Blue Blast from the Past

Yesterday, we took a little drive and saw a very rare car...Can you guess it from these pix?

Any idea?

Here's the model?

Now you know! 

The car is a classic Edsel, the monumental failure introduced by Ford in the fall of 1957. It was supposed to be luxury vehicle, but sadly it never caught on and Ford bailed out of the Edsel market in 1959.

There were 2 models...the Ranger and the Pacer. This is a Ranger -- the "lower" end of the two. 

The Ranger did not have the bells and whistles of the higher end Pacer, but neither sold well.

Along with a "wrap around windshield," cigarette lighter, a cushioned arm rest and a radio, as standard equipment, the car boasted a push-button automatic transmission system called "telematic" that was supposed to be the cat's meow. I remember driving a loaner car, a 196?ish Lancer that had a push button transmission and I thought it was the strangest thing I'd ever driven. According to Wikipedia, about 12,000 of these cars were made in 1958 and 1959--I wonder how many are around 62 years later?

While the car was never popular, it's still making automotive history by surviving all these years.

More Progress

We took a quick trip to check out our new winter home. We had a complete progress report from the Project Manager who showed us the progress that has been made since we were last there on April 30. We learned the double paned windows have a 30% tint; we learned "studer vents" are used as secondary plumbing vents so as not to have too many punctures in the roof; we learned that the roof tiles need to be placed on the roof before the house is "dried in" and before the drywall is installed, so the house will "settle" correctly...and so much more.

Roof tiles on the roof

Studs among studs

We have a bathtub

Specs on the windows

We also learned that it's HOT in the summertime. We knew it was hot, but we experienced HOT. That's one reason it will be a winter house.

AI in the Neighborhood

I grew up in a city, but I'm not in a city anymore. I'm happily in the country. The kids around here, learn very different things...and one of the is AI. Here's one of my "kids" learning how to AI his heifer. This is a big deal. He's learning so much more than a process--he's learning responsibility too. 

I'm so proud of these kids.

1952 Chevy

There is a local drive in with car hops...and they have a really cute 1952 Chevy that is all tricked out with flames, dice and tuck and roll upholstery. Check it out!

I like the dice on the door lock the best.

Fire Sun

There are fires in the west again, and they are affecting our air quality. I took this picture of the sun at 9:15 AM today..

As you can see, the smoke is obscuring the sun. 

Needless to say, our bluebird blue skies are gray today.

Bambis in the Forest

Mama deer are very protective so they hide their babies in the forest understory. I'm thinking, the mamas  are beginning to think their little ones can venture out now, and to prove that theory, I saw another sweet Bambi. This one was following her mama dutifully and a little doubtfully (as it should be).

If you compare the spots on this fawn and the one I posted earlier, you will note the spots are different.

Progress: Windows

I know, when I say "windows" you are thinking PC...but in this case, I mean Real Windows. Windows were installed on the new house this week. Progress is continuing.

We are happy campers.

Independence Day

Happy Birthday USA! Wyoming celebrates this special day with fireworks and parades. The parades are definitely "home made" affairs without the benefit of float designers and fancy flowers...just bunting and streamers and spangles and stars...and lots of candy. Our local RV park had a great golf cart parade which was spectacular. In the evening we had a fireworks extravaganza with great displays and music. 

Independence Day

...as it should be

Hometown folks having a grand time 

Celebrating our nation, democracy and 

America the Beautiful. Long may we be a proud nation standing for freedom and liberty and

justice for all.