All But Forgotten

Seventy seven years is a long lifetime, but that would only be the age of someone born on this day on December 7, 1941. It was a day when the complacency of peace time spit and polish was destroyed by the vicious attack on Pearl Harbor. Those there, or adults at that time, are mostly gone, and only their still living children can relate the horror they felt, and the determination to destroy those so willing to destroy their country.

The U.S. learned an important lesson after Pearl Harbor, and was given the lesson again on September 11, 2001. Still, the lesson is not over. We have those willing to destroy our Republic at our doorsteps, hiding in the country and impersonating patriots. They'll try again, and maybe the next time will bring the destruction of enough of our enemies to allow peace for a long, long time.

Finding Things You Don't Want to Find

Yesterday, after my truck's dashboard lit up, and my brakes did a short nosedive, I found brake fluid pouring from the right rear wheel. My first thought was "Oh crap" and called someone to help me with what I knew was a daunting task.

I helped change the rear brake shoes a few months ago. That's what concerned me, since everything seemed good after the job. I figured the wheel cylinder started leaking, which is usually just a seep; not fluid pouring on the ground.

I pulled the truck into the shop at work and jacked up the rear right side. After removing the wheel, and hub (The hub won't come off without using a 3/8" bolt in the special threaded holes) I found one of the plungers on the wheel cylinder pushed completely out. More inspection revealed what appeared to be a missing spring. Since I didn't have a diagram, I had to jack up the other side to see the brake assembly.

Sure enough, a spring was gone. Where it went? I don't know, but it wasn't in the hub. We'd put it back on after the last brake job....at least I thought we did. I doubt the brakes would have lasted ten minutes without it.

Anyway, long story short, I didn't have any help, and what should have been a two hour project turned into four. That, and scurrying around under a pickup finds muscles that are not used often, and show their dissatisfaction by aching. I did put new springs on the assembly, with new shoes, and cussed the keeper springs designed by a sadist engineer from hell.

For some reason, Chevy put rear drums on certain pickups. Mine is one, and brake work is a nightmare compared to changing pads on a disc brake system. Still, changing rear shoes is usually only about every 150,000 miles, so the problem is not one experienced often. 

Rambling

Rambling is an interesting word. It can mean lengthy, confused, or inconsequential. This ramble is without consequence.

Throwing Out Numbers

I was listening to a public service spot on the radio this morning, and the announcer stated 100 million was spent last year on untreated mental illness. That's a huge number, and I wonder what they're including in the data for the statistic. I might be wrong, but I have the feeling somebody just grabbed a number out of the air, and included it in the spot.

Another One Gone

George H. W. Bush has passed. I'm sure those that called him nasty names in the past will now stand in line to eulogize him for some face time. It's part of the game, and part of the process of being a lying, backstabbing, political opportunist.

I voted for him, with some trepidation. He was far better than any Democrat, but his former CIA position was a little bit disturbing for a President. That, and he was definitely a political insider in the Beltway, where the denizens of the Ivory Towers look down upon the peons with disdain.

Anyway, his wife preceded him, and I can see where he was ready to go. Barbara Bush was a lady that didn't hold her punches - even when it was commenting on her children - and what words she spoke told me she was a patriot, really didn't care much for the bullshit in Washington, and would make the greatest of friend.

May he rest in peace.