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Comments: Sharon, what a beautiful memory - and a beauty of a car. On an icky note, As I looked over our Visa bill before paying it, I noted a charge for $24.95 for *WC ESSENTIALS FOR HOM 800-475-1942MN. I didn't recall this, so I phoned them. Seems I signed up for a membership in an online club that will allow me to buy stuff. Yep. It's a recurring charge and nope they can't reveal how or where or why I signed up because they have to protect their client. The person I spoke with should be glad she caught me on a weak day or I would have jumped through the phone line and done something bad. I suggested she credit our account, and I also if it happens again, the Attorney General of whatever state MN is the abbreviation for (well, I didn't really say that) would get involved. She replied with a cheery, "All right! We will issue a credit." Then I spoke to Visa's fraud department, and they are most interested in this company. Google that phone number, and you'll see I'm not the only intended victim. So, look over your credit card bills carefully. Last time this happened to us, it was billed as Executive Service for $7.95 a month (I'm obviously not a very high-level exec.) That one turned out to be from the Psychic Friends Network. There are crooks out there. I'm just saying.
Comments: Bill, now that you mention it - my meteoric discovery does bear a remarkable likeness to Kryptonite. I'll be cautious.
Comments: I just remembered a cute "car" story. In 1971, Randy and I were stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington and my parents flew up to see us and take a vacation. It was my mom's first time to fly and only the second for my dad. They rented a car so they could see the Pacific Northwest and Canada. I was so shocked when they drove up in a brand new, canary yellow Camaro that I couldn't even say a word. After all those years of driving family sedans, I guess my dad thought he'd live a little. They had a great time and dad loved the bucket seats. Dad was diagnosed with leukemia a few months after that and died in 1973. That was their last vacation and I always remember that car and the smile on my dad's face.
Comments: John, Alert! Alert! Don't touch that rock you found until tomorrow. If you start glowing in the dark tonite better go see the first Obamacare doc that will see you.
Comments: Cars: 1964 Dodge Dart - bought in 1972 with only 45,000 miles - really! 1970 International Scout - new, V-8, 4 speed, 4-wheel drive, solid metal, God I loved that vehicle. Wish I still had it! 1979 Chevy Monza - new, totalled it 18 months later 1980 Buick Regal - good car, used 1984 Olds Tornado - great car, used 1985 Jeep Cherokee Laredo - used, 4-wheel drive, loved it 1995 GMC Jimmy - new, runs a close second to the Scout 2004 Chevy Trailblazer - new, good Probably need a newer model in a year or two.
Comments: Barry, yes, of course I've done all that. Tires, batteries, automotive juices and flushings of all sorts. I said repairs. Things that break and have to be fixed. Like that bucket o' bolts '94 Chrysler David had that went through two trannies within 24,000 miles. Thank you, Betty and Cynthia. I have just started to feel human again after that mystery summer ailment.
Comments: When I woke up today it was a cool 69 degrees. Hasn't been that cool since June 4th. I decided it was the perfect weather to do a morning treasure hunt. About 6 weeks ago on eBay I bought a set of 22 copies of "Treasure Magazine" dating back to the 1970's and early 1980's. It got me pumped up about using a metal detector to locate loot. Last week my friend Dale Smiley (SOC '66) loaned me a metal detector he found in a barn in Coleman, TX. It is the lamest Radio Shack model ever produced ... retailed for $49 in 1999. BUT, new batteries got it going again and off I set in search of treasure. I headed to a nearby neighborhood park (in treasure huntin' lingo we refer to them as "tot-lots"). My objective was to find a likely place where kids playing grab-ass would possibly lose the change in their pockets. Kids in The Woodlands always carry at least one silver dollar. Within 5 minutes the RS 63-3005 (detector) gave me a signal that a coin was slightly below the surface in a grassy area near a picnic table. Sure enough, about an inch down was a highly collectable, almost uncirculated 1970 Lincoln penny. I could hardly believe the piece-o'-crap detector actually located something of value! Another 40 minutes of searching gave me a similar signal. This time it was a small chunk of undetermined metallic content. My best guess is that it's a little piece from the Perseid Meteor Shower we see in August. In fact, it was still warm to the touch. Not bad for my first outing! 
Comments: We've had a lot of cool cars in the shop over the years, but the most unique was Enzo Ferrari's personal F40. It was built in 1987 and given to Enzo on his 80th birthday. It had less than 200 miles on it when we saw it in 2007. A local guy had just purchased it for $1.5mil and was taking it to Pebble Beach to see if he could make some fast money. The automatic leveling system in the front was not working and he brought us the car and the manuals (in Italian). The leveling system served 2 functions: at high speed, it would automatically lower the front end a couple of inches for more down force; and you could manually operate it to raise the front end about 3 inches to go through dips and get over speed bumps. I didn't drive it, but did go for a ride when he picked it up. Over 160mph on I-635. I had no seat belt and we were riding on the original Pirelli P7 tires, but it was worth it.
Comments: Johnnie: Is that the neon lights reflecting in the side window of your Ferrari. That is one classy ride!
Comments: Lynell: I hope there is some routine maintenance expense on the 4Runner. And, you've never bought tires or had to replace brakes? What about flushing out the hydraulic fluid and coolant? Transmission service? Have you ever driven it or is it sealed up in a plastic bag in the garage? If you haven't done any of these things, get ready for some huge repair bills.
Comments: Hats off to Teachers. Prayers and hugs for Lynell.
Comments: Yes, JS, it's true. When I bought that truck I negotiated a price of $20K and then put it on a 12.5 yr note at 14.75%. Such a deal! A few more payments and she's all mine! (To everyone else...I paid cash. I never pay interest.)
Comments: Let's see if I can remember them: 65 Gold Carvair - new and first car in my Senior year - one year later though.... 65 Red Chevy Impala Sports Coupe - loved the 3 on the column 71 Greenish Oldsmobile Delta 88 - a real favorite 76 Yellow Toyota Celica - great top of the line with 4 speed bucket seats - loved that car 85 Beige Buick LaSabre - loved that car too 2002 White Toyota Avalon - current - love this one too They have all been a fun ride. The Carvair rear end kept going out of alignment and I felt the $85 car payment on a $240 salary (before taxes) after high school just was inhibiting other fun so I traded it in on a use Impala. It was not until College in 77 that I got used to the idea I did not need a new car every 5 years. Now I only buy good used vehicle and take care of it. Lynell - I am impressed you are still driving a 97. My SIL drives a 98 SUV Lexus and has about 350,000 miles on it. Still looks good. Sorry to hear you are sick - get well soon before it gets too hot again.
Comments: Another one: 71 Super Beetle-Baby Blue (Bad driving car). And, yes, John there was the Cushman Eagle AND the Cruisaire (sold by Sears) Interesting story about the Squareback. In the early years of the local Porsche club, there was a member named Bob Jackson. Bob was a photographer for the Dallas Times Herald and took the famous picture of Oswald being shot by Ruby. (For which he won a Pulitzer-Jackson, not Ruby). Not long after the shooting, he moved to Colorado Springs. We sold our Squareback to some local guy. Bob was in Dallas a few years later and came by the house for a visit and he was driving a VW Squareback. Yep, the one that we had previously owned. He bought it at a used car lot in Colorado Springs. Small world. There was an article in the paper not too long ago about Oswald and Bob was in town for some kind of event (maybe it was the 45th anniversary of the shooting). Still lives in Colorado Springs but has retired from the newspaper business.
Comments: Thank you, Charlotte. Something's wrong when a person is sick in the summertime. Here's my automotive dance card: '64 Chevy II Nova SS - cute. '68 VW Beetle - because everybody had one. '71 VW Super Beetle (ate tires, and the windshield washer fluid came out in my hand when I pushed the button.) '71 Toyota Celica - loved it! '77 Toyota Celica - same '83 Toyota Cressida - died on me in an intersection, so I never trusted it or liked it. '85 Toyota Supra - funnest car of all time! '97 Toyota 4Runner - total repair costs thus far: $100, because I turned on the radio in a car wash and broke the antenna mast.
Comments: Bill, is it true you only have 6 more payments on the Dodge Ram and it'll be all yours?
Comments: WOW, Barry! I guess the folks at the local vehicle title office know you on a first-name basis. Maybe they should open a satellite office in your garage? Hey, don't forget to list your old Cushman Eagle. By the way, here is my would-be Ferrari: 
Comments: First car was a '57 Chevy that I bought for $425 in 1963. Traded that one for a '59 Chevy Impala with a 348 engine (wouldn't pass a gas station). Sure wish I had the '57 today. It could be worth lots of money now. I owned quite a few cars (and had quite a few company cars as well). The worst was a Ford Grand Turino ('74 or '75) that I got a great deal on as a demo. My Dad always told me that yellow cars are painted that color for a reason. Should have listened. Currently drive a '98 Dodge Ram that has 379,000 miles on it and still running.
Comments: One more: Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
Comments: Forgot 2: Jeep Cherokee and Jeep CJ-7. The Cherokee was probably the worst vehicle I have owned. Joan and Bryan called it "Heap-A-Jeep".
Comments: This will involve some thought: (out of order) 56 Ford Mainliner (Grass green)-had in H.S. and most of college 63 Ford Fairlane-Bronze/White top A real dog 69 VW Beetle-Red Only options Leatherette upholstery, pop out rear windows 64 Pontiac Station Wagon-white (My Dad's when he passed away) 69 Porsche 911T-Burgundy. Won Porsche Parade Manhattan Concours Award 73 Porsche 911S-Mercedes Beige Gray Metallic (Special order) 78 Porsche 911SC-Talbot Yellow (Owned 28 years) 53 Mercedes 300d-Green (Huge in-line 6 gas motor) 75 BMW 2002-White (Joan's car when we got married) 72 BMW 2002-Lime Green (Bought salvage from customer. Repaired and sold) 72 BMW Bavaria-Blue (Went to first wife-I got the house and the 911T) 72 Dodge 3/4 ton Van-White w/stripes and bed in back 81 BMW 528i-White 96 BMW M3-Red (One of my current daily drivers) 72 VW Squareback-Baby Blue 72 Datsun 510 Wagon-Blue 72 MGB-Blue That car hated me! 85 Ford Bronco-Black Eddie Bauer Edition 4x4 87 Chevy S10 Blazer-Black 4x4 91 Chevy K-5 Blazer-Black 4x4 01 GMC Yukon-White 4x4 06 Checy Silverado Crew Cab 3/4 ton Duramax 4x4-Black (My current driver) 07 Mini Cooper S-Silver (Joan's current daily driver) How about motorcycles: 75 Honda 750 (Joan made me sell it and get a BMW) 76 BMW R90/6 (Joan and I rode to Alaska) 77 BMW R100RS (Witnessed a guy killed on a bike and I sold it within a week) 91 BMW K100RS 98 BMW K1200RS (still have)(Joan and I rode to Nova Scotia) 05 BMW R1200GS (still have)(Bought in SC and rode it home) Most of the above were bought used with the following exceptions; 69 Beetle 69 911T (Traded in the Beetle) 75 2002 (Joan's) 72 510 85 Bronco 87 S10 91 Blazer 06 Silverado 07 Mini
Comments: Sam, it is funny that you mentioned Ferrari and California. There is a growing trend originating in Calif. to "Ferrari-fy" Miatas by adding a Ferrari-like insignia on the side of the car. Below is a pic from a meeting of the San Diego Miata Club and you can see two of the cars sporting what looks to be the yellow shields of the famous Ferrari rampaging stallion. I, too, have added them to my own car. You'd be surprised at how many folks have asked me "Is that a Ferrari?". [Answer ... none. But you just wait] 
Comments: Sure, John. Try to stir up some car controversy! Mine, in no particular order; 1955 blue/white Chevy 1957 bronze/white Chevy: most used back seat 1990 Honda Accord 1988 Chevy Caprice (Burgundy): not a babe magnet! 1975 Chrysler Cordoba(white , with rich Corinthian leather) 1969 blue Mustang 1970 blue Dodge Polara--worst purchase 1964 Chevy BelAir (white with red and white rolled and pleated interior) 1998 black TransAm--best purchase, hottest, most fun! And there were 15 very forgettable company cars 2008 Black Cadillac CTS: I LOVE this car!
Comments: You mean "memorable" as opposed to that forgettable list? Looks like the most exciting was an Acura Integra coupe. Gee, that Miata must feel like a Ferrari California!!
Comments: Okay, time for some CAR TALK. Yesterday I was killing time in my doctor's waiting room and decided to make a list of all the cars I've owned over the years. It came to a total of 16. One was only in my ownership for 3 months; the longest was 11 years. Here are the highlights: Most Trouble ... 1978 Oldsmobile Delta 88 (Rust w/tan top) Most Reliable ... 1988 Suzuki Samurai (Metallic Gray) Most Unique ... 1959 Volkswagon (tan w/big flower decals) Worst Purchase ... 1955 Chevy (Turquoise & white) Overall Favorite ... 1997 Acura Integra Hatchback (Maroon) Any memorable cars come to mind for the rest of you?
Comments: Lynell, hope you are feeling better soon. So sorry!! Barry and Jud, you guys are so correct. I just can't imagine how I would react these days. I was used to touching my baby 2nd graders...a hug here, a tug on an arm there...sending soap home with another one with note...hint, hint. I am sure I would be sued today...or fired. What a sad state our ed system is in. I would have been thrilled to only have 20 kids. The smallest class I ever had was 29. Oh, and I would prefer more boys than girls. Boys are much easier to deal with at that age...they are not as emotional! Um, they also grow up that way...ahem!
Comments: Barry, you're right about teachers. And they are underappreciated and underpaid! In today's educational environment, I don't know how they do it. They really have to love it!
Comments: Finally got Joan back to work. After spending the Summer rehabing a broken wrist, I think she was ready. 14 girls and 6 boys in her 4th grade class, so far. And, she says that she has not made any of them cry yet! I find that hard to believe-she usually has a couple on the first day every year. She's already counting down the school days until next Summer. I think she said 173 after yesterday. Only in my worst dreams can I see myself in a room with 20 fourth graders for 173 days. I would last about a week and then be in jail. Teachers are amazing people. All of you ex-SOCites that have been teachers, you have my utmost respect and gratitude. You have one of the most important jobs in our society.
Comments: Jud: What do you think I used him for? You don't think I would eat him, do you? He does taste pretty good......................
Comments: Lynell: My fish picture was not THAT bad! |
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