TDBach

All I can say is I truly pray for this country.  We have a lot of great people in the world, hard workers, our military, our truckers, ...people who work with their backs every day,  and I hope that people can move forward and cherish the things we have, and learn from the things we did.    I don't get offended easily, until someone attempts to force me to stop wearing a cross, or remove a cross from my grandfather's grave, or starts taking down WWII, Bataan, Vietnam, Korea, or other war memorabilia... and I fully understand that we have racism in this country, but we are all related to someone who fought for our freedoms at some point or another, and we need to embrace those things.   However, tread on what I have worked for in my life...and it's on.    My family is third generation immigrants from Norway and Germany, my great grandfather was the first to come to the U.S., on his side, and my family has not inherited anything, not rich, but worked hard to make a living.  As many others, I have never been "given" anything, except my Mack of course         I respect people's opinions, and will agree to disagree and remain friends...however, we live in a different world where everyone has the opportunity to make something great out of themselves...with a little elbow grease it can be done.  Do we still have discrimination?  Absolutely, we discriminate age, gender, race, culture, status, titles, demographic areas, family names, religious orientation etc.... we will never get rid of discrimination because we are human with tons of differences.    Punish at the time of the crime, and move forward... but I have no sympathy for those who truly can help themselves.  Now, on the other side of this, I worked in the education system a long time ago, and I got to go to an inner city school for internship...   My heart was broken.  The teachers, who were as nice as could be to me... were paying for books and materials out of their own pockets, because their school scores were not high enough to qualify for the government grant funding.   No child left behind my butt..... These poor kids were reading torn, outdated books, no classroom supplies,, very few art, music and physical education supplies, and in a dilapidated building in a high crime area; the kids could not go outside to play because of the drive-by shootings.   The little school provided a "poverty simulation" training for area teachers, and I grew up poor, but did not realize how much I had even being a poor farmer... these little kids, despite what they didn't have...were happy, energetic, and hopeful... hopeful.   If we don't get it together, our country will never advance no matter what color your skin is.   Many impoverished communities are "stuck"   the cycle of poverty is not broken until someone steps in and provides equal employment opportunities, better education resources for teachers...keeping in mind that people also have to help themselves.   But some are stuck so deep in this cycle of poverty that they lose hope, and end up going into survival mode just to stay alive.  Like the old country song "down on your luck"  ... sometimes folks need a little help to get back on their feet, but they have to want to get back up.    I understand that adults have the choice to better their lives...but these poor little kids, no matter their race, didn't have a choice...they are a direct reflection of a part of society that has failed.    So we have areas that are truly struggling because there are no resources for some things.   I can also tell you that my skin color did not matter to the teachers,  they did tell me to pray for them, and it broke my heart, to have to look to a higher power for things they need to change lives....   For the folks making waves in this country....As my grandpa used to say to us kids "you obviously don't have enough work to do because you are still complaining."    Maybe some just don't have enough to do?    Anyway,  this is a great group of folks on here,  and I think we all need a cup of good coffee, an old truck, and an old diner we can go to, just to sit and B.S.,  It would be great to meet ya'all  in person!         We still have a lot to learn...they call it "life" for a reason.    Keep on trucking my friends. 

**On a lighter note,  old Gus #9 will have the front clip assembled this weekend!  The windows are giving me a damn run for my money, and if anyone has any tips for getting the window channel and the window in place...please let me know...I am all ears!  I have to repaint the top part of the passenger door because I had a temper tantrum with the window channel and the class...yikes.... time to walk away from it for a day.... 44 days and counting until grandma gets to see old Gus#9!**  The local news paper is going to do a story on the old truck as well**  

Ms. Tracy D.

On 5/20/2017 at 9:49 PM, 41chevy said:

That's what happens in a liberal world.

I wonder how many of those people realize over 5000 blacks fought on the side of the CSA and 3200 were slave owners them selves. Quite a few are in the Sons of the Confederacy too.  War is dirty and the liberals don't want to know about that. In Vietnam I led over 100 Zippo raids on villages.In the 1973 War in the Sinai my unit left scorched earth on the way back including many Egyptians. There is a memorial to them  it is not offensive, it is part of history  Remember both sides have a right to honor, not just the "winner".

 

You are correct.. there were many plantation owners who were also black that had slaves in the south...many Africans who were slaves were sold by black tribal leaders from other countries... a sad world where people felt obligated to sell each other or force people into slavery...whites were also captured by natives and forced into slavery...just as Germans, Jews, Asians, Middle Easterns and other races...cultures...not just African Americans...the problem is children are not born hating other races, they are taught to hate by their elders.  Any veteran who fought regardless of race should be honored.. whether it was fighting for freedom...for the right to vote.. including women...or fighting to keep terrorism out of this country.  Veterans stand for the strength to stand up and fight for what they believed in...the strength and courage to create change...to make life better for their families.. a veteran was willing to sacrafice themselves for these things...that takes courage..honor and commitment.  Those who complain and bring no solutions..those who do not work or pay taxes..have no right to complain.  I'm angered by the hate boiling in this country...times have changed and we need to get it together.  Every single person in this country can make something of themselves with hard work and commitment...all races have proven that anyone of us can be successful with a little elbow grease...the problem is no one wants to work for anything anymore... give me...give me.. and only minor punishments for major crimes...no one learns the value of anything if they are given everything for free....We all bleed red.. we stop racism by simply stopping it...we stop teaching our children to hate.. and this country pulls together and maintains leadership in this world through the professionalism and strength of our men...our families..our military..and our government... removing a statue is not going to fix this country's problems... our problems are far greater.   Thank you for your service 41 chevy!!   

Respect to all no matter your gender...race...or culture, but remember respect is earned not given.  I've never been discriminated against as a woman working in a mans field because I work my ass off... I also don't put up with any crap, and I don't feel sorry for myself or blame others if I fail, because only I can change me...

if we are unable to learn from our past through the teachings of accurate history...then this country is in trouble. 

I'm not saying that slavery wasn't an issue... but it is history and we learn from the past.. or we should anyways...this country has to move forward or we are in trouble...therefore we treasure our history to ensure future generations are moving forward and become better... but that is not the case any more...respect is earned by how you represent yourself and treat others.. we should not demand respect.  Give way to the selfish.. entitled.. spoiled non working brats.. mooching has become a norm.. we are not supposed to have our parents take care of us in every mean forever.. instead we are supposed to take care of our parents.. frankly I'm glad it's farming season.. keeps the exposure to human BS to a minimum...I'd rather sit in a tractor for twelve hours a day than continue to watch the crap on the news.  It's like watching a third grade fight of "who broke my cookie.. I want a new cookie.. for free"  sickening.  Didn't the old Roman Empire end this way?  Oh wait.. they tried to abolish history and look where it got them!  

Pray for this country and our Veterans as idiots are removing statues of leaders of American history...what has this country become?  Do these folks not understand what it means to live in the land of the free...or home of the brave ?  Hang on to your history books... as it appears some are wiping it off the face of the earth... very sad.  

So I'm getting nervous as old Gus #9 will get her first mile test drive this weekend on her own after sitting over 40 years.  Emotions are running high as I dearly wish my great grandpa and grandpa could be here ... although I know they are watching.   I don't know what it is about old trucks but I feel like I have to save them all.. I'm going to buy the old 47 mack in mn to add to my own collection.. now that I kinda know what I'm doing!  I got a gooseneck trailer that I'm going to paint the same color as old Gus so she can haul my first tractor.. a 17-28 1928 twin city tractor to Rollag, Makoti, New Rockford and other threshing shows this summer.  She will be quite the sight!  Everyone keeps telling me to only drive Gus in parades but I'm stubborn.. I'll just leave a few days early for each show as her max speed is set at 45mph. Sometimes a slow speed on a wide open country road is what the soul needs!  Hopefully all goes well this weekend! 

I will post pictures and videos if we are successful!  We are having to rebuild the old brake booster so I hope all goes well! 

Ms Tracy D 

We are on the countdown!  We only have 9 weekends left until grandma gets to see old Gus rolling down the driveway on her own!  We only have a few items left to finish before her first test drive: 

Mount Charge-Air Cooler and Trans oil cooler, 
Throttle and Linkage
Brake Booster reassembly and test (This is a challenge)
Wiring
Paint fenders, hood, and grill after final test fit

Interior is finished!  Trimmed in leather and old twine string.  

What a journey!  

Ms. Tracy D. 

Great replies!  I truly miss my grandpa and those of his era.  Men and women fought back then for their country, were wounded, or died fighting for what they believed in.. They came home, went back to work and never complained. Women took care of the families and supported the man of the house... it used to be an honor for a woman to have a husband she took care of.. children and a home.  Now women consider this appalling... shame on them.  I am a woman and I will say it.  I'm 37 years old ... and thankful for being raised on a farm.  The reason families are falling apart is because people do not have values anymore.  I find it horribly sad that today.. when someone's dad or grandpa.. grandma or mom passes away their cherished belongings such as old tractors, trucks etc are sold off.  Family heirlooms are rarely kept anymore.  I understand needing money..however the value of preserving family history is disappearing.  We fail to acknowledge the hard working class.. farmers.. truck drivers.. construction, mechanics etc. The people who build and haul necessities.  What happened to sitting by the radio listening to ball games with dad or grandpa.. or the family sitting at the table together.. small houses, no electronics.. and going to church on Sundays...and kids actually going outside to play and use their imaginations.  Holding doors for elderly or people in general...how do you change society?  So if you are a veteran.. a housewife.. a truck driver...a mechanic.. a grandpa..a mom..a dad..a construction worker...equipment operator.. a welder.. a grandma.. an electrician.. or you work in a job that requires use of your back, hands, and busting your ass ... THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!! There are still folks out here who respect you! 

28 minutes ago, BillyT said:

Pretty damn eloquent statement from a self professed "farm girl" TD, I'm in awe!

 

I'm a farm girl and can cuss cattle with the best, but I was also taught to be a lady.  I ticked off a bunch of the women protesters here because one of them sat down at my table at a local event and said "why aren't you up there with us?"  My reply... Ma'am you need to get the hell away from my table... I've worked for everything I have and I am treated fair because I work... I don't complain about what I don't have and I don't expect people to give me what I need just because I'm a woman... I earn it.. where I come from women still raise their kids... drive tractors...cook for their husbands.. and help with farm chores". Needless to say she gave me a few choice words.. blah blah..  I wonder what this country is going to be like in five or ten years.  Awful.  This era is scary. Those women avoid me like the plague... 

So I read an article of an immigrant girl spouting off on how she gets a college education for free yet paid only 300.00 in taxes and she's illegal...living in the US

I was always taught that you never discuss politics and religion with folks yet always be respectful .  However I am angry. 

I was raised by a traditional grandmother and grandfather on a farm. We were taught to work as hard as you can for as long as you can.. never talk back to your elders, respect is earned and not given, and nothing is free.  I paid for my entire education with the help of student loans because my family was poor... I did my time in the military because my grandpa said it was my duty as a citizen to serve this country.  I was taught by my grandmother to take care of your man, wash clothes..cook and clean and take pride in your house,home and family.  I was taught that I could be anything I wanted to be, but you have to work hard to get there... man or woman.  I'm deeply saddened and angry that illegals get education and services for free.. yet my taxes are so high in a state I was born and raised in, that I can't afford to live there! And it is one of the highest social welfare states in the country! (Highest number of people on social welfare).  What happened to this country? Morals? Values? Taking care of our men? Why is taking care of my man considered degrading by young women today?  What the heck has happened?  I'm not a racist, yet I'm labeled one because I'm white..and also told that I cannot wear a cross necklace to work, because it might offend someone.   I'm deeply saddened by what is happening in this country.  I am a hard working woman, I'll take pride in my man, family and home, I'll wear a cross my grandpa gave me, and I'll fly the flag he fought for!  If that makes me a weak woman.. so be it. I'll stick to my old trucks and my farm at least cow crap is exactly what it is... cow crap!  I'd rather work for things I have and need.. there's more pride in earning it than getting everything for free.

sorry for the rant, but this country needs serious help. 

The Irony in this old truck: (My family is stunned..that's all I can say).  

Ready for this: 

#1: Gus was originally parked in the woods in September of 1971 for good (or so we thought).  Exact date unknown, but September is the 9th month, and Gus's fleet number was #9. I was born 8 years later...7(1+8) = 7(9)   (Grandma's math ha!)  (Gus is 71 years old this year).  

#2. Gus was removed from the woods on August 14th, 2014 and my grandpa came back from WWII on August 14th in 1946 (arrived in CA).
#3. My great uncle's name was "Robert" and his birthday was August 13th
#4. My birthday was also August 13th
#5. We heard Gus try to start on August 13th 2016 and Gus left for North Dakota for restoration on August 14th 2016
#6. I met my "Robert" on July 15th 2016....The Waubun parade is July 15th 2017...the day we are presenting Gus to grandma.    
#7. The Mack sits exactly 46 miles from the place where she was originally purchased for my great grandpa's fleet. 
#8. The tow truck that hauled Gus out of the woods: The last four digits of the towing company's phone number was "1946" Gus is a 1946
#9. I moved to ND in September for a new job: Start date was September 13th 2016......  9/13/16   (Gus was parked in September...and the number 13 keeps coming up!). 

#10. I changed my phone number after I moved to ND, and the first digits of my phone number are 337-67....If you look at the picture of the cab after we started restoration the numbers on the back of the cab say: EGX 3376....ironic?    The cab was broken down in December...my number was changed in September!  

#11.  My great grandpa August (Gus) was born on January 9th....1/9    In the Mack Fleet Picture...my grandpa drove truck #1 and Gus's number is 9....
#12. My grandma's birthday is also Jan 9th  1/9
#13.  After we brought the Mack out to ND, I stopped to get gas at a Cenex in Devil's Lake, and found a penny....the year was 1980....the year my Robert was born.  I kept it! 
#14.  We could not find the key to the Mack's original ignition...so we went to the hardware store in Garrison, and found a key that would  somewhat fit...there were only 9 of those keys left...so Robert didn't want to jinx anything and bought the entire set.  Robert was able to key the first one on the first try =1/9. 
#15.  My grandpa died November 1st 2009     11/1/2009
#16.  My great grandpa Arnold (his dad) was born on November 1st   (All public record!). 

So as my grandma sits and comes up with the ironic nature of old Gus...it often makes a person wonder if it was meant to be....thoughts?  

Tracy  

1 hour ago, 41chevy said:

So does my wife! When we were still in high school she would be right with me working on my car, 50 years later she still helps on m projects. I would like to see the faces on your co workers when you bring it to work! Keep up the fantastic work!   Paul

That is awesome that your wife helps out!  There are not many of us garage-women out there anymoreI  And I cannot wait to take it on its first test drive!  I am so glad we are putting in a temporary diesel in this truck!  I know how to drive a clutch....but a double-clutch...I am going to need a hockey helmet and a life vest for when I kill it and slam my head into the steering wheel!  Ha!  Thank god for lots of flat land in ND...I have all kinds of space to practice when we put the old EN330 back in it!     Truck on!  

More pictures....We need to just move into the shop!  I know this truck forwards, backward, and inside out, right down to remembering which bolts go where...I now completely understand why my grandpa invented cuss words when working on these old trucks...they will give you a damn run for your money right down to the last cent!   I think the other women in the office avoid me...I hear "she welds...she works on trucks...she has grease in her nails.."  Ha!   I think it's funny.  

Less drama in a shop...  

Tracy