This morning, my lifelong friend posts a message to me on Facebook about a long ago memory from an art class in high school, just good thoughts and reminiscing at the start of a morning at work. That's really what it seems to be all about, when you think about it.  We do this nostalgia thing, not for fortune, fame or immortality, but for what we remember it to be, in our respective ‘day’. 

I myself can get lost in a memory sparked by a song, smell, place. . .or just about anything. Personally, my favorite time to remember, 1980-81, it just seemed to be the time when everything was wide open, always broke, chasing dreams and having a good time with friends.  Not too much different from now! Still broke, but for different reasons. Chasing dreams, a little different than then and certainly a more expensive! Having a good time with the friends that are still around, not every day and night as we did then, it seems the times we get together now are few and far between, yet treasured and pined for. Those that are gone are part of the memories.

Now, it's the kids we spend all our time with. I tell my son Kody (14) about a lot of the things we did. He started high school a couple months ago and that has never failed to rekindle memories of youth.  Luckily, this one likes cars and wants something cool.  Isn't that what we all really wanted, a cool car?  The vernacular may change with the generations, but a ‘cool’ car always seems to have a look, a sound, a stance that makes the other guys look and envious.  It also makes the girls look. . .if you’re lucky!  That will never change, will it? 

When I go to events, races, shows, etc., I see the ‘old guys’ and wonder if we'll get to be like that. Once the kids are grown and the old lady is begging us to leave her alone, will we hang out in our worn out old shells with that inner 17 year old firing us up? I hope so. Cars are my life, my passion and what keeps me going. If it has wheels, I can imagine it better in some way shape or fashion.  It's just me and I think I have taught those around me to accept it, or go mow their lawn.

Yeah, Bob. . .a watercolor class would surely be a welcome thing this morning.  Thanks for stirring up that memory this morning.

On the Hippo front, coverage is light this time around. First, I'd like to thank Troy Glenn for his generous donation. Not a lot of time to work on it, I have a clutch coming, picked up some odds and ends over the last couple weeks.  I just sent off a mock-up of the fuel tank to Corey Conyers at Crown Custom in Wichita.  If you are a fan of metalworking, you know who he is. He was Tom Hanna's right hand man for years and is now producing some incredible work. His Jimmy Nix dragster and the Hoover ‘Fishbowl’ are stunning. I'm looking forward to his art being placed in the Hippo. Look him up at Crown Custom on Facebook and check out some of the pieces he creates.

Next installment will be a little more comprehensive.

 
Something I want to touch on here that will surely make the most badass in the group squirm, colonoscopy.  If you are over 50 or are having issues ‘down there’, get checked out.  Most insurance companies consider it screening so they often cover it.  I just had one at 52. Some of you may have been friends with, or recognize the name Cary Bacher from social media racing groups. We're coming up on a year since he’s been gone.  We lost him to inoperable colon cancer.  He somewhat documented his demise through treatment and ultimately hospice. His last post was days before he left us and he often advised us to get checked out.

The worst part of it is the prep, guys. In order for them to get a good look, you gotta make sure the road is clear. If you wanted to always be king, you'll get to spend a lot of time on the throne. The procedure, basically, they give you some oxygen, followed by the Michael Jackson nap juice. You get a great nap and about 45 minutes later you wake up none the wiser.  C'mon guys, it's tough enough keeping this thing we love going. Preventing a shortened existence through fear and ignorance of men's health issues and exams is just stupid.  Man up. If you’re over 40, get a PSA for your prostate too, no fingers involved, they just take a little blood. If you're over 50, get the colonoscopy.  We need as many of you around as we can get.

Me, I came through all my pokes and prods with flying colors, no cancer. Just a manageable case of type 2 diabetes I've had for about the last 6 or 7 years.  I was one of those who avoided the doctor like the plague. But at our age, when they start dropping all around us, a lot could have been avoided with a little maintenance.  Look, you change your oil and check the air in the

tires don’t you?

Till next month. . .be good to your mama. . .or else.

Eddie Buck

NOSTALGIA DRAG WORLD - By Eddie Buck