Contact us at: whispernthunder1@gmail.comWisdom from Granddad
~ Fox Northstar
Well, I found out how many of you actually
read this! While I am not surprised by how
many of you are my friends, and thereby
biased, I am amazed by the feedback
from folks I have yet to meet. Thank you all!
Many of you commented on my shift in tone to humour, and that will be the plan after we retake our country back from fascism this fall. But, to keep it light for one more visit, here is an update from last time.
All the machines are home, in varying amounts of usability. Alberta has developed another issue, so is relegated to light duty for now. Fortunately, I do have a parts machine for her. The machine I used while she was away has also developed issues, but is workable for back-up if the “new” machine needs work.
That having been said, and falling back on my previous “be careful what you put out into the universe” train of thought, I have arrived at “oops, I did it again.” Yep, two more machines came my way. Both are “long” or “wide” carriage models which are considerably more difficult to find, but essentially for the work I do.
You see, I have developed a reputation for being a relentless and thorough researcher. Granted, there are areas that are my strong suit and these do have limitations, but many of the reference tables I make require the paper to travel opposite (sideways) from the norm, so wide carriages are essential.
Mind you, each machine has a designated task. There are tow reasons for that. The first is so that each gets an appropriate amount of “exercise” and keeps healthy. The other is pure laziness on my part. Many of the table require tabs for columns, and not all machines have convenient button for a quick reset. Several older models require hand placement of the stops, and once they are placed, it is PITA (Pain In The A**) to change them.
Oh yeah, as to the new arrivals, both are long carriage. One was a gift from my repair guy, but the other was in an antique shop, here in town, owned by an old friend. Granted, it was not in the best shape, BUT it was the type of machine I had been looking for when all this accumulation started. Wouldn’t you jut know it! At any rate, I got it for half the asking price. (Have I told you how I love small New England towns?) Took it to “hospital” and had it back in a week!
As it turned out, it is 90 years old, but was full of rust (its biggest issue). Once that was tended to, my guy told me, judging from its condition, it was barely used and had been in storage for the majority of its existence. He compared its condition to the one Granddad stored when I went into the Navy. And he charged me only $50!
As I have been teased mercilessly about this, here we go! I now have SEVEN functional typewriters. An Oliver batwing awaiting repair, and two “parts” machines for cannibalization too keep my two of my favourites functional.
For the record: I AM SO DONE gathering more….at least I think so. Time will tell.
Next time around, I will be returning to tirade more in hopes of getting you all to get the vote out so grab your hardhats! Remember, if you do not think we can take back our country, then YOU are helping us LOSE it! Do what you can, but at least VOTE!
As always, do your best to walk in balance!