Merry Christmas to ALL

Nancy and I will be quite busy over the next few days, like most of us. So, before the craziness starts, let me be the first the wish EVERYONE the warmest greetings of a very Merry and blessed Christmas. Let you hearts open to others who are not as fortunate, and embrace those who are close to you. Remember those who are in foreign lands without their families, and those who have no families. Christmas a time of giving, but Christmas is a gift to us. Share it with others. Take care, stay warm, stay safe and big sloppy kisses and hugs to you all. Harrold and Nancy (the AZ Shells) ;-)))

As I took part in the last major Good-Guys car show this year, along with more than 2000 other beautiful cars, a group of admirers from the L.A. Roadster Club came over to check out my car. After a brief talk, they told me how nice it was. My chest stuck out like a proud turkey. HEY! These are the old-timers of hot rodding! They know what's hot and what's not.
Car shows and car are not for everyone (as my wife tells me quite frequently) but it's another way we humans network, interact and bond with others. There is something in common we can discuss and sometimes argue over. Americans are in love with cars/trucks and, I believe, will always be, as long as gas is around, and semi-affordable.
Maybe we were wrong to bail-out the car companies, and maybe not. It did save a lot of jobs, and the tickle-down affect of other jobs. Not to mention our love for the blessed metal breasts. Cars are a big part of our culture, and we have spread that culture around the world.
I guess the thing that sticks in my throat is that, cars have basically never changed. They still have 4 tires, a metal body and an inefficient internal combustion engine. OK, OK, yeah it's gotten better and more advanced, but it's still basically the same as it was more than 100 years ago. And even tho I LOVE cars, there must be a before way the go from A to B. Star Trek had a good idea when Scotty beamed them up. Excuse me, can we pull over so I can fill-up?

Living brings change...not always good.

Today , I received word that a good friend's best friend died after a long battle with cancer. The news made me very sad, because I know how much it hurts to lose your best friend. Rick was a grade school friend to Bob. They went through middle and high school together, and then served in Viet Nam together too. After they were discharged, they were in business together before Rick moved to New Mexico for several years. But, they were ALWAYS in contact. Last year, Rick moved back to the Valley after his wife passed, and began to build a hot rod with Bob. Then, Rick was diagnosised. Their friendship never wavered, in fact it strengthened as Rick went through treatments and was sick for days after wards. Bob stayed with Rick in the worst of times, holding Rick's head when the treatment got the best of Rick. They were the greatest of friends, and I know when it's Bob's time, Rick will be at the gate to greet Bob with a recent copy of HOT ROD magazine in hand.
I visited one of my oldest friends this last summer. If fact, she was my most loved high school sweetheart. Sweethearts, but never lovers, to our re grate. Our visit, after so many years, was a visit of curiosity, wanting to know how we each changed and looked older. Yes, we both aged, and we both changed too...for the good I hope. We both had been through a divorce and found a mate who we loved dearly. We both had done well in life and were very comfortable in our lives. It was fun reuniting after about 40 years, but then it stopped. She never wrote since. Maybe I disappointed her or said something wrong, I don't know. Friends do that sometimes.
Like Bob and Rick, I will always remember the good times and the things that made us laugh and embrace. Friends should stay friends and talk about things that mean a lot to them. But sometimes... that does not happen. At least it did for Rick and Bob. See you around Rick.

The State of the Union

Whether you are Republican or Democrat, you have to admit, President Obama came into the "office" with an up hill climb from the get-go. First he is the first Black President, then there were those who said he was not a citizen, he is liberal (I may be somewhat liberal too), and he became the champion for the mostly unsung minorities such as Gays, alternative energy, etc. Not to speak of inheriting a HUGE budget deficit. The guy has his work cut out for him.
Then you have guys like Rush Limbaugh who slam the President every chance he gets. Plus any other Democrat. But that's OK. That is why the USA is great, you can speak your opinions without fear of reprisals. Right?
So, Mr. President, here's my slant. First, YOU CAN NOT SAVE THE WORLD. You CAN save a little bit of it, but one step at a time. This shotgun effect is not the way to do it. I think you're a good guy and I know you want to make your mark, but SLOW DOWN. Health care reform is not a can of worms, it's a barrel of snakes...BIG SNAKES. Socialized medicine does NOT work. Gun control is another barrel. Don't piss off the good-o-boys. Stiffer laws/enforcement for violators, but don't hurt the good guys. The barrel of all barrels is Afghanistan/Iraq. We need to get out. We have lost too many looking a ghost. Those military families are losing homes cause they can not pay their mortgages on military pay.
Mr. President, we live a the most wealthy country in the world, but we can not pay off our national debt. Cities are going bankrupt, families losing their homes because they have been downsized or their jobs are going to the Philippines. Corrupt CEOs are retiring with billions of shareholders retirement funds while the blue collar workers are homeless. I am sorry about the troubles overseas where we went into countries we DID NOT belong, but we need to help our own first.
My plan? OK...bring the troops home TODAY. Sent in the Delta Forces to get Bin Laden and string him up during the National 6 PM News. Think through the medical thing. Take a closer look at Medical Malpractice suits/lawyers to regulate medical costs and cut-throat insurance companies. Give Police Officers more latitude to apprehend gun law violators, not hunters and gun enthusiasts. Let the dying banks die. We don't need them. There are plenty good banks still operating. Don't pay people to put in alternative power system, require it. Require businesses and residence builders to install a percentage. It don't cost more than typical building costs, why not? How about regulating credit card companies too, while we're at it.
Is that enough for starters? Oh yeah, and start paying down the National Debt too.
Mr. President, I voted for you because I thought you'd be a breathe of fresh air after 8 years of the second Bush. But I did not expect a hurricane. Since my brain is small, I do things one-thing-at-a-time. You have more resources than me, but I have always heard the wheels of government move slow. Maybe we should try to revisit that theory...somewhat anyway.
I'll be in my office if you want to talk about this. Just wait until football is over. Thanks!

From Wood to Cars

On the morning of Halloween, I sold the last piece of equipment from my closed custom wood shop. A little sad for me, but as my lovely wife says, "You have to get by it." Yes, I am looking forward to building another hot rod, and seeing it develop. It's relaxing for me to work with my hands, eventho they don't work very well as I wish.
But I will miss the smell of wood, rubbing the finished surface and standing back and admiring something I built, off of a drawing, into a beautiful piece of furniture that may lasts for generations.
Of course, my cars could be classified that way too. To see them evolve into a cool car; it is just about the same I suppose.
One good thing...I don't have to buy all the tools to work on cars because I have 99% of them already. AND, I can ride in a car. You really can not do that to furniture. I'll still miss it. Next project (picked up in TX. two weeks ago) 1951 Chevy Bel-Air hardtop. Should be fun!

Close the cover on "FaceBook"

I gave it a shot, and it was NOT for me. FaceBook is a very popular social networking site which amazed me how many people have nothing better to do than tell their friends when they burp, blink and toot ... and that is fine, if you want to communicate about that kind of stuff, but not me. I did have the opportunity to connect with a couple of people I have not seen or heard from in years.
I suppose FaceBook is the expected technological progression after pagers, cell phones, email, texting, and Twitter. Who knows what will be next. Mental messaging? Don't discount it. If someone out there can invent the means for you to tell the world any insufficient thought, urge or activity, you'll hear about it right here.
Sorry, I have to go now. My cell phone is ringing with a text message that I have email Twittered to me by the way of a toe wiggle tone. Be back later. ;-))))

Another step in life

If you know me well, you'd know I have built furniture for nearly 30 years. When I retired, I did it full-time and enjoyed every minute. Of course it was a legitimate business, and I had no employees so I did EVERYTHING, but loved it. I especially loved the design and building part.
Well, also, if you know me well, you'd know lately it hurt. As I get older, my hands have gotten worse, to the point, I do not enjoy building furniture anymore.
Saying all that, my lovely bride suggested I sell my woodworking tools and turn the entire 1200 sq. ft. shop into a hot rod shop. It was a very hard decision, but I said OK.
Handling my tools for the last time on my last project was like saying good-bye to an old friend forever. They have served me so well and never talked back. Always been there when I needed then and performed, always, at the their peak. Some people say I was a great furniture maker, even a Master, but I would never been able to achieve that level without them. I will miss my old friends and hopefully find some new ones in the hot rod shop.