What A Day This Has Been!

                      Well today started early with a trip to Exact Auto, guys did a great job on my car! I had to have ball joints and the dreaded Tie-Rod Ends replaced.  That started at 8:30 this morning to 4 pm this afternoon, but its done, now all I have to get repaired is the strut mounts, plug wires plus a tune-up and of course alignment...AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!  Good Grief , the joys of owning an automobile , all the things a new driver has to get acquainted with eventually.  First thrill is the basic three, Car payment, Car Insurance and Gasoline Money all requiring a job of course.  I think they should teach this in driver's ed. All of what you need in car ownership.  Mine began in 1987, felt good the first few months,then 'its not just a car, its an adventure !"  Oh well, got to love it.
                        My aunt is doing better, still is in the hospital getting test done, my nephew is the same as well as my Dad#2.  That still worries me, but what's new, I always worry.  My dad and mom seemed in good spirits especially ,my dad, who made a day of picking on his grand kids, my son and my daughter, my mom and me.   He told a story about himself and how when he was a boy he collected comic books to trade with his friends.  On one of the comic books, my dad spotted a prize that he wanted "A Gene Aultry Guitar "  and to get this, he had to sell so many cans of Cloverine Ointment" .   He sold this without his mom knowing it and waited patiently for it to arrive after he sent the money in.  I can picture this in my mind as dad described the image of "The singing cowboy sporting a big smile,riding his horse Champion , throwing a lasso" on a blue guitar...well like something out of "A Christmas Story" when he got his long-awaited prize, it turned out to be an ukulele , not a guitar, he was so bummed , he traded it off.
                         Then out of the "Blue" pardon me, he started to laugh until his face turned beet red.  I want to apologize in advance for the crudity of this next story.   My Nephew Scott had been attending church with my folks for sometime and in a habit of sitting with them in the same row.  This Sunday my dad and Scott were sitting side by side.  After the service was over, dad stood up, bent slightly over while doing this action and accidentally broke wind in Scott's face while he tried to get up.     The look on Scott's face was priceless.  In shock, he stated quietly and calmly with a big burst of laughter almost escaping his lips "Grandpa, I can't believe you just did that!'  Of course my dad's face was already red, just replied "Its the strain of my body Scott, that happens when you get old."
                        Seems like everything happens when you get older, things that occur in the most awkward and unappropriated places.  Which seems so unfair but can't be helped.  My favorite are the passing of unwanted and unheard(only to hard of hearing farmers) gas.  Just carrying on a conversation with you like nothing happened, while you the innocent bystander have to keep a straight face.  Just another of life's mysteries. My favorite explanations are as follows "Who Smurfed?' I like this one because I never liked the smurfs.    " Was That A Duck?"  , "Squeaky Floorboard." this one is used quite frequently by my brother as he is testing the floor....so to speak and an oldie but a goodie from my generation and the one before "Who Cut The Cheese?"  That one was a great insult to cheese lovers everywhere.
                       Got to laugh at yourself, but always remember to be serious behind the wheel, keep your vehicle in good working order with routine maintenance and Respect others around you,especially your friends and family, lovingly joyful memories are the best of them all.  I guess that is my lesson to you for today!