The Power Wagon Nation

[NNICKB]

Mayberry is a fitting correlation. As a moderator of these forums, I am like Barney with a gun on his hip and a bullet in his pocket, a bullet he will never need.

I dunno. Barney always drove a Ford...

[Bob Thompson]

Thanks Bob,
Much of this kind of thing I have always kept to myself. I guess I like to keep the anguish for myself. It sounds weird, but I think most men are the same way.

Lately, Momma has been trying to get me to talk more in an effort to take the weight off my shoulders. It can't hurt anything. I have been beating myself up for quite a while.

Colt has a neurological condition called Tourette's Syndrome. He actually inherited it from me, but he has it to a much, much more serious degree than I. We will be traveling to Cleveland next month where he will be seen by the country's foremost experts. I think we have a long road in front of us, but as long as we have each other, we will be able to carry on.

Things like the unexpected gift of a good knife give a guy reason to believe in his fellow man. Everything will be ok.

I'm sorry to hear of this Kevin, I grew up with a kid who was similarly afflicted. He was beaten to death by a a couple guys who refused to understand his condition, he was twenty-four when he was killed.

At the time Tourette's was largely unknown and some of his words were quite provocative. In my former career I encountered quite a few people with Tourette's usually because some imbecile has reported them for disturbing the peace or thought they were under the influence.

I hope the Doc's can help Colt , some of the newer med combos are very promising. Some of the Tourette's people I have met are accomplished musicians. When playing they neither tic or vocalize. This was the case with Julian. He was a youngster that stayed with us for a while. He said that when he was playing his cello he was able to leave tourette's behind, if only for a while.

I will say that the condition is not without its own brand of humor. While standing at a salad bar with my middle son Ben, I chastised him lightheartedly for making bizarre noises while loading his plate. A young man joined us in line and I mistakenly thought he was joining Ben in his teenage goofiness. I said as much and told them both they were likely to be diagnosed with Tourette's if they persisted. The young man told me matter of factly that he did indeed have the condition. I told him "well, at least you have an excuse, My son is just being goofy". The young man thought it was quite funny. I was apparently the first person outside his circle that had not made a big deal of it. He did agree with me that Ben was being quite goofy though.

Many of us are victims of innate stoicism, often to our detriment. It may be a matter of upbringing or a generational trait. I am often sickened by the willingness of some people to air their dirty linen on a national stage. As a result I don't generally share my troubles with people outside my family. So you will understand that it is difficult to relate the following.

Over the past few months I have been preparing for my mothers imminent death. She had a stroke a few years back which affected her short term memory. Shortly after her eighty-seventh birthday she had a major heart attack. She is ninety percent occluded in two of the arteries in her heart and she would not likely survive corrective surgery. It is only a matter of time at this point.

Her short term memory, already sketchy ; took another hit. What amazes me is her ability to soldier on. She is fully aware of her condition and is stalwartly opposed to heroic measures when the time comes. We have devised a call log that she can fill out as she speaks to people, either on the phone or in person. Some how she manages to transfer some of the information to long term memory. I suspect it's a matter of repetition. We are all grateful that she suffers no dementia. Just a three to four hour STM. That being said , I have spent the last couple months shuttling back and forth to Renton . I've pretty much put everything outside family on hold.

I have been peeking here in pretty regular but I was just not inclined to get very involved. I have actually purchased Dodge 2001 Cummins that I keep at my sisters place not far from SEATAC and my mother. Maybe I can get Jonas to sell it when I no longer need it. In all likelyhood I will probably give it to my nephews daughter, she digs it.

You may have hit on something with "The Power Wagon Nation" . I think it speaks to the similar mindsets, mores and sensibilities of the people who are enamored with all things Power Wagon. I suspect some degree of sheer bloody mindedness is mixed in there somewhere.

Many of us are, at least in my generation not far removed from the land. We bear our burdens in relative silence like our forebears because it didn't matter if you were hurt or sad , the cows still needed to be milked, the wheat brought in, horses shod and all the other daily tasks that stood between our ancestors and survival.

I don't mean wealth , I mean living through the winter. That is the mindset that I believe hankers, perhaps nostalgically after our championed vehicle. I believe it is the same reason we can all appreciate the significance of losing a cherished knife or tool. Even though it might be readily replaceable the new one will lack the character and timeworn familiarity of the lost item. It takes time to break in a new knife, saddle rifle, skillet or any other indispensible piece of equipment.

I think the "Nation" recognizes that fact as no urbanite ever could. It's the same reason guys like us haunt estate sales, so we can rescue that brass clad carpenter's level from an eternity of disuse in some restaurant, where its only purpose is to be part of the kitsch and atmosphere.

Some will take exception with the term "Urbanite" as they live in a city and own a Power Wagon. These are not the people I refer to. I refer instead to the guy that buys a twenty speed mountain bike and all the gear on Amazon, straps it to the top of his new Mini Cooper and goes out in the wilderness with no training, rations or water.

So that one of us has to run his plates when we find his car, and then spend the better part of a week trying to figure out which ravine he fell into, and risk our neck retrieving what's left. People who are so removed from the natural world that they can't pour out of a boot with the instructions printed on the heel. The people who love the technology that drives their I-pod or Blackberry but have not even the most rudimentary inkling of what makes it work or the development of said technology from vacuum tube to surface mount. Sadly I think there are more of them than us.

The people of the "Nation" are the ones their neighbors come to for help when they can't figure out how to change a breaker or a faucet or what that clangy noise in their Audi means. We ourselves may in fact be relics of a past civilization. Which is why I have decided that when my time comes, in case the backhoe breaks down and there is no one around that can operate a shovel that I will be cremated. That's presuming that they can still get a fire started.

Bob Thompson

"Just because something isn't true, is no reason not to continue believing in it."

[Kevin Mienke]

Bob,

Thank you for the reply. I hit the sack early last night, so I enjoyed your post with coffee this morning. It was a great way to start the day. I believed you nailed the description of the Nation better than I ever could have.

I could speak paragraphs about the things you said and never add anything to it. It was well said.

[NNICKB]

The people of the "Nation" are the ones their neighbors come to for help when they can't figure out how to change a breaker or a faucet or what that clangy noise in their Audi means.

We have an Audi. My wife enjoys it very much, which is reason enough for having it. Believe me, whenever it makes a "clangy noise," I know EXACTLY what it means, even if I don't know the actual cause.

I lived in the urban jungle of Los Angeles for many years and used to love driving the PW around it. Guys in 4X4 Toyotas would always smile and wave, but I would never acknowledge them. It wasn't that I thought less of them. It was just, well, part of the fun.

Seriously, Bob, thanks for this post. We have our share of "life problems" around here. I read these posts carefully and rely on them for advice and guidance more than you will ever know.

It'd be fun to see you all around the camp fire some time.

[Bob Thompson]

Kevin and Nick....I appreciate your kind words. I always look forward to the long view, I often find that your line of reason paralell to my own.
And of course Nick is covered by the disclaimer within the post. I would guess that only the extremely wealthy could own a Powerwagon without some mechanical ability. By the way I have lusted after an R-8 for some time now.


Perservere gentlemen.

[Gordon Maney]

Kevin and Nick....I appreciate your kind words. I always look forward to the long view, I often find that your line of reason paralell to my own.
And of course Nick is covered by the disclaimer within the post. I would guess that only the extremely wealthy could own a Powerwagon without some mechanical ability. By the way I have lusted after an R-8 for some time now.


Persevere gentlemen.

You are not alone there....

[NNICKB]

I would guess that only the extremely wealthy could own a Powerwagon without some mechanical ability. By the way I have lusted after an R-8 for some time now.

Perservere gentlemen.

Judging by the prices I have seen on Power Wagons lately, that appears to be true. I hope that people who pay a lot for these trucks are using and enjoying them. I always thought of my PW as a tool, not a museum piece, though it needs a lot of work right now.

As far as impractical cars go, the R8 is a good, practical one to lust after. But MY heart belongs to that Aston Martin V8 Vantage...

[pwdave]

as part of the PWN I know about the independent nature of our clan. I myself carry some stuff in my truck to help out in a jam. I'm probably the only one here that carrys fire making equipment, not a bic, or kitchen matches, but old fashioned flint and steel, char clothe, and tender, in a small tin box in the rigging box of the truck, am I giving away my age?, think I'll go get in my way-back machine now. later, Dave.

[Gordon Maney]

as part of the PWN I know about the independent nature of our clan. I myself carry some stuff in my truck to help out in a jam. I'm probably the only one here that carrys fire making equipment, not a bic, or kitchen matches, but old fashioned flint and steel, char clothe, and tender, in a small tin box in the rigging box of the truck, am I giving away my age?, think I'll go get in my way-back machine now. later, Dave.

I doubt you are the oldest here.....

[Doc Dave]

This is truly a thread of substance. That is the best way I can describe it in a succinct manner, and I am also glad the sentiments were laid out for all.

You have a lot of people pulling for you Kevin, many of whom have not even met you face to face. That is the strength of the Power Wagon Nation and the written word.

[BrightRanch]

Kevin, I am new to the Power Wagon Nation and have not yet had the pleasure of making your acquaintance. I too have had some unfortunate things happen in my life and to my family I wish I could convey some insightful piece of wisdom that would make a meaningful difference. Unfortunately I do not have any to give. Except to validate what you are already doing, Take it one day at a time doing the best that you can. And to take strength from knowing that you are not alone and have friends who are there for you.

I would also like to say about Bob's description of the PWN
"Well said sir... Very well said indeed!"

[Kevin Mienke]

I think we are will be turning the corner here soon. The snow will be melting and baseball will bring new life. When he plays baseball, Tourette's loses its grip on him. His focus is a thing of beauty.

It is common among people with Tourette's to have that one thing that they can do in perfect peace. His is baseball. I love the game more than I can say.

[TommyDodge]

Thanks to everyone who has posted on this thread, It shows yet another common bond that we all have. Reading all the posts on this thread shows me the character that all of you have, and while I have my problems, they are not anything like some of you have and it has shown me how very fortunate that I really am.
4 years ago my marriage broke up and I lost basically everything I had and had to start over from scratch at age 53. I am now back to where I was before everything happened mentally, and am working on the stuff my house needs.
I have never met any of you that posted on this thread and I feel that I know all of you. I do feel that since I have never met any of you that that is my loss! I also cannot offer any advice but all of you are made of the "right stuff"!
I wish all of you nothing but the best!
DB69

[74w300uteline]

critters and kidz

Kevin when you mentioned Focus and turettes losing its grip, you brought back memories of a neighbors kid who stuttered. He was shy and didn't run with the other kids on the block.

He would wait by the fence and ask if I needed help with yard work. He loved driving the bladeless lawn tractor til it ran out of gas. But his real love was the critters.

At the time we had chickens, ducks, rabbits and 2 dogs. The kid did not stutter when he was playing with, chasing, stroking or telling the critters it was time to go into their pens for the night. He became our critter gitter and would round up every critter calling them by name and telling them that it was not safe to stay out all night.

Once in a while at dusk on weekend nights we would stage a breakout and have to call in the criter gitter. He would come running over beeming with pride confidently declaring "I'll make sure (all 36 criters by name) get put away safe".

After delivering a lengthy stutterless lecture to the now confined critters about the dangers that lurked at night ,he would inform me of design flaws on the pens. Slowly the stuttering would return and it would break my heart.

His family moved away a few years ago. I fully expect to get a knock on my door one day and see a young man saying "remember me? I used to chase critters and I used to stutter.

[Kevin Mienke]

Your story brings out some great points. The people that persevere though unusual hardships when they are young become the kind of people you look forward to knowing when they are adults. You look forward to the day they show up at your door and say, “Remember me?”

The greatest accomplishments have always been born out of the person who understands hardship.

If I were working on a demanding project, I would take the help of one person who understands hardship over an army of men who have always had the silver spoon.