This weekend we held a court of honor to award my son his Eagle Scout Award. This is the crowning achievement of ten years of scouting. We are very proud that he went the distance and completed the task. Only two percent of boys that join the Boy Scouts of America go on to earn their Eagle. As with many boys he was about ninety percent complete by the time he was fourteen. Then like many he had other things in his life that caught his attention. When ever we would ask him about it he would always say not to worry he would get it done. Good to his word, as his time was running out he got to work and completed it.
As we gathered pictures of his scouting years to display it was great to review all the fun times. The progression from a little boy in a cub scout uniform to the young man standing at the end of a long hike is amazing. I went with him as often as could through the years. Starting with the day camps as a cup scout, to the week long camps as a varsity. I was there as he learned to ride a horse, learned to cook out doors, pitch a tent and so on. We had some really cold nights and some really wet nights. These are days that will be precious to me for my whole life. I would not trade one of these experiences for anything.
A big payday for me came a few weeks ago. He said that one of the reasons that he went on to complete his eagle was thinking about what I said, "That you are an Eagle for life, or your not an Eagle for life". Anytime you have evidence as a parent that you were heard and it made a difference is a good day.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Got to have a Truck
Driving down the road I often see a small car with a whole lot of lumber either tied to the roof or hanging out the window. It makes me feel sorry for these poor truck deprived people. As a average guy I have never had the money to have the nice 4 x 4 that I would like but, my dad and my father in-law both had old trucks when I was first married. Also my mini van could hold 8 foot lengths of lumber if you put them between the seats. Between borrowing a truck and the mini van I didn't have to hang lumber out the window of my little car.
The first truck of my own came when a family members neighbor was selling a 12 year old truck for $1500. It was a 1984 GMC S15, two wheel drive 4 speed manual trans. It was a long bed which enhanced the nerdyness factor. My wife couldn't stand to even ride in it. It did have that great dusty vinyl smell that reminded me of my VW. It was really fun to drive on a snowy day. One morning I was dropping my son off at the elementary school and got stuck. I could see that my only option would be to back down the student drop off lane. The problem was that there was a never ending stream of cars dropping kids off. I finally just turned the truck off and waited. After about 30 minutes the traffic cleared and I was able to back down and get out. The real problem with the truck was the starter motor. No shop was able to get the right one, so we had to use one that would fit but had to be shimmed. This would result in the bolts to the starter breaking off in the block about once a year. Once the repair bill to pass inspection was more than the value of the "blue beast" we parted ways.
After a year without a truck (but still able to borrow my dads) it was time. We started looking again. I found a Chevy S10 with a long bed at a used car lot and brought it home for my wife to take a look at. She said that this was even more nerdy than the "blue beast" and vetoed it. We deiced to look at new trucks. We stopped at a Toyota dealer and browsed a line of lovely trucks. There were several 4 door 4 x 4s and some extended cab 4 x 4s. Then on the end of the row was a silver two door two wheel drive. The sticker price was almost exactly half of the 4 door 4 x 4 that I really wanted. In fact, it was only a little bit more than the nerdy used Chevy. We made the deal and drove it home. I loved my old blue truck, but this one is even better. I have real air conditioning and a CD player. It doesn't smell and my wife will even ride in it. What more could I ask for? Someday I may have that 4 door 4 x 4 but, today I still drive by the guy with lumber hanging out the window and feel a mixture of empathy for him and pride that I have my truck.
The first truck of my own came when a family members neighbor was selling a 12 year old truck for $1500. It was a 1984 GMC S15, two wheel drive 4 speed manual trans. It was a long bed which enhanced the nerdyness factor. My wife couldn't stand to even ride in it. It did have that great dusty vinyl smell that reminded me of my VW. It was really fun to drive on a snowy day. One morning I was dropping my son off at the elementary school and got stuck. I could see that my only option would be to back down the student drop off lane. The problem was that there was a never ending stream of cars dropping kids off. I finally just turned the truck off and waited. After about 30 minutes the traffic cleared and I was able to back down and get out. The real problem with the truck was the starter motor. No shop was able to get the right one, so we had to use one that would fit but had to be shimmed. This would result in the bolts to the starter breaking off in the block about once a year. Once the repair bill to pass inspection was more than the value of the "blue beast" we parted ways.
After a year without a truck (but still able to borrow my dads) it was time. We started looking again. I found a Chevy S10 with a long bed at a used car lot and brought it home for my wife to take a look at. She said that this was even more nerdy than the "blue beast" and vetoed it. We deiced to look at new trucks. We stopped at a Toyota dealer and browsed a line of lovely trucks. There were several 4 door 4 x 4s and some extended cab 4 x 4s. Then on the end of the row was a silver two door two wheel drive. The sticker price was almost exactly half of the 4 door 4 x 4 that I really wanted. In fact, it was only a little bit more than the nerdy used Chevy. We made the deal and drove it home. I loved my old blue truck, but this one is even better. I have real air conditioning and a CD player. It doesn't smell and my wife will even ride in it. What more could I ask for? Someday I may have that 4 door 4 x 4 but, today I still drive by the guy with lumber hanging out the window and feel a mixture of empathy for him and pride that I have my truck.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Carefree Days
I grew up in a area that is now just another suburb, but when I was young it was much more like a small rural town. We were surrounded by hay fields, cows and horses. This provided for endless days of exploring and adventure. There was a corner of a field that became our own fields of dreams. We all learned to hit, catch and throw during these day long baseball games. The only real problem was that this was a cow pasture, so ground balls would take bounces that were hard to predict. More than once a bad bounce hit someone in the nose. Looking back I am amazed at the patience of the farmer. He never said a word about us using his field. He just seemed to leave this corner to us. Football in the street was also a common occurrence. We had a couple of mail boxes that noted the goal lines. Traffic was light on our dead end street, so the call of "car" didn't have to be made often.
Our bicycles provided a sense of freedom and speed that is hard to even describe. I remember "time trials" when we would see how fast we could ride our bikes around the block. What we called going around the block was a round trip of about 2 miles. We created bike jumps with any scrap lumber we could find. Most of the scars on my body came from meeting the road after a sweet jump.
The biggest day in our little town was the fourth of July. The parade always started at noon. A carnival at the park all day, with fireworks at dusk. I remember one year we were watching the fireworks when a thunderstorm came through. The lighting stole the show, it got more ooohs and ahhhs than the fireworks.
Even though we live only a short distance from where I grew up, my kids did not have the same freedom that I had. I often felt sorry that they did not have the same experience. I hoped that we still gave them the carefree days of childhood that all children should have.
Our bicycles provided a sense of freedom and speed that is hard to even describe. I remember "time trials" when we would see how fast we could ride our bikes around the block. What we called going around the block was a round trip of about 2 miles. We created bike jumps with any scrap lumber we could find. Most of the scars on my body came from meeting the road after a sweet jump.
The biggest day in our little town was the fourth of July. The parade always started at noon. A carnival at the park all day, with fireworks at dusk. I remember one year we were watching the fireworks when a thunderstorm came through. The lighting stole the show, it got more ooohs and ahhhs than the fireworks.
Even though we live only a short distance from where I grew up, my kids did not have the same freedom that I had. I often felt sorry that they did not have the same experience. I hoped that we still gave them the carefree days of childhood that all children should have.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Sweet Beetle
As far back as I can remember I have had a love for the automobile. Getting my hands on a glossy marketing pamphlet from a car dealership was (and still is) heaven. The best one I ever got a hold of was from Porsche. It covered the newly released 924, 928 and of course the holy grail of cars, the 911 turbo. I can not tell you how many hours I spent pouring over that pamphlet. The idea of driving a 911, sitting in that small car with that powerful rear engine was my dream. Of course average guys don't have the scratch to ever drive a 911.
The first car I did get to drive was a 1966 VW Beetle. My parents bought it used when my older sisters were reaching driving age. I can still remember the sweet smell of old decaying vinyl and dust. This car was a great second car for our family. There were times in a pinch that even all eight of us would pile in. We had the system down. First my brother and I would climb back into the cubby behind the back seat. Then, three of my sisters would get in the back seat. My dad would drive and my mom would hold my youngest sister on her lap. (This was before the days of seat belt laws.) There were a lot of great things about this car. By the time I was able to drive there was not a fender left without a dent. I didn't have to worry about fender benders, no one would even notice. I could take this car anywhere. There were many skipped ensembles during my high school days when we would all load up in the bug. As long as I had a crew it didn't matter if we got stuck. We would just jump out and lift the car out of what ever.
I took a summer job as a delivery boy for the local baseball team. Telemarketers would sell the tickets and I was on my way to deliver the tickets and pick up the checks. The bug and I had a great summer together. I could at least say that I was driving a small car with the engine in the back.
I am happy to report that my son has some of these same warm feelings for the old family mini-van that he has had the great honor to drive to high school.
The first car I did get to drive was a 1966 VW Beetle. My parents bought it used when my older sisters were reaching driving age. I can still remember the sweet smell of old decaying vinyl and dust. This car was a great second car for our family. There were times in a pinch that even all eight of us would pile in. We had the system down. First my brother and I would climb back into the cubby behind the back seat. Then, three of my sisters would get in the back seat. My dad would drive and my mom would hold my youngest sister on her lap. (This was before the days of seat belt laws.) There were a lot of great things about this car. By the time I was able to drive there was not a fender left without a dent. I didn't have to worry about fender benders, no one would even notice. I could take this car anywhere. There were many skipped ensembles during my high school days when we would all load up in the bug. As long as I had a crew it didn't matter if we got stuck. We would just jump out and lift the car out of what ever.
I took a summer job as a delivery boy for the local baseball team. Telemarketers would sell the tickets and I was on my way to deliver the tickets and pick up the checks. The bug and I had a great summer together. I could at least say that I was driving a small car with the engine in the back.
I am happy to report that my son has some of these same warm feelings for the old family mini-van that he has had the great honor to drive to high school.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Why man, why?
The goal of this blog is to share things that make up the sweet life of an average guy. At my age I have a great appreciation for the quote "Life is the thing that happens while you are busy making other plans" But through all that, I have found life to be really good. There a moments that make everything worth while.
One of my bosses (middle managers have many) told me that I am "full of great lines" ( I think he wanted to say I was full of something else). So in his honor, I will be passing them on to you in my WORDS TO LIVE BY section. In hopes of making the world a better place.
One of my bosses (middle managers have many) told me that I am "full of great lines" ( I think he wanted to say I was full of something else). So in his honor, I will be passing them on to you in my WORDS TO LIVE BY section. In hopes of making the world a better place.
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