A Long Walk Home

Posted on December 8, 2017 by vanbraman

Tonight I dropped Old Blue back at the dealership again. At least this time it was not because of a problem. I really need an oil change and want it to get done as early as possible tomorrow. Plus, I would really like to sleep in a bit after a long week.

Old Blue, Tracy Chevrolet, Oil ChangeYou may have seen my Old Blue Blues post from Wednesday night. I will give you an update. The tire was able to be patched, but I needed a new battery. They called me first thing in the morning for the approvals and I was on the road toward the office by 9:30, which included stopping for gas. They had asked me if I also wanted to get an oil change as it was due, but I needed to get to the office.

Low Oil Life, Temperature, Cold Walk, Car workSo, I had arranged to bring my car back for a Saturday morning oil change. My plan which I carried out was to drop it off tonight so I didn’t have to get up early 🙂

Here you can see that it was a bit cold out, so the two mile walk was made with a coat on.

White Gloves, Cold Weather WalkingIt was nice that I also had some gloves with me, as the temps were in the 30’s by the time I got home.

Goats, barnyard, animals, walkI had an interesting walk. It is amazing how many more cars are on the streets on a Friday night versus a Wednesday night. Plus, all the crazy people with loud cars were out and about and you could hear squealing tires and revving motors all around.

I also walked by a small herd of goats. I see these goats all the time when I drive home from the mall and have always wanted to take pictures of them. Now I have one.

Too Tall, Low Clearance, RV, backing upJust near the goats I saw something else interesting. This motor home was slowly being backed down the street. It seem that the clearance on the underpass was not enough. I am not sure where they will have to go to find a greater clearance.

Underpass, clearance, Clearance SignThey were backing really slow and were still moving when I looked back from almost two blocks away.

Orion, Constellations, Stars, Trees, Walk HomeAs I neared home I turned my camera skyward and took a picture of the constellation Orion. I will add it to my collection of night sky pictures. See: Some Shots of Orion

Hopefully Old Blue will be ready before lunch time. I have a bunch of errands to run tomorrow before heading off to a party in the evening.

Steven

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Pearl Harbor Day Memories

Posted on December 7, 2017 by vanbraman

Fifty four years ago on Pearl Harbor Day my parents got married in a little church in Frytown, Iowa.

Frytown Church of Christ - Frytown, Iowa - 150 years - Restoration MovementEach year as Pearl Harbor Day approaches I start thinking of my parent’s anniversary. It is an easy way to remember the date of Pearl Harbor Day, or the other way around 🙂

Pearl Harbor Day, Hawaii, Attack, MemoriesI usually see headlines in the newspaper and also on Facebook of the observances in Hawaii of this memorable day and am reminded that I need to make a phone call home to talk to my parents.

This has been the case most of the time, but one year I was in Tokyo and didn’t get a reminder. This was before Facebook, and there was no mention in the local news that day.

Wedding reception, Frytown, Iowa, wedding anniversaryToday of course I am remembering my parents. I always like looking at some of the pictures of their wedding like this one from the reception. They looked so young.

anniversary, wedding anniversary, Frytown Iowa, MemoriesMy mom was a beautiful bride and my dad looked so handsome in his dark suit.

parents, family pictures, 53rd anniversary, Fall picture of grandparentsThis picture was taken last fall, so was 53 years later.

I talked to my mom earlier tonight and they had a good day together.

I am now thinking about Niagara Falls, as that is where they went on their honeymoon. They drove through snow as they headed out on their first adventure as newlyweds.

Is it snowing in Frytown tonight? I just checked, and no snow.

I am glad that my parents had a wonderful anniversary together today.

Steven

 

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