OT: Waxing poetic and general rambling

[excelguru]

This was touched upon very slightly in the "unfortunates" thread and I thought it might be interesting to read about each other's background, whether it be growing up on the farm, your first job, the way life used to be, what you learned from dad, etc.

As for me, I grew up with chickens. Lots of 'em. My dad's egg-laying houses contained 10,000 chickens. My mom's broiler house contained 2000. My grandparents had another pair of egg-laying houses with another 10,000 of the stupidest animals ever to wander the planet. So guess what I grew up doing? Yep, I picked up eggs. Lots of eggs. Eggs, eggs, eggs. God, I hated eggs. During the peak months of the summer, we would gather 10,000 eggs PER DAY on my dad's farm alone. Seven days a week. Chickens don't care what day it is. They're gonna screw each other and lay eggs. Every damned day.

I started doing this when I was old enough to physically reach the nests (probably about 7 or 8). Didn't get paid for it either (pay attention kids: working was expected of you). What a God-awful job. When I finally got old enough to get a "real" job, I was THRILLED with the prospect of flipping burgers at the local McD's for $4.50 an hour (minimum wage was $3.75 at the time). It took me several years to understand why dad made me pick up eggs. It taught me appreciation, work ethic, and responsibility.

Now, I look at my younger cousins and (with the exception of one) I haven't seen them break a sweat. I worry about the next generation, I really do.

Enough about me...

Keith :)
Unique Motorcars (http://www.uniquecobrareplicas.com)
Southern Automotive (http://www.southernautomotiveengines.com)
Bruce Bunn (the painter) (http://www.jodecoautobody.com)

My Photo Album (http://members5.clubphoto.com/keith355593/1141434/owner-429c.phtml)

[JerryBP]

Keith, I also grew-up on a farm, a little different, only a couple hundesd chickens, 100 to 200 beef cattle and 35 to 40 milk cows, (they also never take a day off.)
We farmed about 500 acres in crops corn, wheet, oats and hay to feed the livestock.
Dad was the progressive farmer and bought all the laborsaving equipment Planters, culivators, combine, haybailer etc so I learned how to mechanic and weld very early as we had to keep all the machinery running.
Learned to drive in a 50 chevy pickup, would drive to town for parts and feed by age 10.
Best thing I remember is taking that old pickup and puting several haybailes in the back and the neighbor kids and going the drive-in on saturday nights.
First job was filling hoppers in a plastic factory at $1.35 an hour.
I share your worry about the future generations.

Work in Progress, Unique 427-9429 400+hp 351C Tremec 3550-2 5spd
Coal Black no Stripes by Bruce, Greg & Jerry Porter Caldwell, Ohio

[rdorman]

Interesting topic.

I am a city boy. I despise the country side (except passing through it in the Cobra), farms smell funny and I hunt and fish at the local market. Would not have a clue what to do with an animal if I had to kill the thing myself.

I have always worked. The worst time in my life was the summer I was without a job.

I was a good kid. Top grades, neat, respectful. My parents divorce at 10 hit me hard. Problem is it took nearly 30 years to know just how much it affected me. Then, about the time I got a drivers license. It all went down hill from there. Kicked out of school (out period, no coming back), minor run ins with the law, drugs and alchohol. I was a wild child that could not be controlled.

Then I met my wife. 8, 9, 10 years of a complete blurr came to an end. When she asked about my past, I just told her I was lucky to be with a prison record and still alive. She didn't ask much more after that. I was already feeling a need for a change. My love for her and desire to be with her helped me break my 'evil ways'.

Fatherhood and marrage all in the same year. It was a very rough year for me. But we all survived. And prosperred. BS in CIS start to finish in 2 years 11 months, with honors near the top of my class. Savings, home, in the black for the first time in my life and then of course I bought the Cobra.

Automotive interests have always been a part of my life. The one common thread. I can not remember a day when cars, and things mechanical, did not facinate me.

Rebel at 20...... an understatement. Establishment by 30, you bet.

Probably more info then you wanted to know! I am sure some may be shocked that I actually put it in writing!

Some things that have stuck with me:
- "If you want to dance, you have to pay the band." For all things there is a cost. For you accounting types, think of it as an Opportunity Cost.
- I and I alone are responsible for my thoughts, actions, words and feelings. Letting someone take control of any one is just that, a loss of control.
- Freedom is truly just another word for nothing left to loose.
- A simple life is generally a happier more peaceful life. Balance is critical.
- Chosing not to make a choice is a choice. And there is ALWAYS a choice (think opportunity costs).
- There is a God.
- What ever you want, give it away.

Rick

[JerryBP]

Rick, (I am a city boy. I despise the country side (except passing through it in the Cobra), farms smell funny and I hunt and fish at the local market.) "so you really don't know what what you missed"

I was also somewhat of a rebel, I was the Leather Jacket Brat on the Harley (58 Sporster) in hi-school, never got kicked out though, (working evenings for the principal helped there.)

Drove Tractor-Trailors for 22yrs delivering freight in and around Ohio
now take care of computers/network for local bank.

Work in Progress, Unique 427-9429 400+hp 351C Tremec 3550-2 5spd
Coal Black no Stripes by Bruce, Greg & Jerry Porter Caldwell, Ohio

[excelguru]

Diversion from topic...

dmiller - You have mail. My dad has 2 Luscombes (flying) and a Cessna 195 (currently in pieces). He keeps the Luscombes at JZP in Jasper, GA. He caught the plane bug and I caught the car bug.

Okay, back to the topic at hand...

Keith :)
Unique Motorcars (http://www.uniquecobrareplicas.com)
Southern Automotive (http://www.southernautomotiveengines.com)
Bruce Bunn (the painter) (http://www.jodecoautobody.com)

My Photo Album (http://members5.clubphoto.com/keith355593/1141434/owner-429c.phtml)

[rdorman]

"Despise" was probably the wrong choice of words. I prefer the city. I will visit the country, but I have no desire to live in it! Now, give me a beach and clear water...............
Rick

[KrAzEcJ]

I grew up in the country and will always love the outdoors more than the city. Since I'm in commercial construction I'm always working in the city so even though I have to drive a long ways I've always lived in the country just to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

Growing up in Southeast Texas I was always surrounded by the outdoors and grew up hunting and fishing and Grandma and Grandpa raised pigs and chickens and geese and a few turkeys and a couple of milk cows. I was raised knowing if you made a pet out of a pig or a chicken or a turkey you were in for a real shocker when slaughter time came around. lol

Both my father and his father were in construction also and in the 70's during the oil crisis (haha) dad would be working and mom would be too just to make ends meet. So when I got home from school I had my chores to get done then off to the woods or the pond we had on our property for meat for the table. Could be a couple of rabbits or squirells or a dozen fat bluegill. We raised a garden so vegatables were never a problem.

Some of you older guys can relate to this even more than I can but now days how less mature our children have become and how less self reliant they have become in our society. The duties and responsabilities I had when I was a kid I wouldnt even think of letting my kids do now days. Funny how times keep changing.

Dad got out of the military and had almost $10,000 and wanted to buy a "sportscar" His 2 choices were a Cobra and a Vette and also had a choice to go into partnership with a buddy on one of the first McDonald frachises in California. Well needless to say I'm not rich so you know he didnt pick the McDonald's because he said no one would buy hambergers with just mustard and ketchup and a pickle on it. LOL. Second mistake he chose the Vette over the Cobra and he kept if less than 6 months due to the insurance costs eating him alive. So as a child I was supject to hearing this story and my father would show pictures of Cobras and even took me to car shows to see them so that was my first exposure to these wonderful cars.

I always said I would have one someday and that day finaly came true not that long ago. I had gotten myself setup financially to build a Cobra 12 years ago then my wife broke the news one nite that we had a little one on the way. 8 months later we were blessed by Shelby being born, being named after my favorite car of all time. Now shes almost 11 and dad finaly got his car but it wasnt easy. My son Josh came along a few years later and now me and the wife had the family we always wanted. Then at 2 years of age disaster struck our family when Josh was dignosed with Lukemia but we were some of the fortunate ones and after 3 years of intensive chemo he was alive and doing well. He just had his 1 year off treatment anniversary and is playing baseball, and soccer and next year starts football and is living a normal life like any other youngster should. Even though it was a hard few years of feeling helpless it made our family stronger and even closer.

My Cobra was a long time coming but I made it and it even made it that much sweeter when I did get it and hopefully soon be able to get her finished but now with the help of my wife Sally and of course Shelby and Josh.

Unique 4279459

[gasman]

Very Nice story CJ. I look forward to meeting you and your family.

Steve Foushee
Unique #4279389

[will butterworth]

good reading, guess we all are in the same age group -thereabouts,you will love it cj, trying to get grease from under fingern. today, wiped all the underside down last night, will ch. plugs toni., install new dropin msd dist. get rid of lots of stuff under hood, and she commands att. cj-everysoul looks when you go by, and every youngster will challenge you even if he is on a john deere 4020,just have to let them go man, but i do rem. replac. the rear tires the first year, second year, well you underst.Alan, are you going to watch auburn , for sure?Me too, Will.

[pgermond]

I’ve been following this topic with interest, and finally have some time to sit down and contribute...... so get comfortable.

Growing up in the 50’s in N. Cal was much like the country, although I didn’t grow up on a ranch, but across the road from a dairy farm (sorry no chickens). Probably several hundred acres (covered with house now), tall grass, creeks, oak trees, with lots of places for small boys to explore, build forts, or just look up at the blue sky and clouds and dream.

My family was a typical 50’s blue-collar family with values to match. Dad worked hard as an electrician, eventually forming his own business. Mom was always there when we came home from school with lunch or a snack, and dinner was on the table at 5 o’clock every night.

We didn’t have air conditioning in those days, so in the summer when the temperature rose to the high 90’s/low 100’s the family would spend the evenings on the American River fishing, swimming, whatever it took to stay cool. Back then the river had some very good runs of salmon and shad and we would take full advantage of them. The weekends saw us either in the Sierra’s fishing and hunting, or on the northern coast fishing, diving for abalone, or digging clams. In the late 50’s and early 60’s we traveled to Mexico in a ’56 GMC pickup with a cab-over camper, towing a ’46 Willey’s Jeep, with a 12’ aluminum boat on top, and literally live on the beachs for a month - either on the Baja or main land of Mexico near Guaymas. The beaches and water were pristine, unlike today where they are polluted and covered with Club Med’s and ugly Americans.

I had an incredible childhood and was taught good core values (thanks to my parents) – like working, saving, and living within ones means. I started working with my dad during summer vacations when I was 12, and it was work – believe me! My first job while I was in high school was bussing tables, and then I graduated to a gas station attendant at the Richfield station. My dream job - $1.25/hour and full use of the lift and tools!

As I grew into my late teens everything started to go sideways. It was the mid-60’s, I was in California, and I guess at the time the whole State was going sideways. Drugs were common, my parents went through a divorce, and in 1967 my dad was killed in an automobile accident. I tried to concentrate and stay in college but I was distracted and really had no direction. Some may argue this….. but thank God for the draft. While I wouldn’t stand up and say “take me”, the Army was a lifesaver. I did my tour in Southeast Asia with a medical platoon flying medi-vac and running convoys hauling oxygen bottles in a duce-n-half – like I said, I wouldn’t want to do it again, but no one can take that experience away from me.

Soooo, the Army saved me from myself. For the most part, all my car club buddies and others I hung out with are either dead, in jail, or MIA. The values my parents instilled in me paid off, and I am forever grateful. I have a wonderful wife, two educated children, and two beautiful grandchildren, I’m finishing up a successful career and I’m looking forward to the next phase of my life.

Like you Keith, I worry about the next generation as well. It doesn’t seem they know the true meaning of work. Things of value seem to be expected rather than earned. Hopefully we are wrong.

My grandson thinks he’s going to inherite my Cobra – little does he know…. When my time comes, I’m going to have three handles installed on each side and be buried in it! ;)

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!


Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[KrAzEcJ]

A very good read Phil!

Unique 4279459

[gasman]

Phil, I really want to meet you and get to know you better.

Steve Foushee
Unique #4279389

[pgermond]

CJ - Thanks... yours as well.

Gasman - Homecoming '05 ;)

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[clayfoushee]

Gasman, I'm just waiting for you to tell "our story." That should be interesting reading. You first......;)

Great stories all........I'm enjoying this.

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler (452.1-stroker), top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[nolastyankee]

Now this is a topic after my own heart! Good stories all, it's fun to know as much about our member's as we do about their vehicles! While the cars bring us together, it is the people that make the group. Thanks for starting this thread Keith!

I'll refrain from my story as I have rambled enough in my own chapters.

Unique 9122 - 289 FIA Cobra - The Legendary "Spence" Car

[gasman]

Clay, I wouldn't know where to start......How do you spell dysfunctional.

Steve Foushee
Unique #4279389

[rdorman]

Now you KNOW we want to hear the Foushee stories! So come on, give it up. He!! mine is practically a confession. Speaking of confession, funny story about my first one. I think the priest finished reading war and peace during my time in the comfessional. And yeh, the younger generation is lazy. But I seem to recall the older generation saying that about my generation. And look how I turned out. [}:)]

Rick

[will butterworth]

phil, we had a lad in vnm ,from calif., felt sorry for him, only spoke of the high sierra,s, he would describe the place so vividly, heck i wanted to see it, has to be a dream, as we sat in those cold wet bunkers he would tell us about the sierras and how he missed them.Did you see the dirty-faced marine,s picture in paper this week, skinned nose--look at his eyes-thin slitted has cig. in mouth---he is in a death-watch-stupor mindset ready to kill and also ready to die himself.Hey, two children just came in my office and wished me a happy vets. day, how about that.I ,too, enjoy reading about us, good break from the routine.Auburn or Geargia--? Alabama

[clayfoushee]

Trust us, there are certain things that shouldn't be written on the internet. The amazing thing is all 4 brothers were good kids, who never really got into trouble, became responsible adults, and had nice kids of their own.

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler (452.1-stroker), top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[TurnpikeBoy]

<img src=images/icon_speech_ok.gif border=0 width=17 height=15 alt=Insert Speech Icon: OK>, born in '53 so I'm very aware of what happened in the '60's and '70's. Smoked my share, ingested others, got a draft # of 123 and they called to 125.

Despite the haze of mind-altering substances and intense stress at times, I remember it all surprisingly well. [xx(]

BUT. I'm not so sure of the status of the younger generation(s) we're all slamming. My two kids, now 24 and 22, were/are the biggest never-ending source of anxiety in my lifetime. The past 20+ years just never seemed to offer any relaxation time, and never seemed to offer any real prospects that - despite my best efforts - things would work out right. [V]

Thank God I was wrong....again. He's about to finish his apprenticeship as a Lineman and is (proud pappa here...)DAMN GOOD at what he does. She decided she want to teach, and after a sloooow start is within a year of graduation, looking like with honors, too.

No drugs for either. Not big on alcohol. No noteworthy run-ins with the Law. Good to animals and kids. Pains in the a$$ on lotsa things, but basically damn good kids.

I don't see them as atypical. Their friends run the gamut - wealthy/poor, city/country (they grew up in the woods), ethnic/not ethnic, political/apathetic, gun owner/gun hater, etc, etc. One thing they ALL appear to be is alive - some may not be the most driven individuals, but they are at least doing something.

I learned a long time ago it doesn't matter, AT ALL, what you do because 6 mos. after you're gone nobody is gonna remember you or what you did anyway. So - do what makes you happy. If you make a fantastic living at it, great. If not, and you're NOT unhappy, who friggin cares?

Kids are kids. We were. We made it. So will they, just not the same way we did. ;)


Yeehah

[pgermond]

Turnpike - where ya been man? It's been awhile. Sounds like you have a couple of keepers (me 2) [^]

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[Brent]

Born in Evansville, IN. in 1967, sports and cars were everything. Played Football, Baseball, Basketball, and Wrestled through high school. My first project car was a '71 Mach 1 at the age of 14. My dad bought it for me as a 500.00 wreck to "teach" me. 14 months later it was a 472 ci. monster that probably contributed to my parents divorce my senior year. After high school I "played" in college and raced on the weekends. My father was diagnosed with Lukemia and died of a brain bleed a week later, I was 21 years old. BAD DEAL!!! I continued to race and the learning curve is VERY fast when you are by yourself. I built and had built 4 race cars after that date and finally quit when my second daughter was born in 2001. When we sold the car,truck,trailer,and spares we built a new home and settled into a subdivision (for the girls). I have never missed owning a race car, however, I still miss the adrenaline competition and speed offer. On the day the race car was picked up I told my wife I would build a Cobra as soon as the funds were in order. She said " A what?" I said "you'll see". Later that year my daughter started having seizures and after multiple trips to the hospital, MRI, EEG, Cat Scans, etc. she was diagnosed with Epilepsy. After two years of monthly trips to Barnes Childrens Hospital and too many medications to remember she has pulled out of it and has been medication free for almost a year now. Praise GOD!
I have a wonderful wife and a GREAT life. I manage a full line RV dealership and have done so for 10 years. I am very active with my daughters and plan to stay that way until they leave. I get them up every day, feed them breakfast, take them to scchool and daycare, and my wife and I take turns reading to them at night. Why do I make a point of this??? I don't think it is a "kids now days" society issue, I think it is a "parents now days" issue. The familys I see in our RV dealership looking at pop-ups and small trailers are ALOT different than the familys I used to see at the racetrack. At the racetrack dad was all about dad. During the week dad was in the garage all hours of the night making sure the car was ready for dad to have fun with. I saw this and I got out.

Thanks guys!!



Brent
4279401
Candy Apple Red/White
402 FE/Toploader/3.54

[will butterworth]

good read Brent, you are so right on each count. Glad daughter is well and doing great, so good to see others experiences, not all that diff., yea, life has been good--deep in the night when awake I thank the good lord for my children, wife, friends good people ,what a life. Will--Alabama

[bittentoo]

Great stuff Brent[^] There's no wonder why I like you all from the moment we met:D

Can't wait for the next Homecomming!

Kelly

[ralphscott]

I was born in 1945 My mom was a war bride, My dad met her in No. Africa. I was born 2 wks after she came to the states. Grew-up in a small farming town so small that the first population sign was 500 and that was when I was 14 or so. We had chickens about 300-500 my dad also worked for the phone company. I had a paper route for 5 years so we did what was needed to make ends meet. I owe my success to these early years of hard work and frugality. We enlarged the house and I began at the age of 12 to do carpentry, elctricial, plumbing and masonary skills. That have allowed me to build a couple houses and remodel a bunch in my life. We even put a basement under the house and dug it out by hand. Got married young had a couple a boys, ended up being a single parent for a bunch of years, I guess with all my business in life I never figured out the people equation so had to learn about that first hand. Re married 15 years ago to Gayle and if there ever was a soul mate she is it. Was saved on May 22, 1988. Such a moving experience that when I looked in the mirror I did not recognize myself I really looked different. Gayle says I look better. So those who know me can only imagine how bad I looked!!:D Contracted cancer in August of the same year after one surgery it was determined that it was very agressive. While praying to the Lord for someone to watch over my boys, since I was not married and awaiting further testing in the hospital the Lord came to me and healed me. I really knew he did it. They did the tests sent me back up to the room where I told Gayle that I had been healed. The doctor came up a couple of hours later I told him as well, he just shook his head and said that is all that it could have been as they could find no cancer. We then went ahead and took out some lymph nodes in an other surgery, no cancer was found. As I was preparing to check out I asked about chemo 'cause everyone who has cancer seems to get it. My doctor turned to me and said you have no cancer so there is no need for further treatment. I guess that is the biggest thing in my life and the thing that has changed me in the most profound ways. Sure wish it would have happened 40 years earlier.

Ralph

[pgermond]

Great stories Brent and Rlaph. Brent - you're just a pup! Ralph - you must be living right!

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[TurnpikeBoy]

Man - some of the experiences here are pretty numbing. Ralph, you can be sure that we are ALL real glad to have you. Brent, can't think of anything on earth that could be worse than what you've had to endure - and we will keep you all in our prayers.

That old saw that "you think you've got it bad?" keeps being made fresh in my mind these days. Dunno why, but it does. Hearing your troubles, and seeing a couple involving friends/acquaintances right here at home, just makes me realize just how really, really fortunate I have it.

Phil - working for a living cuts into playtime bad ;), and that's why there hasn't been much from here. And I'm wit'cha, brother - there's no doubt you've got keepers...ya just gotta love 'em, cause at the end of the day they really are wonderful :):).

Yeehah

[will butterworth]

ssooo right phil, ralph , have seen God perform miracles in my time, the catch is for us to be smart enough to realize that it was a miracle, Joan,s mother-God brought her out of death-we had planned her funeral, me,zach, cy, prayed asked God to heal granny , they were small Zach15, Cyrus 10 , and she was healed over a period of time, was in hosp. 2 mo. and nurs. home 2 mo. buddy dr. west still to this day calls her his miracle patient.Funny thing, i,ve liked this family from get go, don,t know why, just family folks ,our unique family, great guys, even if brent is in conn. and phil is in calif., think my history is in another section called the unfortunates.Auburn-oralabama Alan, ? Where is Maurice at? Will-Alabama

[rdorman]

I basically told God who was in charge one night. The next day he reminded me who really is in charge. Don't need another reminder!
Rick

[ralphscott]

Rick, God has a way of doing that. I get reminders often!:D

Will, we are seeing a miracle with my mother-in-law who has Altzheimers. After 2 and a half years she is back to her old self joking cutting up and remembering short term. She has gone from near death, no ability to talk or eat and just staring at the ceiling to her current lively state over the period of about 6 months. She is not on any Altzheimers meds either. I think it happens more than we realize, people just don't want to believe it or talk about it. Don't mean to preach, but I just can't help observing.

Ralph

[eliminator]

Will,

Brent is in Indiana, Southern Indiana at that;).

Rick
#4279405

[eliminator]

What was the name of that show??

This is my Life.

Good reading though, I enjoy hearing about the various people on the Forum.

Rick
#4279405

[Russ Dickey]

Born August 14th, 1971. To say that I was born into a Ford family is an understatement. At 4 days old, my parents brought me home from the hospital is dad's '68 GT-500 (which my mom later made my dad trade in on a more "practical" Torino...who knew?). All of my uncle's & cousins had (and still have) Mustangs, Fairlanes, Cyclones, and all sorts of classic Ford's, so you could say that my blood runs Ford Corporate Blue.

My one sister and I were raised right here in the midwest, in the Kansas City area. My father and I were very close, and he taught me an appreciation of high-performance automobiles, but especially the Cobra. When I was in 7th grade, he bought a '66 Mustang project car for us to restore together, which was to be my first car. He died suddenly and unexpectedly less than a year later (he was only 36), and it was a crushing blow to me. My mother (whom I respect and admire more than anyone in the world) perservered on and brought us up the rest of the way by herself, and she has never remarried.

With the help of family and friends, I restored the little '66 Mustang coupe through high school, and still own it to this day (although it's undergoing it's 2nd restoration). I went to college locally and majored in Criminal Justice, to pursue a career in local and federal law enforcement. Well, life has all sorts of wierd paths, and now I've ended up being the director of marketing for a company that specializes in diecast collectible cars and racing apparel (I basically get paid to be a 12-year-old kid instead of dodging bullets, not a bad trade-off if you ask me).

I married my wife Sheila in 2000, and we are just now getting around to trying to have our first children (although we do own two little dachsunds that we consider our kids). In 2003, I became the first in the Dickey family to realize the dream of owning a Cobra when I purchased my Unique 289 FIA. There's not a day that goes by that I don't wish my dad could be here to enjoy the car with me, but I have a strange feeling that whenever I take the car out for a solo drive, he's probably sitting right there beside me, grinning ear to ear.

Thanks for letting me share, and for sharing with me.

Russ

Unique 289FIA - Viking Blue

[Brent]

Russ, Thanks for posting. You make me feel old. (-:



Brent
4279401
Candy Apple Red/White
402 FE/Toploader/3.54

[will butterworth]

Ralph, have been around altzheimers patients 14 yrs. in med. work, they don,t do that , yep, there is your sign.From indiana makes him a nice guy, rick, sorry brent,landed in a corn field one time came to buy hospital beds and suites from hill-rom, in batesville indiana, long time ago. Nice folks, rick, going to try to smite one of those coyotes this weekend, gotem on ol roy right now.Will-alabama

[will butterworth]

Russ did you all ever find out what happened to your dad, good read, thanks .Will-alabama

[will butterworth]

Russ, forgot, but have a good friend in kansas ci., john Timmons, reg. mkting rep for john deere, sends me great jd hats.Will-alabama

[KrAzEcJ]

Russ was smarter than me! Cobra first then the kids LOLOL

Unique 4279459

[Russ Dickey]

Ha! Funny you mention that CJ! That was the closing line in my best man's speech at my wedding:

"Remember Russell....Cobra then kids!" I took that to heart, because I knew that on my "average joe" salary, I wouldn't be able to afford one until the kids were grown and gone, and I just couldn't wait that long.

Will: yeah, I forgot to mention that. My pop died in an accident. As we've seen from everybody's posts, life deals us all some challenging hands at one point or another.

Unique 289FIA - Viking Blue

[pgermond]

Great post Russ. Geez - 1971? My daughter was born in '72! You guys are making me feel like a grandpa ([:O]..... which I am [^])

I can't remember if I said this already or not, but this is for Keith - thanks for starting this topic.... a great way to get to know everyone. Still waiting for Clay and Steve's closet to open up.

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[clayfoushee]

I guess it's time.......

It's not really all that unusual for our generation (the childhood part). What we were referring to, was a very "difficult" Dad. He had temper issues, that left us all with a few scars, but he's sick now, so no more need to be said. Nonetheless, he and my Mom have been together for more than 50 years, so that's something in this day and age.

Steve's and my stories are a bit different, but we've both been successful in different ways. I was always the "perfect student" and intellectually curious. Only problem was, I didn't learn how to have fun, until "middle age." Graduated near the top of my class at Duke, PhD at the University of Texas, before I was 25. Went to work immediately at NASA, where I ended up running a research division. Was nominated Chief Scientist at FAA during the first Bush Administration. Left in 1992 to run operations at Northwest Airlines where I stayed for almost 10 years. I left NW 2 weeks before 9/11. I've been consulting since then, but now like to play more than work.

The problem with my career was that it was almost 24/7, which left many holes in my life. I've learned from those mistakes, and beginning to recover. I do have a wonderful daughter who is 16, and her mother and I are still very close, although we're not together.

That's enough..........I've enjoyed all the other stories.

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler (452.1-stroker), top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[pgermond]

Clay,

Now I not only feel old, but inadequate... but happy. Glad to know you and hope to meet you face-to-face soon.


Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[will butterworth]

yea, me too Phil, inadequate, super -Clay, did you ever meet a fellow from alabama john lelus white with nasa in los angeles?I went to grade school with him at eastaboga and lincoln where the new honda plant is in alabama.Think we are witnesses to stories of the american dream, look at where we started when we were young and where we went to in our working years. Always makes you feel good to read such a good story. Will-Alabama

[clayfoushee]

Please don't use terms like "inadequate." I have many regrets because of the path I chose. I'd probably do it differently if I could do it over again. All I can do now is try to make up for "lost time." "Success" is a very relative term.

I was just telling my story.

Clay

'98 Unique #9299, 427FE side oiler (452.1-stroker), top-loader (close), 3.31 rear

Annapolis, MD

[Brent]

I have met Clay and had the oppertunity to spend quality time talking to him as well as some Tequila clouded conversation as well. GREAT GUY!! He is one of those FEW people that are sucessful but you would never know it.

Thanks Clay!


Brent
4279401
Candy Apple Red/White
402 FE/Toploader/3.54

[casaleenie]

I earned all my money the "old fashioned way", I inherited it:D

I'm probably the dumbest and luckiest guy I know...

Retired when I was 52 and don't have the least desire to go back to work.[8D];)

AL
2899386

[pgermond]

Al,

You are my hero!

Phil

427 Roadster, #4279436
Southern Automotive FE
3:31 and Toploader

Roseville (N.Cal)

[excelguru]

quote:Originally posted by Russ Dickey

...life deals us all some challenging hands at one point or another

Good quote. My challenging hand...

At the age of 9, I was playing in the open carport on a Saturday at our home in Cumming, GA. It was a sunny day. I was playing with a Hotwheel car. My dad came to the door and called me inside.

"Hey, son. We need to talk to you for a moment."

Well, I knew that nothing good ever followed "we need to talk", but I got up and went inside anyway. I remember it so clearly... I sat on the beige colored sofa in the living room. My mom sat on the same sofa a couple feet away to my right with her hands clasped between her legs and said virtually nothing. Dad sat in a chair facing me, slightly to my right. He was leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped.

"Your mom and I have decided to get a divorce."

He said a few other small things, which I'd rather not convey, but I remember them clearly. Dad asked if I was okay. I nodded.

"Is there anything you'd like to ask one of us?"

I shook my head.

"This doesn't mean we don't love you anymore. We just don't love each other the way we used to. You know we still love you, right?"

I nodded.

Shortly thereafter, I went back outside and played and pushed the moment away to a small dark corner of my mind... for another day. The whole event probably lasted all of 4 minutes. On the surface, life didn't necessarily change after that, as my parents had been separated for many years prior to this. I just grew up that way... visiting dad every other weekend way down in south Georgia... and never gave it a second thought. I almost thought it strange to go to a friend's house and see both his parents there.

But hearing the words did make a difference. I couldn't put my 9-year-old finger on it, but there was a difference.

That moment affected me for decades and still affects me to this day. Now that I have a son and I see firsthand how much he enjoys our time together, I am once again drawn back to it. I wonder how I must have reacted as a toddler when daddy ceased coming home at night. That's all I feel like saying about that right now.

One thing my parents definitely did right: they never used me to get at each other. And they never acted bitter or resentful towards one another, at least not in front of me. I am very close to both of them.

EDIT:

I feel compelled to add one tiny little thing to this... About four years ago, my wife and I had both of our signatures on a divorce agreement. All we needed was a court date to make it official, which would take about a month due to scheduling.

I eventually humbled myself enough to ask God how on Earth I was gonna fix this mess I was in. He showed me His plan. I followed it. It worked. Next month, my wife and I will celebrate our 10-year anniversary. Okay, I'm done now.

Keith
Unique Motorcars (http://www.uniquecobrareplicas.com)
Southern Automotive (http://www.southernautomotiveengines.com)
Bruce Bunn (the painter) (http://www.jodecoautobody.com)

[rdorman]

Man Keith, that was SO close to home. Even the age. When I got married, my resolve was that the only way we would ever get divorced once we had children was to stop us from litteraly killing each other. If we could not stop that, then all other issues would be worked out. So far that level of commitment as worked out very well!
Rick

[will butterworth]

just read ,Keith, think i will go to lunch,thanksgiving--where do we start? Will-alabama

[Master]

Born in 1961 in WI near Green Bay. Dad was xfered to Ohio when I was 5 so Ohio has been my home. Lived in the Burbs but my house backed-up against a 100ac farm. Spent most of my time riding dirt bikes, building tree forts and fishing in ponds. An average student in school but unable to stick with anything for very long. Enlisted in the Air Force in 1980 - 1984 (Jet Engine Mechanic) Had a fantastic time during those four years and too many tales to tell now. Met my wife Lori in 86 and have been together ever since. We have two daughters one 15 and the other 9 the youngest is named Shelby. My fasination with the cobras started when I was in the service and saw an ad in Hot Rod Mag. It was Unique's ad. I must have ordered 5 catalogs/Videos from Alan and Maurice over the years and really never seriously considered anyone else to buy from. Well thats most of my story I'll save the rest when we can have a cold beer:D

Scott
4279454
SA 428
3:54

[excelguru]

Boy, a lot has happened since I lasted posted. I have a daughter now. She enjoys flirting with older boys. I think she's gonna be real a problem when she gets older. Why do I get this sinking feeling that all the things I did in high school & college are gonna come back to haunt me? (sigh)

I need to buy a shotgun and go to the skeet range to get more practice with moving targets. LOL. Actually, I shot 82% the last time I went. I thought that was pretty good considering it was only my 2nd time skeet shooting. Sorry, got off topic there.

[clayfoushee]

LMAO..........Keith, good to hear from you!:)

On the daughter thing, mine is in college, and I no longer have any control. That is a good thing if you can just convince yourself there is no other alternative.