You made me cry Bob. We have my father’s S10 sitting out in the trees. Still has the O’Brien for Secretary of Ag sticker in the back window. Your story is touching and brings back memories of my father - a pretty rocky relationship that ended on good terms.
Love that last line. This quote reminded me of riding many places with my dog in the back of my dad's pickup while growing up in Montana: "And if you are an insurance agent pooh-poohing and tut-tutting about financial liability and safety, you can kiss my ass. People do what they gotta do."
I think about many things I did as a child that are deemed too dangerous now. Car seats are undoubtedly an improvement.
Interesting contrast between this line and the one about the muffler. Sometimes there's nothing wrong with cursing at misfortune! It doesn't put the muffler back on, but it might make you feel better :)
Such wonderful stories and wonderful writing. Brought back memories of my own dad, memories of Mexico (and piling so many in the back of our trucks). And now I watch Connor unload the trunk of our old 2007 Corolla of their electrician's tools when they get home from work everyday. Thanks for this Bob.
Here’s my TFP conversation with Jane Elliott, where she praises my grandfather for supporting and defending the Blue Eyes Brown Eyes lesson. Sadly, no mention of his beloved 1968 Ford F-100!
Thank you. I loved him and his 1968 Ford pickup and drove it to the U of I in 1985 to attend college, loaded with my belongings. He told me never to go above 50 mph. Should have listened! But that’s a story for another time…
What a great article, Rob! I can see your dad doing all of these things. Sure do miss him...and good to know that I knew what "fingering" nails was. They just don't do it anymore!
Bob— Your columns always engage and then tug the reader along sentence after sentence. And I always learn something that explains the obvious to me, such as having a truck is a source of power and respect. That explains why pickups outsell all other kinds of passenger cars and sales seem to pick up (no pun intended) as so much in our lives seem to make us less significant. I also learned a language tip, that “kiss my ass” in pickup truck speak conveys to the listener that they’re just not on the same page. Thanks, Bob, once again.
This is a great piece of writing. Thank you for sharing. Your stories show the importance of family, as well as treating one another how we would like to be treated. What a wonderful world it could (should) be!
I have liked what I heard or read you saying from the time I first met you. My husband could have had some good discussions with you in the matter of taking care of old things and not looking for ways that one can make the most money, look the most prestigious in your community, and follow the current political trends. When we were on our honeymoon in 1955 somewhere in "the south" he stopped his Mercury to pick up a serviceman who rode with us for a couple of hours. The hitchhiker nearly fainted when he discovered we were on our honeymoon. Being able to be yourself rather than trying to look important and powerful allows one to live a good life no matter what else is going on. And there's way too much going on at this moment in history.
loved this
Great essay, Bob.
Glad you liked it Kyle...
You made me cry Bob. We have my father’s S10 sitting out in the trees. Still has the O’Brien for Secretary of Ag sticker in the back window. Your story is touching and brings back memories of my father - a pretty rocky relationship that ended on good terms.
Wow. Thanks for sharing. There is so much meaning to unpack with just the S10 and our fathers...
Love that last line. This quote reminded me of riding many places with my dog in the back of my dad's pickup while growing up in Montana: "And if you are an insurance agent pooh-poohing and tut-tutting about financial liability and safety, you can kiss my ass. People do what they gotta do."
I think about many things I did as a child that are deemed too dangerous now. Car seats are undoubtedly an improvement.
Interesting contrast between this line and the one about the muffler. Sometimes there's nothing wrong with cursing at misfortune! It doesn't put the muffler back on, but it might make you feel better :)
Such wonderful stories and wonderful writing. Brought back memories of my own dad, memories of Mexico (and piling so many in the back of our trucks). And now I watch Connor unload the trunk of our old 2007 Corolla of their electrician's tools when they get home from work everyday. Thanks for this Bob.
Thank you, Marcel...
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you.
nice article. put tears in my eyes
Man, I love everything about this, the story, every anecdote in it, the people and the themes, and the writing. Thank you.
I loved that. Thank you
Here’s my TFP conversation with Jane Elliott, where she praises my grandfather for supporting and defending the Blue Eyes Brown Eyes lesson. Sadly, no mention of his beloved 1968 Ford F-100!
https://michaeljudge.substack.com/p/why-blue-eyes-brown-eyes-matters
Wow. So powerful. Great story. Thanks for sharing. I hadn't known all of those details or the power of Jane Elliott.
Thank you. I loved him and his 1968 Ford pickup and drove it to the U of I in 1985 to attend college, loaded with my belongings. He told me never to go above 50 mph. Should have listened! But that’s a story for another time…
What a great article, Rob! I can see your dad doing all of these things. Sure do miss him...and good to know that I knew what "fingering" nails was. They just don't do it anymore!
Bob— Your columns always engage and then tug the reader along sentence after sentence. And I always learn something that explains the obvious to me, such as having a truck is a source of power and respect. That explains why pickups outsell all other kinds of passenger cars and sales seem to pick up (no pun intended) as so much in our lives seem to make us less significant. I also learned a language tip, that “kiss my ass” in pickup truck speak conveys to the listener that they’re just not on the same page. Thanks, Bob, once again.
Thanks Richard! I suspect that "kiss my ass" was part of your vocabulary long ago...
Great story. 👍 It gives one hope!
Okay, I’m bawling. That ending was the best ever. Thank you. ❤️
This is a great piece of writing. Thank you for sharing. Your stories show the importance of family, as well as treating one another how we would like to be treated. What a wonderful world it could (should) be!
I have liked what I heard or read you saying from the time I first met you. My husband could have had some good discussions with you in the matter of taking care of old things and not looking for ways that one can make the most money, look the most prestigious in your community, and follow the current political trends. When we were on our honeymoon in 1955 somewhere in "the south" he stopped his Mercury to pick up a serviceman who rode with us for a couple of hours. The hitchhiker nearly fainted when he discovered we were on our honeymoon. Being able to be yourself rather than trying to look important and powerful allows one to live a good life no matter what else is going on. And there's way too much going on at this moment in history.