The Happy Couple

Some of us, perhaps too many, have that one kid you fear will never straighten up and fly right.  They are a lifetime of toil and trouble, but fortunately, especially if the pain in your side is a son, it likely works out in the end.

My youngest, the one time forest fire fighter, and Portland, Oregon denizen telephoned last evening to tell us he and his beloved have become engaged and are actively planning their wedding.  I am over the moon with happiness.    

Mrs. T and the happy couple

I always prayed the right woman, willing to take on a project, would come along, and that he would have the wisdom not to resist.  My prayers have been answered a thousandfold.  Best of all, some of you may recall my buddy Finn,?  He is about to become my bonus grandson, how cool is that?

Let us give thanks

Toad

Good things come to those who wait.

State flag of Colorado

Fire season is over for our family and number 2 son is safely ensconced at home in Oregon. I am grateful and thankful he is home safely. Many thanks to each of you for your support.

That said I need to rat myself out.

During the 2009 fire season #2 had the harrowing experience of rolling his new truck over a switchback. To help him out of his jam I drove to Colorado, gave him my car, then flew home.

I am unfamiliar with Colorado ways, and approaching the airport terminal I saw signs reading toll road, but never saw a pay toll here booth. In my naiveté, I assumed the signs were new and the booths were a coming attraction. Not so apparently.

I delivered the car in August, and in October I received a bill for $75 from the Governor for driving his toll road. $75 seemed excessive at the time, and with no phone number on the bill to question I trashed it.

Thirty days later a second bill, with late fees added popped my total to $125.

Ever watch Deal or No Deal? I am continually amazed by the folks who don't wish to accept the $125,000 in the hand now offer, yet leave with a more comfortable $10. Certainly a BBD is right around the corner, maybe just not looking for them. I thought maybe Colorado was playing along with Howie Mandel.

The bill at Christmas came in a box and was $749.68. If I was unlikely to pay $75 or $125, I'm less than likely to to chip in $750, scofflaw that I am. I ignored that too, but was awed by how the battle escalated.

In June a collection agency threatened that I would not be able to renew my Colorado license plates unless I payed $200, right this very minute. They seemed unmoved, by my explanation that I lived 700 miles from Colorado, and wasn't shopping for Colorado plates, and even $200, while better than $750 still seemed out of line. And there things stood. Until yesterday.

I received another bill from the Governor. The bill had the correct date of my trip, the route I took, a phone number to call and an self addressed stamped envelope with which to enclose my check. This time they would be pleased if I would forward fourteen dollars and fifty cents.

The check is in the mail.

Toad

Happy Birthday Bunky and Odds and Ends

Today is Bunky's birthday. He's defending Colorado from forest fires today, but I hope he has a safe and fun birthday none the less. Seeing him last week was the closest I have come to seeing him on his birthday in many years. I had a great time.

For his birthday, Mrs. T and I gifted him our priceless 1989 MB 190 E sedan. I pray it works out better than his Land Cruiser. I think it will, as long as he is out of Colorado before the snows come.

Odds and Ends

Progress on the pool house has been slow since I returned. A lot of time has been spent doing piddly miserable jobs like repairing electrical and plumbing problems.

The tile has been laid and grouted in both rooms, and fixtures have been installed. We ended up using extra tile pieces for the base boards. The main job left is painting, then we can replace light fixtures, towel bars, mirrors and fun things like that.

We haven't begun to dicker over paint colors yet. My current choice is RL's Vintage Master color Cloud Blue.

To my eye, its almost the color of the pool, and works with the blue doors. I'm likely to be told differently.

If the weather holds (we are expecting high temps near 70 all week) I will be able to paint beginning Tuesday. Just in time to close the pool.

Toad

Don't try this at home

Bunky's somewhat customized Land Cruiser

They are ALWAYS your kids

Number 2 son is a forest fire fighter near Lake George, Colorado. Only this year there haven't been any fires, which is good news for the locals, and bad news for him.

Most of the year he lives in Portland Oregon, where he is a student. It has taken him a long time to find his calling, but he is becoming a fascinating adult, one I am very proud of. This has not been his summer.

In preparation of fire season, he wanted to buy a very sturdy truck. He knew he would be a long way from help, and needed something which would safely get him there and back home.

His old boss was restoring a Land Cruiser. Bunky drove it a lot last summer, knew and liked the truck and eventually agreed to buy it. The LC worked fine in Oregon, but limped into Colorado. Initially he blamed it on not being set up for altitude. He quickly found out otherwise.

Tis a new engine he would he needing. So with a lot of pluck he found the local off road fixer, who found an engine and engine rebuilder for him. He spent his first 60 days in Colorado without wheels. Fortunately, his sister and her husband live in Denver, and they periodically would visit, bring him groceries, and when available lend him a car. It's been a long summer for him.

Finally, his truck was ready the last weekend in July. Much happiness in his house.

Last night, he rolled it. Three times. Coming down a gravel mountain road he swerved to avoid an ascending car on a switchback. Bunky swerved down the mountainside.

Mercifully, no one was hurt.

So what's a dad to do when his youngest is a thousand miles from home, near broke, no car, no way home? I offered him my car.


Looks like I'm heading to Colorado soon.


Toad