We had bitter cold overnight, with temperatures in the single digits, far below normal even for January.

I got home from work a little after 3:30. At about 11 p.m., I looked out the back window of the apartment and realized that the dome light in my car was on. I put a coat on and went out to the car and tried to start it. Nothing.

This morning, I tried again to start it. Nothing. I had a co-worker come and give me a jump start. I let the car run five minutes before leaving and a minute or two after I got to the newspaper. But it apparently wasn’t enough; when I went out at mid-morning to check, the car once again wouldn’t start.

I got my co-worker to give me another jump start. I suspected — and hoped — the problem was just that I hadn’t let the battery charge long enough in the morning, especially since the temperature was so cold. But I wanted to make sure my battery was OK; it’s several years old. I let the car run for a good 10, 15 minutes, then I drove it to AutoZone and left the engine running while I went inside.

The AutoZone clerk informed me that their battery tester was broken.

I got back in the car and drove to Advance Auto Parts. This time, I forgot to leave the car running. I went on inside anyway.

The Advance clerk informed me that their battery tester was broken.

Fortunately, when I went back out to the car, it started up. I drove it to the gas station and left the motor running while I filled up, then I brought it back to the paper and let it run a while longer.

Hopefully, all I needed was a good charge, and I’ll be fine from this point forward. I have to go to Estill Springs this afternoon and to Nashville on Sunday, so this would not be a good weekend for me to have car trouble.