With the kids back in school and crisp air blanketing the region, it's easy to remember time passes faster than our government can say stimulus. Speaking of stimulus, I recently had the opportunity to consider participating in the cash for clunkers program, but opted out.

You see, I drive a Pontiac Bonneville that gets about 25 miles per gallon, and trading her in for one of those fancy hybrids that runs on soybeans or cow manure and gets 9 bajillion miles per gallon (city) and 9.2 bajillion (highway) should've been a no-brainer. Having no brain, however, allowed me to think with my heart instead of my wallet, so I kept Bonnie parked quietly in the garage during the brouhaha.

She and I have been together a long time now, and this week on my way to work, she turned 100,000 miles at mile marker 53 on Interstate 79. Why I remember that I'm not sure, but it probably has something to do with me being a guy.

Bonnie returned the favor by requiring an oil change, some sort of repair on the oil pressure gauge and a potential tire rotation in the near future.

The car's primary care physician, Uncle Dave, however, tells me that there are plenty of years left for Bonnie so long as I take care of her. This means lots of long, extended drives on the highway, minimal "jack rabbit" starts and babying her by giving her plenty of clean oil and fluids for her diet. For a minute I thought he was actually diagnosing me.

With that said, it seems the Bonnie should be able to survive the existing health care debates as well, as I'm not ready to pull the plug just yet.

She and I have had some really great times together.

Long, slow drives along Route 68 in the autumn, allowing the leaves to fall like snow and careen over her hood bring a tear to my eye. And hearing her engine roar when I turn the ignition still puts an extra beat in my heart.

Sure the trunk shows some wear and tear, but that's what happens with age. I recently helped the situation by having Dave perform his magic so her trunk is as good as new.

Cheerios and gummy bears fill the seam lines between the seats and a couple of water stains mark the floor, showing signs that kids love Bonnie's tough interior, too.

She's been to Florida several times, South Carolina countless times and out east toward Philly and Harrisburg, providing safe, reliable transportation to the entire family.

Heck, she even acts like a rental car from time to time when guests come to visit who require a car so that they can motor around town to visit relatives. She hasn't complained once, and, in fact, I'd argue she actually enjoys the role of "utility" car for the entire family.

The best part, though, is that she's not intimidated by those itty-biddy tin cups zipping along the highway that run on a drop of gas. Instead, she knows that sometimes, maturity comes with age and one day, those tin cups will be sitting on a shelf collecting dust while her 3.8 liter engine continues to roar with excitement, eager to tackle the next curve, accelerate down the next straight away or carry a load of kids to some school event. That's her job.

So happy birthday to you, Bonnie! Congratulations on being the fourth car I've owned that cracked 100,000 miles, and I hope that our highways continue into the sunset for many more miles to come.

Christian Ola, a community columnist for the Butler Eagle, resides in Mars with his wife, son and daughter and can be reached at christianolacaol.com and through his Web site, www.christianola.com.