My view of protesting during the National Anthem!

Veterans Affair - New Orleans

Please realize this is my opinion and my opinion alone.

As a veteran I distinctly understand what has been given by those currently serving and those who came before, back as far as the Washington's men during the Revolutionary War, in order for all Americans to have the rights that are provided all of us by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The blood, sweat, and tears that flowed so that we could all continue to have protected freedom of speech, and peacefully say whatever your heart desires.

This idea started to coalesce for me on Tuesday, as I went to the VA to have blood drawn for my yearly physical next week. The new building in New Orleans is magnificent, and I snapped the pictures that appear in this post. The flag is such an integral part of all veterans DNA that they have carved one into the limestone that lines the atrium.

Flag - New Orleans VA

I previously stated I understand all of our rights. It is certainly the right of the NFL players to protest in any way they chose. It is simply in poor taste how they have chosen to do this protest. They all represent what is good about America. They were able to rise up and play a sport on the highest stage. They all have what 99% of all American's would like. They have FAME and FORTUNE.

With that platform provided to them could they not find a better platform or method to protest? I think they could have. I do not think that they expected the response they have gotten. I read an article today that stated in a poll, 55% of the folks asked said that the players who kneel should be punished. I disagree with punishment. They are exercising a right that they have, however I think it is a poor decision on their part.

So I was setting there waiting for my turn, and I was listening to the older Vietnam Veterans, and the younger guys missing limbs and they all were discussing this issue. They weren't discussing the message that the players were trying to send, that group of young and old veterans were discussing the disrespect that was showed to our country that allowed them the rights. The message that the players are trying to get across is not the message being received by the average guy. The veterans  were saying how the rich, whiny athlete's didn't appreciate the opportunities this country has provided them. That they did not understand what has gone into protecting their rights.

Formal Remembrance Table - New Orleans VA

As I left, I saw the table set for the POW/MIA's. These veteran's died fighting in the belief that we have the greatest country in the world. That these folks would use the flag to protest is not not right at a very basic level.

So I will be standing with my brothers whenever I hear the national anthem, and hope these young men decide to honor the flag, and find a more productive method of protesting. Until that time, I don't think we will be watching the NFL in our house.


If you would like more information regarding the table setting, in my final picture follow this link http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2014/10/06/the-powmia-table-a-place-setting-for-one-a-table-for-all/comment-page-1/  .



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Ford Mustang Car Show

We went to a local car show this afternoon.

Late Night Visitor

Late Night Visitor

“Daddy, can I get in bed with you and mommy?”

Nothing like being woke up by your three year old at 2:53 A.M. anyone else in the whole world would get an ass chewing, but your little sweetheart, well it doesn’t seem like such a bad thing.

“Get up here.” As I lift all of her 35 pounds into the bed.

“What’s going on?” I think she was watching some cartoons when she fell asleep, so maybe she was having a nightmare.

“I fell out of bed, and there was a monster under the bed.” Imagine that, a monster in her room! Just as I had suspected, an evil thought, left over from whatever Halloween cartoon that was on the boob tube as she slipped into dreamland.

“Tell you what, don’t wake mommy, and I’ll go take a look, then you can go back to bed.” I really needed a drink and to take a piss. During this process I could do some reconnaissance, clear the area, and return to my own personal dream world.

Sweetie loved that idea, “Okay daddy, you talk to him, and make him leave. I’ll go back to my room. But he said he was hungry, but he didn’t like baby, “the other white meat”.”

I don’t know where, “baby, the other white meat”, came from. I simply chalk it up to the television influence and got out of the bed.

“Baby, don’t wake mommy up, and I’ll be right back after I get this straightened out with the monster.”

I left the room, walked down the corridor. I looked into the cuties room; of course there was nothing to be seen. I walked through the living room, stopping at the security panel by the front door. It was set and activated, with only a green light showing, so there was no one in the house who shouldn’t be.

The dog was snoring in the laundry room, as I entered the kitchen. I took a glass from the cabinet and drew some water. Nothing like a little tap water at 3:00 AM to help promote a healthy return to dream world. I put the empty glass on the counter, expecting to use it in two hours with breakfast.

“Harley, you are a hell of a watch dog.” He seemed to enjoy my sharp wit, especially working on his sleeping persona. He rolled over and passed a wee bit of gas to express his pleasure.

On that harmonious note, I headed back to my bedroom, and more specifically, the master bath, to empty my bladder.

                     

On my way to the shitter to finish my unscheduled nocturnal business, I pass through my bedroom. “Daddy, the monster is in the bathroom.”

“Of course he is, he wasn’t in your room when I checked there.” I have decided, at this juncture, that I will really play up the whole monster angle. “Honey, I’ve checked the rest of the house.” Not really, but what 3 year old would understand that I’ve currently got only two things on my mind, no not beer and guns, close but no cigar. I only want some water and to drain the main vein. Then I’ll be back sawing logs. “Honey, I’ll check in the bathroom now.”

The bathroom does not look any out of the ordinary. Not that any bathroom would look extraordinary at 3:00 AM, but it looks just like my bathroom always looks.

So I step up to the toilet, take little Willie out, and start to piss. I notice a slight glow emanating from down under the tank. “Son of a bitch”, I mutter to no one in particular. The kid’s monster sure is small if that is what she’s talking about, she seems to be able to take lights, glow in the dark toothbrushes, passing cars, and anything else that passes in the night and change it into a monster.

I just hope, that whatever the monster consists of I haven’t pissed on it, since my night aim isn’t always the best.

I finish draining Larry the Lap Lizard, shake off, and put him away. I bend over to get whatever toy is glowing under the tank. My hand brushes something hard, and then I get a good hold of it and pick it up. It’s a mirror from her junior beautician set. But the damn thing stops glowing when I pick it up. The mirror itself hadn’t actually been glowing; it had seemed to be reflecting something. I start to get goose bumps, and a real gnawing in the pit of my stomach, and I really don’t want to turn around, since whatever it was reflecting would have to be directly behind me on the opposite vanity. Then it dawns on me, and a little smile creeps onto my face, my electric razor is on the vanity behind me and it has a little orange light to indicate it’s charging.

So the fear leaves as quickly as it appeared, and I turn to go back to bed.

As I’m turning I hear,” I don’t like baby, but I like a little buck.”  Then I see the orange eyes. I feel the hot breath on my face, and the razor sharp talons entering my heart.

As my world starts to dim, I really hope Mr. Talons really doesn’t like baby.

Alzheimer's a Bitch

Gramps - Mom - Alysse - Me

Last weekend I went home to visit my family, specifically my grandfather who has Alzheimer's.

My mom had called to tell me that he was getting much worse. The kind funny man that I grew up knowing was now angry, physical, and argumentative. So I told her I would make the trip and come see him. I called my brother's and we planned to get together Saturday, go visit him and see what we could do to help.

Well when we we arrived he was just setting there sleeping. My mother woke him up, since it was also almost lunch time. He just stared at us for 15 minutes while we tried to talk with him. We talked with other patients in the memory care unit. We watched one attempted escape, and laughed when she turned herself in immediately.

The only reaction we got from gramps was when mom asked him if he wanted help to go to lunch. He shook his head yes, and then shuffled off with mom to his spot in the dining room. So the body is still there, but the mind is gone.

What do you do to reconcile your memories of the man that was versus the shell that still exists. This decorated war veteran, who I once heard tell a TSA agent when the metal detector kept going off, "that's shrapnel from when the ____  got me in Korea." This is the guy who sang, "I Love to go swimming with bow legged women". Which always got hum called Donald Clarence by my grandmother. This is the guy that took you on your first duck hunt at 4 years old? The guy who stopped taking me to the bar when I was  four because I kept sliding off the stool? Or got you hooked on big american Lincoln's and Mercury's? Was a UAW member through and through?

My favorite story of all time was that he had Carotic artery surgery to remove a blockage. He was waking up in the recovery room, and was being attended to by a sweet young red headed nurse, and grampa was hitting on her and asking for a sponge bath. He kept it up until she was replaced by a large male nurse.

I don't know, but I'm glad my daughter and my nephew's got to meet him and know him prior to this terrible disease taking his mind. Because he is just a shell now. A loved shell, but a shell. I have resolved myself to this fact. Hopefully someday this disease will no longer exist. But for now it does and its a bitch!

My review of Spirit Airlines vs. Southwest

I took a trip to visit my family over the weekend and I decided to try Spirit for the first time. Now having reviewed them I saw that many folks had a negative opinion of them.

I would like to say I am currently involved in building the new North Terminal and Concourses for the New Orleans Aviation Board. So I am exposed to a lot of folks who build airports for a living and that have definite opinions about many things. I would say that some of my coworkers are not big fans of Spirit. So I had a somewhat tainted opinion prior to the trip, but I tried not to let that sway my opinion of them.

I decided to try them as an experiment into the super cheap airline. I want to see if it could really save you money, and how hideous could it be? So I did a little research prior to booking the flight.

Almost everyone said to get a big front seat. That the remainder of the seats are the narrowest, least amount of reclining and least amount of legroom of any carrier.

Spirit has big front seats. They do not have any a First Class. You pay extra for the seat, but that is all you get. You still pay for carry on or checked bags. You still pay for snacks and water on the flight. You just get a big seat.

he booking was extremely easy using their website. They clearly tell you what is included and what is extra. You can get these seats as cheaply as you can by deciding to allow them to assign your seat, and printing your own boarding pass at home, or using your smartphone with an electronic boarding pass. Both of these items have a cost if the airline has to do them. $10 to print your boarding passes at the airport.

All of these fees, and pre-planning required of the traveler directly impacts the experience for everyone traveling on your plane. The plane boarded quickly, there was no one complaining about no room in the overhead compartment. Most folks bring one personal item and then check bags, since spirit makes the checked bags cheaper than a carry-on. The less brought onto the plane the quicker the turn around.

 All of the staff for the airline was extremely friendly,  from gate agents to the crew. Then the flight left and departed on time. Not much more that you can expect from an airline.

Now to the real question, did I save any money. I can say unequivocally yes. I had a pleasant experience and I saved money.

The amount of savings depends on the choices you make regarding the "extra's" you choose.
I used Southwest airlines as a basis for comparison. For a trip from New Orleans to Cleveland, I chose a weekend more than 2 weeks away, Leaving Friday afternoon and returning Sunday morning. The cost of this itinerary on SWA was $466. This included all fees and taxes.

The "bare fare" for the same flights on Spirit were $206, which included fees. If you would like to add a carry-on, you would have to add $70 for the round trip. If you have a checked bag, you have to add $60 for the round trip. So you include these items to be apples to apples with South West then your total is $236. You've saved $130.

I however had no luggage to check or carry on. I did however decide to get a "Big Front Seat", and this added $92 to the "Bare Fare". So I spent $298, and I got a very comfortable seat. I save $168 on my trip from New Orleans to Cleveland.

So my overall review of Spirit is that I will definitely use them again. If you need to hit the road on a limited budget, this is definitely an airline that you should check out.

Overabundance of unloved dogs...

I was reviewing my blog to see what I could do to get more folks looking at what I'm writing about and I actually realized that one of the items I said I was going to ramble about was dogs. I have been remiss in writing about some of the best friends I've ever had. Four legged friends that is.

I was blessed that my parents had dogs in our house from a very early age. From these animals I learned compassion and responsibility among many other things. They were companions that helped fill my days.

These four legged friends are a gift and it seems that not everyone takes the commitment as seriously as they should. I try to help as much as I can by donating to rescues so that some of these pups can get a second chance. They are spayed or neutered and then adopted out.

I say all of this to let you know that my heart really goes out to these pups. I wish there was more regulation on these puppy mills. I wish all of the irresponsible pet owners would immediately spay and neuter their animals since its the right thing to do. That way we could cut down on the number of unloved dogs.

We had a slight tragedy at the end of last year, our 14 year old schnauzer Jo Jo, after having a splenectomy, succumbed to whatever cancer had caused the enlarged spleen. We were all heartbroken because she was the sweetest dog ever, except to Jessie.

We acquired her as a rescue. Her original Owner had failing health so she could no longer care for poor Jo Jo. So that is how she came into our family. She loved us and we loved her back.

Jo Jo 

But then she was gone, and it left quite a void. We couldn't stop thinking about her, including Jessie. The entire time that we had her, Jessie and Jo Jo ate from the same bowl. They could do math, one would only eat half the bowl and leave the other half for whomever was next. Jessie looked for her, and could't figure out where she had gone.

Based on our experience with Jo Jo we had decided that when the time came for a new furry family member we would be adopting from a rescue. We started looking in June, and we just couldn't decide when the right time would be.

In late June one of the rescues we follow and support posted a Facebook message that they were rescuing 25 dogs from a hoarding situation. That they did not have room, and that they were having an emergency adoption event the next day. They wanted folks interested in adopting to come the first night, and then have fosters come the following day.

We arrived early and we saw a cute pup. We asked to see her. Ash sat on the ground and the dog crawled in her lap and sat down. I then immediately knew that the skinny, stinky, bad haired dog was our next pup. Just wagged her tail and wanted her belly rubbed.

Well she went home with us that night and we now have a great new member of our family. Her name is Lucy, and she is a purebred mutt. She loves everyone. Enjoys laying with you to watch TV and Loves when you get home. Hopefully she'll be a good sister to Jessie for a long time.

Lucy 

So please, when its time for your next pet, please save a pup. The more folks who get rescue dogs will be that many less pups that help continue the puppy mills.

Torino Fuel Tank Swap - Cheap Gas Tank Breather Valve

Saved a little money getting a gas tank breather valve for my replacement tank from Bronco Graveyard.com rather than from a car restoration or amazon.




This is the link to the part I purchased:  http://shop.broncograveyard.com/1980-1997-Ford-Bronco-and-F-Series-Truck-Gas-Tank-Breather-Valve/productinfo/30259/

This is the link to the part I did not purchase: http://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_fairlane_torino/fuel-tank-vent-valve-ranchero-torino-1972-1979.htmlhttp://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_fairlane_torino/fuel-tank-vent-valve-ranchero-torino-1972-1979.html

and this: http://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_fairlane_torino/vent-valve-seal-fuel-tank-rubber-torino-ranchero-1972-1979.html

$74 vs $22. I know which one I'm going to get.

Again thank you Bronco Graveyard for not gouging..

Jerry Pournelle Passed Away!

I just saw a headline about his passing and it saddens me.

Here is the link to an article that describes him much better than I ever could..

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/09/11/science-fiction-writer-jerry-pournelle-offered-fact-based-hope-future-glenn-reynolds-column/651515001/

I can say that his novels Lucifer's Hammer and The Mote in God's Eye both permanently hooked me on science fiction. He had a lot of help from Heinlein, Clarke, and Asimov. But he was up there with the definite Master's of Science Fiction.

So if you get a chance read one of his books and understand why its a loss to us all.

What's happened to my country since 9/11??

What an incredibly different world we live in today versus sixteen years ago!

Decline in Personal Freedom's.

Our reaction to the hijackers was to suddenly invent a complete new Government Department. Which I think try's their best, but just seems like a boon-doggle. 

I've had my 83 year old, Korean war vet grandfather pulled out of line because he set off the metal detector. He tried to tell the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) agent that it was, and I quote, "God damn communist shrapnel." This didn't get him off the hook. so when they searched him, they found his pipe knife and confiscated it. Really, a 83 year old man that can hardly bend over and take off his shoes is going to hijack a plane with a 2" blade. There you go, good old common sense escapes them. 

Meanwhile I was on another trip, and I was at the gate waiting for my flight, and the lady across from me proceeding to pull two 8" long metal knitting needles from her hair and started knitting away. They either missed them, or since meta knitting needles are not on the contraband list they let her keep them. Again, common sense seems to not be present.

 Never Ending War

For the life of me I cannot understand why we cannot extricate ourselves from Afghanistan. We invaded in October 2001, which means we are quickly approaching the 16th Anniversary. We have disrupted the Taliban. We have used it as a base to locate and kill Osama Bin Laden. We have tried to bring them out of the stone age, which I really don't think they want. So why are still there?

We tried to leave but the government that we helped install doesn't seem to be able to support itself or maintain democracy. We have not won their hearts and minds, so lets get our young men and women out of there, or just annex it and make it another US Territory and eradicate the vermin. I prefer removing all of folks and letting the whole thing implode.

There seems to be no establish goal that is being work towards. Which is how any issue is resolved. You decide what the solution/outcome is to be and work towards that end.

So I ask my government officials to just decide what they are truly trying to achieve in Afghanistan. They enact a plan to achieve that goal with no reservation, just 100% of the determination of the American military.

Unfortunately this won't happen because there are now too many special interest groups and businesses making a killing. So common sense will not prevail and we will probably still be in Afghanistan when the next president takes office.

We have a new Cold War.

How lucky can we be? 

The giant evil that hung over us while I was a child and then when I went in the Air Force has suddenly returned? How did that happen? Russia has an extremely rich dictator, who enjoys making our politicians look incredibly stupid..

If you can explain that to me in 50 words or less, please do! 

China is a new Economic Competitor.

Wow. They decided to become Capitalistic Communists... Who say that coming? They have 20% of the worlds population. They have been buying US government debt for who knows how long. Now they using all they oil and polluting the shit out of the environment. Luckily they are still buying our coal. God forbid we use it.

I guess I should start taking some Mandarin lessons.

So actually nothing really changed.

So looking at everything that has occurred, I would have to say that really nothing has changed that much. The names have been changed to protect the innocent, but history is just repeating itself.

I just hope we can figure all of this out without totally destroying our country and the world.

1973 Torino - Old Car Truth's

Yesterday I was working on the fuel system in the Torino. I am getting it ready to support the fuel injection system. One of the first items I decided to do was to replace the old fuel tank with a brand new tank. I wanted to to do this in order to make sure that no old debris clogged up my new system. This change would also enable me to install a 27.5 gallon tank from a later year Torino in lieu of the stock 22 gallon tank.

This whole process is going to be part of a video that I am making on installing the Holley Sniper system. So I won't go into this in any great detail right now. I would like to say that by removing the tank after 44 years exposed one of the "Old Car Truth's".

The Truth in this case is that working on these cars leads to other work that is required. So if you are working on your own vehicle you must be prepared to be distracted from the initial goal to take care of an issue that you did not know when you started working on the current task.

With the old tank removed I discovered that there was no undercoating above the tank. It had surface rust, and a little more serious rust. So rather than continuing with the fuel system install I now have to take care of the rust and then paint the area. I could just leave it alone and move on, but I can't. I know its there so now I need to fix it. So that's what I'll do.

The next "Old Car Truth" that was exposed by this fuel system install is that you never have all the parts you need to finish the project immediately. With changing tanks, I need to order a breather for the top of the new tank. between 73 and 74 they made a few changes between the tanks other than the capacity.

Now mind you I'm not complaining, I am just stating fact. I will continue plugging away because I cannot wait to drive the car with fuel injection and I want it done prior to Cruising the Coast in October.

Empty Nest Update: Making good decisions.. is hard sometimes..

I really thought that I would miss my girl terribly while she is off at school. Rather than seeing her everyday, we now are seeing her once a month or so. It isn't too bad. Its not great, but it is manageable.

One of the main reasons I can say that is that she seems to be settling in and continuing to make good decisions. She and her room mate get along, and she is definitely spreading her wings in her new environment.

We raised her to be respectful and to make good decisions. She has learned these lessons well and seems to know right from wrong. The knowledge that she is mature and capable of making the right decisions, even if they are hard, puts my mind at ease.

With my mind at ease regarding her behavior and habits, I can go about my daily routine and not have to worry about what she is doing. I know she is doing whats right for her, and that it will not cause a lot of angst for her mother and I.

I look back to myself at the age. I was already in the Air Force. I was on my own, and I wasn't necessarily always making the correct or wise decisions. I seem to remember getting a half keg with Mark Brumbaugh and about four of us drinking the whole thing. Definitely not mature decision making. Which I think is why I was a little worried. I had my own misbehavior to look back on and luckily she landed away from the old apple tree and then rolled a little further.

So the excitement and joy of this new chapter in her life as well as ours continues, and it seems to be going well.

Toilet Repair - Fill Valve & Flapper replacement

This is a how to video to replace a fill valve and a flapper in a toilet.

This is the link for the kit I bought and used in the video.

Taking our baby to college.

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I think the next few days will be slightly rough for my wife and me. We get to participate in the act of our daughter growing up and leaving the nest. She is headed off to college, and as an only child, this will leave a large hole in the fabric of the nest. We get the pleasure of loading all her earthly belongings up, driving for hours, and then trying to squeeze it all into a dorm room.

Everyone keeps telling me that once we become comfortable with the change we will thoroughly enjoy our empty nest. Though this may be true, I really do not see that occurring anytime soon. Not only will our daughter not be there to interact with us on a daily basis, but neither will her friends.

This will be a big change as well, since the kids have been part of our life for the past 10 years. I wish them all the best, and I am rooting for them to do great in school and in life, I just know we will miss them.

We have been extremely fortunate to have a daughter that has always been a pleasure to be around. Her intelligence and maturity has meant that no matter where we go or what we’re doing she fits perfectly into most all situations.

Based on this maturity she has always made some good decisions and been trusting enough of us that decisions she is not comfortable with, she discusses with either my wife or I. Although she will now be “on her own”, I truly hope that this personality trait continues. She will use this emotional intelligence to hopefully make many new friends that will last her a lifetime, while not forgetting the friends the she has now that have helped make her whom she is.

The range of emotions this activity is producing is incredibly wide. We are sad that our baby is going out on her own. Meanwhile, I can only imagine the incredible excitement, and curiosity that my daughter feels about getting to make a run at being “independent”.  She will be facing her own adjustments that while she doesn’t know it will be as big as or bigger than ours. I wish her luck, and want her to know that we are always here for her or any of her friends.

As all of these young adults head out into the world to make their mark, let’s say a prayer for them and their parents as everyone adjusts to this part of the circle of life. There will be success and failure, but that is life and that is what they are about to learn. Hopefully we have prepared all of them to be successful in their coming endeavors

MSD 6AL Install 1973 Ford Torino Part 2

Part 2 of installing the MSD 6AL in my 1973 Gran Torino Sport.

This is the MSD 6AL that I purchased and installed.

MSD 6AL Install 1973 Ford Torino - Part 1

Part 1 of my MSD 6AL install.

This is the MSD 6AL that I purchased and installed.

Labor Day

What is Labor Day? Why do we celebrate it?

Honestly I had to go look it up.

Who would of thought that it is a holiday to celebrate the contributions of the American worker. Brought about by the organized labor movement at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th Century.

Having been in a union and having many members of my family in the United Auto Workers, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the Carpenters and Operators Union, Teamsters, AFL/CIO, I understand the struggle that made this holiday possible.

So thanks for all of those who came before us and made it possible.

Unions gave many folks a much better life. Brought about workplace safety regulations, better pay, shorter work hours, and that list goes on.

But I wonder if the American worker is actually losing ground now. I don't remember the last time that there was a strike that caught my attention. Is it because big business is kinder and gentler and giving up on negotiations more easily? I don't think that is the case, I think that unions have slowly had their bargaining positions eroded over the past 30 years.

If you look at the beginning of this downturn, it was with the Air Traffic Controllers. They went on strike, and the negotiations that they received were, "Go back to work or lose your jobs". They stayed on strike and were all fired. They lost effectiveness and that is why there are only approximately 11% of all workers in Unions.

I don't have a solution, or know if a solution is needed, but I think one is.

If something is not done, wages and benefits will stagnate and decline. All the while, factory's are moved to countries with absolutely no labor laws and folks work for pennies a day.

You cannot legislate morals and proper behavior so at some point there will be another "labor movement" and the American working man will regain some of his glory that is celebrated on Labor Day.

So think about that while your drinking beer and barbecuing on Monday.

God Bless America!!!