Well, hopefully, the saga of the overheating Lincoln is finally over. My brother lined me up with a radiator specialist here in Seneca, S.C. and by the time we’d finished our golf game, the car was done. The guy told me the cooling system was really in need of a thorough flushing which he did and, after a good test run in 91 degree heat, in stop and go traffic with the air on full blast, big red now seems to be running as cool as my date at the junior/senior prom.
“What’s the damage?” I asked..fearing the next words I was about to hear.
“64 dollars and 32 cents, sir.”
I don’t know if he noticed my jaw drop but I’m sure it did since so many mechanics, with the exception of Denny and Joanie’s son in law, have stuck it too me with ridiculously outrageous repair bills on that car over the last few months. This news was like a breath of fresh air on a stifling hot South Carolina day. His jaw dropped a bit too after I handed him a few extra dollars. He’s not used to getting tips I guess but then he has no idea how happy he’s made four people with a lot of hot weather driving to do before pointing big red North.
Speaking of hot..it was not weather conducive to heavy set old guys golfing. Denny and my brother, Tom, did just fine but after drinking a gallon or more of water and not needing to pee once, I was ready for the round to be over.
In fact, I even passed on the opportunity to drive the boat for water skiing when we got home; preferring instead to take a welcome break from the sun and heat staying in the air conditioned house watching U.S. Open golfers on TV shivering in the chill of Pebble Beach, California in the U.S. Open.
I must have dozed off on the couch because an hour or so later, I was awakened by the voices outside the patio door and saw a strange sight; Denny, Joanie, Linda and Tom were carrying my sister-in-law, Ilene, cradled in a tarp up the hill from the lake.
Although an experienced skier, Ilene was trying out a new pair of skis and not comfortable at all with them. While crossing a wake, her legs went flying and she went down with an injury most commonly associated with professional football players: a pulled hamstring..diagnosed by Joanie, the nurse on board.
After a couple of pain pills and some time in bed, Ilene is upright again and able to hobble about but will have to take it easy for a while.
With a house full of company..more coming next week and a planned cruise ship vacation with her mom coming up soon, Ilene is remarkably calm. Her ability to take things in stride and make the best of any situation is a characteristic Linda and I have always admired.
I’ve been talked into taking the Jet Ski (oops that’s a name brand..make that “personal watercraft”) out for a spin this afternoon. We’ll see if he has life jackets in size 2X.
Golf again on Sunday. Praying for a cold front to come through by then.
Onward and upward!
