge for Autisticana

  • My Car Breakdown situation

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    When I was handing out flyers countywide, I was about to help a nice guy name Scott which his car broke down and then my car broke down because mine is out of juice and the original battery was no longer working. I thought my car broke down for a meltdown which it turns out that I had no more juice left for the battery. Then I called roadside assistance for help and they came to fix my car but mine has a different type of battery because mine is a hybrid which it wouldn’t work. Then I called Dr. Grimaldi to help me stay calm while being stuck at a parking lot after sunset because I would feel terrified if I was on the shoulder of the highway then been strained in a parking lot. I talked to her on the phone as long the long wait for assistance available. Luckily there was a very nice guy name Kevin but everybody calls him “Big Irish” which he was very helpful to see the problem. I turned off the car and then turned on to press the pedal but the won’t start. We talked afterwards while waiting for the tow truck. Then Brett came to the scene to wait for the tow truck so I can go to the garage. In the meantime, John the Security came to the scene because Kevin has another situation for the next hour and The tow truck didn’t arrived for nearly 2 hours but however I wanted to take my car closer to home because it would be impossible to go back to get the car from the nearby of the scene. I brought in fun and entertainment while waiting. The guys were very helpful and never left by my side until the tow truck arrived because they wanna make sure I’m safe while staying in the scene especially at night. By the time when it was nearly the hour before midnight, the tow truck finally arrived and I was grateful that came in and it was a night to remember.

    I was able to drop it off at my local garage to get my car fixed but it doesn’t have the battery for them hybrid so I called the insurance company to drop it off at the my dealership where I got my Prius. Hopefully the car lasts up to 150,000 to 200,000 miles. Within the next year or two.