Grandson Dominic gave me a first hand look at his “new” 2003 Pontiac Bonneville. It has a remote start feature and he had the engine running by the time we approached the car. The dual muffler system had a low pitched growl (something like the Hollywood Mufflers from my high school days). I was told he intends to tweak the exhaust system to make it sound even better. The car has a huge V-8, 4.2 liter Cadillac adapted engine. Does any car maker install V-8’s any more? Dominic is suddenly obsessed with gasoline costs. Really? The car looks like it is great shape.
I got a trip down memory lane last night. Grasshopper No.3 called from his car around 9:00 PM. He was headed for Milwaukee. His spouse, daughter and two grandchildren were stranded on the side of the road. The prognosis apparently was daughter Keely’s Prius had a burnt out wheel bearing (and maybe had a grease fire from the frictional heat). Normally this would just be another “life event”. Wouldn’t you know, 35 years ago, Grasshopper No.2 was coming home from UW Madison via Milwaukee by bus. Her termination location was Milwaukee. I sent Grasshopper No.3 to Milwaukee to pick her up from home in Sheboygan (we had an Oldsmobile station wagon). No.3 made the pick-up. As they headed home, they had car trouble in north Milwaukee. No.3 told me the car was burning when he called. As it turned out, a wheel bearing failed and caused a flame. It burnt itself out. So I made the same trip No.3 made last night 35 years ago. I drove to North Milwaukee “saved” family, and tucked everybody in bed by 3 AM. Does life re-invent itself?
High school graduations will consume celebrations in the next few weeks. Grandson Dominic and Grandson Mitchell both march across the stage on June 5.
There will be one more graduation of Grandchildren in our family in 3 years. Grandson Tommy will march across the high school stage in 2019. He will represent the last of our “grandchild” generation to graduate.
There will be a lot of “empty nest” anxieties! That is when you can become rich!
Love,
Dad