My sadness over finally parting with Jim's truck was sweetened by knowing it was staying in the family and would be reborn to keep earning its keep. To serve. Jim is delighted.
Jake's brother-in-law is taking on the Ford project. It's in the patient hands of a good mechanic who appreciates the history of things.
According to the title I bought the truck in 2004. Jim was so busy at the time and he was driving something that was getting ready to die any day. He went through a lot of those when we first moved here from NY. He didn't have time to shop for another used truck. I made the time and got lucky.
The credit union was good to me and I happened to see this truck in a lot less than a mile from home. They told me it was an ex-power company truck and showed me a pile of maintenance records. Only 69K miles on it in five years. Deal!
He got home from long day at work and I pulled my car up behind him and said, "Get in." I know he was tired, so good thing it was a short ride to the new one. I also know he was ambivalent about what I'd done. But by the time he got it home behind me, he was happy. Relieved and happy.
Jim was never a car guy. Rides were to get you from point A to point B and haul your crap or your friends with the least amount of attention or aggravation. A city boy at heart and now he didn't have to sweat it.
It feels really good to do something so useful for someone who appreciates it.
He drove that truck nearly three hundred thousand miles without mishap or major mechanical issues. Ten years. Ford, take a bow.
At the last minute, Truck decided it wasn't going anywhere, despite the engine starting strong and running smoothly for one sitting around six months. The shifter actually broke off!
Jake had a workaround. Having an ace mechanic in the family is such a blessing.
Colin is more like his Dad. Get in, drive, and turn the stereo up if you hear a funny noise.
Bless them all.
And very coincidentally, I felt the need for some cool weather cooking and made a big pot of sauce and meatballs. One of Jim's favorites. The smell of Italian cooking made us both dizzy.
Since this morning we've had cold drizzle. Fall in Georgia.
Pasta always optional, but don't let me catch you standing over the pot with a fork in your hand.
