GETTIN' BETTER

HELLO TO ALL,

     WELL, A FRIEND OF MINE SAID I'VE BEEN WHINING TOO MUCH IN MY BLOG, AND AFTER LOOKING AT THE LAST FEW I SUPPOSE HE'S RIGHT. I'LL TRY TO CUT DOWN ON THE COMPLAINING AND STICK WITH THE FACTS. (MAYBE JUST A LITTLE WHINING!).

     WELL, I FINALLY FINISHED THE PORCH AT MOM'S HOUSE (I'LL TRY TO POST A PICTURE OR TWO), GOT THE SHED PUT UP (MOSTLY), AND GOT SOME WOOD CUT (NOT NEAR ENOUGH BUT I'LL GET THERE IN THE NEXT SIX WEEKS OR SO). I STILL NEED TO TURN THE GARDEN OVER, FINISH THE SHED AND THERE ARE TWO BIG OLD BLACK WALNUT TREES IN THE FRONT YARD THAT NEED TO COME DOWN.

     WE WENT TO THE COVERED BRIDGE FESTIVAL IN SOUTHERN INDIANA THIS PAST FRIDAY. HAD A GOOD TIME. WE PICKED UP SOME OLD FOUR PANEL DOORS TO MAKE A KIND OF DAY BED FOR THE YOUNGEST SON, HE NEEDED MORE ROOM, SO WE MOVED OUT THE OLD BED AND WILL MAKE THE DOORS INTO A FRAME FOR A TWIN MATTRESS.

     TO KIND OF MAKE UP FOR THE WHINING, I HAVE TO SAY ALL IN ALL THIS WAS ONE OF MY BEST SUMMERS IN A LONG TIME. WENT TO THE HOT ROD REUNION, WENT TO THE AMCA MEET IN WAUSEON, OHIO, WENT TO THE SUMMER NATIONALS IN INDY, DID A LOT OF DAY TRIP STUFF WITH THE WIFE AND THE YOUNGEST BOY. THE TRIP TO THE COVERED BRIDGE FESTIVAL WAS THE FIRST IN A COUPLE OF YEARS, WE HAVE GONE QUITE A FEW TIMES OVER THE LIFE OF OUR MARRIAGE AND THE WIFE HAD GONE MANY TIMES BEFORE THEN. A FEW WEEKS AGO WE RENTED A CABIN IN SOUTHERN INDIANA, AND THE OLDEST BOY MET US DOWN THERE WITH HIS NEW GIRLFRIEND AND WE RENTED A PONTOON BOAT FOR THE DAY, IT WAS QUITE NICE. SO, AS I SAID I HAD A REALLY NICE SUMMER. BUSY, BUT NICE.

     MOM IS ALL SETTLED IN AT THE HOUSE, BUT HER CAR BROKE DOWN. SHE'S BEEN DRIVING OUR OTHER CAR FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS. A SENSOR WENT BAD IN THE TRANSMISSION AND WE HAD THAT CHANGED, BUT THEY FOUND A HOLE RUSTED IN THE SUBFRAME NEAR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT. I TOOK IT OVER TO "SHOP TEACHER BOB'S" AND HE'S ABOUT GOT IT REPAIRED.  SO SHE'LL BE BACK IN BUSINESS PRETTY SOON. HER HEALTH IS PRETTY GOOD FOR BEING 83, SHE HAS HER MOMENTS BUT ALL IN ALL, NOT BAD.

      WORK IS STILL BUSY, BUT FINALLY SLOWING DOWN A BIT. THAT GIVES ME A LITTLE MORE TIME IN THE EVENING TO DO SOME THINGS AROUND THE HOMESTEAD. THE BIKE IS ON HOLD, ALTHOUGH I AM GOING TO MAKE A TRIP TO THE H/D DEALER SOON AND HAVE THE FRONT FORKS REPAIRED. MAYBE AFTER NEW YEARS I CAN MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO GET A "ROLLER" OUT OF IT. I NEED TO DO SOME TRIM WORK IN THE HOUSE THIS WINTER, BUT I THINK I CAN SQUEEZE IN SOME BIKE TIME ALONG THE WAY.

     WELL, I THINK THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.

                                                      TALK TO YOU SOON,
                              
                                                                       TVI

P.S. I DON'T THINK I WHINED TOO MUCH, DID I?  LOL

WHEW.........

HELLO TO ALL,

     WELL, I HAD A LITTLE TIME THIS WEEK TO GET A FEW THINGS DONE AROUND THE HOUSE. DROPPED THE GAS TANK ON THE TRUCK TUESDAY NIGHT, AND CHANGED THE BRAKE LINE AND PUT IT BACK UP LAST NIGHT. STOPPED AND GOT A WEEDWHACKER AND NEW SPRAYER FOR THE FOUR WHEELER AND WHACKED WEEDS ON MONDAY.
                                     
     THE WIFE BOUGHT A NEW TV CABINET THIS WEEK SO NOW THAT THE TRUCK IS RUNNING, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO NORTH JUDSON TOMORROW AND PICK THAT UP, AND WE ARE GOING TO SWAP REFRIGERATORS AT MOM'S HOUSE AFTER THAT. HOPEFULLY I'LL HAVE TIME TO MOUNT THE NEW WEED SPRAYER ON THE FOUR WHEELER AND DO SOME SPRAYING THIS WEEKEND. OH, AND I NEED TO REPAIR THE BATTERY CABLES ON THE GOLF CART SOMETIME THIS WEEKEND TOO.

     IT'S ALSO TIME TO START CUTTING FIREWOOD, PLUS I HAVE TO FINISH THE LEAN TO I STARTED IN JUNE TO STORE THE WOOD UNDER BY THE OUTDOOR FURNACE. THAT GOT PUT ON THE BACK BURNER WHEN MOM NEEDED TO MOVE.

     MY WIFE FINISHED PUTTING UP THE BATTENS ON THE BARN, AND THE PAINTING PROJECT IS HOPEFULLY GOING TO BE FINISHED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. ( THE KID  WENT TO COLLEGE BUT SAYS HE'LL FINISH IT ON THE WEEKENDS WHEN HE COMES HOME........WE'LL SEE!)

     WELL AS I SAID IN MY LAST POST, "NO REST FOR THE WICKED"!

                                                               TALK TO YOU SOON,

                                                                           TVI

NO REST FOR THE WICKED

HELLO TO ALL,

     AS YOU CAN TELL FROM THE LAST POST, I'VE RETURNED FROM ATLANTA. SPENT SATURDAY PUTTING UP THE HAND RAILINGS ON MOM'S NEW FRONT PORCH. ALL THAT'S LEFT ON THE PORCH IS CUTTING OFF THE POSTS AND CAPPING THEM AND, COVERING UNDERNEATH THE PORCH WITH SOMETHING. STILL HAVE TO FIX THE BRAKE LINE ON THE TRUCK, AND TRY TO DO SOME CATCHING UP AT HOME. THE KID WE HIRED TO PAINT THE BARN HAS BEEN GONE MOST OF THE SUMMER WITH SOME BAND THING AND CAME HOME SATURDAY. THE WIFE SAYS HE PAINTED THE WEST WALL TODAY AND HOPES TO FINISH THE OTHER TWO WALLS BEFORE HE GOES TO COLLEGE ON THURSDAY. I'M GOING TO STOP AT MENARDS AND BUY MYSELF A NEW WEED WHACKER AND A NEW SPRAYER FOR THE FOUR WHEELER. THE WEEDS HERE ARE SOME KIND OF INDUSTRIAL MUTATION. SO IT'S TIME FOR SOME HEAVY DUTY WHACKING AND SPRAYING. BEFORE I LEFT FOR ATLANTA I GOT OUT IN THE GARDEN AND I THINK I SAVED EVERYTHING BUT THE GREEN BEANS, THE WIFE GOT SOME TOMATOES AND ZUCHINI THE OTHER NIGHT SO, I THINK WHAT'S LEFT WILL SURVIVE.

     WORK IS STILL CRAZY, BUT AT LEAST I'M WORKING, I GUESS THAT'S A BLESSING , BUT I'M FEELING IT EVERYDAY. FRIDAY WAS THREE JOBS, AND TODAY WAS FOUR. LOOKS LIKE TOMORROW WILL BE AST LEAST TWO AND POSSIBLY THREE. WELL LIKE I SAID, AT LEAST I'M STILL WORKING.

     COUSIN BOB CAME IN FROM CONNETICUT, FOR A VISIT ON SUNDAY, HE'S BEEN AREAL JOY TO HAVE IN THE FAMILY. AN AUNT OF MINE GAVE HIM UP FOR ADAOPTION IN THE FORTIES AND HE FOUND US JUST AFTER SHE PASSED AWAY. HE'S BEEN A BLAST TO BE AROUND SINCE WE FIRST MET HIM.

     WELL, I GUESS THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.

                                                                   TALK TO YOU SOON,

                                                                         TVI

HOW DO YOU SAY HAVE A SAFE TRIP IN SOUTH AFRICAN?

HELLO TO ALL,

     WELL I ARRIVED AT THE FACTORY THIS MORNING AND THE FIRST MACHINE I DID YESTERDAY IS BEING LOADED ON A TRUCK AND DRIVEN TO JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA, TO START IT'S JOURNEY TO SOUTH AFRICA. THE OTHERS WERE STILL THERE WHEN I LEFT TO GO BACK TO THE HOTEL.

     I'M GOING TO GO DOWN AND SEE IF THEY HAVE A WHIRLPOOL AT THE HOTEL, I KIND OF HOPE SO I NEED A SOAK!

     I HAD DINNER AT PANERA BREAD LAST NIGHT(A STRAWBERRY CHICKEN SALAD WITH BLUEBERRY VINAGRETTE, YUMMY) AND TONIGHT I THINK THE OLIVE GARDEN (TWO OF MINE AND MY WIFE'S FAVORITE PLACES!). SHE WAS AT THE GARDEN IN NASHVILLE AND SAYS THEY HAVE SOME KIND OF SHISH KABOB THING, SO, I THOUGHT I'D TRY THAT. BESIDES, I LOVE THEIR COFFEE, DARK ITALIAN ROAST, COULD BE MY FAVORITE, OR FRENCH DARK ROAST, OR MAYBE.................. YOU GET THE PICTURE.

     WELL, ALL IN ALL NOT A BAD TRIP, FOR THE FIRST TRIP OUT OF TOWN FOR THE COMPANY I WORK FOR. I'D MUCH RATHER HAVE BEEN DOING A SCHOOL, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY PAY ME FOR I GUESS. OH WELL, BACK TO THE GRIND ON FRIDAY. MY COUSIN BOB IS COMING TO MY MOM'S FOR A VISIT ON SUNDAY, SO SATURDAY IS GOING TO BE BUSY DOING THE RAILINGS AT MOM'S HOUSE, IT SHOULDN'T BE TOO BAD. I HAVE 2/3 OF IT CUT ALLREADY AND THE REST ARE SMALLER SECTIONS.

     WELL, I GUESS THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.

                                                      TALK TO YOU SOON,

                                                                          TVI


P.S.  I FINISHED UP IN ATLANTA, AND AM HOME AS I POST THIS ONE. EVERYTHING WORKED OUT WELL AND AM BACK TO WORK.











                                                    

OH, ATLANTA.....WELL NOT QUITE

HELLO TO ALL,

     WELL THE TITLE SORT OF SAYS IT ALL. I FLEW TO ATLANTA AND THEN RENTED A CAR AND DROVE TO NEWNAN, GEORGIA FOR WORK. NOT FAR FROM ATLANTA,  ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES SOUTHWEST. ONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS THE COMPANY HAS IS A KAWASAKI LOADER DEALERSHIP. SO.....I CAME TO THE AMERICAN ASSEMBLY PLANT TO "CHRISTEN" FOUR MACHINES THAT A CUSTOMER BOUGHT AND IS SHIPPING TO SOUTH AFRICA. SEEMS KIND OF A ROUNDABOUT WAY OF DOING IT BUT, I GET A MINI VACATION OUT OF THE DEAL.

     WELL, NOT EXACTLY. I WORKED FROM 6 THIS MORNING TILL 6 TONIGHT, AND TOMORROW WILL BE ABOUT THE SAME. BUT I GET TO SLEEP IN ON THURSDAY BECAUSE MY FLIGHT BACK DOESN'T LEAVE UNTIL 2:45 OR SO(IN THE AFTERNOON). IT'S NOT BAD WORK, CHECKING EVERYTHING, PRESSURES, RPM'S, CYCLE TIMES, ALL THE B.S. STUFF.

    AT HOME, I DID GET SOME OF THE HANDRAILS MADE FOR MOM'S FRONT PORCH, THE TRUCK STILL NEEDS A BRAKE LINE, PLUS EVERYTHING ELSE THAT HASN'T GOTTEN DONE SO FAR THIS SUMMER.

     OH, THE CLASS REUNION WAS AN ABSOULUTE BLAST! I HAD SO MUCH FUN. IF I CAN FIND IT I'LL POST A PICTURE OF THREE OF THE GUYS I WAS IN AUTO SHOP WITH. THREE OF US ARE STILL MECHANICS, AND ONE OF THEM IS A HELL OF A MUSICIAN, BUT FROM TALKING WITH HIM AT THE REUNION HE STILL USES THE SKILLS HE LEARNED IN "WILD" WARREN HOUSINGER'S CLASS.

     WELL, I THINK THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.

                                                           TALK TO YOU SOON,

                                                                        TVI

YOU COULD FRY AN EGG......

HELLO TO ALL,

     MAN IT'S HOT. THIS IS AS HOT A SUMMER AS I CAN REMEMBER. THE OLDER I GET, THE MORE I CAN'T TAKE THE HEAT. I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER LIVE IN FLORIDA OR ARIZONA. I'D LIKE TO FIND A PLACE WHERE THERE'S A LITTLE LESS WINTER, BUT NOT SOME PLACE WHERE YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT IN MISERABLE SUMMERS.

     OH WELL, I'VE BEEN TELLING YOU HOW BUSY WORK HAS BEEN, AND TODAY THEY HIRED FOUR MORE GUYS! THAT'S EIGHT GUYS IN FOURTEEN MONTHS. EVERYONE ELSE I TALK TO IN THIS BUSINESS IS LAYING OFF OR HOLDING THEIR OWN. I SAID IT BEFORE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THESE PEOPLE ARE DOING BUT APPARENTLY IT'S THE RIGHT THING.

     I SPENT THE WEEKEND WORKING ON THE PORCH AT MY MOM'S HOUSE, GOT THE DECK ON IT AND THE STAIRS PUT ON SO NOW SHE CAN GET IN AND OUT BY HERSELF. I ABOUT DIED ON SUNDAY IT WAS SO HOT, BUT MADE IT THROUGH AND SHE'S HAPPY. HOPE TO FINISH NEXT WEEKEND. I JUST HAVE THE HANDRAILS AROUND THE DECK AND THE SPINDLES TO PUT ON, OH YEAH AND COVER THE BOTTOM WITH SOMETHING. I'LL POST A FEW PICTURES WHEN IT'S DONE. I THINK MY WIFE TOOK SOME PICTURES OF IT BEFORE WE STARTED SO, IF I CAN FIND THEM I'LL POST SOME OF THOSE TOO.

     I  HAD A PINHOLE IN A BRAKE LINE ON MY PICKUP THAT I HAVE TO REPAIR, BUT I HAVE TO DROP THE GAS TANK TO FIX IT CORRECTLY, AND I JUST DON'T HAVE THE GUMPTION TO LAY ON MY BACK ON THE HOT ASPHALT AND START ON IT SO, IT'S NOT FIXED YET(GLAD WE HAVE TWO CARS LOL!).

     EVERYTHING AT THE HOUSE HAS BEEN ON HOLD SINCE WE BOUGHT THE HOUSE FOR MOM. THE WEEDS ARE TERRIBLE, THE GARDEN IS ALMOST LOST. I'M HOPING TO GET OU THERE AND AT LEAST SAVE THE TOMATOES, BUT I DON'T KNOW YET JUST WHEN THAT WILL BE.

     WELL, I GUESS THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.

                                                   TALK TO YOU SOON,

                                                               TVI

HOLY CRAP 2!

HELLO TO ALL,

     GOD DAMN IS IT HOT! I FEEL LIKE THE WICKED WITCH (I'M MELTING). WELL THE CLASS REUNION IS ONLY A FEW DAYS AWAY AND I'M READY TO GO.  IT SHOULD REALLLY BE FUN. SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE I HAVEN'T SEEN IN FORTY YEARS.

     I GOT MOM ALL MOVED INTO THE NEW HOUSE OVER THE WEEKEND, STILL HAVE THINGS TO DO, BUT SHE REALLY LIKES IT SO, THAT IS A PLUS. STILL HAVE TO FINISH THE FRONT PORCH(TOO DAMN HOT), PUT UP SOME SHELVES, HANG UP SOME PICTURES, ETC., BUT OVERALL IT'S ABOUT DONE.

     WELL, THAT'S ABOUT ALL I HAVE EXCEPT I'M GOING TO POST A FEW MORE PICTURES FROM THE AMCA MEET, JUST BECAUSE I CAN! LOL

                                                   TALK TO YOU SOON,

 TVI

                                                              

AMCA MEET IN WAUSEON

HELLO TO ALL,

     THE AMCA MEET IN WAUSEON WAS ONE OF THE COOLEST THINGS I'VE BEEN TO IN A LONG TIME. THERE WAS EVERY KIND OF BIKE IMAGINABLE THERE. FROM BULTACOS TO ZUNDAPPS, PLUS A BUNCH OF OTHER STUFF, INCLUDING A 1947 CHAINSAW WITH A 62" BAR!

     THE ONE GUY I WANTED TO MEET WASN'T THERE ON FRIDAY BUT I DID MEET HIS DAD, WHICH WAS PRETTY COOL. HE WASN'T COMING IN TILL LATE FRIDAY AND I LEFT ABOUT 4:OO SO I COULD PICK UP MY YOUNGEST SON AT BOY SCOUT CAMP.

     UNFORTUNATELY THE ONE VENDOR I WANTED TO TALK TO HAD TRUCK TROUBLE AND THEY WEREN'T THERE BEFORE I LEFT EITHER. OH WELL, THAT'S PART OF LIFE TOO.

     HENDERSON AND EXCELSIOR MOTORCYCLES WERE THE FEATURED BIKES THIS YEAR AND THERE WERE SOME STUNNING EXAMPLES, INCLUDING A SIX CYLINDER VERSION OF A HENDERSON, THAT THE GUY ACTUALLY DROVE AROUND THE FAIRGROUNDS. ON THE WAY THERE FRIDAY MORNING FOUR OR FIVE GUYS PASSED ME UP ON THE TOLL ROAD DRIVING OLD "KNUCKLE HEAD" HARLEYS.  THESE BIKES ARE FROM THE MID THIRTIES TO THE LATE FORTIES, AND THESE GUYS HAD THEM PACKED FOR CAMPING AND ALL HAD OKLAHOMA PLATES. THESE BIKES ARE SEVENTY TO EIGHTY YEARS OLD AND THEY PASSED ME LIKE I WAS STANDING STILL.

     ALMOST EVERY BIKE ON DISPLAY OR BROUGHT IN FOR JUDGING WAS DRIVEN AROUND THE FAIRGROUNDS AT SOME TIME OR ANOTHER. SOME OF THEM WERE RESTORED, BUT THERE WERE SEVERAL ORIGINAL PAINT BIKES THERE TOO.

     MAN, I WAS IN HEAVEN! I'D REALLY LIKE TO GO BACK NEXT YEAR, BECAUSE SOME OF THESE BIKES ARE OLD RACING BIKES AND THEY ACTUALLY STILL RACE THEM ON A FLAT TRACK RIGHT AT THE FAIRGROUNDS. THAT WOULD BE PRETTY COOL TO SEE.

     OH WELL, I GUESS THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.

                                                                     TALK TO YOU SOON,

                                                                                  TVI

P.S. MY FORTIETH CLASS REUNION IS ON SATURDAY, AND THAT'S SOUNDS LIKE FUN. OTHER THAN HAVING TO MOVE MY MOM, IT'S BEEN A REALLY FUN SUMMER SO FAR.(IF ONLY WORK WASN'T GETTING IN THE WAY!) LOL

HOLY CRAP!

HELLO TO ALL,

     WELL, I'VE BEEN BACK FROM THE BIG ADVENTURE FOR ABOUT ALMOST A MONTH, AND THINGS ARE JUST AS CRAZY AS EVER.

     I'VE WORKED ONLY ONE 8 HOUR DAY AT WORK SINCE I'VE BEEN BACK, ALL THE REST HAVE BEEN AT LEAST TEN(BUT NO WEEKENDS). THOSE ARE RESERVED FOR ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE THAT DON'T GET DONE MONDAY- FRIDAY, AND THAT LIST SEEMS ENDLESS. PLUS MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT A HOUSE FOR MY MOM TO MOVE INTO, AND OF COURSE IT NEEDS WORK. PLUS PACKING AND MOVING HER, ETC., ETC., ETC.. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON SATURDAY, THAT'S WHEN WE HAVE HELP LINED UP. HOPEFULLY IT GOES SMOOTHLY.

     I DID HAVE ONE EVENING OFF AND I WENT TO THE ANNUAL CRUISE NIGHT IN RENSSELAER. I LOVE THAT EVENT. THERE ARE SOME REALLY COOL CARS, BIKES, AND EVEN AN OLD SEMI OR TWO. MY FAVORITE SEMI, AND IT SHOWS UP EVERY YEAR, IS A MACK B61 THERMODYNE. IT JUST REMINDS ME OF MY DAD.

     WELL, I DECIDED TO TAKE FRIDAY OFF AND GO TO WAUSEON, OHIO. THE ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF AMERICA HAS A NATIONAL MEET THERE THIS WEEKEND AND I'M GOING TO GO TONIGHT, SPEND THE NIGHT AND COME HOME TOMORROW EVENING. I HAVE TO PICK UP MY YOUNGEST SON AT BOY SCOUT CAMP IN FORT WAYNE ON THE WAY HOME TOMORROW. HE HAS A 4H TRACTOR DRIVING CONTEST ON SATURDAY MORNING AND THEN HE'S HELPING MOVE MOM AFTER THAT.

     I'LL POST SOME PICTURES FROM WAUSEON WHEN I GET A MOMENT BETWEEN WORK AND HOME, AND OH YEAH THE FAIR STARTS THIS WEEK TOO!

     HOPEFULLY WHEN MOM GETS MOVED THINGS WILL LIGHTEN UP A LITTLE, BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T, HOLY CRAP!

      WELL I GUESS THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.

                                                TALK TO YOU SOON,



                                                               TVI

TVI'S BIG ADVENTURE DAY 8

HELLO TO ALL,

     WELL DAY 8 STARTED OUT PRETTY SHITTY. STORMING AND POURING. LIGHTNING, WIND. SO MUCH SO THAT MY FRIEND FROM INDY DECIDED TO CALL IT A WEEKEND AND WENT HOME. THE YOUNGEST AND I DECIDED( WELL, I DECIDED BECAUSE HE WAS SLEEPING) THAT I (WE) WOULD RIDE IT OUT FOR AWHILE. I FIGURED I HAD PAID FOR THE NIGHT OF CAMPING(THEY DON'T GIVE REFUNDS HERE), AND I REALLY DIDN'T WANT THE ADVENTURE TO END.

   WELL, I LAID AROUND AND WORKED ON THE COMPUTER TILL THE SON WOKE UP, AND WE TALKED IT OVER AND DECIDED TO GO TO A MOVIE. DROVE TO TOWN AND SAW THE NEW X-MEN MOVIE, PRETTY GOOD.

     WHEN WE CAME OUT OF THE THEATRE, THE SUN WAS SHINING BRIGHTLY, SO WE HEADED BACK TO THE DRAGSTRIP. WHEN WE GOT TO THE CAMPER WE ASKED THE GUY AT THE GATE IF THEY WERE GOING TO RACE AND HE SAID YEAH AT 6:00. LOOKED AT THE WATCH AND IT WAS 5:55. RAN BACK TO THE CAMPER AND GRABBED OUR SUPPLIES AND DROVE UP TO THE TRACK AND ENJOYED THE RACING UNTIL ABOUT 11:30. THEY WERE STLL RACING WHEN WE LEFT.

     WELL, THIS IS THE LAST DAY OF THE BIG ADVENTURE. TOMMORROW, WE PACK UP AND HEAD FOR HOME. I HAVE TO SAY I REALLY HAD A BLAST. EVEN HELPING THE SON IN NASHVILLE, IT WAS A LOT OF WORK, BUT ENJOYABLE WORK. SEEING THE GRATITUDE HE EXPRESSED WHEN I LEFT, MEANS A LOT TO ME. HE SENT ME A PICTURE OF THE WALL WE FRAMED UP ALL FINISHED ALREADY. THE VISITS WITH OLD FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS A GOOD THING. SEEING THE CORVETTE MUSEUM WAS ON MY PERSONAL "BUCKET LIST". COMING BACK TO THE REUNION, WELL, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT TAKES ME BACK TO THE "OLD SCHOOL DAYS".

   AND SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED THAT.

     SO, MY BATTERIES ARE PRETTY CHARGED, MY ATTITUDE IS ADJUSTED, I THINK I'M READY TO GO HOME NOW.

                                                    TALK TO YOU SOON,
                                                         

                                                                 TVI

P.S. THE VIDEO BELOW IS OF THE NEW GAS CLASS RACERS. THIS KID IS GREAT!

                                                    

TVI'S BIG ADVENTURE DAY 7

HELLO TO ALL AGAIN,

     WELL DAY 7 STARTED OUT PRETTY WELL. A GOOD FRIEND FROM INDY CAME DOWN AT ABOUT 7:00 AM AND WE HAD COFFEE AND DONUTS AND WALKED UP TO THE SHOW AND SHINE. I TOOK ABOUT 150 PICTURES AND HE TOOK ABOUT 300!

     THEN ABOUT 11:00 I LEFT AND DROVE UP TO GLENDALE TO PICK UP MY YOUNGEST SON AND BRING HIM BACK TO THE REUNION. WE MET UP WITH THE FRIEND WALKED UP TO THE DRAGSTRIP, WATCHED ABOUT A HALF HOUR OF RACING AND A BIG STORM BLEW IN. THEY GOT THE TRACK DRIED OFF ABOUT 5:OO AND RACED ABOUT ANOTHER 45 MINUTES AND ANOTHER STORM BLEW IN.

     SO, WE WENT BACK TO THE CAMPER, COOKED UP HAMBURGERS AND HOT ITALIAN SAUSAGE, AND HAD OURSELVES A FEAST. SAT AROUND UNTIL BEDTIME AND CALLED IT A NIGHT. IT WAS PRETTY RAUCOUS IN THE CAMPGROUND, WHAT WITH ALL THE HOT RODDERS DOING BURNOUTS FOR THE CROWDS. I LOVE THE SMELL OF RUBBER IN THE EVENING!

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE UNINITIATED THE URN CONTAINS THE ASHES OF "WILD" WILLIE BORSCH, IF NOT THE CRAZIEST FUEL ALTERED DRIVER, HE WAS IN THE TEAM PHOTO. ONE OF THESE DAYS I'LL SEE IF I CAN FIND A VIDEO OF HIM DRIVING THE "WINGED EXPRESS" ONE HANDED AT WELL OVER 200 MILES PER HOUR. HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS CARRY THE URN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO EVENTS LIKE THESE AND THEY HAVE A DRIVER MAKE A COUPLE OF PASSES WITH HIS CAR. ALL IN ALL PRETTY COOL.

     WELL I GUESS THAT'S ALL FOR NOW, TALK TO YOU SOON,

         TVI

TVI'S BIG ADVENTURE DAY 6

HELLO AGAIN,

    GOT A SIGNAL SO I FIGURED I'D KEEP GOING.

     GOT UP THIS MORNING AND COOKED BACON AND EGG SANDWICHES FOR BREAKFAST, MIGHTY TASTY(EVEN IF I DO SAY SO MYSELF! LOL). LOOKED AT THE CAMPER LIGHTS AND DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT I DID BUT THEY SEEM TO BE WORKING NOW. AFTER THAT I HEARD THEM STARTING TO RACE SO I SAUNTERED DOWN TO THE TRACK, TOOK MY TIME, WENT BY SOME OF THE PEOPLE SETTING UP FOR THE SHOW AND SHINE, TOOK SOME PICS ALONG THE WAY AND FOUND MY FAVORITE SEAT FOR THIS AFFAIR, PIT SIDE, RIGHT ON THE STARTING LINE, ABOUT FIFTEEN FEET FROM THE CARS. THIS IS THE BEST TRACK I'VE EVER BEEN TO FOR VIEWING THE RACING. YOU GET TO SIT RIGHT ON TOP OF THE CARS(WELL ALMOST!). TOOK A BUNCH OF PICTURES, WITH THE CAMERA AND THE NEW PHONE, EVEN GOT A LITTLE VIDEO FROM THE NEW PHONE. I'M GENERALLY ELECTRONICALLY CHALLENGED, BUT I'M TRYING AND THIS BLOG IS HELPING. ANYWAY I DIGRESS. I'M GOING TO TRY AND GET ONE OF THE VIDEOS POSTED AND IF IT WORKS, TURN UP THE VOLUME!!!!

     THAT'S ALL FOR NOW, TALK TO YOU SOON,

                                      TVI

                                                                                 

TVI'S BIG ADVENTURE DAY 5

HELLO TO ALL'

     SORRY FOR MISSING THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, MY SIGNAL IS SUCKING. USING A LAPTOP WITH A SPRINT CARD AND CAN'T GET A GOOD ENOUGH SIGNAL TO GET ON THE INTERNET. OH WELL.

     ANYWAY, LOADED AND HOOKED UP THE CAMPER ON WEDNESDAY MORNING AND BID ADIEU(SP?) TO NASHVILLE AND DROVE TO BOWLING GREEN. DROVE TO BEECH BEND DRAGSTRIP AND SET UP THE CAMPER. CALLED AN OLD FRIEND, B.B., AND MET HIM AT HIS HOUSE. TALKED ALL MORNING, THEN WENT OVER TO THE NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM. IF YOU LOVE AMERICAN SPORTS CARS STOP AT HIS PLACE AND LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THIS PROGRAM FOR G. M.. EVEN IF YOU THINK THEY SUCK NOW. THESE THINGS HAVE PROGRESSED FROM A THREE TWO BARREL CARB INLINE SIX TO A COMPUTER CONTROLLED FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM THAT PRODUCES GOBS OF HORSE POWER. THE CHASSIS AND BODY PARTS ARE UNBELIEVABLE IN THE NEWEST GENERATION.

     AFTER THE MUSEUM I TOOK B.B. OVER TO THE DRIVESHAFT SHOP TO SEE IF HE COULD GET A DRIVESHAFT CUT FOR HIS LATEST PROJECT, A1949 CHEVY FIVE WINDOW PICK UP. PRETTY COOL TRUCK. HE HAS SEVERAL COOL CARS, I HOPE THE PICTURES POST.

     WELL, THAT WAS ABOUT IT FOR DAY 5. I WENT BACK TO THE CAMPER AND MADE SOME CHICKEN, AND THEN I SPENT THE REST OF THE EVENING TRYING TO POST IT, SO THAT'S THAT.

                                                           TALK TO YOU SOON,

                                                                        TVI
 ,



TVI BIG ADVENTURES DAYS 3 AND 4

HELLO TO ALL. I WAS TOO TIRED TO POST YESTERDAY, CAME BACK TO THE CAMPER AND TOOK A SHOWER AND WENT TO BED. GOT THE CEILING COMPLETED EXCEPT FOR THE DROPPED CEILING, BECAUSE HE HAS TO RUN ALL THE WIRING FOR MICROPHONES, MONITORS, ETC..THAT JOB IS GOING TO BE WORTH IT  BECAUSE MOST OF WHAT'S GOING TO BE LEFT HE CAN HANDLE BY HIMSELF( AT LEAST I CERTAINLY HOPE SO! LOL!)

     THAT WAS DAY THREE, AS FOR DAY FOUR, WE SPENT MOST OF THE DAY USING MY PICKUP TO GET MATERIALS. DRYWALL, ROCK WOOL (FOR SOUND INSULATION), HARDWARE AND A NEW TAPE MEASURE FOR ME. MINE BROKE LAST NIGHT. WE DID GET ONE WALL FRAMED UP. THAT LOOKS TO BE A FAIRLY EASY JOB FOR HIM TO DO BY HIMSELF. HE'LL HAVE TO RUN WIRES AND PUT IN BOXES FOR THE ELECTRICAL, AND I GUESS FRAME SOME OPENINGS OUT FOR MIC JACKS AND STUFF, BUT ALL IN ALL, I THINK WE DID FAIRLY WELL.

     SO MY TIME IN NASHVILLE IS QUICKLY DRAWING TO A CLOSE. I WILL BE HEADING UP TOMMORROW MORNING TO BOWLING GREEN AND THE VACATION STARTS FOR REAL. AFTER I GET THE CAMPER SET UP AT BEECH BEND I'LL HEAD OVER TO THE NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM AND THEN MAYBE IN THE AFTERNOON TRY TO GET ON FACTORY TOUR AT THE CORVETTE FACTORY. SOMETIME TOMMORROW I'LL HAVE TO LOOK INTO THE CAMPER'S LIGHT SYSTEM, I HAVE NO INTERIOR LIGHTS.

      OH WELL, PART OF THE FUN OF CAMPING I GUESS.

      TALK TO YOU SOON,


                      TVI

TVI BIG ADVENTURE DAY TWO

HELLO TO ALL,

SPENT THE DAY AT THE SON'S, WORKING ON HIS STUDIO. HE'S TRYING TO BUILD A RECORDING STUDIO IN A WORKSHOP ADDED ON TO HIS GARAGE. I'VE HELPED DO SOME OF THE WORK(ELECTRICAL, FRAMING ETC.) BUT TODAY WE WERE HANGING SHEETS OF DRYWALL ON THE CEILING, AND THEN CHIPBOARD ON TOP OF THAT. NOT A BIG SPACE BUT FOR MOST OF THE DAY JUST HIM AND I. A FRIEND SHOWED UP ABOUT 1:30 AND HELPED HANG THE FULL SHEETS OF CHIPBOARD. GOT MOST OF THE CEILING COVERED, IF THINGS GO WELL SHOULD BE FINISHED WITH THAT TOMMORROW ABOUT LUNCH TIME.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT I'M NOT AS YOUNG AS I ONCE WAS(SUPRISE, SUPRISE!), BUT I HELD MY OWN WITH MY 32 YEAR OLD. HE'S AS TIRED TONIGHT AS I AM, AND I'M BEAT.

WELL, OFF TO THE SHOWERS AND THEN PROBABLY BED.

TALK TO YOU SOON,

TVI

TVI'S BIG ADVENTURE

HELLO TO ALL,

YESTERDAY I LEFT MY HOUSE TO GO ON VACATION. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS, WITHOUT MY WIFE. I NEEDED A BREAK FROM EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE. I'VE BEEN TELLING YOU THAT WORK HAS BEEN CRAZY, WORK HAS BEEN NUTS AT HOME ALSO,WITH ALL THE STORMS BLOWING THROUGH( NOT AS BAD AS SHOP TEACHER BOB'S TROUBLES BUT STILL CLEAN UP), AND WITH ALL THAT WE'RE BUYING A HOUSE FOR MY MOM TO MOVE INTO (AND, OF COURSE, IT NEEDS A LITTLE WORK TOO! LOL).

I JUST NEED TO RECHARGE MY BATTERIES, I'M PRETTY TIRED. SO, I DECIDED TO GO TO BOWLING GREEN KENTUCKY, BUT FIRST I GOT TALKED INTO HELPING MY SON IN NASVILLE FOR A FEW DAYS( I'M A GLUTTON FOR PUNISHMENT LOL). IT WILL WORK OUT FINE,AND HE NEEDS THE HELP.

SO I LEFT THE HOUSE ABOUT 8:45, DROVE TO TOWN AND STOPPED AT THE FARMER'S MARKET AND BOUGHT SOME SUPPLIES( BY THE WAY PEOPLE PLEASE SUPPORT THE EFFORTS, THESE ARE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT SMALL TOWNS DO AND IT MAKES SENSE TO USE THEM. WONDERFUL BREADS, FRESH VEGES, AND OTHER ITEMS)AND OFF I WENT.

GOT TO COLUMBUS INDIANA, STOPPED AT THE REST AREA TO TINKLE( IT HAPPENS WHEN COFFEE AND OLD KIDNEYS ARE INVOLVED) TOOK A WALK AROUND THE TRUCK AND CAMPER AND VOILA ! A TIRE ON THE TRUCK GOING FLAT. CHANGED THE TIRE, DROVE TO COLUMBUS AND SPENT TWO HOURS TRYING TO FIND A TIRE STORE OPEN AND GET A NEW TIRE. NOT TOO BAD, THEY PUT THE NEW TIRE ON AND REPLACED THE SPARE BACK IN THE HOLDER AND ON MY WAY AGAIN.

SO I MADE IT TO NASHVILLE, GOT MY SPOT IN THE CAMPGROUND, AND GOT PARKED NEXT TO A GUY FROM MARYLAND WHO HAS A 1964 EL CAMINO THAT RUNS 7:50 IN THE QUARTER MILE. I TOOK SOME PICS, I HOPE THEY SHOW UP.

WELL THAT'S ALL FOR NOW, I'M OFF TO THE SON'S HOUSE TO HANG DRYWALL ON THE CEILING OF HIS NEW STUDIO. WISH ME LUCK.

TALK TO YOU SOON,

TVI

BEEN AWHILE

HELLO TO ALL,

I KNOW IT'S BEEN AWHILE. WORK IS EVEN CRAZIER THAN LAST TIME I POSTED. NOW IT'S SUMMER(ALMOST), AND ALL THE THINGS HERE ARE UP FOR REVIEW. THE HOUSE NEEDS PAINTING, THE GARDEN NEEDS PLANTING AND ALL THE OTHER MAINTENANCE ITEMS ARE STARTING. WEEDING, SPRAYING, GRASS PLANTING, WOOD CUTTING ETC., ETC., ETC..

THE BIKE IS ON SORT OF HOLD, WHILE I ATTEND TO OTHER THINGS, BUT IT ISN'T FAR BACK IN MY MIND.

MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS REUNION IS THIS YEAR. MY GOD, 40 YEARS, AND IT REALLY DOES SEEM LIKE YESTERDAY SOMETIMES. PLUS I HAVE SEVERAL THINGS TO ATTEND, FOR ME. THE HOT ROD REUNION IN BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY, THE ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF AMERICA'S MEET IN OHIO, THE JASPER COUNTY FAIR, THE LIST IS LONG.

I WILL TRY TO POST SOMETHING ABOUT THESE THINGS AS THEY COME UP, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, I'M NOT ALL THAT DILIGENT ABOUT THIS.

WELL I GUESS THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

TALK TO YOU SOON(I HOPE),

TVI