I found this to be Interesting

Lady (our dog) died last night. she was over 14 years old, quite old for a black lab. surrounded by her family. we shared her with the neighbors and that was where she lay all day sunday until the sun went down, and so did she. its strange to see something dying that you never imagined to see.

its an old native american belief that when something died during the day, a hawk would guide it to heaven. when something would die during the day an owl would guide it there. right after she died I walked out of the garage to call my father and tell him......and what did I see not more than 20 feet away, an owl. the first time I have seen one in the wild, and it stayed in that tree branch close to us until we had all gone.

Oh, Bury Me Not (Introduction: A Cowboy's Prayer)

Lord, I've never lived where churches grow

I loved creation better as it stood

That day you finished it so long ago

And looked upon your work and called it good

I know that others find you in the light

That sifted down through tinted window panes

And yet I seem to feel you near tonight

In this dim, quiet starlight on the plains

I thank you, Lord, that I'm placed so well

That you've made my freedom so complete

That I'm no slave to whistle, clock or bell

Nor weak eyed prisoner of Waller Street

Just let me live my life as I've begun

And give me work that's open to the sky

Make me a partner of the wind and sun

And I won't ask a life that's soft or high

Let me be easy on the man that's down

Let me be square and generous with all

I'm careless sometimes, Lord, when I'm in town

But never let them say I'm mean or small

Make me as big and open as the plains

And honest as the horse between my knees

Clean as a wind that blows behind the rains

Free as the hawk that circles down the breeze

Forgive me, Lord, if sometimes I forget

You know about the reasons that are hid

You understand the things that gall or fret

Well, you knew me better than my mother did

Just keep an eye on all that's done or said

And right me sometimes when I turn aside

And guide me on that long, dim trail ahead

That stretched upward toward the great divide

Oh, bury me not on the lone prairie

These words came low and mournfully

From the pallid lips of a youth who lay

On his dying bed at the close of day

Oh, bury me not and his voice failed there

But we took no heed to his dying prayer

In a shallow grave just six by three

We buried him there on the lone prairie.



-Johnny Cash

Mini-vans?

What is the first car that comes to mind when you think of what an elderly person would drive? I would have to say:Ford-crown victoria, Mercury-grand marquis, Lincoln-towncar, caddilacs, Oldsmobile.....Am I right?
This stereotype seems to have changed. It seems like old people are now driving minivans.
why is this you say? think about it. they dont have to get down on the ground just to sit in it. Most minivans sit about the same height as a chair, or are easily accessable without strain of getting in and out. Just like parents they can take their whole family in it with comfort. they are simple yet luxurious. my own moms mini van is nicer on the inside than my crown victoria.
My own granfather has one. he gave his lincoln towncar to us. My other grandfather has had three of them.
No longer the soccer mom vehicle?
Seems like a good idea to me. I just found that interesting.

-Ben

How to Change your Oil

For all of you noobs who have never done it before and would like to give it a whirl.

1-Get all the needed materials (oil, Jack, oil filter, drain pan, jack stands, basic set of wrenches or ratchets)

2-jack up the car. you will need to get under the front end. (make sure that it is securely up, you dont want it to fall on you)

3-locate the drain plug on the oil pan--->

4-place the drain pan under the drain plug, loosen the drain plug and take it off (make sure not to drop it into the drain pan, its not fun to fish for it in a bucket of oil.)

5-let the oil empty from the pan.

6-take off the oil filter.(this will have oil in it, so be careful not to spill when taking it off)--->

7-take a dot of oil from your new supply and wipe the rubber rim of the oil filter with it. (this will keep it from melting on and make sure that it is lubed)

8-put on the new oil filter. (keep it hand tight)

9-run some of the new oil down through the engine. this will help clean out the old oil so that there isnt any left when the new oil goes in.

10-replace the drain plug.

11-fill the oil back up to the correct amount. (this is specified in the owners manual)

12-take the car down from the jack and go!!

I personally like to use Royal Purple oils and K&N filters. dont go with the cheapies, oil that is better quality is better for your engine

-Ben