charlie8575

Missing Link now has one for sale, and it's very nice. Charlie Larkin

Be thankful. As odd as it might sound, I'm quite serious. Your mother, as difficult as it might be for her to speak about, and you to listen to, is saving you a huge amount of headache in the short and long-run. I can't even get my parents to have any serious conversations about anything like this, and as they get older, I start to wonder what will or won't happen when the time comes. My mother isn't in much better health than yours, and she categorically will not discuss anything, nor will my father, and neither of them will put anything in writing, so between the two of them, whichever one goes first is leaving the other with a nightmare, and when they're both gone, I'll be in a real bind. These conversations are difficult and can be contentious, but they need to happen. I offer these suggestions. 1. As Andy said, get everything written down as to her wishes. 2. Determine if pre-need arrangements have been made. 3. Have a medical proxy, homestead declaration and living will ready to go. Most lawyers will do these for free or very, very inexpensively (generally no more than about $15-20 in this area.) 4. If the probate courts in Alabama are as much of a mess as they are here, make absolutely certain a will is present, or you could end up losing anything of value, including family heirlooms, photos, cash/stock/commodity accounts, and any real estate. A simple will is usually $100-200, plus probate filing fees, which vary from state to state. But it's money very well spent. 5. Make sure you know where all the accounts, holdings, etc. are. Beyond that, it's okay to be scared for yourself, her, or both of you. It's human nature to be concerned. But, don't let that worry monopolize your mind or take away from whatever time might be left. Enjoy it as much as possible. She'll be more at peace, and so will you. Hang in there. We're all behind you. Charlie Larkin

Beautiful job, Jay. If you have the opportunity sometime, stop up at MassCar. We meet third the Wednesday at 7:00-ish at Porter & Chester Institute on the Canton/Stoughton line right off of Rt. 139. Turn right at the Cumberland Farms onto Turnpike St. and follow it down about two miles, we're above the auto shop. Charlie Larkin

Thanks, I like the way I think, too. :lo: When I said a modest house, this is what I had in mind. I love the style. http://www.antiquehome.org/House-Plans/1920-Harris/M1000.htm It would fit in well in WMass, too. Might raise the roof a little bit to get a little better snow leverage, though. Having seen a few of my friends' marriages go wrong and some of the little monsters they ended up with, I'm well aware of that. Remember, also, that I spent most of 2001-10 teaching, so I know what you can get. That said, I do think it's part of the human experience I'd like to have, it just seems that the cards haven't shuffled quite right as of yet. Charlie Larkin

You can keep that, Craig. I've had enough cold for the next 6 months! Charlie Larkin

It's very true, Harry. My other grandmother passed in 1995 at 89. She lived semi-engaged in science and technology because of my father, who's been an engineer his whole career and my great-grandfather, who was a carpenter. One of my great-uncles was a doctor and another was an engineer, too, so she understood what these advances meant. Up until she died, though, she still had a little trouble using things more complicated than say, a rotary-knob TV, with a couple of exceptions during her working life. When Nana first saw a "smart" phone a couple of years ago my cousin has, although her eyes were starting to go (she's legally blind now,) she was wondering how something that small could do so much. Dad has worked in computers since the early 1970s, and worked with them his entire career before that as a jet engine test engineer at Lycoming, and he tried to explain to her how they compared to Univac, a thing she could understand- and there was none. It amazed her that something that small could hold her little record collection, take halfway-decent pictures, allow you to talk to people and find stuff all over the globe. She's been astounded by what her doctors can do, too. As have we all. And she's still shocked at how bad most hospital food still is despite all these other advances. She gave the nurse an earful earlier. Charlie Larkin

She's Armenian- we're not that far off from each other, Wayne. One thing about the vast bulk of my family- my mother's side, and the old Yankees on Dad's- any sincerely-given well-wishes are always accepted with appreciation and gratitude, regardless of the language or creed they come in. I'm sure this is no different. Charlie Larkin

Nice. Do you have any WIP photos? Charlie Larkin

And it appears to have worked again. Nana went in for surgery this morning, and it appears to have been a success. We'll know more in about a day or two. Charlie Larkin

It would be so funny if it wasn't true. Who am I kidding, it's hillarious! Thanks. I really needed a good laugh today. Charlie Larkin

Nice build, Bruce. I agree and disagree about WWWs vs. BWs, yeah, they get a little over-done, but they do look good when used right. That said, the basic character of that car fits blackwall tires quite well. Charlie Larkin

Good job on that. What did you use to start with? Charlie Larkin

Looking forward to more pictures. Nice job. Charlie Larkin

About the only thing I could spot as off was the interior color. Fury Is had blue, tan or red interiors. That's besides the point, though. Very nice build on this, and great tip for the guitar strings. Charlie Larkin

Neat. That should at least get turned into a resin model. I'd be in for one or two just for something different. Charlie Larkin

It's an interesting question, that's for sure. Very few people would know what's going on. I have a few friends who are attorneys, and if I hit it big enough, I'd probably hire one of them to be his only client. He would go to the Lottery Commission, keep my name out of it, and nobody would be any the wiser, as in Massachusetts, your lawyer can represent you and keep your name hidden from the public completely in the event of a lottery win. I'd have the lawyer draw up some trust documents and help me administer a few sizable gifts to some charities, a few educational organizations I believe in, and the little church I go to once in awhile that's really struggling financially. I'd also set up a couple of charitable/educational foundations and open at least one tuition-free grammar/junior-senior high school that works on a model I developed. I'd then hire several of my friends who are teachers away from the sinkhole of public education and let them work in a place where they'll be respected and have academic freedom. I have no children, no wife, and I don't see that changing, mainly because it's kinda tough for me to get dates for whatever reason. So, I'd take care of my cousins' kids/step-kids and the children a few of my friends have. I would buy a house for one of my cousins and his family, and several friends who need to be in better places than they are now, at least physically. My parents would watch all their debt magically disappear, largely by me buying the house so it doesn't become too much of a tax issue. The house would then be leveled, a new one built and the property sold. I would purchase a new house closer to Boston for my folks so they "go home," as they want to do. I'd base myself in the Berkshires or Franklin County, allowing my return to WMass with a small, but nice house, and a couple of big outbuildings for storage, workshops and a small car collection. I'd keep at least a small condo somewhere in the EMass area codes for when I needed/wanted to spend time in the area. Probably pick up something in a warmer area for an escape hatch in the winter, too, and maybe a little something on the Cape for Mom and Dad, and Maine or northern New Hampshire for me. All property would be in a real estate trust to protect it. I'd hire my cousin (certified professional bookkeeper and tax preparer) almost full-time to run the finances. Ronald Reagan once said something to the effect of "in my opinion, the best welfare is a good-paying job." Following that lead, between the NFPs, and some other businesses I would like to start (some small local places, and fully ramp up the model company I have a plan for and am working on,) I would seriously find ways to help start returning manufacturing of consumer and industrial goods to this nation to help create the good-paying jobs we need. No, not the sexy, trendy industries, but the basics- textiles, clothing, tools, power tools, and so on. Although I'd oversee things, I'd probably hire managers with a similar vision to run the businesses more actively. This would leave me free to pursue my interests, do the little bit of travel I want to do, and volunteer at places like the Shriner's Hospitals. As for me, other than maybe a 300-C and a new pickup, nobody would really notice any difference. I like it quiet, and I'd keep it that way. Charlie Larkin

Has anyone built one of these and posted it? I'm curious to see how they look together. Charlie Larkin

Always good to see another youngster amongst our numbers. Welcome, Jake. Charlie Larkin

If you can get them, Rob, I also recommend the 100W equivalent (uses about 70W) Sylvania Halogens. They have no noticeable difference in light quality and cost a few pennies less to run. Charlie Larkin

I believe Clifford has some parts for it, and I know at least one of the cam manufacturers have a warmed-up cam for it, too. It'll be cool to see something a bit different on the roads. Charlie Larkin

John, I still shoot a lot of film, and I actually prefer it. All of my NNL-East pictures were shot with my Olympus IS-2 and Fujifilm Superia 400 and a roll of Kodak Gold I had on hand. http://s112.photobucket.com/user/charlie8575/library/NNL%20East%202014?sort=3&page=1 I take my film to CVS (usually) or Walgreen's and have them develop it and put it on CDs, which saves space over the prints, too. They have one-hour processing at both the stores I use, largely because of a very brisk disposable camera business at both of them. Worst case, CVS does still have next-day (or so) developing, Walgreen's usually has a 1-week turnaround. I don't know how close you are to LA (sounds like a bit of a ride from your part of the world, but there are plenty of professional camera stores that still have 1-hour/next day developing as a lot of pros still use film for certain jobs (either request or things digital photos don't do well.) You might also be able to find a camera shop a little closer to you with those services, too. Charlie Larkin

In late February, my grandmother, at the age of 102, fell and broke her hip while trying to unzip her robe. She lost her balance and went over. This, of course, after my mother and my aunt telling her for quite some time to sit down while doing that. Not with her stubbornness....one of the reasons she's lived as long as she has. At any rate, Nana was taken right over to Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston and received an emergency hip operation and pin that following morning. The doctor was amazed at her overall physical health, and said she should be okay in the next 2-3 months, reasonable given her age. After a couple of months, it was discovered that the pin didn't seat quite right this morning when we were finding a short leg and Nana's recovery not going right relative to the rest of her health. The answer is a total hip replacement. At 102. That they're able to do this safely on someone her age attests to how much better medicine is. Now, of course, it would've been best if the original pinning had worked, but we'll take the best possible outcome we can get. The best part? Although my aunt and my mother will be splitting duty up during the full recovery and after, as she can't see too well anymore, she's still expected to be able to go home. Even twenty years ago, this would've been very difficult. It amazes me that it's happening even now. Charlie Larkin

Well said, Austin. I spent most of Sunday with my mother and grandmother. Charlie Larkin

If it's real US/Canada-based service, if I ever get a house with a garage, Genie goes on the list of components. Then again, considering I'm planning on building a fairly authentic reproduction bungalow (I know....shocking,) the garage may have hinged swing-outs. So if Genie makes those, I'm all set. Charlie Larkin

Everything Gabe said. You can get a decent starter airbrush, like a Badger 250 (the little plastic spray gun) or a Paasche H for fairly short money. Harbror Freight and several other stores have not terribly-expensive full-size compressors that can be dialed down to the 20-25 PSI you need. Check Craigslist for used airbrushes, too. You can save a bundle. I like MCW because I prefer lacquer, but Jameston at Scale Finishes does make a very good product, I've used his paint, too. Charlie Larkin