Eric always loved a little car, Matchbox, Hot Wheels, whatever.

"I've been such a good boy!" he'd tell me when he was little. "Can I please have a little car?" So how could a Mother resist when he asked in 1995 "Mom, can I please have this Van? I've been such a good boy!"

He found her at a Volkswagen Repair Shop in West Memphis, owned by a little German man, whose English we could barely understand. A couple from Connecticut had driven her to the last Grateful Dead concert here in Memphis. She died (the van) leaving Eric the opportunity of a lifetime to buy her for the bargain basement price of $300, which just happened to coincide with Christmas! (HO! HO! HO!)

We had to tow her home, and even though she sat on my patio for 6 months before we started the engine overhaul, you would have thought that Van had been on 100 trips! She quickly became the "hang out" for all Eric's friends. Bean bags, fringe and "Have a Grateful Day" stickers were plentiful, and she enjoyed this new decor both in and out.

After a rebuilt engine, and a replaced transmission, along with various other adjustments and tweaks, she has been his faithful daily driver for 6 years. Until, that sporty little yellow Ghia came on the scene, of course, that is another story. Now "Stella Blue" just sits in the driveway and looks "pretty!"

Bill’s NOTE: If Stella Blue could talk, what would she say? "I’m here. Dependable. When you need me. Like when you want to take me camping with you again. Just pat my fender once in a while and maybe hug my mirror."