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Section 2, Row 7, Site Number 1

The band it was ‘a playing an uplifting martial beat, He maybe had a sweetheart, young and soft and sweet. His mother she stood bravely, holding back her tears, Surely he would be OK, in spite of all her fears. Hissing and ‘a huffing, the train blew off some steam, Rollin’ to the platform, likeContinue reading “Section 2, Row 7, Site Number 1”

The “Laid Down” Engine

Today is the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500. As a 13 year-old I listened to the 1958 race on KLTZ radio in Glasgow. The year before there had been a technological revolution in cars. Someone got the idea to lay the Offenhauser engine that dominated the race on its side. This lowered the profileContinue reading “The “Laid Down” Engine”

100,000 Miles at 100 Miles an Hour!

Caliente Means Hot In the Fall of 1963, Beatlemania was sweeping the land. Meanwhile, Ford’s Lincoln-Mercury Division was engaged in a spectacular stunt to prove the power and endurance of it’s sporty 289 V-8 equipped Comet Caliente. Five Comets would attempt to circle the high banks of Daytona Motor Speedway for 40 days and nightsContinue reading “100,000 Miles at 100 Miles an Hour!”

Long George Francis

The Outlaw and the Schoolmarm They said he rode with Curry, but we can never tell, but at the ridin’ and the ropin’ we knew he did excel. Perhaps he had a long rope, an orphan calf or two, those farmers and the ranchers never had a clue. Tall and slim and fitted out inContinue reading “Long George Francis”

The Comet and the UFO

One time I bought a Comet, blacker than the night, And while I’m drivin’ in it, I took my greatest fright. In the state of Utah, a Junction called La Sal, Got a call from Chi-town, gotta’ weld the rail. Got a job a’ waitin’ in that Colorado land, Workin’ for Mister Muncie and hisContinue reading “The Comet and the UFO”

La Sal Junction

Just south of Moab Utah is a junction called La Sal, Sittin’ ‘neath the red rocks, it’s a beautiful locale. Sure to take your breath away each time that you pass, Where sits a lonesome station that used to pump the gas. Once it was a truck stop, the diesels they rolled in, Double-clutchin’ upContinue reading “La Sal Junction”

Humble Al’s Grenade

We called him “Humble” Al, I was proud to be his pal, No matter what went down, you could sure depend on Al. In Sixty-Five we sailed off to war while playin’ Crazy Eights, Not knowin’ where or when we’d ever see the states. His weapon was a solder gun, the .45 is just forContinue reading “Humble Al’s Grenade”

Milk River

Barefoot boy sittin’ on the bank, Starin’ at a bobber waitin’ fer a yank. Beaver makes a splash, slaps his tail, Gone outta’ sight, leavin’ no trail. Rope swing hangin’ from a branch, Only the bravest take that chance. Bare Butt Beach, no girls allowed, First swim across makes you proud. White-tail deer hidden inContinue reading “Milk River”

Drawer Slide

Bent sheet metal bearing retainer and missing ball bearings on outer slide section.

The Weakest Link

Above is a picture of the US/Mexico border on the San Pedro River about 4 miles from where we lived for 21 years. My first reaction to the photo was, “My God, what have they done to my river? This unsightly steel barricade was installed under the Former Guy’s Border wall initiative. It was builtContinue reading “The Weakest Link”