Relics From The Past June 20, 2016, 12:42:30 pm Hi Folks,Now this is just for fun. What things do you have that you carry, own, or rembember from some time in your life that have a special meaning to you?I'll start. I was born in 1953. As far back as I can rembember, my family would travel to my Grandparent's house on Lake Martinez outside of Yuma, Arizona. My Grandmother had a knack for creating things out of silver. When I was 13, she presented me with a silver ring. It was made of three bands with a snaking band of silver that curved around on top. I worn it as a pinky ring for decades. It eventually wore too much and I now (and always will) carry it on my house keys. The snaking silver band has disappeared and it has a break at one spot, but it's mine and very dear to me.Here's a shot of it.Got anything you'd like to share?Kent 3 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #1 – June 20, 2016, 07:34:29 pm Good idea for a topic, Kent! Here's my contribution.Atop a small three-drawer storage unit on the left side of my desk sit two artifacts that are special to me. One is a hand-carved toy glyptodont with bobbing head and tail. This critter is extinct now, but if you imagine an armadillo the size of a VW Beetle, you'll have the general idea.The model was carved by my father, a paleontologist, three years before I was born. As a child visiting his laboratory, I always loved its cute half-grin and goofy bobbing head. When my father died a few years ago, there wasn't much of his that I could take with me in a 27' motorhome... but this funny little model of a very large extinct mammal reminds me of him and makes me smile.The other item on top of that storage unit is a plastic flowerpot with bright yellow fake flowers. When I press a button on the side, the flowers play the instrumental from the Rivieras' 1964 hit "California Sun," while bobbing and twirling—a silly performance that always delights me. They're a gift from my late friend Gretchen Leahy, who in addition to being one of the smartest people I've known, had a whimsical sense of humor. (You folks from the Northeastern LD Club may remember Gretchen as the "honorary Lazy Dazer" who attended the group's first few get-togethers with me.) These two small pieces remind me of people who were dear to me, and who travel in my heart always. 6 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #2 – June 20, 2016, 08:14:30 pm Andy,Thanks for sharing. Your little companion is uterly adorable. Kent
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #3 – June 21, 2016, 06:04:46 am We haven't placed any relics in our LD so far. However, DW has a collection of relics from her family and friends. It's somewhat amazing and even amusing to me that DW can remember the stories behind each one! The same goes for her collection of special Christmas decorations for the tree. She knows the who, when, where, and why of all those treasures. Btw, my best treasure are my father's pilot wings from WWII. 1 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #4 – June 22, 2016, 08:32:02 pm A silver button from my late husband's Fire Department dress uniform! I put it on my ring of keys (for the LD) and each time before I leave on a long-distance journey, I give it a kiss and pray for safe travels....knowing this item makes me feel like my husband is with me sharing the journeys we had hoped to have together. Very special! M. Claesson '03 RB LD 5 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #5 – June 23, 2016, 03:29:22 am Often we carry with us memories and mementos that keep us close to our loved ones. Special occasions, cherished moments, times gone by that we hold dear to our hearts. Comforting our spirit as we travel and traverse this life. Never quite the solo traveler. I always carry a bit of hope. It takes up so little room and always fills my heart.Kent 5 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #7 – June 23, 2016, 10:21:55 am My paternal grandfather was a writer, and left the city for a cabin he built in the woods of New Jersey. He wrote a poem about how city folk just couldn't understand why he chose peace and solitude of a remote location over the bustle of society. My father printed and framed it for us when we bought our '83, and the sentiment it expresses so perfectly fits our traveling home. In 23 years of two LD's, that framed poem is still the spirit of our travels... 5 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #8 – June 25, 2016, 04:29:41 pm Well, the item I'm thinking of and which now serves to hold my BBQ equipment rides in an outside bay in my 30'IB (and previous vehicles as well).It is a plastic box or container, similar to the old milk carriers, which was issued by a company called "The Pop Shoppe", long long ago. I used to patronize them for refills whenever I ran out. They've been out of business for years but the container puts a smile on my face every time I see it.Steve S.Lazy Bones & Cedar 2 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #9 – June 25, 2016, 06:44:28 pm While I got rid of most of my woodworking stuff when I started fulltiming, I kept my chisels and two of my planes. I couldn't bear to part with them.Ken F in OR 2 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #10 – June 25, 2016, 07:34:04 pm I'm pretty sure that the only "relic" in my rig is me! 11 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #11 – June 26, 2016, 08:43:45 pm Mounted above our LD's windshield is a 1950's altimeter that my Dad had in all his cars. 1 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #12 – June 26, 2016, 09:13:01 pm Very nice. My grandfather had a couple of cool items on his old Willies. One was a small compass. The other item that I thought was really special was a knob that mounted to the steering wheel.He would just latch onto that knob and spin the wheel. I always thought that was very clever. Wonder if they still make them.Probably not a good thing to use on the LD steering wheel, though.Kent
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #13 – June 26, 2016, 10:12:35 pm Used to see those steering wheel knobs on old cars prior to power steering. My grandfather had a stroke in his 50's and could still drive (barely) using his knob. Power steering was a great invention.
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #14 – June 27, 2016, 03:44:41 am Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - June 26, 2016, 09:13:01 pm The other item that I thought was really special was a knob that mounted to the steering wheel.He would just latch onto that knob and spin the wheel. I always thought that was very clever. Wonder if they still make them.Probably not a good thing to use on the LD steering wheel, though.They are called call suicide knobs, brodie knobs or spinners. They were popular when cars had manual steering that required multiple tuns of the steering wheel to make a shape turn. You still see them used on forklifts.There are not needed with power steering, as the turns, lock to lock, are much less than manual steering boxes.Suicide Knob - Steering Wheel KnobsThey can get in the way during panic maneuvers and can kickback, if a front wheel hits a large rock or rut, a great way of breaking your thumb.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #15 – June 27, 2016, 09:26:56 am Brodie knobs were the epitome of "cool" when I was in high school; every guy with a car clamped one on the steering wheel. The knobs served mainly for one of two purposes: "spinning Brodies" in the high school parking lot and on the beach on Friday nights or "three-finger" steering, elbow on the window sill, when the other arm was draped over the shoulders of the girl next to him. Want one? Suicide and Brody Knobs « American Shifter 2 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #16 – June 27, 2016, 06:38:31 pm Appears that the Brodie Knob was the true all purpose tool of its day...one that actually worked.This information puts my dear ol' Grampa in an entirely new light. It makes me wonder what he was really up to back in the day. Was he cascading down a rugged desert road or hunting for a place to romance Gram? That ol' scaly wag. No wonder I admired him so much.Kent 1 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #17 – June 28, 2016, 03:03:54 pm Re: steering knobs--There's one on my dad's Ford 4000SU tractor that I use out at the farm--I keep forgetting to take a hacksaw out there...the screw that comes through the underneath side where it clamps on the wheel is too long & has gigged various parts of me several times. I've also got one the previous owner put on the Baby Deere (X324) with 4 wheel steer & hydrostatic transmission (gee, just saying "4 wheel steer & hydrostatic transmission" makes me think I'm cool ); I really like to use that one as I sail over my urban pasture & spin to go the other way. This discussion has prompted me to figure out how to put my dad's horn on LDy Lulubelle--he had a wire under the shroud that covers the inside front of the car (below the dash, where the headlight buttons/etc. are), & when he pulled it, it "mooed"--he used it to call the cattle in out at the farm; he also liked to turn out the headlights & slip up behind a car with steamy windows in the city park & laugh uproariously when the heads popped up after he "mooed" them. 2 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #18 – June 28, 2016, 03:20:17 pm >Jerry< I saw your "Like" in my mentions, but couldn't find an email for a private message. My dad was a >Jerry,< shortened from Gerald. He would have loved these sort of impromptu connections on a forum like this. Have a wonderful Tuesday! 1 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #19 – June 29, 2016, 12:16:10 am Quote from: Lynne Broyles-Greenwood - June 28, 2016, 03:20:17 pm>Jerry< I saw your "Like" in my mentions, but couldn't find an email for a private message. My dad was a >Jerry,< shortened from Gerald. He would have loved these sort of impromptu connections on a forum like this. Have a wonderful Tuesday! Lynne, I too am a 'Gerald' (with a 'G') and 'Jerry' (with a 'J') 2 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #20 – July 03, 2016, 02:21:26 pm Oh my...After all these years. As I was about to walk across the street a few minutes ago, a Super Tow Truck turned the corner and I noticed how easily he spun the steering wheel with ONE HAND. I quickly thought about what we had talked about last week and I caught a glimpse of a Bright & Shinny Brodie Knob in the drivers grasp.Nicely done, I thought. They are still going strong on the streets and on the farm.Kent
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #21 – July 04, 2016, 02:27:28 am I just realized I carry quite a few relics along in our rig. They are daily use items, so I don't think of them as totems or relics. They are items given to me by my mom as she cleaned out some of her house. They were from my parents' rig, a '70's era 22' Starcraft Dodge class A. Also some may date back to the old Nimrod folding camper pulled behind a '62 Mercury when I was just small! A hideous orange print picnic tablecloth of my mother's, and home made clips to keep it in place in the wind.Reels for storing cords.Kitchen utensils.A hand painted sign to place in the campsite when the coach is gone Probably other things I forget until I use them.In all cases I think of mom and dad whenever we use them, ie on a daily basis. We sure had good times camping, as did my wife and her family, though her relics remain somewhere back in the old country. Many nice conversations ensue when we use these old things. 3 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #22 – July 11, 2016, 05:15:17 am My folks loved to camp. We didn't go often and I really don't have anything in my possession that they ever handed down to me that I can physically cherish, but I do remember one thing that reminds me of both of them. And I do really, really cherish this memory.When I was about five years old, we had an old tin lined wooden ice box. It was maybe 2 1/2 foot square with a heavy lid that was, too me, very hard to lift.We took it to Sequoia to hold all our food. Eggs, bacon, milk...all the essential items a growing family needed. We were camped above a river that had a great log that layed across its edge from one bank to the other. I remember the log destinctly because my Dad and his 3 big boys walked proudly across it bank to bank. My older sister, on the other hand, not so proudly crawled across (well almost). This is most likely why I remember this tale.Upon waking the next morning, we went to that old relic of an ice box and found it lying at the bottom of the bank with its stock of goods spread in every direction. Most likely the result of some pesky Yogi. The ice box survived. We lugged it back up the bank and it spent the rest of its days tucked away in our garage to slowly become a long faded memory of my past. A true relic that brings back those few days spent with my family in the great outdoors.Kent 4 Likes
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #23 – September 30, 2016, 10:02:31 pm Well now. I just read Paul's addition to another thread and it reminded me of another relic from the past that I carry in our LD.Tucked away quite happily in the overhead is the most comfortable sleeping bag that I have ever owned.It's a rich blue nylon mummy bag that is rated to 15 degrees below zero. It's baffles are filled with the most spectacular Prime Northern European Goose Down that was available at the time (1971).It's seen the best part of many beautiful backpacking adventures in the High Sierras. When I first was able to drive, I literally hit the hills. My bag was there with me all the way. Now my bags subzero rating made it really too warm for mild weather, but I didn't care. I bought it with my own money and it was sooo dang soft. My down jacket was nice too, but it's long since been cast aside. Not my bag though. It should last forever. Could make a nice liner when the time comes.For now, on super chilly winter nights in the LD it rightfully takes its place between the cab and the coach as if to say, "Back off! I'm Subzero and I'm here to serve and protect".Makes me wanna just cuddle up with it, but I suppose I'd better turn on the AC. 🌨Kent
Re: Relics From The Past Reply #24 – September 30, 2016, 10:27:56 pm I have two down bags. One purchased used in the early 70s and the other in the early 90s. No food is allowed near them just in case they are in a tent again. I dream good because of the memories and the smells of campfires past when under them. 2 Likes
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