Ahh. Winter. The cold, the touch of snow - ok wait a sec. I'm getting Cabin Fever!!!
The missus and I and family noticed that we were in for some unseasonably warm weather at the coast this weekend. So, we got into the "family truckster", grabbed our travel trailer, braved the coast range pass and headed to Cannon Beach, OR for the weekend.
It was beautiful. Sunny, VERY warm for this time of year - 60 - 70 degrees Fahrenheit - and worth every second. Our little dog Jake (a rat terrier) got to dig to his heart's content at the beach - at last check he made a 6" trench about six or so feet long. He had FUN. Heather and the kids played in the sand while I dinked around the trailer - checking things out from the zero degree weather we had earlier this winter - and just lazed about a bit.
We went to Astoria and bought one Dungeoness crab, some Alaskan scallops, a couple of steaks, and had a FEAST for dinner, most fresh from the ocean. The crab was wondering what he was going to have for dinner only hours before he became dinner for us. We got a fairish amount of firewood for the campfire, only to learn that it was very damp and unseasoned. I finally got it to burn, but not before smoking out some of the RV park we were staying in.
We got back this evening to high wind warnings and COLD temps, but it was worth it to break the routine a tad. It was something wonderful :)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Survivorman vs. Man vs Wild
Les Stroud is my hero. Every week, for MY entertainment (and some possible chance of pointing out an actual survival tip or two) he goes out for a week at some remote location. Sometimes he is in a jungle, sometimes in a boat, sometimes in the arctic, sometimes in arboreal forests - but EVERY TIME he's alone. No camera crew, no one there, just him, the camera gear - and Nature.
Then there is Bear Grylls. Nice enough guy, entertaining, but travels with a camera crew and sometimes gets "presented" with treacherous circumstances so he can "demonstrate" a survival technique.
Although I appreciate Mr. Grylls technical abilities, Mr. Stroud is REAL. No survival techniques that he isn't NEEDING at that moment. And all alone.
So, as I sit back on my rather soft couch, here's to you Les Stroud. Keepin it real for the masses.
Until next time.........
Then there is Bear Grylls. Nice enough guy, entertaining, but travels with a camera crew and sometimes gets "presented" with treacherous circumstances so he can "demonstrate" a survival technique.
Although I appreciate Mr. Grylls technical abilities, Mr. Stroud is REAL. No survival techniques that he isn't NEEDING at that moment. And all alone.
So, as I sit back on my rather soft couch, here's to you Les Stroud. Keepin it real for the masses.
Until next time.........
What can I say?
I have had to take a LONG pause from blogging. It seems that with the pressures of a new job, moving to a new house, moving my 84ish year old mother from SC to here, and just the day to day challenge of being me took it's toll - so here I sit. My loving wife MadMom - who's blog exists here - has taken over the torch for a bit as I try to recuperate. I guess it's time to start typing again, even though there will be many times I say little more than "Hi There!" as I pass through. Trust me. I'm not dead after all - just dead tired :)
Doc
Doc
Friday, November 10, 2006
Not forgotten, just busy as hell
Well I am in Beaufort, SC again. It was time for my annual pilgrimage to my mother's house to perform whatever minutiae my mom has for me, and to do some hard talking with her. Like, what are we going to do when you can't stay here anymore?
The years are advancing, and it was time to be realistic. And it was time to pin her down with what she wanted to do, and compare that with what was fiscally going to happen. We are in the midst of those talks. With limited success, I might add.
I appreciate her lack of enthusiasm when talking about her mortality and various infirmaties. Personally, I have a LARGE issue with my own mortality. However, it had to be done, so my brother and I headed out here together to see what we could do.
It's not fun, by the way.
In other news, I am off to the "body and fender shop" as it were, to have work done on my rather prominent nose. Due to bad living as a kid, bar fights or simple bad luck, I have a septum that, rather than being straight, meanders about like two miles of Appalachian road.
So, it appears that they will be peeling me like a bananna, fixing it, and returning it to it's previous position - with the hope that it will no longer peep around corners when I walk up to them.
Personally, I am scared to death. I hate doctors. I know they are good guys, but sheesh. I still hate em. End of discussion.
Oh and by the way, those who know of my love of Smithfield ham will be pleased to know that I have scored a wonderful, 16 pounder for my Christmas dinner.
YEE HAAAHHH!!!!!!!!!!
I miss you all -
Especially my favorite MadMom.
The years are advancing, and it was time to be realistic. And it was time to pin her down with what she wanted to do, and compare that with what was fiscally going to happen. We are in the midst of those talks. With limited success, I might add.
I appreciate her lack of enthusiasm when talking about her mortality and various infirmaties. Personally, I have a LARGE issue with my own mortality. However, it had to be done, so my brother and I headed out here together to see what we could do.
It's not fun, by the way.
In other news, I am off to the "body and fender shop" as it were, to have work done on my rather prominent nose. Due to bad living as a kid, bar fights or simple bad luck, I have a septum that, rather than being straight, meanders about like two miles of Appalachian road.
So, it appears that they will be peeling me like a bananna, fixing it, and returning it to it's previous position - with the hope that it will no longer peep around corners when I walk up to them.
Personally, I am scared to death. I hate doctors. I know they are good guys, but sheesh. I still hate em. End of discussion.
Oh and by the way, those who know of my love of Smithfield ham will be pleased to know that I have scored a wonderful, 16 pounder for my Christmas dinner.
YEE HAAAHHH!!!!!!!!!!
I miss you all -
Especially my favorite MadMom.
Monday, October 09, 2006
A word from George Carlin
I saw this at a friend's blog today. I figured I'd heist it because it has value today...
"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more c copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind."
"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more c copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind."
Hey - two days in a row!
See? Told you I'd write some more. Heather and I put up 5 more quarts of applesauce and 8 more apple jelly jars. I LOVE homemade applesauce and jelly. Turned out good I think!
Back to work tomorrow... I love my shift, but it's so hard to go back to work after a 4 day weekend. In a couple of weeks, Heather and I and the kids will be going somewhere for our "last hurrah" camping trip. Actually, camping is kind of a strong word for it, as we have a 30' trailer with a/c, heat, and satellite TV. Oh well, I was a cub scout, boy scout, life scout, and assistant cubmaster. I'm done with tents for now :)!!! Maybe we'll go up to Spokane or near Mt. St. Helens. Whatever we do, it'll be fun.
Some folks that Heather works with are surprised that I like to "can" things. Personally, I like the feeling of accomplishment when you see those glittering jars full of jams or jellies or spiced peaches or brandied pears and the like - knowing that they were just a box of apples or pears or peaches you needed to do something with before they spoiled.
If I could ever successfully grow tomatoes here, I'd put them up too. Wonder what I'll put up now?
Until our next -
Back to work tomorrow... I love my shift, but it's so hard to go back to work after a 4 day weekend. In a couple of weeks, Heather and I and the kids will be going somewhere for our "last hurrah" camping trip. Actually, camping is kind of a strong word for it, as we have a 30' trailer with a/c, heat, and satellite TV. Oh well, I was a cub scout, boy scout, life scout, and assistant cubmaster. I'm done with tents for now :)!!! Maybe we'll go up to Spokane or near Mt. St. Helens. Whatever we do, it'll be fun.
Some folks that Heather works with are surprised that I like to "can" things. Personally, I like the feeling of accomplishment when you see those glittering jars full of jams or jellies or spiced peaches or brandied pears and the like - knowing that they were just a box of apples or pears or peaches you needed to do something with before they spoiled.
If I could ever successfully grow tomatoes here, I'd put them up too. Wonder what I'll put up now?
Until our next -
Boy am I out of touch.
Long time no type. Where to begin?
Rather than try to catch up, I guess it's time to start anew. I thought long and hard on what I wanted the blog to look like, and I think it is better off as a place for my thoughts and ideas, less political and more day to day observations. Sometimes I think of myself as a humorist, other times a pundit, and usually I am wandering out there trying to make the best of a bad situation.
Well in the spirit of the "Truth in Blogging Act" I guess I should add that my situations of late have been many things, but BAD really isn't one of them. I have a loving wife, two kids that, in the great scheme of things, aren't too bad, and my health is returning. Life is just not that bad.
Annual bouts of cold/flu/ear infections are now mostly past. I am a new devotee of the effects of age though. I now have to take medication for high blood pressure. I suspect that if I lost a fair amount of fat that's hanging off the bones here though, I would no longer require it. We'll see.
The first of the year is the date I have set aside for quitting smoking. I have smoked over 30 of my 43 years. I suspect it is now time I quit. Hell, I suspect it's PAST time I quit. My wife of 15 years is CERTAIN it's time for me to quit. Sigh. I'm certain it won't kill me. Lots of people don't smoke. I'll manage somehow.
I've kinda let this blog go by the wayside as I gathered my thoughts, ideas and just plain got my arse out of the rut it was in. Let's see if I have succeeded.
Rather than try to catch up, I guess it's time to start anew. I thought long and hard on what I wanted the blog to look like, and I think it is better off as a place for my thoughts and ideas, less political and more day to day observations. Sometimes I think of myself as a humorist, other times a pundit, and usually I am wandering out there trying to make the best of a bad situation.
Well in the spirit of the "Truth in Blogging Act" I guess I should add that my situations of late have been many things, but BAD really isn't one of them. I have a loving wife, two kids that, in the great scheme of things, aren't too bad, and my health is returning. Life is just not that bad.
Annual bouts of cold/flu/ear infections are now mostly past. I am a new devotee of the effects of age though. I now have to take medication for high blood pressure. I suspect that if I lost a fair amount of fat that's hanging off the bones here though, I would no longer require it. We'll see.
The first of the year is the date I have set aside for quitting smoking. I have smoked over 30 of my 43 years. I suspect it is now time I quit. Hell, I suspect it's PAST time I quit. My wife of 15 years is CERTAIN it's time for me to quit. Sigh. I'm certain it won't kill me. Lots of people don't smoke. I'll manage somehow.
I've kinda let this blog go by the wayside as I gathered my thoughts, ideas and just plain got my arse out of the rut it was in. Let's see if I have succeeded.
Friday, August 05, 2005
I hijacked another quiz thingy.
Got this from Sharon - you are supposed to x the things you've done.
(X) been in love
(X) been dumped
(X) shoplifted
(X) been fired
(X) been in a fist fight
(X) been skiing - [Well in the loosest sense of the word]
(X) met someone from the internet!
(X) been at a concert
(x) taken painkillers
(X) love someone or miss someone right now
(X) laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by
(X) made a snow angel
(X) had a tea party - Once, for my daughter
(X) flown a kite
(X) built a sand castle
(X) gone puddle jumping
( ) played dress up
(X) jumped into a pile of leaves
(X) gone sledding
(X) cheated while playing a game
(X) been lonely
(X) fallen asleep at work/school
(X) used a fake ID
(X) watched the sun set
(X) felt an earthquake
(X) slept beneath the stars
(X) been tickled
(X) been robbed
(X) been in a car crash
(X) had braces
(X) felt like an outcast/third person
(X) eaten a whole pint of ice cream in one night - ooo yes - Haagen Daz
(X) had deja vu
(X) danced in the moonlight
(X) liked the way you looked
(X) witnessed a crime
(X) cried yourself to sleep
(X) played cops and robbers
(X) recently colored with crayons
(X) sung karaoke
(X) paid for a meal with only coins
(X) done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(X) made prank phone calls
(X) laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(X) caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) danced in the rain
(X) written a letter to Santa Claus
(X) been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) watched the sun rise with someone you care about
(X) blown bubbles
(X) made a bonfire on the beach
( ) crashed a party
(X) gone rollerskating
(X) had a wish come true
( ) jumped off a bridge
(X) ate dog/cat food - I was 5 :)
(X) told a complete stranger you loved them
( ) kissed a mirror
(X) sang in the shower
(X) had a dream that you married someone
(X) glued your hand to something
(X) kissed a fish
(X) sat on a roof top
(X) stayed up all night
(X) picked and ate an apple right off the tree
(X) climbed a tree
(X) had a tree house
( ) scared to watch a scary movie alone
(x) believe in ghosts
( ) have more than 30 pairs of shoes
(X) worn a really ugly outfit to school
(X) gone streaking
(X) gone doorbell ditching
(X) pushed into a pool/hot tub with all your clothes on
( ) told you're hot by a complete stranger
(X) broken a bone
(X) been easily amused
(X) caught a fish then ate it
(X) caught a butterfly
(X) loved someone so much you would gladly die for then.
Copy and Paste then p lace a X by all the things you've done and send it to all of your friends. A bit of fun. Remember, these answers go all the way back to your childhood!
(X) smoked a cigarette
(X) crashed a friend's car
( ) stolen a car
(X) smoked a cigarette
(X) crashed a friend's car
( ) stolen a car
(X) been in love
(X) been dumped
(X) shoplifted
(X) been fired
(X) been in a fist fight
(X) snuck out of your parent's house
(X) had feelings for someone who didn't have them back.(Don't we all?????)
(X) had feelings for someone who didn't have them back.(Don't we all?????)
(X) been arrested
(X) gone on a blind date
(X) lied to a friend
(X) skipped school
(X) seen someone die
( ) had a crush on one of your internet friends
(X) been to Canada
(X) been to Mexico
(X) been on a plane
( ) purposely set a part of yourself on fire - [Not on purpose :)]
(X) eaten sushi
(X) lied to a friend
(X) skipped school
(X) seen someone die
( ) had a crush on one of your internet friends
(X) been to Canada
(X) been to Mexico
(X) been on a plane
( ) purposely set a part of yourself on fire - [Not on purpose :)]
(X) eaten sushi
(X) been skiing - [Well in the loosest sense of the word]
(X) met someone from the internet!
(X) been at a concert
(x) taken painkillers
(X) love someone or miss someone right now
(X) laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by
(X) made a snow angel
(X) had a tea party - Once, for my daughter
(X) flown a kite
(X) built a sand castle
(X) gone puddle jumping
( ) played dress up
(X) jumped into a pile of leaves
(X) gone sledding
(X) cheated while playing a game
(X) been lonely
(X) fallen asleep at work/school
(X) used a fake ID
(X) watched the sun set
(X) felt an earthquake
(X) slept beneath the stars
(X) been tickled
(X) been robbed
(X) been misunderstood - Daily. It's called parenthood. Or Marriage.
(X) petted a reindeer/goat/kangaroo - GOAT :)
(X) petted a reindeer/goat/kangaroo - GOAT :)
(X) won a contest
(X) run a red light/stop sign
(X) been suspended from school
(X) run a red light/stop sign
(X) been suspended from school
(X) been in a car crash
(X) had braces
(X) felt like an outcast/third person
(X) eaten a whole pint of ice cream in one night - ooo yes - Haagen Daz
(X) had deja vu
(X) danced in the moonlight
(X) liked the way you looked
(X) witnessed a crime
(X) questioned your heart
( ) been obsessed with post-it notes
(X) squished barefoot through the mud
(X) been lost
(X) been on the opposite side of the country
(X) swam in the ocean
( ) felt like dying
( ) been obsessed with post-it notes
(X) squished barefoot through the mud
(X) been lost
(X) been on the opposite side of the country
(X) swam in the ocean
( ) felt like dying
(X) cried yourself to sleep
(X) played cops and robbers
(X) recently colored with crayons
(X) sung karaoke
(X) paid for a meal with only coins
(X) done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(X) made prank phone calls
(X) laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(X) caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) danced in the rain
(X) written a letter to Santa Claus
(X) been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) watched the sun rise with someone you care about
(X) blown bubbles
(X) made a bonfire on the beach
( ) crashed a party
(X) gone rollerskating
(X) had a wish come true
( ) jumped off a bridge
(X) ate dog/cat food - I was 5 :)
(X) told a complete stranger you loved them
( ) kissed a mirror
(X) sang in the shower
(X) had a dream that you married someone
(X) glued your hand to something
(X) kissed a fish
(X) sat on a roof top
(X) screamed at the top of your lungs
( ) done a one-handed cartwheel
(X) talked on the phone for more than 5 hours
( ) done a one-handed cartwheel
(X) talked on the phone for more than 5 hours
(X) stayed up all night
(X) picked and ate an apple right off the tree
(X) climbed a tree
(X) had a tree house
( ) scared to watch a scary movie alone
(x) believe in ghosts
( ) have more than 30 pairs of shoes
(X) worn a really ugly outfit to school
(X) gone streaking
(X) gone doorbell ditching
(X) pushed into a pool/hot tub with all your clothes on
( ) told you're hot by a complete stranger
(X) broken a bone
(X) been easily amused
(X) caught a fish then ate it
(X) caught a butterfly
(X) laughed so hard you cried
(X) cried so hard you laughed
( ) cheated on a test
(X) forgotten someone's name
( ) french braided someone's hair.
(X) gone skinny dipping in a pool/hot tub
( ) been threatened to be kicked out of your house or been kicked out of your house
(X) cried so hard you laughed
( ) cheated on a test
(X) forgotten someone's name
( ) french braided someone's hair.
(X) gone skinny dipping in a pool/hot tub
( ) been threatened to be kicked out of your house or been kicked out of your house
(X) loved someone so much you would gladly die for then.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Faith in humanity.
Hello all. Glad to be back in the blogger's seat. Had some bad things happen, and some great things happen. Here goes...
Madmom and I have dealt with Suburban issues of one form or another since we bought the beastie from our uncle-in-law. Not really his fault, nor ours, it just wasn't up to what we wanted to do with it. So finally, in a fit of exasperation, I took my little blue Topaz and traded it in on a 87 Suburban. Had lots of goodies, power door locks, 4 speed auto trans, a fuel injected 350, 4wd (which is important given the type of work that I do - during disasters, I must be available at a moments notice to go wherever I have to. It doesn't matter if it's raining, sleeting, snowing, or dropping giant frogs from space... I gotta go...) air conditioning, etc. And I got it at a good price.
So, off we set out, the day after buying it, with trailer in tow to go spend a week at the beach. Kids were off to summer camp, so it was just Madmom and the Doc. There is no better bliss than a week with one's spouse.... alone. We got 30 miles outside of town, and the transmission dies. So, we limp home, grateful that it came with a warranty. However, I should have read the warranty more closely. It covers 50% parts and labor, and then only at one specific garage. The garage of choice was 110% of taking it to a regular transmission shop and getting it repaired. In other words, it was simply cheaper for me to repair it myself.
This in mind, I had just taken all of my savings plus my good running beep beep, and used it to get the Suburban I just bought. Needless to say, we were in a pickle. We decided to pull the trailer with our mini-van, which it will do albeit under protest. We took the kids to camp, had 3 fun filled days at the coast, won 150 bucks playing bingo at the Indian run casino in Lincoln City, and came home yesterday to figure out what we are going to do next. It was galling at best to just look at my "new" car and know that I wouldn't have the money to fix it for a month.
So now to the title of my story... I was describing my problem to a mechanic friend of mine... and he said we'll figure something out. Well, what he figured out was that his uncle owns a transmission shop, so we took it today to get it fixed. I assumed it was on an account, and I'd have no problem making it up to him prior to his bill. I assumed wrong. He is going to just pay for it, and tells me we'll sort it out later. I was shocked ... remember we are talking a thousand bucks here. He ain't rich either. But he just said these things happen, and we'll sort it out.
As I'm typing this, I am almost in tears... but they are tears of joy, not sadness or anger. The fellow helping us is a good friend, but not one of long term... we've only known him a year or so. I guarantee we'll do something nice for him and his missus... on top of repaying him... out to dinner at Ruth's Criss or Morton's of Chicago comes to mind. I also re-learned faith... both in friends, family and my God. I can assure you that this guy would never think of himself as an "angel" at any level.
But he is, just the same. Thanks my friend.... and I am listening for the bells that tell me you got your wings.
Until our next.....
Madmom and I have dealt with Suburban issues of one form or another since we bought the beastie from our uncle-in-law. Not really his fault, nor ours, it just wasn't up to what we wanted to do with it. So finally, in a fit of exasperation, I took my little blue Topaz and traded it in on a 87 Suburban. Had lots of goodies, power door locks, 4 speed auto trans, a fuel injected 350, 4wd (which is important given the type of work that I do - during disasters, I must be available at a moments notice to go wherever I have to. It doesn't matter if it's raining, sleeting, snowing, or dropping giant frogs from space... I gotta go...) air conditioning, etc. And I got it at a good price.
So, off we set out, the day after buying it, with trailer in tow to go spend a week at the beach. Kids were off to summer camp, so it was just Madmom and the Doc. There is no better bliss than a week with one's spouse.... alone. We got 30 miles outside of town, and the transmission dies. So, we limp home, grateful that it came with a warranty. However, I should have read the warranty more closely. It covers 50% parts and labor, and then only at one specific garage. The garage of choice was 110% of taking it to a regular transmission shop and getting it repaired. In other words, it was simply cheaper for me to repair it myself.
This in mind, I had just taken all of my savings plus my good running beep beep, and used it to get the Suburban I just bought. Needless to say, we were in a pickle. We decided to pull the trailer with our mini-van, which it will do albeit under protest. We took the kids to camp, had 3 fun filled days at the coast, won 150 bucks playing bingo at the Indian run casino in Lincoln City, and came home yesterday to figure out what we are going to do next. It was galling at best to just look at my "new" car and know that I wouldn't have the money to fix it for a month.
So now to the title of my story... I was describing my problem to a mechanic friend of mine... and he said we'll figure something out. Well, what he figured out was that his uncle owns a transmission shop, so we took it today to get it fixed. I assumed it was on an account, and I'd have no problem making it up to him prior to his bill. I assumed wrong. He is going to just pay for it, and tells me we'll sort it out later. I was shocked ... remember we are talking a thousand bucks here. He ain't rich either. But he just said these things happen, and we'll sort it out.
As I'm typing this, I am almost in tears... but they are tears of joy, not sadness or anger. The fellow helping us is a good friend, but not one of long term... we've only known him a year or so. I guarantee we'll do something nice for him and his missus... on top of repaying him... out to dinner at Ruth's Criss or Morton's of Chicago comes to mind. I also re-learned faith... both in friends, family and my God. I can assure you that this guy would never think of himself as an "angel" at any level.
But he is, just the same. Thanks my friend.... and I am listening for the bells that tell me you got your wings.
Until our next.....
Saturday, July 09, 2005
From all of us in the USA to Great Britain
You have stood beside us and have been staunch allies through thick and thin. This blogger and American remembers that. I have been on the line. And should it come to that - for us, US, or you... I will stand the line again. God bless you all.
The Doc.
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