Idiot Tube

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Mike Foley

I remember the first time I saw a television in the window of a local furniture store. It was in the fall of 1949; our family had newly arrived in the little town of Payson, Utah. We’d just moved from Alaska; a TV free zone, and were settling in. Ours was a home of limited entertainment opportunity, so it too, was TV free.

A suave, land-locked Don Winslow.

I spent my few video viewing hours in front of my friends TVs, watching whatever they chose; it really didn’t matter to me, it was all a marvel. I especially remember The “Don Winslow” comic books and a TV series called “Don Winslow of the Navy”, which I viewed at one of my friends homes. My buddy had a “porthole” Zenith, which conveniently lent a naval aspect to Winslow’s show. I was quite taken with the program; I was amazed to see him parade around in his dress whites, never so much as getting a cuff dirty, and almost having pseudo love affairs with beautiful women. I suppose Don would be to blame as far as my first choice of enlistment options. I liked the idea of beautiful women in my wake.

The acquisition of our first TV, was a result of my largesse….I had an after school job in a bakery, and made sporadic payments on it—until the finance company felt payments made only once in a while was not good enough, and took it home with them. As I recall, they did leave the antenna—that still perched precariously on our roof; which to an untrained eye would make it seem we were still of the video blessed. However, if one looked a little closer, they would find a total lack of the mesmerizing images in our living room.

Yes, I was once again doomed to video hand-outs, gleaning scraps of TV leftovers from my friends. This went on for another year or so, until my step dad was able to affect a swap: sign work for a Zenith television.

A porthole Zenith...Don Winslow wears a cowboy hat?

By the time I was a junior in High School, I was more interested in the opposite sex, than Don Winslow’s proclivities. But, there it was, in the combination living room/kitchen/family room/mudroom, in it’s place of honor, not too far away from the icebox…yes, I said icebox. Not only were we in a TV free zone, but an electronically enhanced refrigeration free zone as well.

The old Zenith served my parents well, until long after I had moved out, and was of an age to take my financial responsibilities more seriously. Next was a Crosley “table model”, selected by my roommate and I for our bachelor pad. It was a rather clumsy device that weighed more than I did, and featured the amazing “Zoom-a-tenna”, a built in set of rabbit ears, that collapsed into the back of the set when not in use.

I married, and it claimed front row center attention for quite a few Andy Griffith shows, and many a Leave It To Beaver episodes. Over the next twenty years or so, we changed our televisions, until we landed our first color set, almost as primitive as that first black and white set of years before.

Today, it’s a flat panel, with an amazing picture that could only have been seen in one’s imagination in 1949. Yet, to me as a 12 year old, what I saw through that furniture store window, impressed me more.

I’m curious though, do you think Don Winslow will ever make a comeback? And in today’s enlightened age, would he at last, get his uniform dirty, and would he finally find true love? I’ll be waiting for your answer.

I love this gadget; does it come with a matching spinning wheel?

Well, friends, another week, another story, and, another gadget for you to identify. It’s 1880-ish. A fabulous, freshly, but virtually baked, virtual fruitcake for the winning guess.

Posted in Don Winslow, Nostalgia, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Uncle Mike’s Spring Care Care Tips

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Mike Foley

Since spring is right around the corner, I thought this might be a good time to get ready for a a “Spring Cleaning” task.

One of the first jobs I landed after high school was that of a “lot boy”, for a Provo, Utah, Studebaker dealership. Possibly in today’s parlance I would be referred to as a “pre-owned vehicle appearance specialist”. In other words, under the scrutiny of “King” Loveland, (that was his name) the used car sales manager, I kept the cars on the lot sparkling. I also did the new car prep.

Uncle Mike, Sharon, and our 1954 MG-TF, after a California Car Duster-ing.

And, one of the first things I learned to do, was how to wash a car. Yep, I had to learn that there was a right way to do it. I was taught to wash the car from the top down, washing the dirt down as I went. I was told to never use regular detergent to wash a car, it removes the wax, and is hard on the paint. We used a special car wash formula. (Pick up a jug at the auto parts store, or Wal-Mart) I also never washed a car outside in the heat of the day—that was an easy way to crack a windshield, and gain a few unwanted water spots. And, if you use a bucket and sponge, keep your hose at hand to rinse as you wash.

Once the car was washed and rinsed, I toweled or used a chamois to dry it. Now days I just use an old bath towel. Again, there is a right way to dry a car, and that is, as you might expect; from the top down.

The all time best car appearance tool I’ve found, is the “California Car Duster”, available at Wal-Mart for around $10.00. I’ve use the same one for 5 years, and as it says on the package, “gets better with use”. During the summer, I wash my car only once or twice. The duster, used in combination with “Meguiars Quick Detailer” spray is all it takes. Unless the car is really dirty, a quick dusting with the CCD, followed by a touch up with the detailer spray, wiped off with an old T-shirt. It works great.

California Car Duster, your car will love it.

Another use for that old T-shirt, is using it dry, wipe the film off the inside of the windshield. I’ve tried every cleaning product I could find, and discovered that a clean, dry, “T” works best of all.

When I clean my tires, I use “Original Armor-All” on them. The “original” leaves the tires looking new, not shiny and plastic. And by the way, NEVER use an “Armor All” type product on your instrument panel, since it leaves a shiny finish, and dangerous glare.

To remove soil from interior fabric surfaces, such as visors or the headliner, don’t use water based cleaners, for it will stain. Use an “ArtGum” rubber eraser to rub out the dirt. You can pick one up in most office supply stores, or art stores. They work well, and there is no danger to your upholstery fabric.

Meguiars Quik Detailer spray.

One last tip. If you discover a smell like a fine, aged Limburger cheese wafting from your AC vents when you crank up the AC for the first time this spring, there is a product, “Pure Air A/C Duct Odor Purifier”, available at auto parts stores. It is a disinfectant that kills the bacteria that causes the stink, and deodorizes at the same time. It works.

So, there you have it in a nutshell.

Isn’t it funny how much better a clean car

seems to run?

This week’s stumper is from a regular “What A Life” reader, Ken Gillpatrick,

Ken's gizmo. What is it?

of Loveland. A virtual super car wash for the the winning guess. And, send me photos of your stumpers, and I’ll include them in a future post.

Once more, Brian guessed correctly..the gadget is a potatoe planter.

 

 

Posted in 1954 MG-TF, Car cleaning tips, Cars, Hobbies, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Uncle Mike’s Spring Care Care Tips

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Mike Foley

Since spring is right around the corner, I thought this might be a good time to get ready for a a “Spring Cleaning” task.

One of the first jobs I landed after high school was that of a “lot boy”, for a Provo, Utah, Studebaker dealership. Possibly in today’s parlance I would be referred to as a “pre-owned vehicle appearance specialist”. In other words, under the scrutiny of “King” Loveland, (that was his name) the used car sales manager, I kept the cars on the lot sparkling. I also did the new car prep.

And, one of the first things I learned to do, was how to wash a car. Yep, I had to learn that there was a right way to do it. I was taught to wash the car from the top down, washing the dirt down as I went. I was told to never use regular detergent to wash a car, it removes the wax, and is hard on the paint. We used a special car wash formula. (Pick up a jug at the auto parts store, or Wal-Mart) I also never washed a car outside in the heat of the day—that was an easy way to crack a windshield, and gain a few unwanted water spots. And, if you use a bucket and sponge, keep your hose at hand to rinse as you wash.

Once the car was washed and rinsed, I toweled or used a chamois to dry it. Now days I just use an old bath towel. Again, there is a right way to dry a car, and that is, as you might expect; from the top down.

The all time best car appearance tool I’ve found, is the “California Car Duster”, available at Wal-Mart for around $10.00. I’ve use the same one for 5 years, and as it says on the package, “gets better with use”. During the summer, I wash my car only once or twice. The duster, used in combination with “Meguiars Quick Detailer” spray is all it takes. Unless the car is really dirty, a quick dusting with the CCD, followed by a touch up with the detailer spray, wiped off with an old T-shirt. It works great.

Another use for that old T-shirt, is using it dry, wipe the film off the inside of the windshield. I’ve tried every cleaning product I could find, and discovered that a clean, dry, “T” works best of all.

When I clean my tires, I use “Original Armor-All” on them. The “original” leaves the tires looking new, not shiny and plastic. And by the way, NEVER use an “Armor All” type product on your instrument panel, since it leaves a shiny finish, and dangerous glare.

To remove soil from interior fabric surfaces, such as visors or the headliner, don’t use water based cleaners, for it will stain. Use an “ArtGum” rubber eraser to rub out the dirt. You can pick one up in most office supply stores, or art stores. They work well, and there is no danger to your upholstery fabric.

One last tip. If you discover a smell like a fine, aged Limburger cheese wafting from your AC vents when you crank up the AC for the first time this spring, there is a product, “Pure Air A/C Duct Odor Purifier”, available at auto parts stores. It is a disinfectant that kills the bacteria that causes the stink, and deodorizes at the same time. It works.

So, there you have it in a nutshell.

Isn’t it funny how much better a clean car seems to run?

Since spring is right around the corner, I thought this might be a good time to get ready for a a “Spring Cleaning” task.

One of the first jobs I landed after high school was that of a “lot boy”, for a Provo, Utah, Studebaker dealership. Possibly in today’s parlance I would be referred to as a “pre-owned vehicle appearance specialist”. In other words, under the scrutiny of “King” Loveland, (that was his name) the used car sales manager, I kept the cars on the lot sparkling. I also did the new car prep.

And, one of the first things I learned to do, was how to wash a car. Yep, I had to learn that there was a right way to do it. I was taught to wash the car from the top down, washing the dirt down as I went. I was told to never use regular detergent to wash a car, it removes the wax, and is hard on the paint. We used a special car wash formula. (Pick up a jug at the auto parts store, or Wal-Mart) I also never washed a car outside in the heat of the day—that was an easy way to crack a windshield, and gain a few unwanted water spots. And, if you use a bucket and sponge, keep your hose at hand to rinse as you wash.

Once the car was washed and rinsed, I toweled or used a chamois to dry it. Now days I just use an old bath towel. Again, there is a right way to dry a car, and that is, as you might expect; from the top down.

The all time best car appearance tool I’ve found, is the “California Car Duster”, available at Wal-Mart for around $10.00. I’ve use the same one for 5 years, and as it says on the package, “gets better with use”. During the summer, I wash my car only once or twice. The duster, used in combination with “Meguiars Quick Detailer” spray is all it takes. Unless the car is really dirty, a quick dusting with the CCD, followed by a touch up with the detailer spray, wiped off with an old T-shirt. It works great.

Another use for that old T-shirt, is using it dry, wipe the film off the inside of the windshield. I’ve tried every cleaning product I could find, and discovered that a clean, dry, “T” works best of all.

When I clean my tires, I use “Original Armor-All” on them. The “original” leaves the tires looking new, not shiny and plastic. And by the way, NEVER use an “Armor All” type product on your instrument panel, since it leaves a shiny finish, and dangerous glare.

To remove soil from interior fabric surfaces, such as visors or the headliner, don’t use water based cleaners, for it will stain. Use an “ArtGum” rubber eraser to rub out the dirt. You can pick one up in most office supply stores, or art stores. They work well, and there is no danger to your upholstery fabric.

One last tip. If you discover a smell like a fine, aged Limburger cheese wafting from your AC vents when you crank up the AC for the first time this spring, there is a product, “Pure Air A/C Duct Odor Purifier”, available at auto parts stores. It is a disinfectant that kills the bacteria that causes the stink, and deodorizes at the same time. It works.

So, there you have it in a nutshell.

Isn’t it funny how much better a clean car seems to run?
Since spring is right around the corner, I thought this might be a good time to get ready for a a “Spring Cleaning” task.

One of the first jobs I landed after high school was that of a “lot boy”, for a Provo, Utah, Studebaker dealership. Possibly in today’s parlance I would be referred to as a “pre-owned vehicle appearance specialist”. In other words, under the scrutiny of “King” Loveland, (that was his name) the used car sales manager, I kept the cars on the lot sparkling. I also did the new car prep.

And, one of the first things I learned to do, was how to wash a car. Yep, I had to learn that there was a right way to do it. I was taught to wash the car from the top down, washing the dirt down as I went. I was told to never use regular detergent to wash a car, it removes the wax, and is hard on the paint. We used a special car wash formula. (Pick up a jug at the auto parts store, or Wal-Mart) I also never washed a car outside in the heat of the day—that was an easy way to crack a windshield, and gain a few unwanted water spots. And, if you use a bucket and sponge, keep your hose at hand to rinse as you wash.

Once the car was washed and rinsed, I toweled or used a chamois to dry it. Now days I just use an old bath towel. Again, there is a right way to dry a car, and that is, as you might expect; from the top down.

The all time best car appearance tool I’ve found, is the “California Car Duster”, available at Wal-Mart for around $10.00. I’ve use the same one for 5 years, and as it says on the package, “gets better with use”. During the summer, I wash my car only once or twice. The duster, used in combination with “Meguiars Quick Detailer” spray is all it takes. Unless the car is really dirty, a quick dusting with the CCD, followed by a touch up with the detailer spray, wiped off with an old T-shirt. It works great.

Another use for that old T-shirt, is using it dry, wipe the film off the inside of the windshield. I’ve tried every cleaning product I could find, and discovered that a clean, dry, “T” works best of all.

When I clean my tires, I use “Original Armor-All” on them. The “original” leaves the tires looking new, not shiny and plastic. And by the way, NEVER use an “Armor All” type product on your instrument panel, since it leaves a shiny finish, and dangerous glare.

To remove soil from interior fabric surfaces, such as visors or the headliner, don’t use water based cleaners, for it will stain. Use an “ArtGum” rubber eraser to rub out the dirt. You can pick one up in most office supply stores, or art stores. They work well, and there is no danger to your upholstery fabric.

One last tip. If you discover a smell like a fine, aged Limburger cheese wafting from your AC vents when you crank up the AC for the first time this spring, there is a product, “Pure Air A/C Duct Odor Purifier”, available at auto parts stores. It is a disinfectant that kills the bacteria that causes the stink, and deodorizes at the same time. It works.

So, there you have it in a nutshell.

Isn’t it funny how much better a clean car seems to run?

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Computer Love

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Mike Foley

No one in their right mind, would write a book entitled: “The Joy of the Computer”. It’s an oxymoron, for one can’t use the word “joy“ to describe any interaction with a “computer”.

The Tandy TRS-80----a $500 boat anchor. I know, I owned one.

Other than a golf club, has there ever been another device that can send a person from ecstasy to despair in mere seconds? I think not.

One of the first acronyms I learned concerning computers, was GIGO….”Garbage In, Garbage Out”. A truism if I’ve ever heard one. I know that the speedy way my hair turned from steely gray to white, was no doubt caused by too many frustrating hours spent attempting to get my computer to do my bidding; it has been a one-sided battle.

Just today, I attempted to open an email that a friend had sent, and each time I tried to open it, the process caused the infernal program to shut down. After about ten tries, I’d had enough. I phoned my friend: “Just read me the message.” I said.

We treasure those special times when we’re working on a document, and suddenly, a warning pops up: “Fatal Error”. I ask you, couldn’t the programmers have come up with a better idiom? FATAL Error? I suppose that the nerds in charge gleefully felt that it might be an appropriate term, considering the suicides such a message would no doubt cause.

I can think of only two joyous moments when I‘m working with my computer: First, if it boots up with no problem, I am almost giddy when it appears everything is as it should be. Second in the world of PC joy, occurs when a program actually works as it‘s supposed to. A word of caution here. Just because the machine has fooled you into thinking all is well, it is merely waiting for an opportune time to whack you with it’s ultimate weapon; “Fatal Error“.

Just a few weeks ago, I wasted possibly 10 or 15 hours trying to edit a family video using my electronic nemesis. The editing program was much too sophisticated to simply warn me with a firm: “Hey stupid! That won’t work. Go back to step B.” No, it allowed me to think I was winning, and from what I could see on the screen, my video was just the way I wanted it. That was until I attempted to play the finished product on our DVD player. I could have gotten better results with a 6 inch, pepperoni pizza.

1955, and Boeing is proud of their electronic brain.

Well, friends, after a couple of sleepless nights spent mulling over the problem, my favorite acronym drifted through my somnolent brain….“GIGO”. Not that my artistic endeavors were garbage, but it seems that a step I missed, relegated my end product to the trash. So, once more, my PC showed me who’s boss.

Remember this: It’s never a win-win situation when one is dealing with computers. Any joy you feel at that keyboard today…….will be surely be tempered with despair tomorrow.

 

 

Whatsis of the week.

In a stunning example of nepotism, my nephew Brian was the winner of last week’s gadget guess, the device is a manually operated massager.

So, here’s another stumper. A wonderful, virtual dollop of Blue Bell ice cream to the winner. Hurry before it melts.

Posted in Hobbies, Nostalgia, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Twelve Years Later

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Mike Foley

Doesn’t seem that over twelve years have passed since the “Millennium” fiasco, but if you recall, months before the dawning of the year 2000, prognosticators of every stripe were predicting everything from a total computerized collapse to doomsday. Even poor old Nostradamus was dusted off, and “experts” attempted to make his most dire prophecies fit the occasion.

Times Square New Year's Celebration.....might have been the last one.

Not one to panic, I followed what I assumed were perfectly normal responses to the furor. First, I purchased an electrical generator….a big one. I knew that power outages would no doubt be common, and although I could have sympathized with you had your electricity gone out, frankly, I wanted to keep my beer (non-alcoholic) cold. I also amassed an impressive collection of fuel filled 5 gallon gas cans; just in case. I then laid in supplies of sandwich makings, batteries, flashlights….and Mace. I envisioned hordes of pillagers romping on our front lawn, and I wanted to be prepared. I was ready for the worst.

Our daughter Michele hosted a New Year’s Eve pajama party. The attendees were supposed to wear typical sleepwear. Folks, typical sleepwear for me, are under shorts. (Just turn away, if the mental picture offends.) Not wanting to panic the other guests, I donned a sparkly new pair over my blue jeans, thus still retaining my modesty, and yet the spirit of the occasion.

So, we pre-celebrated. While I downed copious quantities of faux champagne and dietary beverages, my co-celebrants did a more traditional job of bringing in the new year. I also took advantage of the buffet, gorging as if this might have been my last meal.

Thinking back, the food seemed rather tasteless, what with the Millennial sword of Damocles, dangling over our heads.

We nervously watched the TV news, taking notice of the various sorts of anticipatory mayhem going on all over the world. The first clue that the sky wasn’t going to fall occurred when the network showed the celebration going on in Australia. The Aussies made it through the witching hour without so much as a hiccup.

Dick Clark was in New York’s Time Square, awaiting the drop of the mirrored ball. I hoped if New York survived, we’d be safe in the hinterland. We waited. When the ball dropped, and nothing happened. I was feeling a little better about things, but we were in another time zone.

At the stroke of twelve; the power went out. There wasn’t a sound from our revelers. Ten seconds later it was back on. It seems our daughter Carrie’s husband, David, had quietly stationed himself next to the house’s electrical breaker box, and on the stroke of twelve, he switched off the main power.

Had he been a little closer, I’d have Maced him.

We ate lots of sandwiches over the next few days, and as far as the generator was concerned, it was sold several years later at a garage sale.

But possibly I sold it too soon; 12-12-2012 is just around the corner….where’s the Mace?

A new gizmo to stump the un-stumpables. A virtual. 10 pound, pound cake to the winner.

OK, it's old, and required two hands to operate.

Posted in Nostalgia, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Pretty On The Outside

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Mike Foley

Have you ever made a purchase, and as soon as you made it, there was a little voice telling you how stupid you were, but you ignored the voice, and bought it anyway?

Friends, I have, and more than once. However, the largest, and stupidest purchase of my life (until now) was in the fall of 1981.

He looks proud; evidently, his car wasn't a diesel.

Wanting to save a few dollars on fuel, and to show how savvy I was, I bought a new, 1981 Oldsmobile Toronado…..with a “diesel“ engine. It was a beautiful midnight blue metallic color, yep, the car was gorgeous…while parked. I’ve put the word diesel in quotes, since General Motors opted to convert their most dependable gasoline engine to their most undependable diesel. They wisely guaranteed their mistake for only 12,000 miles, after that, pal, you were on your own. If a car manufacturer did the same thing today, they’d have enough law suits to keep a barracks full of trial lawyers busy for years.

To be brief, aside from unreliable, it was under-powered, noisy, and smelly. Within a month or so after the warranty expired, so did the engine…..for the first time. Checking around, I discovered that it would cost a fortune to have a pro replace the engine, so, I elected to do it myself. I located another engine, (used) in a wrecking yard, and brought it home. Then, with the help of my sons, and a long weekend, the switch was made. I had a lot more patience then, and even though it was summertime in Texas; hot, humid, and miserable, we began to work. I coined lot’s of special phrases just for the engineers at GM. Most of them not suitable for tender ears.

We even had to create a few special tools to complete the job, wondering just what GM engineers must have been smoking when they built the car. By the time we finished, we were filthy with sooty grease, grease that we’d spread from here to breakfast. I’ve included a photo of my son Patrick and myself, sweat-soaked, with hands as black as tar.

Patrick and I with our homemade super tool.

We’re smiling; although I don’t know why, other than we knew that we’d never repeat the process….I’d sell it before I’d replace another engine.

And speaking of selling the car, possibly a year, and a just few thousand miles later, the engine cratered. I needed to dump it, and fast. I was able to negotiate a trade on another car ….(one with a gasoline engine, incidentally). sight unseen. I signed the papers, and several hours later, returned with the Olds. The salesman had a fit when he discovered that the car was diesel powered. “You didn’t tell me the car was a diesel!” He whined. “I would have, had you asked.” I replied. We did a little renegotiating, and I coughed up another $300 to sweeten the deal.

The car was a beautiful misfit, and we were happy to see it go. A least I thought it went, for about six months later, the Houston Police Department called. They informed me that they had impounded “my” abandoned car, the 1981 Olds.

I was feeling quite generous, and told the officer, “Consider it yours. Keep it, it’s a gift.” It was the car that wouldn’t die. Surely it’s been melted down by now, and has been reincarnated into someone’s new Hundai, or Honda. I wish them good luck, but to be sure, I think an exorcism would be appropriate.

In the spirit of things automotive, here’s a 1930′s hood ornament. Tell me what automobile it came from, and win a set of virtual wide whites for your golf cart. *********NOTE********Dogmom gave the correct guess…Plymouth was the car make. circa 1936. But here’s another for you to identify…..

A famous ornament from the late 30's or early 40's. What make car did it beautify?

 

Posted in 1980's Olds Toronado, Cars, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Life After Death

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Mike Foley

Not so long ago, my life partner and I returned late from an out-of-town trip. In fact, when we walked through the door, my bleary eyes read: 11:00 P.M., and I was looking forward to a good night‘s sleep in my own bed. I’d plumped up my pillow, selected my pre-snooze read, and settled in.

It was then, that I thought I heard a beep. I prayed it was merely a figment of my imagination, but I heard it again. It was no figment. Now, I had to determine from where it came. The first thought was that it was the telephone answering machine, but found it mute.

The diabolical, death-defying, smoke detector.

So, it was a smoke alarm, but which one? These devices certainly save lives, but, I’m thinking they must also be responsible for a few suicides. We have a multitude of alarms, and the culprit, I felt, was one of the two in or near the bedroom; one just outside the door in the hallway, the other, just inside.. I stood there in the doorway for a few seconds, waiting for the next beep. Then the culprit chirped, as if it were just one more electronic entertainer.

For the life of me, I couldn’t tell which was making the racket, so, (comfortably attired in my under shorts) I opted to check them both. I located the step-stool, and removed the batteries from both units. The chiming continued, so I knew at least one of them needed a battery. I searched for a spare, but came up empty handed. As a last resort, I swiped a battery from another device, and placed it first in the bedroom alarm. “Beep“. I moved to the next alarm, and placed it there. “Beep“. Now I was in a quandary, using the process of elimination, I also checked the alarm in our loft, and with battery and step-stool in hand, switched out batteries once more. No sooner had I climbed the stool, I heard a “Beep“ ….from downstairs.

By this time, I’d worked up a good sweat, and incidentally, had I a shotgun handy, I would have executed a few smoke alarms. Instead, I disconnected them, removed the batteries, and placed the alarms on the kitchen counter. When I returned to the bedroom, my wife was sound asleep, oblivious to my torment, but I settled in, grabbed my book, and once more, a “BEEP“.

A loveable, Texas Pine Roach.

It was one of the moribund alarms in the kitchen, squawking even though they were dead. Out of bed once more, I grabbed the alarms, and took them to the garage. I was tempted to run over them with the car, but, should one of the neighbors spot me in my underwear, laughing fiendishly, and backing over a pair of smoke alarms…..I knew I’d be in trouble.

So, take it from me, after the final nuclear holocaust, the only things still living, will be cockroaches.

And fire alarms..

 

Whazzit?

A new gadget for you to identify. A wonderful, tasty, virtual chocolate Brownie for the correct guess. (There was no winner last week)

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Born Again

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Mike Foley

Some of you who know me, no doubt will do a double take. “It can’t be the Mike Foley I know.” Well, if you’re thinking in a religious sense, you’d be partially right, but let me say, I am a believer, and a regular church goer.

I labored most of my life under a Damoclean sword. The sword, being a heart murmur I’d had for most of my life. I was nearing 40, and I wanted to prepare myself for the “end“. I I felt it was only right that I do what I could for my family’s future. I felt I needed to visit a doctor, and get the bad news…I.E. How many years do I have left?….That is, if my time left could be measured in years.

A worried 11 year old.

I dreaded the doctor visit, but, I sucked it up, and was in the doc’s waiting room at the appointed time. Our family practitioner, Dr. LeCavelier, was French Canadian, with a very pronounced accent. He’d treated my family for their ills, but never me.

I’m not going to go into the details, but by the time the procedure had reached the: “Put your clothes back on, Mike.” stage, I was surprised that he hadn’t uttered a few, “tsk, tsks”, accompanied with a pitying look. I felt I knew the problem better than he, so, I casually mentioned: “Well, Doc, I guess you heard my heart murmur.” His reaction was not what I expected; he looked puzzled. “No, Mike, I deedn’t hear de heart murmere.” I went on to explain. “Well then, you must have missed it, because I’ve had a murmur for years; in fact, I wasn’t able to participate in Phys Ed classes in school, and I was even classified “4-F” when I registered for the military draft.”

“Take off zee shirt, I weel sheck you again.” I removed my shirt, and he listened to my innards once more. After he replaced the stethoscope around his neck, he told me: “Mike, zere is no heart murmere, your heart, eet sound perfectly normal.” I was stunned. It took a minute for me to digest what he’d just said. “Do you mean that I could pass an insurance physical?” I asked incredulously. “Yes, Mike, you could.” I went on down a list of previously banned activities. When I mentioned jogging, even then, he saw no problem.

“Doc, are you absolutely sure? I said, “I just can’t believe that my murmur is gone.” He went on to reassure me: “I will schedule you for de EKG.” The next day, I was hooked up to the EKG machine. When the technician finished, she quipped: “I’ve seen worse”. “Ok“, I thought, “just how much worse?”

Dr. LeCavelier called me later that afternoon, to give me the results. My heart was normal. Sharon had the champagne chilled, and we toasted my good fortune—-several times;

Yep, folks, I was, in a sense, born again.

 

Gadget guessers, here’s this weeks assignment:

OK, Sherlock, what is it?

Last weeks gizmo is a “Nut Splitter” used to split hex nuts on rusted bolts

Posted in Nostalgia, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

What? Another New Year?

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Mike Foley

Let’s see…just how many New Year’s commemorations have I been a party to; or, how many New Year’s parties have I attended? I’m afraid I’ve lost count, for there are quite a few that I don’t recall, but a few memorable ones.

As for my childhood, and New Year’s the celebrations I witnessed were possibly a little less than spectacular events, for it seems residing in a nearly teetotaling household, a jeroboam of 7-Up qualified as a celebratory beverage. There were no hangovers, of that I’m sure.

Ray Curtis; looked older, but not wiser.

It was only as I reached almost adult status that the festivities began to take on a more well, “adult” aspect, for I recall one New Year’s observance that might have been my undoing. One of my best friends, seventeen year old Ray Curtis, had the look of a much older person. At seventeen, I looked seventeen. Ray, on the other hand, looked to be in his early twenties. He was husky, and had a very impressive set of potential whiskers. A “Five O’clock Shadow”, as it was referred to at the time.

The advantage for Ray, (and his associates) was that he could buy beer and or cigarettes. I was more than happy to help consume some of the contraband.

So, on the last night of the year, Ray and I embarked on our celebratory journey. We’d loaded the back-seat of his 1941 Chevy coupe with ill-gotten beer and cigarettes—-and a box of Wyoming fireworks. We left a little room in case we should find female companionship.

The author; not old; not smart.

Ray picked me up around 8:00 P.M., and we popped the lid on the first of too many beers. Manly Ray next fired up a cigarette, and to my eyes, looked quite mature, one hand occasionally on the wheel, the other with a smoke or a beer. Quite mature.

I, on the other hand, was content to appear less than mature, but eager to look as if I were slightly rebellious. My hair was well oiled, swept up into a fine 50’s pompadour, a cigarette dangling from my lips. It was after several of those beers had been consumed, and a few Camels puffed, (but not inhaled) that Ray felt the need for excitement. “Mike, we need to set off some of those fireworks!” I heartily agreed.

We headed down Main Street, and at the central intersection, where two drugstores, the telephone office—and the police station were located, Ray made ready to detonate some pyrotechnics. He rolled his window down half way, and just as we approached the police station, took a firecracker from the stash, held the fuse to the end of his lit cigarette, and tossed it towards the space above the partially lowered window. Unfortunately for Ray the cracker hit the glass, bounced back, landing between his legs. He didn’t have a chance to yell, because it detonated immediately. Ray juggling a half consumed beer, a cigarette, the steering wheel, and painfully smoldering trousers, well, that was something to see.

Ray has since passed on, and my New Year’s fetes since, have lacked the smoke, the alcohol, and the exploding firecrackers; but I still chuckle when I recall that particular New Year’s Blast.

Happy New Year.

The gadget.

A fresh gadget to confabulate you. It’s no antique. A fabulous virtual, chocolate cupcake to the winner.

Posted in Nostalgia, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Going The Extra Mile

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Mike Foley

Occasionally, I post an article about a local business or institution that give their patrons a little more than what you’d expect in products and service, hence, today’s story.

Rowes Floral, Loveland Colorado.

When I first thought of writing this post, I intended to tell you of a local Loveland business icon, “Rowe’s Floral”. But after spending some time with Rowe’s owner, Bill Rogers, I changed the plan, and rather than simply speak of the beautiful work they do, I want to tell you more about Bill Rogers, the man.

I was first told of Bill about four years ago, when I became dissatisfied with the florist that my wife and I had been using for several years. A neighbor who’s known Bill as long as he’s been in business—over 30 years, recommended Rowe’s Floral. I placed an order, and both Sharon and myself were very pleased with the arrangement they produced.

My favorite wife loves flowers, and I try to make sure that she is gifted with floral arrangements for most special occasions, and sometimes, just when I feel she needs a little boost. From the first arrangement that I ordered from Rowe’s, she’s been thrilled, and I’ve taken photos of some of them because they are so spectacular. Bill has taken a personal interest, and makes sure that he includes the blossoms she likes, and deletes those she doesn’t. Without a doubt, we’re satisfied customers.

One of Bill's creations for Sharon.

I stopped in a few days ago to talk to Bill, and to hear his story, what I discovered is someone who is truly interested in his fellow man. As you might expect, Bill is a modest man, and a religious man, and to try and get him to reveal a little of himself isn’t easy, but, when I asked him to relate a story or two from his dealings with his clients, it wasn’t to boast, but to tell me of instances when he was especially touched.

He told me of a young woman who had worked for him several years ago, and had left for another position. He hadn’t heard from her for a while, but shortly after Christmas of that year, he received a Christmas card from her, stating that she had had a baby—a son, on Christmas Eve, and she selected “William”, as his middle name, to honor Bill. She went on to thank him for his kindness, and how important he was in her life. When Bill related the story to me, he had a catch in his throat, and tears in his eyes.

Bill Rogers & George Sapp; his right hand man.

The Golden Rule is alive and well at Rowe’s Floral, you will be treated as you would hope to be treated. I had the opportunity to see how he interacted with a few patrons, and as I expected, he treated them as if they were the most important clients he served. If any business would like to know the secret of success, take a minute to visit Rowe’s Floral, and get a free lesson on how to treat your customers.

So, if you’re looking for a florist in the Loveland area, do yourself a favor; call Rowe’s Floral, at 970-667-2300.

Going the extra mile is all in a day’s work for Rowe’s staff.

Here’s new gadget for you to identify; a clue: it’s new. A virtual chocolate cupcake for the winning guess.

What ever could it be?

Last week’s gizmo is an “Ouch Saver”, a wire gripper that protects the users fingers when using a sharp pointed circuit tester.

Posted in Going The Extra Mile | Leave a comment