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Had Thanksgiving in the evening with our middle son and his crew. Very relaxed and a nice evening. My 12 year old Grandson and I watched The Boys of Bonneville.

Havent been able to sign in for a long time but I thought I 'd give it a shot and here I am again.

Looked like the usual Chinese fire drill to get out to your trailer. At least they could keep moving for the most part and keep the engine temp under control.

Last year when I got the convert out the horns didn't work. Checked the usual and the horns seemed bad. Didn't screw with then since I hardly drove it. This year I started at the horns which I could not get to work on the bench. Bought a new pair locally and thought the relay was bad Because all it did was rattle. Couldn't easily replace the relay so ran one out by the horns, No workee. Took the wheel off all seemed fine but testing showed an open down in the column. Everything up from the  signal switch was fine. I took the screws out and pulled the cancelling mechanism up and found a little broken spring in a continuity plunger (or whatever it is called). I figured it was not a service item but I found one in a scrap column. A little McGivering and I was able to "service" the bugger and horns have worked ever since.

Went back to the basics several times as we all know we should. Problem is those old tilt columns with a key are getting harder to find and putting a new cancelling mechanism in is a *.

Can you make use of 4 compression release valves? I admit that I'm not getting light bulb turning on moment and I haven't a clue how it might be done. Could you use an external starter like top fuel cars? Sound like yo need a starter with more horsepower than your 4 banger.

Looking forward to a relaxing weekend. Doing a little maintenance on the convert and a good cleaning. Last trip, to Louisville took a  toll. Rear shocks died...fixed that when I got home with a new pair of QA1's.Required some modifications but working good now. Had a tail pipe hand die  about 30 miles north of Louisville. We did a McGiver repair while getting gas. Just fixed that. Horns quit last summer...ignored it. Thought I would fix that this week. Four days...new relay, new horns, steering wheel ground wire repaired which required  a couple more repairs and in the end a very delicate repair to the back side of the self cancelling mechanism ( the spring died in the ground wiper button. All better now. Got a bit of old parts on that car car which are now very hard to repair or even replace.

See ya all at the Zoo.

Will be there.

Went to the Nationals for Thursday and Friday, returned home yesterday. Nice trip, but there was a LOT of road reconstruction and was wasn't under construction was half so-so and half really crappy.

The show was good, the exhibit building was pretty much mask free with a fair amount of empty spots. Looked at the new products display and had serious sticker shock, particularly a new, bare 55-57 Chevy frame for $8500. Swap meet was at about 80% with a lot of decent projects and parts. I bought a roll of black carpet that sorta looks like felt. I like how easy it cuts and glues down. Bought one event T-shirt...it was $28....divided by the 10 years or so since I bought one, it was a steal?

Travel went well other that "fast food" can be stricken from the list of things to engage in. Likewise it is harder to find potty places. I'm sick of the Covid excuse for lousy service and mediocre, at best, food. 15 minute waits inside a truck stop Mickey D's is ridiculous!

Home safe but it took 8 hours to transit what is usually a 6 hour drive.

The old '40 Chevy started thumping pretty hard on harsh bumps on the way down but nothing fell off. There are no smooth bridge approaches or departures between my house and Louisville. I'll look under it tomorrow.

None the less we had a good time and ran into a lot of old friends.

Today is an afternoon for celebrating the life of one of my best friends ever (John Bernard) who died of lung cancer in early February. We've lived about a mile and a half apart for the last 50 years and I'm still looking at the traffic light to be lit on the front of his home shop so I can stop and visit. I'll probably do that until I'm gone too. I understand and accept the purpose of what we will be doing but it will still have a sad part.

Charlie

I live in an area where the virus is spreading rapidly.  We also have a very low vaccination rate.

I have some thoughts on what I have observed and studied.

In round figures the vaccines were in the range of 95 percent effective when they were developed.  We knew from the beginning that even if you were vaccinated, you might get sick with the virus.  Locally 98 percent of of the hospitalized virus patients are unvaccinated.  The remain ones that are hospitalized with the virus, and have been vaccinated, are expected to survive.  They are usually hospitalized because they have other conditionings that, combined with the virus, makes them more at risk.  Locally, no one that has been vaccinated, has died from being infected with the virus.  Our hospitals are full of unvaccinated people.  No one locally is in the hospital because of reactions to the vaccine.

I monitor the local numbers daily. I look to math, and medical advise from someone that has credentials and respect.  I do not trust my emotions, a news commentator, or a politicians with my medical advise.  

This is a very hot topic locally and people have very strong feelings.  I repect everyones right to their opinions and I hope they will do the same for me.  I hope that by debating a topic it will encourage people think.

Well said John. I have long thought that this point would come. My wife and I got the vaccine early this year when it became available. We have masks in the cars and use them from time to time. Most of the medical practices we have had contact with require them.  I don't have much in the way of answers but we are erring on the side of caution and are always trying to sort through the amazing amounts of information. We are in the target group of people at risk and have enough health issues just being alive. I'd like to stick around awhile longer. The only advice I have is to keep abreast of what's going on where you live and make choices you think are best for you. Your close family will likely be of the same mind as you but don't give up on them if they don't agree.

I drove back from Raleigh NC to the Thumb of Michigan today. We saw a lot of hot rods/Street rods headed south on I 77 and through the middle of Ohio. There must be a NSRA or Goodguys type show going on somewhere south this weekend.

GoodGuys Columbus was this weekend.

I mowed the yard today. I even kept most of my clothes on. I also unloaded a lathe from my van that has been in there three years.

Ya might need that any time now...I'm guilty of the same sin though.

Fair enough John. I'm not looking to go this year in any event. I've got a 60th class reunion around that time and I missed the last two....gone to the salt flats.

So, out with it, what year is he planning on returning? Did you men to say you and Sumner ar not going?

Lost two to Covid in the last couple days. Son of my high school pal Tom Cunningham, son's name is Tom also. Lost my retired barber and long time hot rod pal Ron Hegbloom. We grew up in the same neighborhood.

Anyone who thinks this isn't still dangerous needs to rethink it....

Sold my '40 Ford coupe as an almost done project. It went to the Cincinnati area on Saturday. Buyer called and was happy, so I'm happy. Onward and upward.

Sorry to hear about your Mom Frank.