There were days when we could go all day doing our own thing. I'd get together with one or both of our girls or a friend and go get lunch and do some shopping. You'd get greasy and dirty working on restoring a classic car. I'd get home and come in with several bags of deals. Often it was for the grands or someone's birthday or other celebration gift. I'd show you my kill.
Then you'd rev the engine for me to hear it roar. I'd pull up a lawn chair out in your garage chock full of tools and car parts. You hand me a beer from the little fridge. The radio is playing our local country station loudly above the huge fan blade noise. I look around the walls of this three bay garage you built. A girl wears Daisy Dukes and a tight fitting crop top on a calendar
and there are things hanging on nails, stuff scattered in the floor and a flood light underneath the car. You lay on a rolling board and only your legs and dirty jeans and shoes are poking out. I'm asked for a tool. "Somewhere over there!" Miracles do happen and I find what he's looking for!
In a little while I go inside and start to fix something for dinner as you finally stop for the day and come in to shower and throw your clothes in the washer.
We sit out on the porch and eat enjoying each other's presence, music and another beer.
Later, after dark, you light a fire in the fire pit.
The glow of orange and yellow flames somehow soothe the spirit. Seems kind of primitive in a way. We talk of what is coming up for our few days off together. Where we might go and do. Many times plans were made very quickly without much notice. "Let's go to the Keys! Or, want to make a trip to Midland City?" Right then and there we'd set our minds in fast motion to make a reservation or call the folks and tell them we'd be there the next day for a visit. Spontaneity ruled the wild spirit!
I miss those weekend impromptu trips. Hard to get through a weekend now without thinking of those days. Nothing fancy, just fun times.
When people remark "Life is short." They are absolutely right.
Don't wait. Just close your eyes, dream and go! You'll think back one day just like I am now and be happy with memories made while you could.
