Friday, July 30, 2010

Engine Work

Thirty tears ago in Ekalaka, Montana the V W demanded some attention.
I always loved to work on them cause they were made mechanic friendly.
Remember the valve covers had a metal clip to hold 'em on.

I was 16, a runaway sleeping in cars, tents and under bridges (Sacramento, Ca).

Funny how life brings us back around to teach us again from a new angle,
a 'dangangle'.






Well this morning Mike and I used this hoist to pull engine out of truck.
I was filling in for Jeff as he was sleeping off residuals from the night before.




Here are some common degreasers and cleaners. A must have at all progressive
( or regressive) shops. Well, darn if the fly wheel did not match up to the torque converter at Tranny. So I grabbed both fly wheels and headed out to find Rich. He'll know what to do.





Years ago I sought out Rich, the neighborhood mechanic, to ask his opinion on a job
I was paying to have done, replacing ball joints or something.
We became friends and ... o k the truth...I just wouldn't leave till he agreed to help me
replace a spider gear at the rear end of my Suburban.
Then months later I over heated and cracked a head....HHhhhh
So we did a little scavenging in a local junk yard. They were some fine memories
(for me anyway- Rich tries to forget he knows me).
So when I pulled up today and found him on his several lots of old chevy cars
and parts and equipment... Well, he was not smiling.

I said, "Wait! I just need to have a quick conversation with you about fly wheels."
He didn't have a chance to say, "No! I don't have time. Please leave."
I explained that we just spent 3 hot hours pulling and engine and
I was wearing the grease to prove it.

My options ;
1) 100 bucks to order new fly wheel wouldn't arrive till Monday or
2) go to junk yard take apart engines till i find right one (nah...) or
3) SOMEONE could weld holes shut, hole punch using other flywheel as template
and drill new holes out.

" Listen you know these guys can't do that. Would you do it?" I asked ...
I am laughing cause he wanted to say no but my sorry smelly sweating self...
well, I guess it was obvious I needed a little help. So I pick it up at 8 tonight.
He is a great friend.


Tomorrow at 7 am we start, putting other engine in and putting it all back together.
I insisted on new plugs and wires. That can only help, right?
Mike rolled his eyes and and used a power tool to give me one. It broke in half.
So I am thinking its a good call getting new ones.
So much easier to replace when and engine is hanging from the hoist.
Woo Hooo ! new plugs, new wires... Watch it, world, here I come!





Truthfully, I going to ask Santa Baby for a donkey and cart.
I am over dealing with grease.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Following The Beat Of The Drum

Well, after securing my cat in a comfy air-conditioned trailer with a conscious cat lover,
I headed south to tie up some lose ends ( like putting another used engine in my truck).

Spent first night with Caroline, shared good company and music on the sailboat next day
and then spent the next night with Maureen. We had a beautiful fire until the biting flies drove us inside. Tonight I drive to Pembroke Pines to spent night with sister, Noelle.
(Here I come Nelly, hide the Oreos!)

"Freedom is just another word for nothin' left to lose...Nothin' aint worth nothin' but it's free"

Yeah so... i keep asking myself, "what am I doing?"

And even though I can't seem to find a true direction, I notice that i am driven 'In' ...
always feeling what this "letting go of " is about.
I stopped in a cigar shop this a m and noticed they looked like the mafia,
well dressed with shiny Italian leather shoes. They had jobs and agendas.
They smoke to feel, to take a moment to register where they are ... or to forget ...
not sure really but they have a club ...
Fine cigars are like fine wine to be savored and enjoyed,
apparently and if it doesn't kill you.

I am feeling like a drifter, inconsequential... somewhat out of place in the city...

The fire last night was on a small piece of property that feels like old Florida
but I could hear the hum of engines and noise of life reminding me I haven't really left yet.
By the weekend I'll return to the property in north Florida.
It is surrounded by miles and miles of beautiful pastures and trees...
I have a little airstream to stay in and plenty of land to put up a tent...
I met Rocky, a retired gentleman, while listening to some great pickin' on Saturday night.
Next morning i called him and we arranged for me to see the property
where he and owner live. He called back real quick and said,
"I forgot to mention there are no flush toilets in the trailers."
Well... Something told me I had to go see anyway. The vibe was sweet!
The owner is a fascinating man who restores very old cars and makes art out of copper.
We three stood in a circle for an hour.
It was the most conscious conversation i have had in a while.
They showed me a bigger trailer and Jimmy the owner said,
"A hippy- gypsy stayed here a while back, You remind me of her."
I'll do some work on it and move in after.
It's got a kitchen table and a rusty model A outside the front door. Sweet!
There seemed to be a spirit bond and a genuine appreciation for the moment
and I was shown the private out door flush toilet and shower off the porch of the barn that Jimmy lives in.
The shower water is even heated! Wow. Truly, I was so grateful...
They kayak the rivers by moon light and honor the mystery and solitude of the place...
This will be my home for a while. Rocky agreed to watch cat.
Calsifer has his own room in the trailer till i get back.
He came out of the cat cage and felt right at home,
displaying all the body language of, " Thank God I have arrived."
Can't wait to walk with him in the woods. That will be a first.
I am sure I'll learn a few things from the cats perspective.
The biggest bonus/ Gift is the well water.
It is as sweet and pure as the water, 800 feet below, in the Jemez Mts.
I so appreciate the time to get to know the two souls who live so close to the Earth.
I am a bit tired and I finally can say, that I am looking forward to being still for a while.

Ps. Wisdom tooth happy again
;-)

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Smokin' Dragon

This year...

May you know peace.
May you feel love.
May you receive great wealth.

Friday, July 23, 2010

The Nature Of The Beast

I had a lunch meeting with an old perverted small minded professor/employer
from my past. It was the longest lunch hour I have ever had to endure.
Later I pulled into the yard and sat on the porch contemplating the web
I had spun for myself. It was then I saw the limp, dead cat hanging from Guses mouth in the yard. Unpleasant. Horrific even. I couldn't find my cat, Calsifer.

It was a long day.

Calsifer is laying on the bed in the pink room with me right now.
We are packing and leaving Sunday morning. I think maybe I am mentally handicapped.
Who would bring a cat to live in the same place as a dog like Gus?
I...Oh Hell!... Well Calsifer will be over his fear of road trips after a few hundred more miles... Yeah , I am sure there is a divine purpose to all this (humor)... maybe...

I have made this mistake over and over again.
I assume that people are peaceful and loving... I don't know why since quite a bit of my experience has been otherwise... Why do I still assume that? Why is it that so many people need to be controlling and oppressive and dominating over others? Well, today with dog and dead cat in view. I think maybe it sunk in... The nature of animals and people can be assessed by observing their actions and responses over time. People are as consistent as I am forgetful... I always assume people can and will change. You know, evolve for the better. Well during lunch today I realized that some people don't change much if at all. The thought actually never occurs to them.

I went to the town dump today after helping to load the trailer with garbage.
I sat in the large building inhaling the stench of rotting garbage. It was so apropos.
Yeah, it's like I keep returning to the garbage of my past. In this way I have not changed.
I want to be done with it. I want to 'see' the nature of each person.
The superficial nature that floats on top of the God Nature.
Yes, my world is much darker today but it is real.
i can feel that it is real. And I somehow there is still Love and Compassion
in my Heart for all of it.

No matter how dark i will always love because that is what i am

To Be Wild and Free


To Be Wild and Free



Photos taken May 28, 2010














Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Friday, July 9, 2010

Checking In...

The Land of Enchantment

Sunset...







Reflections...




Trying on history, 69 Volvo...





The dinning space in the city different...





A hike to Windsor Trail...




Walk steadily and carry a big stick..

Great Mysteries









Summer Solstice 2010

The rocks were decoration for my temporary home...
They proved useful when the mighty winds visited unexpectedly!






Sacred Hopi Ceremonial Bowl...





Fire lurks close by... I woke in the dark with the thick smell of smoke...
The coyotes howled as the Earth held me steady...
Soon the rain makers would make rain and put out that fire...
I think its still raining!


To see with the eyes shut...




Trust...





Feeling the vibration of the land...

Bandelier...