A fact of life that is occurring right now is that we know when we open our mail box that there will be catalogs in it. They have everything you want, had no idea you wanted, and many you know that you don’t want. We receive them by the score. I guess that they are good for recycling, but then I always wonder if they are recycled into more catalogs. I can recall when the advent of PC’s and the internet would obviate the need for paper and millions of trees would be saved from obliteration.
Some have I guess as we have a granddaughter who is moving to Brooklyn with her husband and kids and there is a tree right there! Yep, a tree grows in Brooklyn!
Many firms not only send you paper catalogs, but also Internet catalogs, too. A good example is a seller of men’s golf shirts and shorts. Now these are not just any old shirts and shorts. If you were to wear most of their selection, you would stand out in any crowd. In fact, you would not believe how much you would stand out. Despite that, we have a good friend who wears them to church. Folks cover their eyes when he enters until they get used to them. As I am married to The Blonde in the House, I am restricted to a few shorts they have that are solid – but bright. I have one bright blue short and a shirt that is fairly subdued, but I am careful where I wear them.
There was another catalog which contained various items that you could buy related to the long-gone Studebaker automobiles. The first car I bought was a used 1941 Studebaker. The body was great; the insides were problematic, especially the timing gear. I bought it from a junkyard dealer and he fixed several items, but I didn’t have the funds for the timing gear. I was driving home from Philadelphia to my home in Western Pennsylvania for Christmas. We were on the PA turnpike, and I said to my friend, “Hey, look I just passed a Caddy”. The words were no sooner out of my mouth than the window wipers flew up and the car had no power. We were late getting home.
Luckily, by the time I met a young blonde lady, I had upgraded to a used 1949 Ford. One winter night I was headed home from seeing her, and started down a slippery hill. As I was going down, there was a semi coming up my side of the road. Naturally, I couldn’t stop. Luckily, I was able to make a turn to the right when he clipped me – and kept on going. I received a good clip in the front, but he didn’t break through the radiator and the engine was undamaged. I drove the car for a month or so in its attractive condition. Then I was coming home again and entered the famous Y bridge in Zanesville, Ohio. You go half way across this bridge and it splits two ways. After the split, I got hit again this time damaging the radiator. I had to junk it. The motor was great so I got some money for that which was something. After all that I decided the best thing to do was marry the girl. I hasten to say that was not the only reason. There were some better ones, I can assure you.
There are as I mentioned lots of things that you can buy in catalogs. However, a lifelong wife and companion, who gives you great kids, and who is always by your side is not one of them.
Yes indeed, I would go down many slippery hills for The Blonde in the House!
Barry Evans is a columnist for Villages-News.com.