"Imagine the thrill in his father’s voice, when he stepped out into the garage and saw the teenage version of the guy-in-the-garage sawing his motorcycle frame in half. The motorcycle the dad had just co-signed a loan for. 'What do you think you’re doing?!' Dad says in a voice that caused neighbors the next block over to wonder what he thought he was doing."
This fun memory combined with current challenges of a husband and wife trying to park an RV together, along with daily miscommunication fills the pages of Parking Precious, with occasional breaks for some serious, and sometimes even sad, perspectives.
Off roading is a series of adventures and Parking Precious is a unique perspective of those adventures through the eyes of an off road wife and mother. Sherri’s Turn has long been one of the favorite columns in the pages of S&S Off Road Magazine. Parking Precious is a collection of some of the favorites over the years.
S&S Off Road Magazine was founded in the fall of 1982 by the husband and wife team of Steve (a.k.a. the guy-in-the-garage) and Sherri Kukla.
I read Parking Precious and thoroughly enjoyed it! I read it in two sittings and was wanting more after I finished. The stories were entertaining and a real invitation into the life of the author. In some ways I am “the guy in the garage,” but you’ll have to read the book to find out who that is! - Ned Peek, San Diego CA
PARKING PRECIOUS is a collection of Sherri Kukla's columns that appeared in S&S Off Road Magazine from 1992 to 2019. Her columns incorporate honesty, humor, pathos, and personal perspective on the human condition. Most readers will find their own similar experiences revealed in one or more of Sherri's well told tales, even if the circumstances are not identical. This reader found herself chuckling at the "oops" incidents, identifying in the miscommunications, sympathizing with the losses, and appreciating the well-expressed political/societal evaluations. One might say there is something for everyone in PARKING PRECIOUS. It's the perfect take-along while waiting to "lend a hand for just a minute." - Mary Smith, Former librarian and motorcycle fan
Reader Reviews
This book is a compilation of short stories/anecdotes, mostly centered around the interactions between "Guy in the Garage" and wife (written by "wife"). Most off roading, cycling, boating, camping and racing families will find the interactions very relatable. And if you are a "Guy in the Garage" or married to one, you will start to get an introspective view of the thoughts and feelings behind the actions of your partner. It made me much more appreciative of my wife and her willingness to put up with my garage time. I also found Parking Precious makes a great nightstand book. Due to relatively short chapters, there are easy places to stop, to avoid staying up too late. - Randy W., San Diego CA
A read that is entertaining, insightful, humorous and heartbreaking. What's it like living in a home where spouses are seemingly polar opposites, yet share similar ideals? This book has the humor of an old Abbott and Costello "Who's On First" routine, for those of you who remember them. Hint: You might find it in Chapter 6. Some of the chapters hit hard about the heartbreak that comes when dreams are dashed, and an aging parent's needs takes center stage. And what married couple can't relate to the back and forth banter that takes place when one sees things one way and the other differently? Expect to laugh, tear-up, but overall enjoy this book from Sherri. - Phil Noah, Kansas City KS