Hot Rods Quotes to live by...

Jim

 

Bob Dylan wrote, “Take care of all your memories . . . for you cannot relive them.”


Hello,

In a way, yes, you cannot relive them as the physical year and action is long gone. But, in looking at a photo or a movie, one can see the action of a teenager and remember the exact moment of that point in time.

When my dad was at a high school football game with his friend, his son was the starting offensive guard. They were on the overflow sidelines on the actual grass sidelines cheering our team on to win the game.

On this running play, I was to block down on the defensive tackle and knock him down or into the clogged line. Then our guard would pull out, knock the defensive end down and our high speed tailback would run through the large hole downfield for a big gain. We were doing that all night and in the second half, the defense adjusted to watching our tackle post, then watched me come down the line to block. So, now the linebackers were moving into the hole. But, that was the plan. Once they came into the hole, the tailback did not have the ball, but knocked the linebacker down.

The QB made a great fake and now, it was up to me to come up field to a post pattern and be in the open for a long pass. The QB launched the ball. And the defense saw me all by myself catch the ball and run downfield as fast as possible. The memory of that play was outstanding. But the “odd-ball thing” was, I ran in front of my dad and I thought I saw him laughing, yelling and jumping up and down as I ran by him. That was something I can literally remember and it sticks out in my old brain. (he confirmed it the next day)

But those memories were great and can only be matched by other memories as they come apparent. The rainy day, muddy field in the Wilmington oil property, where the flathead sedan delivery was sliding all over the field with us inside whooping it up like little kids. Only we were big teenagers, having the time of our lives. We lucked out in that one slide too many was going to make us go over the curb and into a flood control ditch that ran parallel to the muddy field. We did several more and then laughed all the way to the burger shop for nourishment.

No, we cannot relive them physically, but they are there for the thought process called up for various reasons. A rainy day, the flathead 40 Ford Sedan Delivery and being crazy teenagers, and living to be able to remember those things we definitely would not do today. ha!

Jnaki

So, yes, we take care of our memories in our brains, but it certainly helps to write them down in a journal as much as we are able to do in one sitting or weekly, as thing come up with the new days. YRMV

 

“Ventura Highway in the sunshine, Where the days are longer, The nights are stronger than moonshine, you're gonna go, I know”



Hello,

It was hard to pinpoint during our teenage, northern surf explorations in the flathead 1940 Ford Sedan Delivery. We could surf in great waves down South in our own favorite spots all year around, but something was sending us North.
Fire up the old flathead and in the dark, start the road trip up PCH to the Los Angeles shoreline and vast coast heading North.

Eventually, it was the idea of exploration and pristine waves that consistently drew us to this destination in the winter months. The flathead sedan delivery, loaded with surfboards, sleeping bags, food, cooler, were the important items that filled the mood on the drive up the coastline. Some of it in the dark, but the expected sunrise anticipation was worth the effort and long distance. (approximately 400 miles round trip)

It was about the same total miles to our Baja Mexico road trip destinations. Those could be taken most months of the year, but the northern surf trips were only in the winter swell months.

Jnaki

So, when my wife and I started our college vacation road trips, it was a wonder why we were able to go just about anywhere in So Cal, then expanded our horizons North. But, we always enjoyed staying in So Cal for the time during and after college. Our lives have been surrounded by the ocean, sunny days and a coastal environment that always made us mellow and lively during our stay here. And, the coastal highway that runs parallel to the ocean all the way up to Santa Barbara.

So, Ventura Highway is a name given to the whole So Cal atmosphere along the coastal basin from the Baja border to the northern coastal locations. Even in the summer months, when the swell direction allowed us to head for Malibu Surfrider Beach to surf the famous waves... It was along the coastline in anticipation of what was to come our way. YRMV

“Because the free wind is blowing through your hair
And the days surround your daylight there
Seasons crying no despair
Alligator lizards in the air, in the air…”

recent So Cal skyline activity...

 

“ Let me pour you a tall glass of… Get over it…”

Hello,

Family interactions have come and gone in our extended group over the years. When the whole cousins and close relatives get together, something usually sets someone off and now, there is tension in the air. When it is just our immediate family, son, granddaughter, etc gets together, all is normal. Mainly because we are interested in what the other has been doing for the past year, job, relationships, college, etc. so, we are all one happy gathering. Plenty of hugs to go around.

But, one year, the whole extended family got together and tensions flared due to inability to accept the other’s way of doing things and as others could see, the stupidity of it thrown in the conversation. Part of it was a “car” conversation… So, the tension was mounting and finally, it led to a heated debate.

Yes, there are some times topics that are “off topics” as the saying goes. But, this one was building up and was heading for a doozy of an ending. Ha!

Jnaki

Luckily, it was not our house and whatever came of the so called verbal battle, it was not going to end well. So, instead of stepping in, everyone thought it would end with a neutral ground for both sides. Blattt… wrong…

As it was getting to the kids in the other room and adults in one room, the host offered everyone a glass of wine. That may have been a nice gesture at any other time, but this one called for immediate cease fire on both sides. One was not going to give in and the other just said…

“Let me pour you a tall glass of … get over it!” and the party was over. Ha!

 

One of my Dad's favorites, "That's as stupid as painting a brick house!"

 

@jnaki Thank You gotta say much better choice of Font.
My name in elementary school was Cockeye.
I needed a drink of 'get over it'.
Can say tho, that having a friend was something to appreciate.
Most were only after the coins in my pocket

 

Ne nous prenons pas au sérieux, il n'y aura pas de survivants

 

@Dubonet Garage
Fixed it for you
Don’t take us seriously there will be no survivors

Dan

 

“It's Friday I'm in love, But Friday never hesitate, It's Friday, I'm in love”


Hello,

It has been 3888+ Fridays in my whole life. The best Fridays have been since 1966 when I met my wife and since then Fridays took on a whole new meaning. Once we were away from our families and their oddball outlook on growing up, we started to move ahead with our own ideas and culture. Yes, some of it remained from the early days of surfing proficiency and studies in the stacks of the college library. It even went to the late night walks in Los Angeles/Hollywood to feel alive and on our own.

It was a new road ahead and this is where we solidified our “togetherness” to be able to go against all forms of society that kept harping on us at the time. By being together, we were able to build a one way wall to see the world and yet adjust to the incursions. An unusual “us against the world” idea and concept. We were still law abiding citizens and liked the low key lifestyle. The coastal communities allowed us fit right in to our mellow outlook on the world.


Jnaki

My brother was moving away from our simple idea, but, he had his own way to see things all along. So, he was ok with that. The brotherly love was still there and there was a lot of jabs and fun poking along as to the lifestyle each of us took.

For my wife and me, it was a new beginning being together and pushing ahead to a new coastal lifestyle we have developed/nurtured to this day... YRMV

"Dressed up to the eyes
It's a wonderful surprise
To see your shoes and your spirits rise"

"Throwing out your frown
And just smiling at the sound
And as sleek as a shriek"


"Spinning round and round
Always take a big bite
It's such a gorgeous sight
To see you eat in the middle of the night"


"You can never get enough
Enough of this stuff
It's Friday
I'm in love"

The Cure

 

On the day of our wedding, I was given these words of wisdom:
“Don’t marry her because she’s a good lay, marry her because she can cook. Eventually you’ll get bored in the sack, but you’ll always be hungry”.
We celebrated 43 years together, 5th of June.
She is an excellent cook and she still lets me play with cars!

 

Jim

 

“OUR HEARTS HAVE BEEN OLD FRIENDS FOREVER…”

Hello,

There is no getting around it these days. My wife and I are still around, healthy as possible, being in our really old age days. Even our friends who were those funky 21 speed road racing bike folks with odd clothing, decided to give up the weekly long road trips for bicycle enthusiasts. The old age gets to everyone at one time or another.

But, it is nice to have time off to live the way you want with what you have. We have no inclinations to move elsewhere out of So Cal. The coastal lifestyle has been with us for almost 60 years together. The lifestyle changed the 20 something outlook and together, we went through life’s challenges. Single married entity to family with a son, then later on, a granddaughter that brought a second joy to our lives.

Then many years later, a cool granddaughter who is now in college, has a bright road ahead. Those memories will continue for us, as we put time and effort to have a great time together and make sure we gave support, plus a feel of "family" to our granddaughter.

Jnaki

This was the start. It was in a vast parking lot, while I was trekking up a long walk on a steep hill to get to my college classes. But, it was/is a symbol that allowed my wife and I to grow up together and get to know each other on our long drives up/down the coast. YRMV

It allowed us to go to nearby, vast So Cal climate zones and different locations from the ocean coastlines to downtown Hollywood/Los Angeles hot spots, Baja coastal spots, and to the deserts. For us, it was a really different way to enjoy our young lives. She even became a "good eye" photographer as a learning experience.
Vnak photo
Note:

Since it has been a long time together, it has had challenges. But, we have had plenty of validation as we have been called, "a team." We have been good together, had similar ways to live and see the world. We have seen plenty, raised a good son + loving granddaughter, and have lasted this long as “friends, forever.”
It has been a great 60 years together, plus...

 

One day Ricky Rickets, that’s what I called him, rode up on his Harley and everyone stood around it in total awe. A coworker named Nester, was just amazed at the magnificent bike. He looked at Rick and said, “If you ever need a Bitch to ride on the back of your motorcycle, here I am.”

 

“ A READER IS NEVER LONELY, AS THEY BECOME A LIFE LONG LEARNER”

Hello,

Ever since meeting my wife in college, she has been instrumental in getting me to read novels along with the countless newspapers (remember those…) We always made time to sit around on comfortable giant pillows to read our books.
The apartment was small, but cozy to sit, listen to music or just plop down on the comfortable giant pillows my wife and I made. We could not get a normal size couch up into the narrow entry stairway and front door.

We couldn’t afford a new couch we wanted as the cost was way out there. So, while we were looking around at ones we could afford, my wife made several huge oversized pillows. She was a whiz at sewing and we stuffed it with some shredded foam inside. It was actually so comfortable that after a few minutes of reading, I tended to fall asleep. But some strong coffee and looking at my 20 something wife comfortable on her “pillow couch” made everything come to life.

That was the starting point of lifelong reading for the both of us. Paperback books were like candy for us. The cost got a little touchy, so we went to the local library to see if there were also free books to read. Duh! But, our drive to the artsy "Acres of Books" in Long Beach helped solve the costly supply of those old books.

Jnaki

So, many years later, I read a book that had New Orleans as a back drop. It was a mystery novel that had one of our favorite characters, Dave Robicheaux. It was in a James Lee Burke novel and in it was a section that made me think of what the hot rod looked like while reading the story. Creole Belle had this custom truck as a character in the story.

Thinking of what the stock model looked like, my imagination took off and I added what I was reading from the story. Lowered rake, powerful motor, black wheels and side exhausts. No hood, but an exposed motor added to the mystery for one of the main characters.
The chopped truck was difficult to draw as the proportions of that truck were not easy to see. In my imagination, this is what it looked like and it filled in the memory while reading the story. The owner of the truck was a character called Gretchen Horowitz.

I decided to add some Moon Discs to give it some attitude and contrast to an old Friday Art project. YRMV

 

"LOVE LEAVES A MEMORY NO ONE CAN STEAL.”

Hello,
All through school, it offered friendships and situations for long lasting relationships. When it came time at the school functions, like dances and later on, parties, it was satisfying to be able to talk to others as if we all knew each other since those toddler days. well, most of us did grow up as toddlers to teens.

As all young folks have steps they all go through for their lives, it seems the same problems or same situations that have been going on for centuries. It was just a different time and place. It definitely was a different era with newer ideas and functions. But, it still was the throes of growing up in our current society.

Jnaki

At some point, we thought the relationships as young kids was going to last forever. But, it was just those early steps that led to later relationships and how to get along to make those last longer. Perhaps as long as getting married and having a fun life together. The times together are “locked in stone.” Mistakes were made, but were easily corrected. The relationship as a couple grew and the ideas melded together to see the life ahead.

Our custom hot rod together for tons of coastal cruising…

The one thing we both learned together was to be together in all forms of thought and views. Adjustments were made to make sure those “little things” worked for both of us and it seemed to work for the whole time it has been a “together team.” Maybe that is what it takes to see the world and how to fit into our little place in the timeline… YRMV

 

"The best way to ensure that is through regular maintenance and being prepared for the unexpected.” Danica Patrick

 

@ https://thedecisionlab.com/thinkers/philosophy/marcus-aurelius


Jim

 

I would LIKE to think I am like him. Probably not. I try!!

Ben

 

Here’s one that most hot rodders can agree with.

 

"Show me a woman who doesn't feel guilty and I will show you a man."


Hello,


I have lived with this philosophy for the past 59 years. It is usually a laughable topic of conversation at the family gatherings, especially with a packed garage and stuff preserved in boxes in the attic. "Women of all ages feel guilty about something..." ha!

We started out in a small apartment with only stuff that would fit into the bed of a 65 El Camino.
My wife felt guilty about not seeing my mom, so she drove us over for a nice visit and dinner. To appease my wife, I did the dishes while she and my mom sat in the living room talking about...

We did not have a lot of possessions and it was an easy move to the apartment. When we were ready to move and set up our first post wedding abode, it was amazing that the bed of the El Camino was slightly packed, but it was for two 20 something kids that brough stuff that made them feel at home in the new adventure.


Little by little, we started to accumulate “stuff.” Posters on walls, custom photographs taken by both of us mounted on matboards and a custom wooden slat frame. And the stuff kept coming into our lives as we got comfortable with each other. As space was at a minimum, that kept us from the overflow.

When we got a larger, but tiny 700 sq. ft. larger apartment, it was empty to start, but we made it comfortable for us. Now, we had a small two car, actually it was a one and a half space garage. Even with a 62 Corvair, we could not get our cars in the garage. So, when it rained, yes, it rains in So Cal, the El Camino was parked outside.
It was a great place to relax and enjoy life. But, the storage in the garage began to accumulate with car stuff and “couple” stuff, but for us, it still fit into the rear of the 65 El Camino if we had to move to another apartment or perhaps our first house.


Jnaki

So, as life usually happens, we moved to a real house and now, the “stuff” began to grow in leaps and bounds. Mainly, due to the larger house and areas to store stuff. Now, the questionable stuff began to get stored for another rainy day and began to fill up closets and garage spaces.

We had “clean out” days and stuff barely moved due to the “importance” to one or the other. So, we were at a stand still in our lives. The guilt in having too much storage stuff began to get to my wife and slowly it was one thing she started to see as a problem for our small house and car port. Unsightly boxes and just general stuff now packed our tiny house. And, we started to get rid of the “stuff.” Well actually, she urged me to get rid of stuff.

This has gone on for several house moves and as we got comfortable in our “senior” years, it has now mellowed out and we are back to minimal “stuff.” Our son or granddaughter won’t have to pull up a diesel truck dumpster to clean out all of the stuff in the attic, later on… YRMV Yes, most of the stuff is associated with me… Yikes!

 

Dang, that's crude!

Ben

 

Jim

 

When you get Something for Nothing... It's Usually worth it!

Vince Liptak (R.I.P.) an RCA Laboratory Sr. technician

 

Yes it probably is Ben, but then again it fits better with the original title of the thread than some of the garbage posted by those who have never owned/built a hot rod of any kind!

God Bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ar-transport-hauling-open-or-enclosed.614419/

 

You will never find the right person if you continue to stay with the wrong one.

 

i would unplug your heart machine to plug in my dogs breakfast warmer

 

Reminds me of an old joke.
The Admiral is in the hospital, grumpy and raising hell with everyone.
He wants his temperature taken.
The nurse says, "All we have are rectal thermometers."
After she leaves he notices people looking funny at him.
He hollers, " What's the matter with you people, haven't you seen anyone getting their temperature taken."
"Not with a daffodil sir."