A QUALITY SHOP OF MASTER CRAFTSMEN

I'VE BEEN THINKING........

2012-01-31T16:09:00.000-08:00

HELLO TO ALL,

     I'VE BEEN THINKING LATELY(DO YOU SMELL SOMETHING BURNING?), ABOUT THE WAY PEOPLE BEHAVE. PEOPLE ACT AS IF THEY ARE ENTITLED TO ACT LIKE IDIOTS.

     I THOUGHT MAYBE I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE WORD "ENTITLEMENT", SO I LOOKED IT UP. THE DICTIONARY SAYS,"RIGHTS GRANTED BY LAW OR CONTRACT". HHHMMMM, SO AM I TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY PASSED A LAW THAT SAYS YOU CAN BE A LAZY PIECE OF SHIT AND I AS A WORKING MAN AM SUPPOSED TO PAY YOU TO DO THAT? OR THAT YOU CAN DRIVE DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT BREAK NECK SPEEEDS, TEXTING OR TALKING ON YOUR CELL PHONE, AND THAT YOU ARE ENTITLED TO FLASH YOUR LIGHTS AT ME AND TELL ME TO GET OUT OF YOUR WAY AND THEN GIVE ME THE FINGER JUST BECAUSE I WASN'T FAST ENOUGH? OR HOW ABOUT JUST BEING PLAIN RUDE TO EVERYONE YOU ENCOUNTER ON THIS PLANET, DID I MISS THE LAW THAT SAYS IT'S O K TO ACT LIKE THIS?

     NOW, THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A RANT ABOUT THE YOUNGER GENERATION,ALTHOUGH THEY DO SEEM TO HAVE MORE THAN THEIR FAIR SHARE, BUT IT IS GOING TO BE ABOUT PEOPLE IN GENERAL.

     I GREW UP IN THE LATE 50'S AND 60'S, AND MY PARENTS TAUGHT ME TO RESPECT NOT ONLY MY ELDERS BUT EVERYONE. MOST PEOPLE I ENCOUNTER ON A DAILY BASIS BELIEVE THEY ARE ENTITLED NOT TO HAVE TO RESPECT ANYONE, OR FOR THAT MATTER, ANYTHING.

     I BELIEVE WE DO HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS, BUT JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO KILL EACH OTHER OVER A PARKING SPACE, DOES IT? JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE THE RIGHT OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DROP F-BOMBS IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT, DOES IT? IT ISN'T WRITTEN DOWN AS A LAW OR A CONTRACT THAT WE TRY TO TREAT EACH OTHER DECENTLY, BUT DOES THAT MEAN WE SHOULDN'T?

     THIS WILL PROBABLY PISS OFF THE MOTORCYLE RIDERS, BUT BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO WEAR A HELMET WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU NOT WANT TO? HAVE YOU SEEN THESE OTHER PEOPLE DRIVE? THEY WILL RUN OUR DUMB ASSES OVER AND THEN TELL THE POLICEMEN THAT THEY DIDN'T SEE US BECAUSE THEY WERE TEXTING!

     WE ARE IN A VERY TOUCHY PERIOD IN SOCIETY AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WITH THE ECONOMY THE WAY IT IS, THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM THE WAY IT IS, AND WITH PEOPLE THE WAY THEY ARE ACTING, WE SEEMED TO BE QUITE SCREWED. I TRULY FEEL SORRY FOR OUR CHILDREN, I'M TRYING TO RAISE OUR YOUNGEST SON TO HAVE RESPECT FOR EVERYTHING, HE MIGHT NOT BE LISTENING, BUT I AM TRYING.

     I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS, BUT I DO KNOW THAT I'M GOING TO KEEP TRYING TO USE MY HEAD FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN A HAT RACK, AND I'M GOING TO KEEP MY HEART INVOLVED AS WELL. IT'S JUST US, ALL I CAN ASK IS FOR US TO DO OUR BEST. WHEN YOU SEE ONE OF THESE KNUCKLEHEADS ACTING THE ASS, WHEN YOU STEP UP AFTER HIM OR HER, JUST DON'T BE A KNUCLEHEAD TOO. STEPPING IN OR UP TO THE PLATE MIGHT JUST GET YOU SHOT. BUT, AFTER IT'S OVER YOU DON'T HAVE TO ADD TO THE MAYHEM.

                                                       THANKS FOR LISTENING,

                                                                 TVI

FINALLY FEELIN' BETTER

2012-01-31T15:27:00.000-08:00

HELLO TO ALL,

     WHEN I POSTED LAST I WAS JUST STARTING A LONG STRANGE HEALTH ISSUE. I APPARENTLY GOT A BLOOD INFECTION. OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND I WAS WORKING ON THE WOOD SHED AND CUT MY LEG ON AN OLD SHEET OF GALVINIZED SHEETING I WAS PUTTING ON THE ROOF. A WEEK OR SO LATER, MY HANDS AND WRISTS WERE SO SWOLLEN I COULD HARDLY WORK, AND THEN IT WENT INTO MY LEGS. WELL, AFTER A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT DOCTORS AND SOME TESTS, I THINK THEY FINALLY ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK TO MAKING ME FEEL BETTER.

     MY WIFE AND ARE NOT NOT "DOCTOR" PEOPLE. WE'RE MORE VITAMIN, HOMEOPATHIC PEOPLE. I WENT TO THE WITCH DOCTOR FIRST AND HE DIDN'T REALLY HELP THE FIRST TIME AROUND. THEN I WENT TO A "REAL" DOCTOR. HE DID X-RAYS AND BLOOD WORK. I WAITED MORE THAN A MONTH FOR THE SECOND VISIT AND HE SAYS "WELL YOU HAVE ARTHRITS AND YOU'RE OUT OF SHAPE TO DO YOUR JOB." AFTER THAT CONVERSATION I WENT BACK TO THE WITCH DOCTOR. SHOWED HIM THE BLOOD WORK AND X-RAYS, TOLD HIM ABOUT THE CUT ON MY LEG AND LET HIM HAVE AT IT, AND HE SEEMED MORE INTERESTED THE SECOND TIME AROUND.

     I'M STILL NOT FULLY RECOVERED, BUT I DO FEEL SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER. I AM FINALLY GETTING AROUND TO WORKING BACK AT THE HOUSE AGAIN,(INSTEAD OF COMING HOME AND SOAKING IN THE TUB AND GOING TO SLEEP AT 6 O'CLOCK!). MY TWO OLDER SONS, MY YOUNGEST SON AND MY WIFE HAVE STEPPED UP BIG TIME THROUGH ALL THIS. THEY CUT THE FIREWOOD, KEPT THE HOUSE RUNNING, ETC. ETC. ETC.. I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE BLESSED THROUGH ALL OF THIS. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN, BOYS AND WIFE, I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN, AND THIS CLEARLY SHOWED ME THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN NEARLY PAYING ENOUGH ATTENTION TO THE SMALL THINGS WITH THESE RELATIONSHIPS.

    ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE DONE AT HOME IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS WAS TO BUILD A NEW BED FOR MY YOUNGEST SON. IT'S BUILT OUT OF OLD WOODEN DOORS. I HAD A PLETHORA OF WOODEN 4 PANEL DOORS THAT WE HAD COLLECTED FOR THE HOUSE. MY WIFE FOUND A FEW PICTURES IN SOME MAGAZINES AND SHOWED THEM TO ME, AND WE BUILT HIM A NEW BED. I'LL POSTS SOME PICTURES AND THEN A COUPLE MORE WHEN IT'S ALL PAINTED. IT'S ROCK SOLID AND LOOKS PRETTY COOL TOO!

     I'M HOPING TO START DOING TRIM IN THE BOY'S BEDROOM THIS WEEKEND. WE'RE THINKING ABOUT HAVING THE MIDDLE SON COME UP FOR A WEEK OR SO AND HELP WITH THE TRIM. I HAVE A WALL TO PUT UP TO FRAME IN A CLOSET IN OUR SPARE ROOM, AND THIS SHOULD TAKE ME TO SPRING. THE OUTSIDE WORK THIS YEAR IS PAINTING THE HOUSE. OH, AND CUTTING FIRE WOOD. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GETTING SOME ANIMALS, AND IF WE DO I'LL HAVE TO REPAIR AND PUT UP SOME NEW FENCES. I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE GARDEN JUST A LITTLE BIT BIGGER, I'D LIKE TO ADD SOME HERBS(NO NOT THAT KIND! LOL).

     WELL, I THINK THAT'S IT FOR NOW. NO PROGRESS ON THE BIKE, I PICKED UP A COUPLE OF PARTS OFF EBAY, BUT THAT'S IT.

                                                                     TALK TO YOU SOON,

                                                                                   TVI

GETTIN' BETTER

2011-10-17T08:46:00.000-07:00

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.........

2011-08-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-15T12:51:00.000-07:00

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?

2011-08-15T12:31:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-09T17:30:00.000-07:00

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......

2011-08-02T09:50:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-07-20T12:22:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-18T05:57:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-07-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-20T19:36:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-19T06:07:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-16T17:13:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-14T18:50:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-12T18:25:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-12T18:24:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-10T15:56:00.000-07:00

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

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM TVI

2010-12-24T16:15:00.000-08:00

HELLO TO ALL,

I HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU THAT WORK HAS BEEN INSANE, WELL I HAD TO WORK TODAY. NOT SO BAD, I MADE A LOT OF MONEY. BUT I WOULD RATHER HAVE BEEN HERE WITH MY FAMILY.

I JUST WANTED TO WISH EVERYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. HOPE THIS FINDS ALL OF YOU HEALTHY AND HAPPY.

HO HO HO

TVI

WHAT HAVE WE DONE?

2010-12-09T06:29:00.000-08:00

HELLO TO ALL,

A FRIEND OF MINE POSTED AN ARTICLE THE OTHER DAY ABOUT HOW OUR CHILDREN IN THE U.S. ARE SCORING LOWER IN TESTING THAN OTHER COUNTRIES, AND IT MAKES ME ANGRY.

WE HAVE ALLOWED OUR GOVERNMENT TO DICTATE TO US WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN TO LEARN, AND THE MORE THEY DICTATE THE WORSE IT GETS. STANDARDIZED TESTING DOES NOT WORK, MATH MODULES DO NOT WORK, ALLOWING CHILDREN TO MAKE UP TESTS THAT THEY FAIL DOES NOT WORK, AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

I'M NOT GOING TO STAND HERE(OR SIT) AND TELL YOU IT IS ALL THE GOVERNMENT'S FAULT. WE HAVE STOOD IDLY BY AND LET THIS HAPPEN, WE HAVE VOTED IN PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THEY KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR US AND OUR CHILDREN. WE HAVE DECIDED TO LET THE SCHOOLS CHANGE POLICY YEAR AFTER YEAR IN ORDER TO MEET STANDARDIZED TESTING SCORES THAT PAY THE SCHOOLS BASED ON THOSE SCORES. WE HAVE ALLOWED BAD TEACHERS TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN(THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW AT OUR HIGH SCHOOL, AND THE SCHOOL SYSTEM KNOWS AND WILL DO NOTHING!).

WHEN I WENT TO SCHOOL WE LEARNED THE "NEW" MATH. HUH? WHEN I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL 2 + 2 STILL EQUALED 4. I ASKED MY SEVENTH GRADE SON THE OTHER DAY(HE'S GETTING MATH IN MODULES) IF 2 + 2 STILL EQUALS 4 AND HE TOLD ME IT DID. SO HOW IS IT THAT MATH IS SO HARD? HOW IS IT THAT IN THIS COUNTRY 70 PERCENT OF THE STUDENTS ARE FAILING MATH? ISN'T MATH AN ABSOLUTE? ISN'T THE ONLY THING ABOUT MATH YOU NEED TO KNOW ARE THE FORMULAS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS? IS THE "NEW MATH" OR THE "MODULES" CHANGING THE FORMULAS, SO THAT NOW THERE IS A DIFFERENT ANSWER?

HOW ABOUT READING? MY SON IS A VORACIOUS READER. (MUCH THE SAME AS HIS OLD MAN I MIGHT ADD!) YET WHEN HIS FRIENDS COME OVER TO PLAY OR WHATEVER, THEY CAN'T BELIEVE THE AMOUNT OF BOOKS IN OUR HOUSE. THEY SAY THEY NEVER READ. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? HOW IS IT THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE? HOW DO YOU PLAN TO GET THROUGH LIFE WITH THIS SO CALLED EDUCATION YOU ARE RECEIVING FROM OUR ILLUSTRIOUS LEARNING INSTITUTIONS? NOT ONLY DO THEY NOT CARE APPARENTLY THEIR PARENTS DON'T EITHER.

WE ARE AT A POINT IN OUR HISTORY THAT WE HAVE MORE WAYS TO COMMUNICATE THEN EVER. TELEPHONES, TEXTS, BLOGS, E-MAIL, CELL PHONES, ETC., ETC., AND YET WE DON'T TALK. REALLY TALK, AND COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER. WE MOVE ABOUT EACH DAY, ALL INTO OUR OWN LIVES, AND WE ARE PAYING A TERRIBLE PRICE. OUR CHILDREN CANNOT LEARN THE THINGS THEY NEED TO LEARN TO MOVE INTO THE LIFE STREAM. WE ARE ALLOWING THEM TO BECOME MINDLESS CONSUMERS OF DRIVEL.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD AN ACTUAL CONVERSATION WITH A CHILD? A SCHOOL AGE CHILD? THEY HAVE A HARD TIME COMMUNICATING WITH YOU. IT WOULD PROBABLY BE EASIER IF THEY COULD JUST TEXT YOU. I HAD A FEW OF MY SON'S FRIENDS OVER LAST SATURDAY AND I LET THEM RUN THROUGH THE WOODS ALL DAY MAKING A PAINTBALL FIELD. SOME OF THOSE KIDS HAD NEVER BEEN ALLOWED TO BE CREATIVE, TO USE THEIR HANDS TO DO PHYSICAL LABOR. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS WHAT IS MISSING IN OUR SCHOOLS.

DUE TO LACK OF FUNDING, THE SHOP CLASSES AND ART PROGRAMS AND MUSIC PROGRAMS ARE BEING LOST AT OUR SCHOOLS. THESE ARE THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A GREAT EDUCATION. THEY ALLOW YOU TO ENGAGE YOUR HANDS AND MIND AT THE SAME TIME, TO CREATE, TO THINK, TO PROBLEM SOLVE. IF WE ALLOW OUR CHILDREN TO THINK AND CREATE AND PROBLEM SOLVE FOR THEMSELVES, WE GIVE A VALUABLE TOOL TO CARRY WITH THEM THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. THE ABILITY TO THINK. NOT JUST TO SCORE HIGH ON A TEST(AN ADDED BONUS I MUST ADMIT), BUT THE ABILITY TO MOVE ON IN LIFE.

PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE YOUNGER CHILDREN, OR EVEN GRAND CHILDREN, ENGAGE THEM IN CREATIVITY, ENGAGE THEM IN CONVERSATION, ENGAGE THEM IN READING, ENGAGE THEM IN ANYTHING THAT BRINGS THE HANDS AND MIND TOGETHER. ALLOW THEM TO FIGURE IT OUT, ALMOST DEMAND THAT THEY THINK THE PROBLEMS THAT ARISE THROUGH AND COME UP WITH THEIR OWN ANSWERS. ALLOW THEM TO FLOURISH, AT THEIR OWN PACE.

WELL I'VE RAMBLED ON ENOUGH FOR NOW, YOU'RE PROBABLY ASLEEP.

TALK TO YOU SOON,

TVI

SLOW PROGRESS

2010-12-01T18:16:00.000-08:00

HELLO TO ALL,

WELL PROGRESS IS SLOW, I HAVEN'T GOT THE CRACKS IN THE FRAME WELDED YET, BUT "SHOP TEACHER BOB", STOPPED BY THE HOUSE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO TO PLAY POKER AND INSPECTED THEM AND HE SAID HE THOUGHT THEY COULD BE REPAIRED.

I DISCOVERED THAT I HAVE THE WRONG PISTONS IN THE MOTOR, AND I STARTED DISASSEMBLING IT, I'M GOING TO USE THE EMPTY CASES TO FIT THE FRAME, SO IT WILL BE LIGHTER TO LUG AROUND.

WORK IS GETTING CRAZIER EVERY WEEK, WE HAVE SO MUCH WORK THAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE, EVEN THOUGH THEY'VE HIRED THREE FIELD MECHANICS THIS YEAR. I'M NOT COMPLAINING, I FEEL VERY BLESSED.

I HOPE EVERY ONE HAD A GOOD THANKSGIVING, AND IF I DON'T WRITE BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GOOD ONE THERE TOO.

WELL, I THINK THAT'S ALL FOR NOW, I'LL TRY TO KEEP POSTING.

TALK TO YOU SOON,

TVI

TWO WEEKS IN A ROW

2010-11-09T19:07:00.000-08:00

HELLO TO ALL,

WELL I'VE BEEN STRIPPING PAINT AND GRINDING OFF PATCHES SINCE LAST TUESDAY. UNFORTUNATELY I'VE FOUND THREE PLACES WHERE THE FRAME IS CRACKED. HOPEFULLY THEY CAN BE REPAIRED EASILY.

WHERE I NEED TO LEAN THE SEAT POST BACK SEEMS TO BE THE LEAST OF THE PROBLEMS. I WAS LOOKING AT IT TONIGHT AND I/4 OF AN INCH SEEMS TO BE PERFECT.

I ENDED UP WORKING ON MY OLDEST SON'S CAR AND DID NOT GET HOME IN TIME TO GO TO OPEN SHOP, SO I'LL KEEP GRINDING UNTIL NEXT WEEK AND THEN SEE WHAT WE CAN COME UP WITH TO MAKE THE REPAIRS.

I'LL TRY TO POST SOME PICTURES OF BEFORE AND AFTER THE REPAIRS. WELL THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT.

TALK TO YOU ALL SOON,

TVI

WOO HOO

2010-11-05T19:25:00.000-07:00

HELLO TO ALL,

WELL I DID IT. IT WASN'T THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER, BUT IT WAS THE SECOND. WENT TO OPEN SHOP AT THE HIGH SCHOOL WHERE "SHOP TEACHER BOB" TEACHES WELDING AND TOOK THE FRAME AND A COUPLE OF OTHER SMALL PROJECTS AND GOT STARTED.

WE SCOPED OUT THE SEAT POST AND CAME UP WITH A PLAN TO MOVE IT. I TOOK THE FRAME HOME AND THE NEXT NIGHT I STARTED CLEANING ALL THE PAINT OFF. THERE WERE A COUPLE OF UGLY PATCHES ON THE FRAME SO I GROUND OFF ONE OF THEM AND WHAT DID I FIND? THE FRAME BOTTOM TUBE IS CRACKED. THE OTHER PATCH IS IN APPROXIMATELY THE SAME PLACE ON THE OTHER TUBE SO I EXPECT TO FIND THE SAME THING THERE. HOPEFULLY THEY CAN BE REPAIRED REASONABLY EASILY.

WHEN I FINISH CLEANING THINGS UP I'LL POST A COUPLE OF PICTURES AND TRY TO KEEP YOU ALL INFORMED OF THE PROGRESS. IF I CAN I'LL TRY TO TAKE A LOT OF PICTURES ALONG THE WAY.

WELL I THINK I'M ON MY WAY, WISH ME LUCK!

TALK TO YOU SOON,

TVI

THE SAME OLD STORY.....SORT OF

2010-10-12T16:43:00.000-07:00

HELLO TO ALL,

WELL, OCTOBER FIRST HAS COME AND GONE AND I STILL AM NOT WORKING ON THE BIKE. I AM STILL PICKING UP PIECES HERE AND THERE. GOT THE SPARE TIRE RACK, SOME FENDER BRACKETS AND A BACK REST FOR THE BUDDY SEAT.

I GOT SERIOUSLY BEHIND IN HOME DUTIES. WENT AND HELPED MY SON, SHAWN AT HIS HOUSE IN NASHVILLE, TN. FOR A WEEKEND, HAD MANLIFT TRAINING ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FOR WORK ONE WEEKEND. GOT HOODWINKED INTO REDOING THE BACKYARD PATIO, IT CAME OUT REALLY NICE, BUT I WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAVE TO HELP( FIVE WEEKENDS).

HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THE NEW WOODSHED YET, BUT I HAVE A LOT OF WOOD CUT SO THAT IS A BLESSING. LAST YEAR WITH THE WIFE'S MOM AND STEPDAD PASSING I HARDLY GOT ANY WOOD CUT. I ENDED UP CUTTING WOOD ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND FOR THE ENTIRE WINTER.

HOPEFULLY THIS NEXT WEEKEND I CAN FINISH THE WOOD CUTTING AND SINK THE POSTS FOR THE WOOD SHED, CAUSE NEXT WEEKEND IS MY YOUNGEST SON'S FALL BREAK AND WE'RE GOING TO SHAWN'S FOR FOUR DAYS(ANOTHER WORKING WEEKEND I'M AFRAID!).

IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE CLOSER TO NOVEMBER FIRST RATHER THAN OCTOBER FIRST, BUT IT STILL LOOKS AS IF IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. I BELIEVE THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS WILL BE THE FRAME. I'VE DISCUSSED IT WITH "SHOP TEACHER BOB" , BUT WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN TOGETHER WITH ALL THE PIECES YET.

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

TVI

9-11-2001

2010-09-14T10:37:00.000-07:00

HELLO TO ALL,

LET ME START OUT BY SAYING THIS IS SIMPLY MY OPINION, NO MORE AND NO LESS. THIS ISN'T INTENDED TO PISS IN ANYBODIES WHEATIES, OR START ANY KIND OF BRUHAHA (SPELLING?). I JUST NEEDED A LONGER FORUM TO STATE MY OPINION CLEARLY.

9-11-2001 TRULY MAKES ME SAD. THE DEATHS OF 3000 PEPLE IN THAT FASHION IS A TRAVESTY. I'M NOT SURE IF I WAS EVER MAD ABOUT IT OR IF I AM STILL IN SHOCK MODE. I CAN TELL YOU THAT EVERY TIME I SEE SOMETHING ON TV OR READ SOMETHING IN THE PAPER ABOUT IT I GET EXTREMELY SAD.

ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK WE PUT ON THE "PAY NO MIND LIST" IS THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE STILL DYING BECAUSE OF 9-11. THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES AND BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE FOR 9-11. I PERSONALLY WANT THEM THERE. I'M SADDENED BY THE FACT THAT THEY ARE, BUT I WANT THE PEOPLE INVOLVED, IN EVERY ASPECT OF THIS ACT PUNISHED TO THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE IN THIS COUNTRY. IF THAT MEANS BLOWING THEM UP WHILE THEY'RE EATING MOUNTAIN GOAT STEW, SO BE IT.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE. GIVE THEM A JOB, A HAND, A PAT ON THE BACK, A PLACE TO STAY, ANYTHING. I DIDN'T GO INTO THE SERVICE, BUT I STILL TRY TO SUPPORT THEM WHEN I CAN. THESE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN ARE JUST LIKE US, HUMAN BEINGS, AND THEY ARE DOING THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO PROTECT ALL THAT WE HAVE COME TO TAKE FOR GRANTED.

WHAT I AM MAD ABOUT IS THIS MOSQUE THING. FIRST OF ALL, WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO BUILD IT THERE EXCEPT TO RUB OUR FACES IN IT? WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT 9-11 ANYMORE, BUT WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, AND WE ALL SHOULD.

I WAS IN GETTYSBURG A FEW MONTHS AGO ON VACATION. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS, BUT THERE IS A POLITICAL BATTLE GOING ON THERE. SOMEONE WANTS TO BUILD A CASINO ON THE GROUNDS OF THE BATTLEFIELD. NOW I KNOW THIS HAPPENED 150 YEARS AGO, AND NONE OF US WERE BORN THEN, BUT 10'S OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS DIED THERE IN THAT THREE DAY BATTLE AND 10'S OF THOUSANDS MORE WERE INJURED. THEY PAID A TERRIBLE PRICE AND SO DID WE AS A COUNTRY. FAR WORSE THAN ANYTHING BEFORE OR SINCE. NOW THEY WANT TO BUILD A CASINO ON SUCH A SOVEREIGN PLACE?

YOU CAN, IN THIS COUNTRY, BUILD THESE THINGS ANYWHERE. WHY THERE? WHY NOT A FEW BLOCKS OR A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD? WHY WOULD THE POLITICIANS IN THIS COUNTRY EVEN ENTERTAIN THE IDEA OF PLACING THESE THINGS IN SO PRECIOUS A PLACE TO THE PEOPLE FROM HERE?

I LOVE LIVING IN THIS COUNTRY. I LOVE THE FREEDOMS WE ENJOY AND THE RIGHTS WE WORK SO HARD TO PROTECT, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF DOLING OUT THESE FREEDOMS AND MAKING THESE DECISIONS TRULY NEED TO LISTEN TO THEIR CONSTITUENCY, BEFORE IT'S TO LATE.

WHEN I VOTE I AM NEITHER REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT. I TRIED TO BE AN EDUCATED VOTER, AND THEN VOTE MY CONSCIOUS. A CHANGE NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE HERE, AND IT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE STARTING IN NOVEMBER. WE NEED TO OPEN OUR EYES AND OUR MINDS, BECOME EDUCATED ABOUT OUR LEADERS AND VOTE IN PEOPLE WHO WILL TRULY LISTEN TO US. NOT PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THEY KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR US WITHOUT ASKING, AND THEN REALLY LISTENING TO OUR RESPONSES.

WHEN OUR TURN COMES TO VOTE THIS NOVEMBER, KEEP THESE YOUNG PEOPLE IN MIND, KEEP THE PEOPLE OF 9-11 IN MIND, AND KEEP THIS COUNTRY IN MIND.

THIS COUNTRY STARTED IT'S JOURNEY TO BECOMING A COUNTRY WITH AN ACT OF TERRORISM, I HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T END BECAUSE OF ONE.

WELL, THAT'S MY RANDOM THOUGHT FOR THIS TIME.

TALK TO YOU SOON,

TVI

P.S. ALL COMMENTS, GOOD AND BAD ARE APPRECIATED, AND THANKS.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T

2010-08-30T07:21:00.000-07:00

HELLO TO ALL,

FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANS TO ME....

MY COUSIN'S SON WROTE A BLOG THIS PAST WEEK ABOUT GROWING UP AND ABOUT RESPECT. I WROTE A COMMENT ABOUT NOT CARING ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT OF ME BECAUSE OF WHAT I WORE. I AM NOT A FASHION MAVEN, NEVER HAVE BEEN, I LEAVE THAT RESPONSIBILTY TO MY WIFE. WHO BY THE WAY IS VERY GOOD AT IT.

I GREW UP BELIEVING THAT YOU HAD TO EARN THE RESPECT OF OTHERS. IN THE SEVENTIES, I HAD LONG HAIR AND PARTIED WITH THE BEST OF THEM, BUT I SHOWED UP TO WORK AND ON TIME AND DID MY JOB TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITIES EVERYDAY. THE JOB I HAVE IS A VERY DIRTY JOB. AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN I STOP TO GET A CUP OF COFFEE TO DRINK ON THE RIDE HOME, I'M PRETTY DIRTY. IF I OFFEND THE PEOPLE AROUND ME I'M SORRY, BUT IF THEY DECIDE I'M SOME KIND OF BUM BECAUSE OF THE WAY I LOOK, TOUGH SHIT. IT DOESN'T STOP ME FROM HOLDING THE DOOR FOR THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME, OR SAYING THANK YOU TO THE PERSON BEHIND THE COUNTER.

IF THE PEOPLE I'VE OFFENDED BECAUSE OF MY APPERANCE TOOK A FEW MINUTES TO TALK TO ME AND ASK ME A FEW QUESTIONS, THEN THEY ARE STILL OFFENDED, FINE, BUT TO MAKE THE ASSUMPTION THAT I'M A BUM, OR NOT WORTHY OF THEIR RESPECT, IS BULLSHIT IN MY OPINION. IT DOESN'T MAKE ME NOT RESPECT THEM, BUT THEY HAVEN'T EARNED IT EITHER.

I'VE NEVER WORN A T-SHIRT TO MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT THIS OR THAT, IF I HAVE A STATEMENT TO MAKE, I'LL USUSALLY SAY IT LOUD AND CLEAR. I SAW A HIGH SCHOOL KID OUT ON A DATE WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND, AND THE T-SHIRT HE HAD ON SAID "THE ONLY JOB I NEED IS A BLOWJOB!". THAT KID SHOWS UP AT MY HOUSE TO DATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER AND ONE OF US IS GOING TO THE HOSPITAL. RESPECT BE DAMNED!

I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE WHAT YOU ARE. NOT WHAT YOU WEAR, NOT WHAT YOUR POLITICAL LEANINGS ARE, NOT WHAT RELIGION YOU ARE. I HAVE FRIENDS THAT ARE BLACK, MEXICAN, WHITE, CATHOLICS, BAPTISTS, DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, AND ON AND ON. I'VE COME TO RESPECT PEOPLE I KNOW WELL, SOME I DON'T KNOW WELL, AND SOME I DON'T KNOW PERSONALLY AT ALL.

I DON'T FEEL THAT I OWE SOMEONE RESPECT, BUT WHAT I DO OWE THEM IS AN OPPORTUNITY, TO LET THEM EARN MY RESPECT. IF THAT SOUNDS LIKE I'M SOMETHING SPECIAL IT IS NOT INTENDED TO. I HAVE TO EARN THEIRS, NO MATTER WHAT I LOOK LIKE, THE SAME RULES APPLY TO ME.

IT FEELS LIKE THE RULES ARE CHANGING. MAYBE I'M OLD SCHOOL, MAYBE I'M NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE TIMES. THIS DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT I FEEL EARNING RESPECT IS PART OF BECOMING AN ADULT.

I'VE SPENT A LIFETIME TRYING TO BECOME AN ADULT. IN THE END, THE PEOPLE I LEAVE BEHIND WILL JUDGE WHETHER I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THIS OR NOT. I WILL KEEP TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH THIS IN THE TIME I HAVE LEFT HERE.

PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS PERSONALY. IT IS SIMPLY MY OPINION. IF I HAD SPENT THIS LIFETIME TRYING TO GAIN RESPECT BY LOOKING GOOD AND DOING NOTHING I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TRUE TO MYSELF. IN THE END, THAT'S REALLY ALL I HAVE.

WELL, THAT'S MY RANDOM THOUGHT FOR THIS WEEK.

TALK TO YOU SOON,

TVI

I BELIEVE I'M IN LOVE, AGAIN

2010-08-28T04:13:00.000-07:00

HELLO TO ALL,

I MENTIONED IN A PREVIOUS POST THAT MY WIFE BOUGHT A HOT TUB. WELL THEY DELIVERED YESTERDAY, I HOOKED IT UP AFTER WORK, WE WENT TO SEE DREW PLAY IN THE BAND AT HALFTIME OF THE FOOTBALL GAME, AND WHEN WE CAME HOME,....100 DEGREES AND BUBBLES!

I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED HOT TUBS, SINCE MY HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL DAYS. I HURT BOTH MY ANKLES PLAYING BASEBALL . THEY HAD THIS HUGE STAINLESS STEEL TUB WITH A THING THAT LOOKED LIKE AN OUTBOARD MOTOR ON IT TO BLOW BUBBLES AT THE SORE SPOT. I SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN HOT WATER WITH BUBBLES BLOWING ON ME, SOUNDS KIND OF STRANGE DOESN'T IT? OH WELL, TOUGH SHIT.

LAST NIGHT AND I HOPE FOR A WHILE TO COME I WILL EASE THIS OLD, SORE BODY INTO THAT BUBBLE BLOWING, WARM THING AND ENJOY WHAT'S LEFT OF THE TIME I HAVE HERE.

ONE MORE THING, I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED FOOTBALL. AS A KID I HAD RHEUMATIC FEVER, AND COULD PLAY NO SPORTS. WHEN I GOT TO HIGH SCHOOL I ASKED THE DOCTOR ABOUT FOOTBALL AND HE SAID NO, BUT BASEBALL WAS O K. I WAS QUITE DEVASTATED. ANYWAY EVERY FALL WHEN FOOTBALL SEASON ROLLS AROUND I GET GIDDY. SO IF THINGS HERE GET OUT OF HAND JUST CHALK IT UP TO HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON. LAST NIGHT 50-6 GOOD GUYS! GO BOMBERS!

WELL, THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.

TALK TO YOU SOON,

TVI

A FEW CHANGES

2010-08-24T16:16:00.000-07:00

HELLO TO ALL,

JUST WANTED A NEW LOOK. LET ME KNOW IF YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.

THANKS,

TVI

JUST AN UPDATE

2010-08-24T11:02:00.000-07:00

HELL TO ALL,

I WAS LOOKING AT THE CALENDAR TODAY AND DISCOVERED I HAVE ABOUT SIX WEEKS AND IT WILL BE TIME TO START ON THE HARLEY. I'M HOPING FOR SOMETIME AROUND THE FIRST OF OCTOBER.

THE WOOD FOR WINTER IS PILING UP, I HAVE A SMALL LEAN-TO PROJECT FOR STORING THE WOOD CLOSE TO THE FURNACE TO DO, SOME ELECTRICAL WORK FOR THE HOT TUB TO COMPLETE, AND RUN A NEW GAS LINE FOR THE GRILL.

THEN IT'S INSIDE WORK ON THE WEEKENDS AND DURING THE WEEK,.........HARLEY TIME.

I'VE DECIDED TO KEEP THE FRAME I HAVE AND WORK ON MODIFYING IT TO MAKE THINGS FIT, IT DOESN'T SEEM TO FAR OFF SO I'M GOING TO GO FOR IT, AS LONG AS MY COUSIN, "SHOP TEACHER BOB" AGREES WITH MY ASSESSMENT.

I HOPE THINGS WILL GO SMOOTHLY, BUT I'M WELLL AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT CAN ASRISE IN THIS KIND OF PROJECT,( INSERT CASH AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES HERE).

WELL. THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.

TALK TO YOU SOON,

TVI

2010-08-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

HELLO TO ALL,

I KNOW I KNOW, IT'S BEEN AWHILE AGAIN. WORK IS STILL BUSY AND WORK AT HOME TAKES ALL MY OTHER TIME.

TODAY IS A DAY FOR RAMBLING. I READ A POST TODAY FROM ONE OF THE BLOGS I READ REGULARLY AND IT GOT ME THINKING ABOUT LIFE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PATHS WE ALL TAKE TO GET THROUGH THIS LIFE. I AM A HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC, I HAVE A COUSIN WHO IS A SCHOOL TEACHER, A BROTHER WHO IS A TRUCK DRIVER, AND ON AND ON. THIS BLOG POST WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW LIFE CAN BE ENRICHED BY USING YOUR HANDS AND ENGAGING THEM IN THE PURSUIT OF CREATING THINGS.

I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT USING YOUR HANDS TO DO ANYTHING IN A POSITIVE WAY DOES ENRICH OUR LIVES. PAINTING YOUR HOUSE OR PAINTING A STILL LIFE, WORKING ON YOUR BIKE OR TEACHING MY SON TO WORK ON HIS BIKE, ETC., ETC.. THE OTHER DAY I WAS LAYING A PAD OF PATIO BLOCKS TO PUT IN A HOT TUB, YES I SAID HOT TUB, ANYWAY MY SON HAD BEEN HELPING ME AND ASKED IF HE COULD LAY A FEW BLOCKS, I SAID YES AND JUST FROM WATCHING HE PUT IN THE LAST FIVE BY HIMSELF AND THEY WERE PERFECT. WHEN WE WERE FINISHED HE WAS SO PLEASED WITH HIMSELF THAT I ALMOST LAUGHED OUT LOUD, BUT I BELIEVE THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND EXPAND HIS PHYSICAL AND MENTAL SKILLS BECAUSE OF THIS SMALL ACCOMPLISHMENT.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO READ THIS BLOG KNOW ME AND MOST OF THEM ENGAGE THIER HANDS IN MANY WAYS THAT I MAY NEVER DO. I HAVE THE GREATEST RESPECT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS, BOTH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL, BY ENGAGING THEIR MINDS AND THEIR HANDS AND FINDING THE THINGS THEY LOVE TO DO. I WISH I KNEW A WAY TO INSTILL THIS IN OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL. READING, CREATING, THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING, ARE ALL SKILLS THAT SHOULD BE TAUGHT, AND THEY SHOULD BE CHERISHED BY THOSE WHO TEACH, INSTEAD OF PUNISHED AND PUT ON THE BACK BURNERS BY ADMINISTRATORS OF THE SCHOOLS IN THIS COUNTRY.

I HOPE THAT I CAN INSTILL THESE THINGS IN MY SON AND THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO DO IT FOR HIS SON. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE TODAY WHO TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT THEY DO, AND ENJOY, TRULY ENJOY, CREATING THINGS WITH THEIR HANDS, READING BOOKS, LEARNING EVERYDAY SOME WAY TO MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER.

I KNOW THAT, AS A COUNTRY THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS THAT WE ARE FACING, BUT I BELIEVE THAT THESE THINGS CAN BE TURNED AROUND, IF WE SIMPLY TRY TO MAKE OUR LIVES BETTER BY USING OUR HANDS AND MINDS TO PROBLEM SOLVE AND CREATE A BETTER PLACE FOR OURSELVES AND EVERYONE ELSE.

WELL THAT'S MY RANDOM THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.

TALK TO YOU SOON,

TVI

VISIT FROM AN OLD FRIEND

2010-06-08T16:43:00.000-07:00

HELLO TO ALL,

AN OLD FRIEND OF MINE STOPPED BY FOR A VISIT ON SUNDAY. MY BUDDY "BIKER" BOB AND HIS WIFE, CAME ALL THE WAY FROM TEXAS. THEY WERE UP VISITING FAMILY AND HAD A FEW HOURS TO COME OUT AND VISIT.

WE HAD A GOOD LONG VISIT. TALKED ABOUT OLD TIMES, TALKED ABOUT NEW TIMES, TALKED ABOUT BIKES AND KIDS, IN GENERAL WE JUST TALKED, WHICH BY THE WAY IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO!

GOT MY WINTER SHIELD A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND IT IS COOL. PICKED UP THE REAR MOUNT FOR THE SIDECAR AND I THINK I HAVE EVERYTHING TO HOOK IT UP. THINGS ARE SHAPING UP WELL FOR THE FALL.

JUST GOT THE TRACTOR STUCK TRYING TO GET THE TELEPHONE POLES ACROSS THE POND FOR THE BRIDGE, WHAT AN IDIOT! HOPEFULLY I CAN GET IT OUT BEFORE WINTER SETS IN.

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

TVI

P.S. I THINK I HAVE A PICTURE OF BOB THAT I CAN POST. I'LL TRY.

STILL PICKING UP PARTS

2010-06-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

HELLO TO ALL,

I KNOW, I KNOW. I'M STILL BEHIND, BUT I'M TRYING. WORK IS INSANE, I'M WORKING AT HOME, TRYING TO GET THE HONEYDO LIST PARED DOWN TO SOMETHING THAT LOOKS LESS LIKE WAR AND PEACE. ON THE HOME FRONT THINGS ARE MOVING ALONG AT A SNAIL'S PACE, BUT THINGS ARE GETTING DONE. THE GARDEN IS IN AND DOING OK, MOST OF THE ROCK IS AROUND THE POND, THE BRIDGE ACROSS THE BACK OF THE POND IS NEXT ON MY LIST, AND BLACK DIRT IS SOON TO BE DELIVERED.

NOW TO THE BIKE. I'M STILL PICKING UP PARTS, IN THAT REGARD I'M DOING PRETTY WELL. BACK IN THE LATE SIXTIES, MY DAD DID SOME WORK AT THE CAL CITY JAIL. WHILE WE WERE THERE I FIRST NOTICED HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES. THEY HAD A POLICE BIKE IN THE GARAGE, PROBABLY A PANHEAD, BUT IT HAD A CANVAS FAIRING ON IT. NOW I KNOW IT WAS A WINTER SHIELD. WHEN I STARTED THIS PROJECT I WANTED ONE OF THOSE BAD, AND I GOT ONE ON EBAY THE OTHER DAY. I HAVEN'T GOT IT YET BUT MAN WILL THAT LOOK COOL ON THE BIKE. I PICKED UP SOME NEW HANDLEBAR RISERS, A SET OF CMS YELLOW GRIPS, WHICH WAS AN ACCESSORY IN THE 50'S AND 60'S I PICKED UP A CIGARETTE LIGHTER THAT WAS ALSO AN ACCESSORY FROM THE FACTORY, THE LIST GOES ON!

WHEN FALL COMES I WILL HAVE ALOT OF PARTS TO START HANGING ON THIS THING, AND IF THINGS GO WELL, I'M HOPING FOR A RUNNING BIKE COME SPRING. I'LL STILL HAVE TO TAKE IT APART FOR PAINT AND CHROME BUT THAT'S THE PLAN. WHEN I GET A FEW MOMENTS I'LL POST SOME PICS OF SOME OF THE THINGS I'VE PICKED UP AND I'LL GO FROM THERE.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW AND I WILL TRY TO POST MORE OFTEN, BUT NO GUARANTEES.

TALK TO YOU ALL SOON,

TVI

STEALTH WORK

2010-05-07T08:27:00.000-07:00

HELLO TO ALL,

I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE MY LAST POSTING. WORK HAS PICKED UP DRAMATICALLY IN THE LAST 3 OR 4 MONTHS, AND SUMMERTIME IS APPROACHING.

I' VE GOTA HONEYDO LIST THAT LOOKS LIKE WAR AND PEACE, PLUS A GARDEN TO EXPAND AND GET READY TO PLANT. THE BIKE PROJECT HAS SORT OF BEEN PUT ON HOLD TILL THE FALL, BUT I'VE PICKED UP SOME NICE PARTS ON EBAY AND I'VE SENT THE FORKS OUT TO BE REBUSHED.

I'M WATCHING A FRAME ON EBAY RIGHT NOW, SO IF I PICK IT UP I'LL PROBABLY SELL THE ONE I CURRENTLY HAVE, IT NEEDS SOME REPAIRS, AND I WILL DO THAT AND THEN SELL IT.

THINGS ARE LOOKING AS IF THE BIKE PROJECT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO GET DONE. I BOUGHT AND OLD GOLDWING FROM MY INLAWS WHEN THE FATHER IN LAW PASSED AWAY. IT HAD A TOWPAC TRIKE SET UP ON IT AND I JUST SOLD IT TO A GUY HERE IN TOWN. THE GOLDWING NEEDS A STARTER AND THEN I'LL PART WAYS WITH IT. THE MONEY IS GOING INTO THE PANHEAD AND SO FAR IT'S PAID DIVIDENDS.

IF THINGS KEEP GOING WELL I'LL HAVE QUITE A BIT OF PARTS TO START ASSEMBLY WHEN THINGS SLOW DOWN IN THE FALL. AT LEAST THAT'S MY PLAN. I'VE PICKED UP SOME SIDE CAR PARTS THAT YOU CAN'T BUY EXCEPT USED AND THAT PART OF IT IS REALLY COMING ALONG. I ALSO PICKED UP A 50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY FENDER BADGE THAT IS JUST THE COOLEST THING, IT'LL REALLY SET THE BIKE OFF WELL.

WELL I NEED TO BE RUNNING ALONG AND I WILL TRY TO KEEP UP WITH THE POSTING BETTER. MAYBE I'LL PUT UP SOME PICTURES OF THE BADGE AND MAYBE SOME GARDEN SHOTS TO.

TALK TO YOU SOON,

TVI

CHECK THIS OUT

2010-01-07T09:19:00.001-08:00

HELLO TO ALL, AGAIN,

I JUST ADDED A LINK TO THE ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF AMERICA. IF YOU DECIDE TO GO THERE AND CHECK IT OUT, CLICK ON THEIR LINK FOR "BIRTH OF A BOBBER". ONE OF THE BLOGS THAT I LIKE TO READ IS MATT OLSENS BLOG, THE GUY JUST DOES BEAUTIFUL WORK ON OLD BIKES, AND HE'S WORKING WITH THIS YOUNG MAN TO BUILD THIS BIKE. IT'S JUST COOL TO SEE WHAT A REAL CRAFTSMAN CAN DO.

TALK TO YOU SOON,

TVI

NOTHING MUCH TO REPORT

2010-01-07T08:50:00.000-08:00

HELLO TO ALL,

THE HOLIDAYS HAVE PASSED AND I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GOOD ONE(OR TWO).MINE WERE PRETTY GOOD. WE RENTED A CABIN DOWN BY BROWN COUNTY STATE PARK AND ALL THE KIDS CAME. WE HAD ALOT OF FUN, HIKING, READING, PLAYING CARDS, SHOOTING POOL, EATING, AND MY FAVORITE ACTIVITY: TALKING. WE HAD A REALLY GOOD TIME.

I GOT MONEY MOSTLY FOR MOTORCYCLE PARTS, NOT A LOT, BUT ENOUGH TO GET SOME THINGS TO START WORKING ON THE PROJECT AGAIN. THE LAST MONTH HAS BEEN PRETTY BUSY AT WORK, PLUS WITH TRYING TO KEEP THE HOME FIRE BURNING(LITERALLY), I HAVE HAD LITTLE TIME TO WORK ON THE PANHEAD. NOW WITH THE HOLIDAYS IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR I HOPE TO HAVE SOME TIME TO GET THINGS MOVING.

I HAVE PACKAGED UP THE FORKS AND NEED TO SEND THEM TO PA. TO GET THE BUSHINGS INSTALLED AND FITTED. I HAVE SANDBLASTED AND CLEANED UP SOME OF THE PARTS FOR THE FRAME AND SUBASSEMBLIES, I HAVE TAKEN SOME PHOTOS OF THE PARTS I CAN SELL ON EBAY AND I HOPE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO HAVE THEM POSTED TO SELL.

WELL, THE WEATHER IS TURNING FRIGHTFUL, AND I NEED TO GET MY TRACTOR GOING IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE DRIVEWAY, MY WIFE IS COMPLAINING THAT SHE IS HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING IN AND OUT. SO WHEN I GET HOME FROM WORK TODAY THAT IS MY FIRST PROJECT. I JUST NEED TO GO OUT AND START IT AND FUEL IT UP SO IT ISN'T A BIG DEAL. THE WIND IS SUPPOSED TO PICK UP TONIGHT AND BLOW ALL THE SNOW WE'RE GETTING ALL OVER.

THAT FEELS LIKE ALL THERE IS FOR NOW, TALKE TO YOU ALL SOON,

TVI

GOOD THINGS AND BAD

2009-11-28T05:27:00.000-08:00

HELLO TO ALL,

SINCE IT HAS BEEN AWHILE , I'M GOING TO TAKE A MINUTE AND SHOOT THE BREEZE. WE HAD GREAT THANKSGIVING, ALL THE BOYS AND THE MIDDLE ONE'S WIFE CAME AND WE HAD A BALL. WE ATE TOO MUCH, PLAYED CARDS, VISITED AND JUST HAD TOO MUCH FUN, NOT SOMETHING THAT ALWAYS HAPPENS AT OUR GATHERINGS.

NOW, TO THE REALITIES AT HAND. I FINALLY RECEIVED THE BRAKE CROSS SHAFT FOR THE SIDECAR AND I QUICKLY PUT IT INTO THE SIDECAR FRAME. IT FIT NICE, BUT I DISCOVERED THAT SOMEONE HAD CUT THE END OF THE TUBE OFF. AS I WAS STUDYING THIS DILEMMA, THE ONLY IDEA I COULD COME UP WITH AS TO WHY THEY WOULD CUT THIS OFF IS TO HAVE MORE ROOM TO KICK START THE BIKE. SEEMS KIND OF STUPID, BUT I'LL HAVE TO COME UP WITH A CURE.

SINCE MOST OF YOU REMEMBER THE BIKE IN ONE OF TWO PREVIOUS FORMS I THOUGHT I THROW ANOTHER PICTURE IN OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE NOW. BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THAT IT DOESN'T LOOK ANYTHING LIKE THE FIRST TWO TIMES. I PICKED UP A BUNCH OF HARDWARE TO MOUNT THE SIDECAR TO THE FRAME OF THE BIKE BUT I HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY YET TO PERFORM THAT TASK. I NEED TO GET SOME TIRES MOUNTED ON RIMS SO I CAN SET THE BIKE UP AND ATTACH THE SIDECAR FRAME. I ALSO NEED TO HAVE THE LOWER LEGS OF THE FRONT END RE- BUSHED, AND I FOUND A PLACE IN PA. TO HAVE THAT DONE. WHEN I GET THOSE TWO THINGS ACCOMPLISHED I CAN START MOVING A LITTLE FASTER.

WELL THAT'S ALL FOR NOW,

TVI

WHAT A FIND

2009-11-15T08:26:00.000-08:00

HELLO ALL,

IN 1979 WHEN I BOUGHT THE SIDECAR FROM MY COUSIN'S NEIGHBOR, THE CROSS SHAFT FOR THE BRAKE ON THE HACK WAS MISSING. I WENT TO MOLENAAR'S HD IN HAMMOND, IN. AND TALKED TO THEM ABOUT BUYING THE CROSS SHAFT. WELL, THEY QUIT MAKING THEM IN THE EARLY 70'S, SO I ASKED THEM TO DEALER SEARCH AND NONE WERE AVAILABLE.

WELL, I'M ON EBAY THE OTHER DAY AND LOW AND BEHOLD THERE A CROSS SHAFT FOR THE SIDECAR( LIFE FINDS A WAY!). SO I BID AND I WIN. I DON'T HAVE THE PART YET BUT THAT MAY BE ONE OF THE FIRST PICTURES I POST.

I HAD ALWAYS FIGURED I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE MAKE ME THAT PIECE BUT IT TURNS OUT, EBAY IS A WONDERFUL THING. I ALSO FOUND SOME LADY OUT EAST WHO HAD A BUNCH OF NEW HARDWARE FOR MOUNTING THE SIDECAR TO THE BIKE, SO I BOUGHT THAT ALSO.

PROGRESS IS STILL SLOW, BUT IT IS STILL PROGRESS.

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW

TVI

FRUSTRATION

2009-11-08T12:57:00.000-08:00

HELLO ALL,

THIS WEEKEND HAD SOME UPS AND DOWNS. SATURDAY MOSTLY WORKED, SUNDAY WAS MOSTLY BAD.

I DIDN'T GET ANYTHING DONE ON THE BIKE THIS WEEK, AND THE MALE SHEEP BROKE DOWN THE GATE, SO I SPENT SUNDAY TRYING TO STRAIGHTEN THAT MESS OUT.

I GOT HIM BACK IN THE RIGHT PASTURE, BUT HE IS SO BIG AND NOW AGGRESSIVE THAT I AM PRETTY SURE HE'LL HAVE TO GO. HE IS REALLY FRIENDLY MOST OF THE TIME BUT THE FEMALE IS IN HEAT SO HE GETS NUTS WHEN THAT HAPPENS. HE KNOCKED DREW AROUND, BECAUSE I WASN'T HERE WHEN THEY FOUND HIM. HE'S OK JUST SHOOK UP.

WELL, I'M WATCHING SOME PARTS ON EBAY, FOR THE BIKE, SO MAYBE I'LL HAVE SOME NEWS NEXT TIME.

WELL, THAT'S ALL FOR NOW,

TVI

A NEW BEGINNING, SORT OF

2009-11-05T07:52:00.000-08:00

HELLO TO ALL

THIS IS ALL NEW TO ME, SO GIVE ME A LITTLE BREAK. I STARTED THIS BLOG AS A WAY TO GIVE THE FEW PEOPLE WHO REALLY CARE A WAY TO FOLLOW MY PROGRESS ON BUILDING MY 1954 PANHEAD MOTORCYCLE. I'VE OWNED THE BIKE SINCE 1974, AND IT'S BEEN THROUGH A FEW DIFFERENT PHASES, BUT MOSTLY IT'S SAT IN BOXES FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS.

I JUST STARTED LOOKING THROUGH ALL THE BOXES AND DOING SOME FITTING, SO I DON'T HAVE ALOT OF PROGRESS FOR MY EFFORT YET. I ONLY WORK ON IT A NIGHT OR TWO A WEEK, SO IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE. THAT'S ALRIGHT THOUGH BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A TON OF MONEY TO SPEND ON IT ANYWAY.

I HAVE KEPT THE BIKE ALL THESE YEARS AND COLLECTED PARTS ALONG THE WAY BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST MOTORCYCLE I EVER OWNED. I PURCHASED THE BIKE FROM THE SECOND OWNER AND HE HAS SINCE PASSED AWAY. I ALSO WNAT TO PUT IT TOGETHER BECAUSE I HAVE AN ORIGINAL TIN SIDECAR.

AS I GO ALONG AND FIGURE THINGS OUT, I WILL POST SOME PICTURES AND THINGS OF INTEREST. I SUPPOSE THIS BLOG WILL ALLOW ME TO SHARE SOME OF MY OTHER INTERSTS AS WELL.

WELL, THAT'S ALL THERE IS FOR NOW. TALK TO YOU SOON,

TVI