Saturday, January 2
At the light by the grocery store, Toledo. '97 Ford Taurus.
I'M NOT STOCKING UP FOR Y2K. I JUST LIKE SOUP.
First entry of the year, and the earliest start since 1981. Joanna says that's only because we were at the grocery store more than usual this week. Buying soup.

Wednesday, January 13
Toledo, after the snow. '92 Pontiac Grand Am, buried, except for one clean rectangle on the bumper.
BRUSHED OFF THE STICKER. THE REST IS YOUR PROBLEM.
Speaking as an appraiser, the rear window was the real problem. Speaking as a reader, I'd say he had his priorities in order.

Monday, February 15
Maumee. '95 Mercury Sable.
THIS CAR IS DRIVEN BY A MAN WHO REMEMBERED VALENTINE'S DAY
The day after Valentine's Day, and the sticker was brand-new. My guess is his wife put it there, so the neighbors would know. Joanna's guess is that she put it there because he did not remember, and it was a warning for next year.

Saturday, February 27
No sticker today. This page went up on the Internet. Joanna read it through and said my rules were too long. They have been the same length since 1974.

Saturday, March 27
At the light by the river, Maumee. '94 Chevy S-10.
WALLEYE RUN: CALL MY OFFICE. I WON'T BE THERE.
Waders and a net in the bed. He meant it.

Thursday, April 15
Toledo, 5:40 in the afternoon. '96 Honda Accord.
I FILED MY TAXES. NOW I'M DRIVING AROUND TO CALM DOWN.
He was headed toward the post office, not away from it, with an envelope on the dashboard. I don't believe he'd filed yet. I'd bet on it.

Saturday, May 8
Sylvania. '98 Dodge Grand Caravan.
THIS VAN IS DRIVEN BY THE PERSON WHO KNOWS WHERE YOUR SHOES ARE
The day before Mother's Day. I hope somebody in that van noticed. Joanna had me read it to her twice.

Saturday, May 22
Toledo. '89 Ford Taurus wagon.
OUR LAST ONE GRADUATES IN JUNE. THE STATION WAGON IS FOR SALE.
There was a FOR SALE sign in the back window as well, with a telephone number. I don't write down telephone numbers. I did think about it. Good tires.

Friday, June 11
Perrysburg. '93 Plymouth Acclaim.
IF I PULL OVER SUDDENLY, IT'S A GARAGE SALE. GO AROUND.
She pulled over suddenly three blocks later. It was a garage sale. I went around.

Sunday, July 4
Toledo. '76 Chevy Nova, light blue.
HAPPY 200TH, AMERICA. YOU DON'T LOOK A DAY OVER 150.
I wrote this car down the first time on July 4, 1976, in Notebook No. 3, at a light about a mile from this one. Same car, same sticker, same owner, I'd guess, twenty-three years on. The red has faded to pink and the blue to almost nothing, and the car has held up better than the sticker has. Both Sundays, as it happens. It's the only car I've ever written down twice, and I made an exception to Rule 5 for it, because it isn't a second car. It's the same one, still going.

Tuesday, July 27
Toledo. '91 Chevy Corsica, all four windows down.
TOO HOT TO HONK. JUST PICTURE IT.
The driver was fanning herself with a church bulletin. The bank sign said a temperature I don't care to write down. Our air conditioning worked, and I felt I ought to apologize to her.

Saturday, August 14
Toledo. '96 Buick Skylark.
BEANIE BABIES ON BOARD. ALL TAGS ATTACHED.
About forty of them, lined up along the back window shelf, facing out, every tag on. In the sun. Somebody should tell her about the sun.

Monday, August 23
Sylvania. '97 Plymouth Voyager.
THE KIDS GO BACK SOON. I'VE ALREADY BOUGHT THE CAKE.
I don't know what the cake is for. I'm glad there's a cake.

Tuesday, August 31
Toledo. '94 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera.
Y2K PLAN: BED BY TEN. LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES.
Joanna and I have the same plan, minus the sticker.

Wednesday, September 1
Toledo. '66 Ford Falcon, original paint, a little sun on the roof.
NO COMPUTER UNDER THIS HOOD. Y2K, DO YOUR WORST.
He's right, too. Nothing on that car knows what year it is, the radio included. Latest entry. The notebook is back on the dashboard.