Delightful visit with Allen Hammock this morning. Allen and his “cyber twin,” Dan Arnall, guided Learfield’s early internet efforts. L-R: Allen, Mays, Lear.
Category Archives: Family & Friends
Memorial Day
When you could buy a home for $7,000
This is the house were my brother and I grew up. Our parents purchased (newly constructed) the little two-bedroom/one-bath house for $7,000 in 1955. We’d been living in tiny rent houses and my mom was determined to own their own home. My father was terrified at taking on so much debt (30 year mortgage). I’m guessing it took them the full 30 to pay it off.
Land Rover top swap
On Saturday a few friends came out to the house to help me take the hardtop off the Land Rover and put the soft-top on. Didn’t do this last spring because COVID was rampant. Really missed driving around under the mesh top. Last time we had the top off was in 2019. Took more help to get the hardtop back on that fall.
I’ve stored the hardtop in different places. After it was nearly destroyed by a tornado, I kept it in the basement but that meant removing the top from the sides. With a little help from my friends we were able to squeeze it in under the deck. Going to see if I can improve the look with a section of plastic lattice. (see below)
My thanks to the crew: George Kopp, Dave Kempf, Gaston De La Torre, and Dave Trammel.
George’s Jeep
My friend George has a 1982 Jeep CJ7 that he’s owned since high school. It’s been through a lot, including a tornado that destroyed his business. It’s being held together with ingenuity, determination, love and ratchet straps. He was working on it when I stopped by today. (video :90)
I noticed a tiny, rusted tool in the console which George explained was used to turn the wipers on and off.
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt
Barb on the beach
For the last year Barb and her sister Jan were diligent in keeping themselves and those around them safe. They were hunkered down. Now that they and their close family have been vaccinated, a few of them are spending a week at Barb’s place in Destin, FL. Well deserved. No indoor dining but lots of beach time.
Soaking up the sun
Ping Pong
Yesterday I played ping pong with my friend John for the first time in more than a year. Before the pandemic we’d get together every couple of weeks in his basement. John is good enough to call it table tennis but it will always be ping pong for me.
We chat as we play and boy was I ready to interact with another human. John and his wife, Peggy, have both been vaccinated for COVID (as have I) so we felt safe as we played and talked. It will be a while (never?) before I take such simple pleasure for granted.
Hattie
