Covid19 Spare time

[Donstar]

My mom passed away almost 10 years ago and I've held on to her two mobility scooters with thoughts of refurbishing them for my future use.  All through my Covid declutter I came up with excuses to leave the chairs gathering dust and taking up space.  I decided several weeks ago to advertise them online as a package deal for a good price.  The batteries and tires need replacing and I'm still fine on my own power.  I quickly discovered that people who are looking for a cheap mobility scooter typically don't have the ability or finances to "refurbish" such a device.  It was actually quite an "eye-opener"  to discover so many people homebound simply because they can't afford assistance to get out and about.  I have now taken a new direction and have decided to refurbish these chairs and sell for my cost to those in need.  This could develop into a no cost, spare-time, feel good hobby!

[Donstar]

Our schools opens the day after Labour Day.  I worked in the public school system and after 12 years of retirement I still get anxious on this day!  Last night on the news it was reported that this could be the first normal school year for the younger students. This was followed by a report on teacher shortages and the state of teacher contract negotiations.  Oh, and we also had an update from public health.  We may be dealing with Covid differently, but it hasn't gone away.   There are also heightened safety protocols resulting from the far too many school tragedies.  This undoubtedly must create abnormal stress for school based staff and for parents sending their children to school.   I'd like to hear how a young student would describe a "normal" school year!   It may be a normal school year to them but not how I remember normal! 

[KARNUT]

There’re going to resemble prisons. Probably should. What’s amazing to me is how many people drive their kids to school. All streets around me have a school. Traffic jams galore. I took the bus until I got my license. The bus was part of the social activity in my day. School was well timed with little free time for nonsense. Home from school, chores, dinner, homework, bed repeat. Besides being taken to school by the parents after school activities for the pampered are amazing. If I want to visit my grandkids I have to go to an activity. Dinner is while driving. After Covid it’s worse. People trying to make up for lost time.

[KARNUT]

I just learned my mother tested positive. My mother in law is now the only person left I know who hasn’t. The last two years will go down as a waste. Like Gump used to say. That’s all I have to say about that.

[OnTheReel]

39 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

I just learned my mother tested positive. My mother in law is now the only person left I know who hasn’t. The last two years will go down as a waste. Like Gump used to say. That’s all I have to say about that.

My mom got it last month. Her oxygen levels were a little low so her doctor put her on Paxlovid and sent her home. She turned the corner the next day. The stuff seems to work pretty well if taken early. Might be worth it for your mom too.

[KARNUT]

32 minutes ago, OnTheReel said:

My mom got it last month. Her oxygen levels were a little low so her doctor put her on Paxlovid and sent her home. She turned the corner the next day. The stuff seems to work pretty well if taken early. Might be worth it for your mom too.

Thank you. Our doctor is pretty good here.

[Donstar]

A few days ago I had a longish wait in a medical lab to have a blood test.  I was seated right next to reception so it was hard to avoid hearing people providing their date of birth.  There are some very old looking 40 year old's and youthful looking 70 year old's!  On the news last night an 80 year old health store owner was asked what her secret was to staying so youthful looking.  Her response was, "Never seeing a Doctor".   I thought this was a terrible message to give.  Today my brother would be alive to celebrate his Sept. 14th birthday if he'd simply gone for a checkup!  Health issues, like the pandemic, can hit unexpectedly but many surprises are avoidable.    Don't wait until something hurts or doesn't work before having a checkup by a doctor.  

[customboss]

Both got our bi-valent covid shot yesterday. Thats #5 for jabs  for both of us and knock on my woody head no covid to date. 

 

Was reading paper  Monday and by now almost all of US has had covid or been exposed whether or not they have had symptoms or not.  

 

Our "tree whisperer" who is Apache Native American took the two main shots skipped the boosters and now sadly has long covid.

 

Like most african americans and native americans covid seems to attack their bodies worse than others. He has to sleep for a day after feeding his dogs and he missed start of hunting season, proving this 31 YO stud has had his stuffing knocked out him.  

 

Flu shot to go and see if VA will give me the pneumonia shot too.  We both feel slightly off today with sore arms and she has a very mild fever & chills. 

 

I drank beer with the old boys here last night so that helped me deaden the effects....LOL  

 

[txab]

Spent yesterday replacing fuel pump on my 1980 Silverado 1/2 ton, plus had to rebuild the quadrajet carb all thanks to this ethanol crap. Last time I did either procedure was before ethanol. Fortunately, I can rebuild just about any carb blindfolded, have done enough of them over the years. Runs like a top again.

 

have some other maintenance projects to do on this old truck. over 330k miles on the frame and powertrain. Powertrain was rebuilt about 218k ago, iirc, 2 11 years old. Rebuild was necessitated by a poorly balance crankshaft from the factory. Was amazed when I got my block and parts back from machinist how much they needed to do to crank to get it balanced. No wonder the crank destroyed #1 main bearing. It was just a constant, out of balance, pounding on it. Forged pistons, everything balanced. Runs as smooth at 90 mph as it does at idle. It has a great cam for towing and highway. Paint looks like hell now at 42 years old. Dash is chewed up from sunlight

[Donstar]

20 hours ago, txab said:

Spent yesterday replacing fuel pump on my 1980 Silverado 1/2 ton, plus had to rebuild the quadrajet carb all thanks to this ethanol crap. Last time I did either procedure was before ethanol. Fortunately, I can rebuild just about any carb blindfolded, have done enough of them over the years. Runs like a top again.

 

have some other maintenance projects to do on this old truck. over 330k miles on the frame and powertrain. Powertrain was rebuilt about 218k ago, iirc, 2 11 years old. Rebuild was necessitated by a poorly balance crankshaft from the factory. Was amazed when I got my block and parts back from machinist how much they needed to do to crank to get it balanced. No wonder the crank destroyed #1 main bearing. It was just a constant, out of balance, pounding on it. Forged pistons, everything balanced. Runs as smooth at 90 mph as it does at idle. It has a great cam for towing and highway. Paint looks like hell now at 42 years old. Dash is chewed up from sunlight

I like old original trucks and prefer patina over a high maintenance paint job!   It sounds like you have a gem!   

[diyer2]

Sometimes I miss my 93 Silvy. Reg. cab warms faster on cold days being smaller and the 8 foot box was nice.

 

[KARNUT]

17 minutes ago, Donstar said:

I like old original trucks and prefer patina over a high maintenance paint job!   It sounds like you have a gem!   

I always preferred a clean driver over a trailer queen during my collector days. I leaned performance anyway. I don’t collect anymore. My wife’s Acura intagra type r is still in the garage. I drive it just enough to preserve. It’s like a secret mission when I go out. Making sure I’m not followed home. There’s no joy in it. My Avalanche is pure joy. I probably put 500K miles behind a similar dashboard. Clean enough for pride, not afraid to drive. Totally stress free. Just like retirement should be. Counting the days to free of that Acura.

[diyer2]

I get my kicks riding my 650cc ATV. Jetted carb, non stock exhaust and modified air box. 

[Donstar]

I'd prefer a pre-EFI base model truck c/w manual transmission as a daily-driver and I spend a lot of my screen time looking for such a gem!    However, searching is a catch and release activity.   Mrs. Donstar is fine with me doing the driving but wants to be able to take over if necessary.  Her memories of "rowing the boat" combined with "armstrong steering" are not fondly remembered like mine!  

[KARNUT]

My brother in law is retiring in two years. The first project is restoring his first car a 69 firebird convertible. We’re been back and forth on making it driver worthy. I suggested throttle body fuel injection and electronic ignition. He’s definitely changing the front brakes to disk brakes. The rest will be factory original. Over the years it went from stroking the engine to leaving everything stock. If I ever go back that far in a truck. Those are the type of mods I would make for drivability.