A pleasant afternoon's outing

[mmd]

By sheer happenstance, I had the finest kind of afternoon today. I got up early this morning and slaved over my computer at the office until just after lunch, then went into town to complete those last few errands necessary for the upcoming festivities. On a whim, I decided to drop in on my mechanic to say hello and season's greetings. Lo and behold, he had suspended operations in his shop at noon too, and after a liesurely lunch at the local pub, he and several of his friends repaired back to the shop (pun intended ;) ) for some afternoon pickin' 'n' grinnin'. I knew Alden played guitar, but I hadn't realized how accomplished a bluegrass musician he was. He was accompanied by three more guitarist friends and a mandolin buddy. I had to leave before the fiddlin' friend arrived, but before that I got to hear about a half-hour of fine musicianship. A bunch of greasy, happy country buddies - mechanics, truck drivers, plant workers - kickin' back out in the shop havin' an occasional nip outta th' jug and making some beautiful noise. Too cool!

When it came time to leave, one of the guests asked me to drive him home, as he was getting a bit too lubricated to drive. When I pulled into his driveway, he invited me in to see his "toys in the garage". (By the way, his garage is about three times as big as mine and five times cleaner!) In one corner was a cherry 1985 Toyota Celica Supra with all leather interior and a turbo'd and detailed engine that is apparently able to put out stupid amounts of horsepower. (This turns out to be my mechanic's new toy, stored here for the winter.) Way slick. In the far bay was a 1957 Belaire two-door street rod undergoing restoration - metalwork is complete, interior upholstery and panels complete, chassis with new suspension bits and discs all 'round finished, and a 325-hp 350 small block with tasteful chroming and paint ready to percolate. Bodywork is next with paint in the spring. It's gonna be a really nice ride.

'Twas a fine little diversion - stopped in for a ten-minute hello, and received a two-hour bluegrass pickin', moonshine drinkin', gearhead talkin' social session. What a wonderful way to start the Christmas Holidays! :D :D

[Kim Whitmyre]

Most excellent! ;)

[Wild Dingo]

Well done Michael! :cool:

[Tristan]

Totally good karma all the way around. I once had an old Chevy wagon which had largely quit running. Put an ad in the paper to sell it for $35. Great Balls Afire, I had no idea it was a vintage model that was worth, body alone, $500 and up. Got my first call that AM about 7, the caller screeched up to my front yard about 10 minutes later, dad was driving, the kid came out of the car running, and slapped the $35 into my hand. THEN he went over to look at the car. I stammered that the engine hardly ran and he assured me that they'd just throw the six cylinder engine away, he just wanted the body. We had to take the phone off the hook that day.