DAILY CHRONICLE #7 VOL 14

HOWARD’S DAILY CHRONICLE

NUMBER 7 VOL 14

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7^TH 2008

WEATHER; COOL, LOW HUMIDITY, 64/88 DEGREES

 

I’M WAITING TO HEAR FROM PEGGY ABOUT THE FINAL RACE AT THE BAKERSFIELD DRAG STRIP YESTERDAY SEPT 6^TH!

 

HAVEN’T HEARD ANYTHING FROM MIKE AND CINDY AS USUAL!

 

KERRY AND DEBI WERE CAMPING OUT SOMEPLACE IN OKLAHOMA BUT DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO COME BYE AND VISIT! I THOUGHT HE WOULD BE IN HARVEY MAKING SURE EVERYTHING WAS TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE GUSTAV HIT BUT HE SAID THEY DID ALL NECESSARY THINGS THE WEEK BEFORE SO THEY WENT CAMPING! NOW WITH IKE BEARING DOWN ON FLORIDA THEY HAVE THAT TO WORRY ABOUT! THEIR PLACE IS IN FT. MYERS BETWEEN MIAMI AND THE KEYS AND THAT’S WHERE THE WEATHER PEOPLE SAY IKE IS GOING TO HIT! THEN CONTINUE OUT IN THE GULF HEADED STRAIGHT FOR NEW ORLEANS! BOY, WHEN MOTHER DECIDES TO SLAP YOU SHE REALLY KNOWS HOW TO GET YOUR ATTENTION!

 

KELLY AND GLENDA ARE UPSET ABOUT THEIR DOG DYING! HE BURIED IT DEEP IN THE YARD AWAY FROM WHERE PEOPLE GO! HE SAID THE VET HAD PUT IT IN A BOX WRAPPED IN A TOWEL AND PUT  SOME KIND OF CHEMICAL IN THE BOX SO IT’S SCENT WOULDN’T BE DETECTED BY PREDITORS!

 

MOM WENT OVER TO SHANNONS AND HELPED HER SHOWER AND THEN TOOK HER SHOPPING, SHANNON SAID IT SURE WAS GOOD TO GET OUT OF THE APARTMENT! I KNOW THE FEELING!

 

HAVEN’T HEARD MUCH FROM TIM AND ELYSE! THE LAST TIME THEY WERE HERE HE WAS STILL WEARING THE SHOE TO PROTECT HIS TOE! HE SAID HE WASN’T GOING TO START ON THE WOOD WORK IN THE KITCHEN OR THE FLOORING UNTILL HE HAS HIS REGULAR SHOE BACK ON!

 

I WROTE A LETTER TO DANNY JR. DANNY’S BOY LAST WEEK BUT HAVEN’T HEARD BACK FROM HIM YET! HE’S BACK IN PRISON AND I GUESS HE CAN ONLY WRITE SO OFTEN! WHEN I DO GET ANYTHING FROM HIM I’LL PUT IT IN THE CHRONICLE!

 

I’M NOT GIVING UP ON THE INTREPID I STILL HAVE A FEW THINGS TO LOOK AT! IN FACT I’M STARTING TO TURN THE PAGES IN THE BACK OF MY BRAIN THAT PERTAIN TO SOME OF THE REALLY BAD PROBLEMS I’VE HAD WITH CARS OVER THE LAST 50+ YEARS! SOMEPLACE IN THERE I KNOW I’LL FIND THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM! ONE OF THESE NIGHTS I’LL DO WHAT I USED TO DO, WAKE MOM UP WITH THE SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM AND HAVE HER WRITE IT DOWN SO I DON’T FORGET IT! IF THIS CAR WAS GOD MADE I’D UNDERSTAND BUT, IT’S A MAN MADE ITEM AND A MAN WILL FIGURE IT OUT! I’VE MADE PHONE CALLS TO PEOPLE WHO I FIGURED WOULD HAE SOME INSIGHT TO THE SOLUTION BUT I’VE DRAWN A BLANK SO FAR! THE POPULAR CONSESUS IS “I DON’T HAVE ANY IDEA!”

 

THAT’S “30” FOR THIS ISUE

 

HOWARD

 

DAILY CHRONICLE #6 VOL 14

HOWARD’S DAILY CHRONICLE

NUMBER 6 VOL 14

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6^TH 2008

WEATHER; COOL, LOW HUMIDITY, 62/85 DEGREES

 

KELLYS LITTLE DOG DIDN’T MAKE IT SO THEY HAD IT PUT DOWN TODAY! ACCORDING TO THE VET IT HAD A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED DURING THE NIGHT AND IT COULDN’T EAT OR TAKE CARE OF IT SELF AND RATHER THAN LET IT SUFFER THE BEST THING WAS WHAT THEY HAD THE VET DO!

 

I LOADED THE 22 WITH REAL BULLETS TODAY AND WE’LL CATCH THOSE TWO DOGS IN OUR YARD AND END THIS THING! I TRIED TO GET THE MAGNUMS TO CHAMBER IN BUT THEY’RE TO LONG, I’D HAVE TO MODIFY THE BREECH MECHANISM TO USE THEM! THOSE TWO DOGS ARE VICIOUS AND JUST COME DOWN HERE WHEN THEY WANT AND EAT THE CATS FOOD AND CRAP IN THE YARD WHICH REALLY UPSETS ME! THANK GOD OUR CATS SEEM TO BE ABLE TO STAY AWAY FROM THEM! POOR OLD MR “T” MIGHT HAVE TROUBLE STAYING CLEAR OF THEM BECAUSE HE HAS ARTHRITIS IN HIS HIPS BUT I’M PRETTY SURE HE KNOWS SOME GOOD HIDING PLACES AND IF THEY MAKE ENOUGH RACKETT GETTING AFTER HIM I’LL HEAR IT AND BE ABLE TO GET A CLEAR SHOT AT THEM! WE HAVE CERTAIN PLACES WE DON’T SHOOT INTO BECAUSE OF WHATS ON THE OTHER SIDE! THE WAY THEY CHASE CARS ON OUR ROAD I’M JUST WAITING FOR SOME KID OR ADULT WHO DOESN’T HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE TO MISS/HIT THEM TO SWERVE AND HIT ONE OF THE TREES AND THEN WE’LL SEE WHAT SHE DOES ABOUT THEM WHEN SHE’S ON THE WRONG SIDE OF A LAW SUITE!

 

BOY, THOSE PEOPLE IN ALASKA ARE SURE AFTER SARAH PALIN, THEY’RE INVESTIGATING HER FOR MISUSE OF HER POWERS AND ARE ABOUT TO ISSUE SUBPOENAS FOR PEOPLE TO APPEAR BEFORE THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE! WE’VE GOTTEN AN ARTICLE ABOUT HER THAT IS KIND OF FAIR! THEN WE GOT A LETTER FROM A WOMAN WHO’S KNOWN HER FOR YEARS AND SHE GIVES HER CREDIT FOR SOME OF THE GOOD SHE’S DONE FOR ALASKA AND THEN TELLS ABOUT ALL TO PEOPLE SHE’S CLIMBED ON THE REACH HER GOALS INCLUDING HER YOUNGER SISTER!

 

I’M SURE IT’LL ALL COME OUT WHEN THE DEBATES START! I JUST HOPE JOE BIDEN TAKES THE GLOVES OFF WHEN HE DEBATES HER! BY HER OWN ADMISSION SHE’S A “BARRACUDA”, OTHER THAN THE SHARK AND PIRANHA ONE OF THE MOST VICIOUS OF FISH ESPECIALLY IN A GROUP! THEY GAVE HER THE NAME “BARRACUDA” NOT BECAUSE OF THE WAY SHE PLAYED BASKETBALL BUT BECAUSE OF HER UNBRIDLED AMBITIONS AND PREDITORY RUTHLESSNESS! SHE REFUSED TO ENDORSE HER MOTHER-IN-LAW WHEN SHE RAN FOR MAYOR! MAYBE THAT’S THE REASON HER INLAWS WEREN’T AT THE CONVENTION! SHE’S OPTED TO PLAY WITH THE BIG BOYS AND I HOPE SHE WEARS HER CUP BECAUSE THESE GUYS WILL HIT ABOVE AND BELOW THE BELT!

 

MANY YEARS AGO WHEN I FIRST WENT TO WORK FOR LOCKHEED I WAS PUT IN A MACHINE SHOP! THE FORMAN WAS LARRY BILLUPS!  I WAS BEING TRAINED ON A VAN NORMAN MILLING MACHINE WITH A TRAVELING BENCH! ONE OF THE OLDER MACHINEST HAD MADE A DUMMY HEIGHT GAGE! A GOOD ONE COST ABOUT $100.00 AN INCH AT THAT TIME! THEY TOLD ME TO WATCH WHEN LARRY CAME OUT OF THE OFFICE WHICH WAS ABOUT 15 FEET IN THE AIR ABOVE THE TOOL CRIB AND START BEATING ON MY VISE ON MY WORK BENCH!  THERE WERE 25 STEPS IN THE STAIRS THAT LED FROM THE OFFICE TO THE FLOOR OF THE SHOP! I WAS JUST SETTING UP TO MAKE A CUT ON A BLOCK OF ALUMINUM WHEN LARRY OPENED THE DOOR AND STEPPED OUT ON THE LANDING! I PICKED UP THE DUMMY GAGE AND STARTED BEATING ON THE VISE ON MY WORK BENCH, LARRY SAW THIS AND CAME DOWN THE STAIRS 5 AT A TIME AND PUSHED STOOLS AND ROLL AROUND BENCHES OUT OF HIS WAY TO GET TO ME! HE GRABBED THE GAGE AND ME BY THE ARM AND YELLED “DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH THIS GAGE COST?” YES SIR, A GOOD ONE COST ABOUT $100.00 AN INCH! (THE OTHER GUYS HAD TOLD ME THAT)

HE LET GO OF MY ARM AND TOOK A GOOD LOOK AT THE GAGE AND STARTED TO LAUGH! WELL MAHONEY, THAT’S ONE ON ME BUT IF I EVER SEE YOU MISTREAT A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT LIKE YOU WERE DOING THIS ONE I’LL MARCH YOU OUT THE GATE, NOW GET BACK TO WORK AND MAKE YOUR FATHER PROUD! WHAT DO YOU MEAN MAKE MY FATHER PROUD? COME UP TO THE OFFICE WHEN YOU FINISH THIS AFTERNOON AND WE’LL TALK, DON’T PUNCH OUT THIS IS OJT AND WE’LL PAY YOU FOR IT!

I WENT UP TO THE OFFICE LIKE HE ASKED AND HE TOLD ME HE HAD WORKED FOR MY FATHER IN THE STOCK ROOM AT THE 7^TH AND SANTS FE PLANT IN LOS ANGELES DURING THE WAR! HE WAS GOING TO NIGHT SCHOOL TO BE A MACHINEST AND MY DAD HAD LET HIM STUDY ½ HR IN THE MORNING AND ½ HR IN THE AFERNOON ON COMPANY TIME! NOW YOU’RE HERE WORKING FOR ME AND I’M GOING TO MAKE A FIRST CLASS MACHINEST OUT OF YOU! HE TRIED TO KEEP ME BUT I WAS LOW MAN ON THE TOTEM POLE WHEN LOCKHEED HAD A BIG LAY OFF (3,700 PEOPLE)! HE DID MANAGE TO GET ME TRANSFERRED TO THE TEMPLATE SHOP AND I WORKED THERE FOR 1 ½ YEARS AND THEN ANOTHER PERSON WHO WORKED FOR MY DAD HEARD I WAS THERE AND ASKED ME IF I WOULD LIKE TO WORK IN A STOCK ROOM AND I SAID I’D GIVE IT A TRY! EVERYTHING WAS GOING FINE, I KNEW ABOUT THE “TAB RUN” BECAUSE MY DAD HAD DEVELOPED THE 6 DIDGET STOCKING NUMBER SYSTEM FOR LOCKHEED AT THE PLANT AT 7^TH AND SANTA FE WHERE THEY BUILT THE WINGS FOR THE HUDSON BOMBERS FOR BRITAIN! TILL THAT TIME EVERYTHING WAS DONE VISUALLY, TAKE TWO PARTS AND FIND ONE THAT MATCHED THE PART YOU WERE WORKING WITH! ANYHOW, THERE WAS ALITTLE ITALIAN GUY IN THE STOCK ROOM WHO HAD BEEN CUT BACK FROM FORMAN TO STOCK CLERK WHEN THE WAR ENDED AND HE WASN’T TO HAPPY THAT I KNEW HOW TO READ THE TAB RUN AND TOOK A POKE AT ME WHICH I RETURNED THE FAVOR TO HIM JUST AS THE SUPERVISOR WALKED IN, HE CLOCKED BOTH OF US OUT AND WE WERE TAKEN TO THE GATE AND TURNED IN OUR BADGES AND ID CARDS! I WAS FIRED! MY DAD CALLED ME THAT NIGHT AND ASKED WHAT HAPPENED AND I TOLD HIM! THAT WAS ALL I COULD DO WAS TELL THE TRUTH! TWO DAYS LATER I GOT A TELEGRAM TELLING ME MY JOB WAS STILL THERE IF I WANTED IT BUT LIKE A DUMMY I NEVER WENT BACK TO WORK FOR LOCKHEED! IF I WOULD HAVE I’M SURE WHEN MY DAD RETIRED I WOULD HAVE BEEN OFFERED HIS JOB!

 

THAT’S “30” FOR THIS ISSUE

 

HOWARD

 

DAILY CHRONICLE # 5 VOL 14

HOWARD’S DAILY CHRONICLE

NUMBER 5 VOL 14

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5^TH 2008

WEATHER; WARM, MED HUMIDITY, 60/83 DEGREES

 

I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE CRUISE SERVO IN THE INTREPID WOULD HOLD VACUUM AND IT DOES! I’LL CHECH THE ELECTRIC CONNECTIONS INSIDE THE SERVO TODAY! THE ONLY OTHER PLACE THAT COULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM IS A LEAK IN THE VACUUM LINE, VACUUM CANISTER OR ONE OF THE RUBBER HOSES THAT CONNECT THE METAL LINE TO THE VACUUM CANISTER! OR IN THE METAL LINE FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TO THE SERVO! I’LL HAVE TO HAVE MOM PUT HER THUMB ON ONE END WHILE I SUCK ON THE OTHER END! WE DON’T HAVE A VACUUM PUMP ANY MORE, IT GOT LEFT OUT IN THE WEATHER AND FELL APART!

 

WHEW! THOSE POLITICAL CONVENTIONS ARE FINALLY OVER! WE WATCHED THEM BOTH AND WILL MAKE UP OUR MINDS AT THE POLES!

 

KELLYS LITTLE DOG IS DOING A LOT BETTER! NOW IS A CASE OF KEEPING IT QUIET SO ITS RIBS CAN HEAL! I GUESS THAT GERMAN SHEPHERD HAD IT IN HIS MOUTH AND BIT HARD! MOM SAID BOTH DOGS ARE OUT IN THE STREET CHASING CARS! TO ME THAT’S A TRAFFIC HAZARD BECAUSE OF PEOPLE SWERVING TO MISS THEM! LIKE I SAID, IF ONE OF THEM GETS IN FRONT OF ME I FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD; NEVER LEAVE THE HARD SURFACE OF THE ROAD WAY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT! ONCE YOU GET OFF THE HARD ROADWAY AND IN THE SOFT DIRT OR GRASS OF THE SHOULDER YOU NO LONGER HAVE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE! I HAD A PARTNER WHO WENT TO WORK FOR C&H TRANSPORTATION DRIVING AN 18 WHEELER, HE WAS RUNNUNG EMPTY ON A TWO LANE ROAD WITH A FLAT BED TRAILER ON AND TOPPED A HILL AND A SCHOOL BUS WITH NO BODY IN IT WAS STANDING IN THE ROAD! HE SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT INTO A CONCRETE CULVERT! THE TRAILER TORE LOOSE FROM THE 5^TH WHEEL KING PIN AND PROCEEDED TO TAKE THE TOP OF THE CAB OFF DOWN TO THE DASH BOARD AND HOOD! HE WAS KNOCKED OUT AND WAS LYING ACROSS THE GEAR SHIFT AND PASSENGER SEAT! THE TRAILER CONTINUED ACROSS THE DASH AND OUT OVER THE HOOD, WHEN IT REACHED THE BACK OF THE CAB THE SPARE TIRE RACK STOPPED IT! THIS IS THE REPORT HE SHOWED ME FROM C&H ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION PEOPLE!  I HAVEN’T SEEN HIM IN ABOUT 20 YEARS BUT THE LAST TIME I DID HE WAS STILL WALKING WITH A CANE AND COULD HARDLY GET AROUND! HE WAS A RETIRED STAFF SGT OUT OF THE AIR FORCE SO HE HAD FULL MEDICAL BENEFITS! THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE HE LEFT THE ROAD! HE TOLD ME IN CONFIDENCE HE COULDN’T TELL IF THERE WAS ANYONE IN THE BUS AND THERE WERE NO FLARES OR CONES PUT OUT LIKE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE! AS HE LEFT THE ROAD HE SAW THE BUS DRIVER AND SOME KIDS STANDING ABOUT 100 FT’ OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT AND THE DRIVER OR ONE OF THE KIDS WAS WAVING THEIR ARMS! IF THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE WALKED BACK OVER THE HILL AND WAVED HIM DOWN THIS NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AND, IF HE WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE RIGHT HE MIGHT HAVE KILLED SOME KIDS AND THE DRIVER! WE’LL NEVER KNOW! STAY ON THE ROAD NO MATTER WHAT!

 

THIS IS REALLY WORTH READING, I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT AS MUCH AS I DID!

THE OLD PHONE
THIS WAS ONE OF THE 'GOOD OLD DAYS' WHEN PEOPLE REALLY CARED ABOUT EACH OTHER

When I was quite young, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember the polished, old case fastened to the wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother talked to it.

Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was 'Information Please' and there was nothing she did not know. Information Please could supply anyone's number and the correct time.

My personal experience with the genie-in-a-bottle came one day while my Mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer, the pain was terrible, but there seemed no point in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy.

I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the Parlor and dragged it to the landing climbing up; I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear.

'Information, please,' I said into the mouthpiece just above my head. A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear.

'Information.'

'I hurt my finger,' I wailed into the phone, the tears came readily enough now that I had an audience.

'Isn't your mother home?' came the question.

'Nobody's home but me,' I blubbered.

'Are you bleeding?' the voice asked.

'No,' I replied. 'I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts.'
'Can you open the icebox?' she asked.

I said I could.

'Then chip off a little bit of ice and hold it to your finger,' said the voice.

After that, I called 'Information Please' for everything. I asked her for help with my geography, and she told me where  Philadelphia  was. She helped me with my math. She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before, would eat fruit and nuts.

Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died. I called, 'Information Please,' and told her the sad story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was not consoled. I asked her, 'Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring Joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?'

She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, ' Wayne , always remember that there are other worlds to sing in.'

Somehow I felt better.

Another day I was on the telephone, 'Information Please.'
'Information,' said in the now familiar voice.
'How do I spell fix?' I asked.

All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest . When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to  Boston . I missed my friend very much. 'Information Please' belonged in that old wooden box back home and I somehow never thought of trying the shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall. As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me.

Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.

A few years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in  Seattle  I had about a half-hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown Operator and said, 'Information Please.'

Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well. 'Information.'

I hadn't planned this, but I heard myself saying, 'Could you please tell me how to spell fix?'

There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, 'I guess your finger must have healed by now.'

I laughed, 'So it's really you,' I said. 'I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time?'

'I wonder,' she said, 'if you know how much your call meant to me. I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls.'

I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister.

'Please do,' she said. 'Just ask for Sally.'

Three months later I was back in  Seattle  a different voice answered:  Information.' I asked for Sally.

'Are you a friend?' she said.

'Yes, a very old friend,' I answered.

'I'm sorry to have to tell you this,' she said. 'Sally had been working part-time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago.'

Before I could hang up she said, 'Wait a minute, did you say your name was Wayne ?'
'Yes.' I answered.

'Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called. Let me read it to you.' The note said, 'Tell him there are other worlds to sing in. He'll know what I mean.'

I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant.

Never underestimate the impression you may make on others.

Whose life have you touched today?

Why not pass this on? I just did....

Lifting you on eagle's wings. May you find the joy and peace you long for.

Life is a journey ... NOT a guided tour. So don't miss the ride and have a great time going around.  You don't get a second shot at it.

I loved this story and just had to pass it on. I hope you enjoy it and get a blessing from it just as I did 

 

THAT’S “30” FOR THIS ISSUE

 

HOWARD

 

DAILY CHRONICLE # 4 VOL 14

HOWARD’S DAILY CHRONICLE

NUMBER 4 VOL 14

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 4^TH 2008

WEATHER; COOL, LOW HUMIDITY, 65/75 DEGREES

 

BOY, WHAT A CHANGE IN THE WEATHER! IT’S ALL COMING FROM HURRICANE GUSTAV; OF COURSE WE’RE JUST GETTING THE EFFECTS OF THE OUTER WINDS AND JUST A TINY BIT OF RAIN! THEY HAD PREDICTED A MASSIVE RAIN STORM OF UP TO 20 INCHES BUT THAT’S PETERED OUT!

 

I WENT OUT AND CHECKED TO SEE IF I HAD VACUUM AT ALL THE POINTS IT SHOULD BE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE INTREPID TO WORK AND I DID, 19.6 INCHES AT ALL POINTS! THE ONLY THING LEFT TO CHECK IS IF THE SERVO WILL HOLD VACUUM WHICH IS NECESSARY SO THE CRUISE CAN KEEP WORKING DURING ACCELERATION WHICH IS WHEN THE VACUUM IN THE ENGINE UNDER THE THROTTLE PLATES DROPS TO NEAR NOTHING! THERE IS A VACUUM RESERVOIR IN THE SYSTEM BUT IF THE SERVO CAN’T HOLD VACUUM IT’S OF NO VALUE!  WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE CRUISE TO QUIT JUST LIKE STEPPING ON THE BRAKE, HITTING THE ON/OFF BUTTON OR LIKE GOING UP A HILL, THIS IS WHEN THE CRUISE EVIDENTLY STOPS WORKING AND LETS THE ENGINE SLOW DOWN TILL I GO INTO PASSING GEAR! IF THE SERVO ISN’T HOLDING VACUUM I’LL GO TO R&D AND GET ONE THAT WILL, I CAN CHECK IT RIGHT ON THEIR COUNTER BY SUCKING ON THE FITTING AND STICKING MY TONGUE TO THE END OF THE PIPE! IF THE SERVO IS WORKING AND THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS ARE CLEAN AND TIGHT I’LL HAVE TO LOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE! I’M PRETTY SURE THE ELECTRONICS IS WORKING SINCE ON A FLAT ROAD AND I PUT IT IN CRUISE I HAVE TO TAP THE BRAKE OR HIT THE ON/OFF SWITCH TO COME OFF CRUISE WHEN COMING UP BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE! THIS ALL POINTS TO THE LACK OF VACUUM!

I KNOW, I’VE BEEN SPENDING A LOT OF TIME ON THE PROBLEMS WITH THE INTREPID AND WHAT I’VE TRIED TO DO TO CORRECT THEM! EVERYTHING I DO BRINGS ME CLOSER TO THE MAIN PROBLEM! MY SON TIM READS THE CHRONICLE AND HE HAS BEEN WORKING ON IT WITH ME! IF HE HAS A SUGGESTION HE’LL EITHER E-MAIL OR CALL ME! THIS PROBLEM WITH THE VACUUM COULD BE IT SO, PLEASE BARE WITH ME!

MOM HAS TO GO HELP SHANNON IN THE MORNING, SHE’S HAVING ANOTHER INSPECTION TO SEE IF SHE’S GOING TO KEEP KONNER! I DON’T KNOW WHERE THEY’D FIND SOME ONE TO GIVE HIM MORE LOVE AND ATTENTION THAN SHANNON!

 

KELLYS LITTLE DOG MADE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT AND THE 35% CHANCE WENT TO 85% FOR ITS RECOVERY! I DUG AROUND AND FOUND SOME 22 MAGNUM ROUNDS BUT I DON’T KNOW IF THEY’LL CHAMBER IN MOMS RIFLE, IT SHOOTS 22 LONG RIFLE ONLY AND IT’S A SEMI-AUTOMATIC! IT’LL EMPTY THE 16 ROUND TUBE MAGAZINE IN ABOUT 20 SECONDS!  THE MAGNUM WOULD BE A SURE KILL! THE SHERIFF SUGGESTED THEY TAKE THE LADY TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT AND TRY TO RECOVER THEIR MONEY WHICH WE WERE TOLD TODAY COULD GO OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS BEFORE THE DOG IS COMPLETELY RECOVERED! WE DON’T KNOW ANY OKLAHOMA LAWYERS SO MOM WILL PROBABLY CALL HER OLD BOSS TO SEE IF HE CAN RECOMMEND ONE! HE DOESN’T PRACTICE IN OKLAHOMA! IF THEY COLLECT ANYTHING WHICH I DOUBT, THE LADY DOESN’T HAVE ANYTHING WORTH THAT KIND OF MONEY! I TOLD KELLY I’D SHOOT THE DOG FOR HIM, HE’S A DOG PERSON AND I CAN’T STAND DOGS, THEY CRAP IN MY YARD AND I HAVE STEPPED IN IT AND TRACKED IT IN THE HOUSE OR CAR! THE NEXT TIME I CATCH THOSE TWO DOGS IN OUR YARD HE WON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SHOOTING THEM I’LL DO IT FOR HIM! HE SAID SHE’LL JUST GET MORE DOGS AND I TOLD HIM I HAVE 500+ ROUNDS THAT BILL MASON SENT ME AND 22 AMMO ISN’T THAT EXPENSIVE! I’M REALLY NOT THAT MEAN BUT EVERYBODY ELSE UP AND DOWN OUR ROAD KEEP THEIR DOGS EITHER PENNED OR TIED UP! THIS STUPID THING UP FRONT SAYS HER DOGS DON’T LIKE TO BE CHAINED OR PENNED BUT NEITHER DO THE OTHER DOGS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD! ANOTHER THING, THESE DOGS CHASE US EVERY TIME WE GO OUT IN THE CAR! I’LL WAIT AND GET THEM ONE AT A TIME IN FRONT OF ME AND STEP ON THE GAS, THAT’LL SAVE TWO ROUNDS OF AMMO.!

 

THAT’S “30” FOR THIS ISSUE.

 

HOWARD

 

DAILY CHRONICLE #3 VOL 14

HOWARD’S DAILY CHRONICLE

NUMBER 3 VOL 14

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 3^RD 2008

WEATHER; WARM, LOW HUMIDITY, 66/82 DEGREES

 

 WE WENT TO THE VA THINKING THEY WERE GOING TO CUT THE BIG TOE NAIL OFF MY RIGHT BIG TOE! I GOT IN THE OFFICE AND THE PODIATRIST ASK ME WHAT I WANTED DONE AND I TOOK MY SHOES AND SOCKS OFF AND SAID I GUESS YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO CUT THE TOE NAIL OFF MY BIG RIGHT TOE I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR IT TO FALL OFF ON IT’S OWN BUT IT HASN’T! SHE PICKED UP MY RIGHT FOOT AND LOOKED AT ME AND SAID THERE ISN’T A TOE NAIL ON YOUR RIGHT BIG TOE! I SAID, IT WAS THERE YESTERDAY MORNING BECAUSE I TESTED IT TO SEE IF IT WAS LOSE AND IT WASN’T! IT MUST BE IN MY BED OR THE SOCKS I WORE YESTERDAY OR ON THE FLOOR SOMEPLACE! SHE PROCEEDED TO CLIP MY NAILS AND FILE THEM NICE AND SMOOTH! I HAVE TO GO BACK IN 4 MONTH FOR THE SAME THING! THAT NAIL BEING GONE REALLY HAS ME GOING, I CHECKED THE SOCKS MOM WASHED TODAY AND IT’S NOT THERE, I’LL CHECK THE BED IN THE MORNING!

 

I’LL CHECK THE VACUUM HOSE AND ELECTRIC CONNECTIONS TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO ON THE INTREPID IN THE MORNING! ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE VA WE WENT AND HAD LUNCH AT APPLEBEES THEN TO SEARS TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED ON THE ACCLAIM! WE WERE SETTING IN THE WAITING ROOM WHEN THE TIRE MAN CAME IN AND SAID HE’S TORN THE TRUNK UP LOOKING FOR THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE LUGS ON THE WHEELS! WE TOLD HIM THERE WAS NO KEY AND HE SAID THEN I CAN’T ROTATE AND BALANCE TO TIRES! THE SERVICE MANAGER WENT OUT AND SHOWED HIM THE HUB CAPS WERE CHEAP PLASTIC WIRE CAPS AND NOT THE ONES USED ON SOME CARS! HE WAS SO FLUSTERED HE SWAPED THE WHEELS AND WAS RE TIGHTENING THEM WHEN THE SERVICE MANAGER WENT OUT AND REMINDED HIM HE HAD TO BALANCE THEM ALSO! THIS POOR KID REALLY GOT ALL SHOOK UP! WE TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER TO TELL HIM NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT, THIS ISN’T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND IT WON’T BE THE LAST! I HOPE HE AT LEAST CHECKS THE HUB CAPS FROM NOW ON BEFORE HE RAISES HELL ABOUT THERE NOT BEING ANY KEY TO UNLOCK THEM! HE DID A GOOD JOB, THE VIBRATION I WAS GETTING AT 35 AND 70 MPH IS GONE AND THE CAR DOESN’T PULL TO THE RIGHT ANY MORE! THE TIRES WERE WAY OUT OF THE AMOUNT OF AIR WE CARRY, WHICH IS 35 LBS, 3 HAD 29 AND ONE HAD 32 LBS! TIRE WARE IS GOOD WITH OVER 20,000 MILES ON THEM THEY ALL HAD 7/32nds TREAD DEPTH! MOM AND I ARE GOING TO TRY AND FIND WHERE THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS FROM, IT GOES THROUGH FLUID EVER 3-4 DAYS DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH WE DRIVE IT!

 

I TALKED TO BILL MASON TONIGHT, HE’S DOING PRETTY GOOD! HE MOVED THE CANOPY HE HAD FOR THE CAR TO COVER THE MOTOR HOME AND BOUGHT ANOTHER ON FOR THE CAR! BETWEEN DRILLING 12 HOLES IN THE CONCRETE DRIVE WAY AND PUTTING 5” STUDS IN THE HOLES WITH EPOXY THEN TIGHTENING 12 NUTS ALL TOGHTHER HE WAS PRETTY WELL EXHAUSTED! THEN HE WENT TO THE DOCTOR THIS AFTERNOON AND COMPLAINED HE WAS TIRED! AFTER TELLING HER WHAT HE’D BEEN DOING ALL MORNING SHE TOLD HIM SHE HAD JUST THE THING, SHE PICKED UP HIS SHIRT AND GAVE HIM A SHOT IN THE CHEST! WHAT WAS THAT HE ASKED, A FLU SHOT SHE SAID! HE ASKED HER IF SHE GUARANTEED HE’D GET THE FLU AND SHE SAID IF YOU DO YOU WON’T BE OUT IN THE YARD DOING WHAT YOU DID TODAY WILL YOU 

THEN HE WENT TO THE BANK OF THE MAN WHO BOUGHT THE BIG COACH TO SEE IF THERE WAS MONEY IN THE ACCOUNT YET, THERE WASN’T! HE’S BEEN CHECKING EVERY OTHER DAY OR SO, HE’S EVEN BEEN IN LINE BEHIND THE GUY AND WOULD SHOW THE TELLER THE CHECK THINKING THE MAN HAD JUST DEPOSITED ENOUGH TO COVER THE CHECK BUT NO SUCH LUCK! IT’S BEEN 5 WEEKS! HE FINALLY CORNERED THE MAN HE JUST LIVES TWO DOORS DOWN FROM BILL! AND GAVE HIM 3 CHOICES, HE TAKES IT TO ONE OF HIS LAWYERS WHO CHARGES $350.00 PER HOUR OR HIS OTHER LAWYER WHO CHARGES $650.00 PER HOUR OR TO THE POLICE/DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR COLLECTION! TWO DAYS LATER THE MAN CALLED AND WANTED TO MEET HIM AND BILL TOLD HIM NO MORE TALKING, HE WANTS HIS MONEY IN CASH BY THE NEXT MORNING OR HE’LL USE ONE OF THE OPTIONS HE GAVE HIM! THE MAN ASKED IF HE COULD MEET HIM RIGHT THEN AND BILL SAID FINE, I’LL MEET YOU AT YOUR BANK BUT THE MAN SAID NO HE WAS TOO EMBARRASED TO MEET THERE WOULD HE MEET HIM AT TACO BELL WHICH THEY DID AND BILL GOT HIS $1100.00 DOLLARS IN CASH! WHAT PATIENCE!

 

KELLY CAME IN WITH OUR MAIL THIS EVENING AND TOLD US THE TWO BIG DOGS UP FRONT, ONE IS A GERMAN SHEPHARD AND THE OTHER ONE IS A BLACK LAB THAT RUN LOSE JUMPED HIS LITTLE DOG NO BIGGER THAN A CHIHUAHUA AND DAM NEAR KILLED IT! THEY TOOK IT TO THE VET AND IT HAS CRUSHED RIBS AND IS CHEWED UP PRETTY BAD! THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THESE DOGS HAVE JUMPED ONE OF HIS DOGS, THE LAST TIME THEY JUMPED ONE THAT WAS ON A CHAIN AND NEARLY KILLED IT! HE WENT UP AND TALKED TO THE LADY WHO’S THE OWNER OF THE DOGS AND SHE INFORMED HIM SHE WOULDN’T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE WE LIVE IN THE COUNTY! I CALLED THE SHERIFF ABOUT THE DOGS NEXT DOOR AND HE SAID THEY DON’T HAVE ANY LAWS ABOUT DOGS ON THE BOOKS SO JUST SHOOT THEM IF THEY BOTHER YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR FAMILY INCLUDING FAMILY PETS! KELLY’S GOING TO BORROW MOMS 22 RIFLE AND SHOOT THE DOG THAT ATTACKED HIS DOG! HE HAD TO PAY $300.00 UP FRONT TODAY AND IF THE DOG LIVES IT’LL BE MORE! THE VET GAVE IT A 35% CHANCE OF MAKING IT THROUGH THE NIGHT! I’VE HAD TO SHOOT AT THESE DOGS BUT I GET THEM WITH BIRD SHOT, KELLY’S GOING TO USE REAL BULLETS!

 

THAT’S “30”FOR THIS ISSUE>

 

HOWARD 

 

DAILY CHRONICLE #2 VOL 14

HOWARD’S DAILY CHRONICLE

NUMBER 2 VOL 14

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2^ND 2008

WEATHER HOT, HIGH HUMIDITY, 72/95 DEGREES

 

I HAVE TO BE AT THE VA PODIATRY CLINIC AT 1:00PM FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THE TOE NAIL ON MY RIGHT FOOTS BIG TOE! THAT’S THE ONE I PULLED THE COUCH INTO WHEN I WAS GETTING THE A/C READY FOR SUMMER COOLING! THE A/C IS BEHIND THE COUCH IN A WINDOW!

 I DON’T KNOW IF THEY’LL WANT TO REMOVE IT OR JUST LET IT FALL OFF NATURALLY! I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR IT TO COME OFF ON ITS OWN BUT IT HASN’T YET! THE PHYSICAL THERAPIST LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THEY’LL BE AFRAID OF INFECTION SINCE I’M DIABETIC AND WILL PROBABLY OPT TO REMOVE IT!

 

WE RAN THE KEY CODES ON THE INTREPID AND DIDN’T HAVE ANY CODES OTHER THAN 12 & 55! AFTER FINDING A FUSE MISSING FROM THE CONTROL BOX UNDER THE HOOD IN THE DRL SLOT I REPLACED IT AND TOOK THE CAR OUT FOR A CHECK RUN! IT DOES FINE TILL IT GETS WARMED UP THEN IT GOES TO HELL! I NOTICED ONE THING THOUGH, WHEN IT’S IN CRUISE AND IT HITS A HILL IT DOESN’T BACK SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR IT JUST SLOWS DOWN, COMING UP THE DAM SIDE OF THE HILL I LET IT SLOW DOWN AND IT ALMOST CAME TO A STOP AND NEVER TRIED TO BACK SHIFT! I READ ABOUT THE CRUISE AND ONE OF THE THINGS IT SAID IS TO CHECK THE VACUUM HOSE GOING TO IT TO BE SURE IT ISN’T CRACKED, BROKEN OR BEEN HOT AND GOTTEN SOFT SO IT CAN COLLAPSE AND SHUT OFF THE VACUMM! I’M GOING TO CHECK THAT AND THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AFTER WE GET BACK FROM THE VA! I KNOW THE SERVO IS WORKING BECAUSE WHEN I HIT THE SET BUTTON IT PULLS THE THROTTLE PEDAL FROM UNDER MY FOOT!

 

MOM FOUND OUT WHAT THE DRL SLOT IS, “DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS” I’M NOT SURE IF WE HAVE THIS ACCESSORY BUT I’LL CHECK THAT OUT TOO! IF IT ISN’T THERE I’LL REMOVE THE FUSE AND PUT IT IN A STORAGE SLOT!

WE RE RAN THE CODES AND ONLY 12&55 CAME UP!

 

MOM AND KELLY WERE BUSY MOWING AND WEED EATING TODAY, THE GRASS HAS REALLY BEEN GROWING AND NOW WHEN WE GET WHAT THE WEATHER PEOPLE ARE SAYING WE’RE GOING TO GET FROM GUSTAV IT’LL GROW SOME MORE! IF THEY’RE

 RIGHT WE COULD GET UP TO 20 INCHES FROM WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY! THANK GOD THE LAKE IS DOWN ABOUT 2 FEET, 20 INCHES ON THE LAKE PLUS THE RUN OFF FROM AROUND THE LAKE COULD CAUSE A BAD PROBLEM! AS LONG AS IT STAYS BELOW 627 FEET WE’RE OK, OVER THAT OUR ROAD STARTS TO FLOOD! THE PRECIENT REPAIRED IT FROM THE LAST FLOOD AND PUT TWO 4FT HORNS (CORROGATED PIPES) UNDER THE ROAD AND CLEANED OUT SO THE WATER CAN GET AWAY FROM THE ROAD BANKS ON EACH SIDE! UNLESS WE GET A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RAIN I THINK WE’LL BE OK!

OF COURSE WE HAVE TWO MORE PROBLEMS BUILDING IN THE FAR ATLANTIC, HURRICANE HANNA THAT THEY SAY WILL PROBABLY HIT SOME WHERE BETWEEN GEORIGA AND THE CAROLINAS! AND ANOTHER TROPICAL DEPRESSION THAT THEY SAY COULD BECOME A HURRICANE BY MONDAY!  BOY, MOTHER NATURE IS SURE SNAPPING HER FINGERS A WHOLE LOT THIS YEAR AND IT’S STILL EARLY! I JUST WONDER WHAT ELSE SHE HAS IN STORE FOR US! AT LEAST GUSTOV POOPED OUT AND WENT TO A CAT-1 BEFORE IT HIT LAND BUT IT STILL PACKED 80-109 MPH WINDS! THE LAST REPORT I HEARD THE PRIVATE EARTHEN LEVEES IN PLAQUEMINES PARISH WERE READY TO GIVE AWAY AND THEY EVACUATED OVER 2000 PEOPLE AND THERE WERE MORE TO GO! WE’LL KNOW LATER IF THE LEVEES ALL HELD ESPECIALLY THE ONE KEEPING THE WATER OUT OF THE 9^TH WARD WHICH WAS THE ONE THAT MOST OF THE DEATHS WERE IN WHEN KATRENA HIT, OVER 1,600 WERE SWEPT AWAY AND DROWNED!

I HEARD ON CNN THAT JOHN McCAIN MADE A REAL STUPID STATEMENT BUT HE APPOLOGIZED FOR IT! HE SAID ”IT LOOKS LIKE GOD LIKES THE DEMOCRATS BETTER!”

 

WELL JOHN ALL I CAN SAY IS “HE CALLS EM’ LIKE HE SEES EM’!”

 

THAT’S “30” FOR THIS ISSUE.

 

HOWARD

 

DAILY CHRONICLE #1 VOL 14

HOWARD’S DAILY CHRONICLE

NUMBER 1 VOL 14

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 1^ST 2008

WEATHER; WARM, LOW HUMIDITY, 70/91 DEGREES

 

I STAYED UP TO WATCH THE LATE REPORT ON GUSTAV! IT’S STILL A CAT-3 AND 226 MILES FROM NEW ORLEANS! THE PROJECTED SURGE COULD BE 15-18 FEET!  UNLIKE KATRENA THE BAD PART OF THE WINDS AND RAIN ARE COMING IN FROM THE EAST SIDE OF THE STORM AND UNLIKE KATRENA IT IS GOING TO PRODUCE 2-3 FEET OF RAIN AND WINDS OF A CAT 1, 74+ MPH! THEY DON’T KNOW ABOUT THE LEVEES, THE FACT THAT ALL THE WATER IS COMING FROM A DIFFERENT DIRECTION THAN KATRENA WHICH CAME IN OFF LAKE PONCHATRAIN WHICH IS PRETTY SHALLOW THIS STORM IS COMING OFF THE GULF WHICH IS A LOT DEEPER AND THE SURGE WILL BE WORSE!

 

WE THOUGHT WE FOUND THE PROBLEM WITH THE INTREPID TODAY, THERE WERE TWO WIRES NOT CONNECTED TO THE   POSITIVE BATTERY POST CLAMP!  WE HOOKED THEM UP WHERE THAY GO!  WE HAD A POWER OUTAGE THIS EVENING SO MOM AND I TOOK THE INTREPID AND WENT TO DINNER AT BRAUMS IN DENISON, IT RAN FINE TILL WE GOT ON THE DAM AND IT STARTED RUNNING LIKE CRAP! IF ONLY THE RED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AGAIN AND MAKE IT SMOOTH OUT WE COULD HOOK UP THE DRB II WHILE WERE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND FIND THE PROBLEM BUT, IT STILL STAYS OFF! IF WE DON’T FIND ANYTHING TODAY I’M GOING TO TAKE IT TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER IN DURANT, OK. TUESDAY AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY!

 

COLLEGE EXAM PLEA

O LORD, HEAR MY ANXIOUS PLEA
CALCULUS IS KILLING ME
I KNOW NOT OF 'DX' OR 'DY'
AND PROBABLY WON'T UNTIL THE DAY I DIE.
PLEASE, LORD, HELP ME IN THIS HOUR
AS I TAKE MY CASE TO THE HIGHEST POWER.
I CARE NOT FOR FAME OR LOOT
JUST HELP ME FIND ONE SQUARE ROOT.
AND LORD, PLEASE LET ME SEE
ONE PASSING MARK IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY.
OH SUCH A THING I CONSTANTLY DREAD
I'D JUST AS SOON JOIN THE MARINES INSTEAD.
LORD, PLEASE GIVE ME A SIGN
THAT YOU'VE BEEN LISTENING ALL THE TIME.
PLEASE LEAD ME OUT OF THIS CONSTANT COMA
AND GIVE ME A SHOT AT MY DIPLOMA.

 

 HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE SAID THIS PRAYER OR ONE JUST LIKE IT?

 

THAT’S “30 FOR THIS ISSUE

 

HOWARD