I got a used tire on my truck. It makes me feel a whole lot better than getting up in the morning, carrying out the 50 lb compressor from the basement to the truck and filling up the tire, in - 20 C (-9 F) temperatures. Now, I just push the command start and wait for it to warm up. I brushed the snow off of my car today, then stood there and sighed. As much as I want to drive it, there is just no way. I put All Season tires on it to save money, since it doesn't go out in the snow. Now, when there is snow, I regret my descision not to get All Weather tires. Ah well, wish in one hand... The car is sitting there with a mostly full tank of fuel, ready for the Chinook. It is plugged in, has a battery maintainer on it and a electric oil pan warmer. If I still lived in the Arctic, it would also have a circulating heater and a battery blanket. This is what I had on my 1980 Dastun Diesel Kingcab.P/U. I am certain that when I plugged it in, the meter would start really spinning. At least I didn't have to pay extra for the power in the apartment's lot. All of my vehicles, even down here, have a battery maintainer on them. It just pays to be cautious. Well, bed time soon. Have a good night all Chuck
When I lived in Yellowknife, I, being one of the new guys, got to go on all of the networks north of Yellowknife. I used to think of Yellowknife as south. These are a few of the places I can remember going to when I worked for NorthWesTel as a Cable Splicer. I saw a lot of 24 hours of sun, 24 hours of no sun, very cold off the Arctic Ocean, a Polar Bear (The pole I was standing on was approx. 20 feet to the top. Our cable was on the middle of the cables (first cable, then telecom, then the neutral and hot at the top of the pole) so my feet were about 9 feet up. Now, I felt like a meat popsicle if he came in off the ice. Fortunately for me, he was passing by and didn't come in to land. Phew! We had to put an entrance cable into a new building and it was -44 F. Lucky for us, it was figure 8 cable, meaning that the cable and the messenger were in the same sheath. I put up the end on the building and got it ready for the splice the next week. Les, our foreman, said don't forget to put a coil in the end so no water can enter the cable until it is spliced. I looked at him and asked if he was kidding? Nope, coil the end! Okay.... I took the end of the cable, started to coil it up and about 10 feet of sheath shattered off the cable. Bummer dude! (Okay, I was in my 20's, I used that type of language back then.). Les looked at me, looked at the cable, and called it a weekend, Monday was another day. Monday was only - 20 F, we put up a new cable with no difficulties, looped the end and, there you go, Bob's your uncle. Enough old times, with this cold weather, I have been considering my windshield in my car. I purchased a new one 2 years ago and really don't want it damaged. when they ordered it for me, they told me it was the only one in Western Canada they could get. maybe another company has a different supplier, but, I really don't want to risk it. I am considering those foil covers you put over the windshield and through the doors. Does anyone think that would help, or no. I don't want to spend any money I don't have too (We're poor.... we have no money for food! A little George Carlin there.) It's just that a cover is far less expensive than a new windshield. Besides, I put the wiring for my backup cameras under the trim and last time they cut through the wires. They apologized when I found out (Hmm, camera no worky, why.... ahhh I see now.) and put 2 free rock chip fixes in my file (worth more than the old camera, besides, I replaced it with a front and rear facing camera.) Next time I have to go in, I am definitely going to remind them of the wires under the trim. William was going to take the car to work this week, but the snow put a kibosh on that. He had even filled the tank for it. I taught him the same rule Dad drummed into me. When you borrow a vehicle, return it full. We are supposed to warm up to -8 C (~ 16 F) next week and above freezing a week later. He will have to wait. He thought that driving his Ford Focus with studded snow tires was scary. The Wildcat with it's rebuilt engine would make him, let us say, deposit waste in his drawers, on the snow. I have broken the tires loose by accident on dry pavement. Snow, with All Season tires, I don't think so. Well, I have a 16 year old cat demanding attention, so have a wonderful day all. And, as vilified Freedom says on YouTube, remember JLYSDI (Jesus Loves You, So Do I) Chuck
I went out to the car, which hasn't been started in a week or so. I pumped it 3 times, expecting to have problems getting fuel to the carb, and almost flooded it. It coughed, fired up and ran beautifully. I checked the oil. It has been since July 13th that I changed it. I haven't had to add any oil since then. I kept watching it slowly go down the dipstick (the one in the engine, not the one driving.). Now, it isn't burning any, but she does pee on the pavement, just a little bit. I quart in 6 months. I can definitely live with that. Tomorrow, when I take Luke up to the Y to play at their play center (Contained, and free since Mike and Tess have memberships.) I will be driving the car instead of the truck. .
Enjoying your regular reports, Chuck. Keep on drivin'. It's like reading a postcard from an old friend. Devon
Thank you ever so much. Jenny says I write well, but are way too wordy. Most people have verbal diarrhea or the mouth. I have it in my hands. Can't stop reporting on the love, and frustrations, I have with my car. It's like having a bi-polar wife (my son does have one). Mostly, everything runs along fine, but then some little thing occurs and... bam..... that it becomes a big thing, The only thing is, with the wife, I can usually talk my way out of it. With the car, no such luck. Break out the tools boys, it's show time!
Very welcome. Good, engaging writing/speaking is an art. Reading the penned side of your postcard makes it easy to imagine the color photo on the other side. Devon
So today was the first day (well, in two weeks) that I have been able to get the car out and have fun. Our thermostat for the furnace decided to quit working properly, last week of course, when it was 30 below Celsius. I have been getting up every 2 hours to tap (firmly) the top and sides of the old thermostat, to ensure heat for my wife, son, and grandchildren when they come over in the mornings. I am tired. (I know, not a complete sentence, sorry Mrs. Graham, grade 8 English) I had to wait for today for any money and decided to take the car for a run. I got some thumbs up and smiles as I drove. A few puzzled looks, but hey, the car is a daily driver. I got to Rona, where the best deal on the thermostat I wanted was (Programmable) and parked. As I was getting out, a Toyota Hybrid parked a few stalls away (There ere no other cars around me. My wife sometimes asks if we are hitchhiking the rest of the way when we go to the mall.). I nodded and turned to go in when the older gentleman asked "Is that your car?" I expected the usual barrage of questions and turned and smiled "Yes it is." I replied. "Why would you drive a car like that? It is hard on gas and pollutes the environment so much. It should be junked." In my head (One, two, three, four, five...). I looked at his newer car and smiled, I'm going to enjoy this. I said his Prius was nice and asked how old it was. He told me 3 years. I said, "Do you realize that the majority of pollution as vehicle is responsible for in it's lifetime is created when you make the components of the car and assemble them?" I said "The Lithium used in your batteries is done by strip mining the poorer countries that provide it." "Lastly," I said "my car was manufactured in 1966 and so the pollution required to make the car occurred 58 years ago. The engine has been rebuilt and runs like a top. Plus, I love my car and will continue to drive it for as long as I can drive. Then my Eldest Son gets it. Your Prius will be in a wreckers long before this car. Good day!" I was less than polite, so much for our vaunted "Canadians are nice" cliche. I usually am, honest! Okay, I have to admit that most of those statements were provided for me by Uncle Tony's Garage and various other videos. I didn't mention the LIPO battery risk of fire if any cell gets damaged. I just didn't remember that part. I was kind of a cross between adult pissed (Who is he to tell me not to drive my 'Cat?) and Cheshire cat (Oh, I am going to burn him so badly, without a battery fire.). He just stared at me as I left and didn't approach me when he came into Rona's. All for the better, I wasn't in the mood for more guff. I'm beginning to think I must be some sort of "Environmentalist nut magnet". I have attracted so many that I am loosing patience with it. I guess though, the multitude of smiles, thumbs up and older guys (and some women) reminiscing about the cars they had, more than balances out the wingnuts. At least, that is what I am telling myself. All in all, it was a great day to drive the car. Roads were mostly dry, except on back road I took, and the day was (+6 C 43 F) beautiful with sunny skies and some (~60 Kph ~40 MPH) gusts of wind, just enough to remind you to pay attention to the road. The car ran great and handled like a dream. Everyone have a great evening, and I pray for the health and security of all member of this board, and their families. Good night. Chuck
Sorry Chuck, we have a lot of Wingnuts in the lower 48 too. Way to go man, guess Mr. Environmental hadn't though about where all that Lithium comes from. Bet he doesn't read up on battery fires or in the winter months, he may not be able start his car. Vet
I always try to give credit where credit is due. Here is a link to the video on 'Uncle Tony's Garage' that shows how driving an older car makes us the most environmentally conscious people. A lot to think about in the video. I used it the other day, as I said, on an older gentleman who objected to the Wildcat. I don't know who needs this info, as I did, but, here it is.
Today, we took a drive, just me, my Grandson Luke, and the Wildcat. It was nice getting out on the highway, even for a short drive. We went to the bottle return depot, then we went to the thrift store, because Gampy didn't put the top on his water bottle properly. My fault, so, go buy another shirt. I bought him some Paw Patrol toys and we left. When I got back to the car, parked on the street, my new mirror, passenger side, was broken. "Right.... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ,6... Okay, now I am pissed." I thought. Then I thought "What if they had broken the drivers side mirror?" I picked up the broken part, and we drove to the YMCA, so Luke could play. After playing around 2 hours, we drove through McDonalds for a Happy Meal, then home for a nap. While he napped, I took the mirror off, took it to the basement and drilled a hole. I put some glue and a screw through the broken part and remounted the mirror. I have to adjust it yet, but, I had to walk away at this point. If I had caught them, I don't know what I would have done. It did show me that my new $30 passenger mirror, is plastic that they chromed. When I can afford it, I will put a new one on. Until then, it works and you have to know it's there to see it, but I know it's there. I must be a magnet for trouble. Just, please, leave the car out of it Lord.
Chuck, so sorry to hear your Wildcat experienced vandalism. There is no good reason why this happens. Most likely some kid in a Chevelle did it. Lol My father had a sharp looking 64 Wildcat. At 15, it was the first car I learned to drive. Fire engine Red with a White roof the interior was a beautiful maroon. I loved that car. So much so, I had to buy new rear tires for it, Dad insisted. Vet. (Navy) PS, once in the Atlantic I helped to repair a Canadian Naval ship that broke a steam valve. I was on a U.S. Naval repair ship at the time. We were invited for drinks aboard the Canadian ship, I had no idea they have a "bar on board", wow and good booze too.
Thank you for your commiseration. I don't know why people do this. I only know that they do with some regularity here. Usually, it is a drunk or stoned individual. I can only shake my head and hope that Karma bites them back. For now, as I said, it is fixed and working as a mirror again. It is for my son William that I put the mirror there. That is why, rather than just remove it, I repaired it. I am so glad our 2 countries militaries can work so well together. Well, have a great evening all.
Only a coward would do such a thing. But it is infuriating. Send me a pick of the mirror that is correct for your car, I'll keep an eye out at the Nat's in Bowling Green in May and see if there are any really nice ones.
Today, my son generously put $40 in my tank so I could drive my car. I don't like to use it if it is below a 1/4 tank of fuel. This brought it up to just over 1/2 a tank, maybe 2/3. Right, off we go to the YMCA Play Place for the Grandkids. While I was driving there, I got a lot of looks, and some thumbs up. I stopped at a light, and an older lady (older is a perspective call, she was probably 70.) pulled up and rolled down her window. I rolled mine down and she said "I love your car, is it for sale?" "No, sorry but it has already been promised to my eldest son." I replied. It is nice, tiring sometimes, but nice that people like seeing these older cars going down the road. It is usually followed by a flood of questions, a occasional offer to purchase, and the occasional rant about the environment, but not today! At the Play Place, they have an alarmed door at the top of the rope climbing structure. Today, Aria pushed it to see what was outside (just a hall) and the alarm, of course, went off. Very loud! Aria has Asperger's, a form of autism that has sound sensitivity. She screamed and dove for the slide right beside it and came down faster than I had ever seen her go. At the bottom, she launched herself into my arms and for the next 10 minutes trembled and cried in my arms. I held her tight until she started to relax and explained to her that the alarm is there to keep little kids (she's 6, I have been informed that is big.) safe so they do not leave the Play Place without their parents knowing. Didn't really help, she has decided to not go there any more. "Today is a scary day.", a downcast little lady told me, numerous times. I took them to McDonalds, with their play area, for lunch, then we went home to Nana's. It was decided (by her) that maybe she should sleep at Nana's house tonight (she has been keeping her daddy, my son Mike, awake while she sleeps with them.), just to make certain that Gampy doesn't get scared. Back on track, with my car, I marvelled again today at the power put out by the 425 engine in the car. I was going up the far side of the valley (Prairies, no hills here. When I first moved here in 2000, I kept hearing about people having trouble on the hill. Hill??? I asked, 'What hill?". They said going up to the west side. I laughed and said "That's not a hill, that's a valley." (or, as they call them here, a coulee.)"A hill goes up, then down... a valley goes down, then up. No hill, valley." I got some funny looks, but, coming from British Columbia, everything is hills and mountains. This.... is prairie. We were going up the other side of the valley and I noticed a car starting to merge over into my lane. Now, I am slightly in front of him, so slowing down really wasn't an option. I tromped on the pedal (I admit, that felt good.) and she took off, from 100 KPH (60 MPH) like a scared rabbit and left that car in the dust, quickly. I do not want my car hit. Yes, it can be fixed. No, I do not want to do the bodywork again. This made Luke laugh and clap, Aria gave me a disapproving look and told me to slow down. Yes, my life is controlled by my Grandkids, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Well, I hope that everyone has a terrific day, as I am. And remember, when driving, shiny side up, greasy side down. (As my Dad used to say to me.) Chuck
Okay, was this dementia, or some weird Buick disease. Today is the first above freezing day and with the roads bare and dry, to the Wildcat I go. We went down into the valley and as we crossed the Oldman River I said, out loud, "Come on girl, let's stretch your legs.". I got a funny look from my Grandson Luke, but, what the hey. If you can't have fun driving, you have the wrong vehicle.
That's how it begins. Your grandson will be one of the few who will carry the legacy of those who love Buick.
