Project 365 – Day 7

Today we took Katie’s car in for work at Blake Automotive.  We’ve been taking our cars to John Blake for years.  He’s an independent garage owner, and works exclusively on Honda products.  We’ve been Honda owners for as long as we’ve been a family.  Years ago I circulated an email at work asking for a reliable Honda mechanic.  I was sick of dealerships and didn’t (don’t) trust them.  20 people must’ve replied, and almost all of them recommended John.  They gave recommendations in detail.  I remember one person saying he witnessed a single mother at the shop. She could not afford the required work.  He said John told her to pay what she could, and to come pay the rest when she was able to.

John is like family.  One of those you depend on and wouldn’t consider going to anyone else.  I trust him as far as the day is long.  He’s saved me lots of money, but never at the expense of quality or safety.  He takes no shortcuts.  There is none better.

Recently Kathy called him one morning, asking him about an oil light that popped on during her drive to work.  Not only did he tell her to not drive it, but he asked where she was and promptly drove 12 miles to see what was going on.  In this day and age?  In metro Atlanta?  I stopped by later in the day, and he would only let me pay him for the oil he added to her engine.  That’s the kind of guy John is.  He reminds me of people from my childhood in “small town” Tennessee.  Always helping others, most generous, and totally trustworthy.

I enjoy chatting when I visit … cars, family, hobbies, you name it.  He’s soft spoken and always makes time to talk.

I’ve admired his entry door since the first day I walked in.  It was an appropriate capture for today’s photo.  I thought of asking to take a pic of John in his shop, but I sensed he was busy and then a client walked in.  Maybe next time.  🙂

John, thanks for all you do for the Sisco girls and me!

Blake Automotive

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