Every once in a while, I write something that isn’t deliberately controversial or discussion-provoking. If you head over to Road&Track today, you can read my farewell to my old helmet. But don’t worry. Next week’s article is called, “Remember, Everybody, Hillary Clinton Had Vince Foster Murdered And The NYT Congratulated Her For It.”
Well written Sir .
I gave my old Porsche 356 to my Son along with any other of my vehicles he wanted .
The rest he can keep or burn as sits him , old man’s things might not interest him .
-Nate
Great piece, Jack.
Really wish I had something more of my dad’s, especially something I could pass down to my own kids. All I really have of his are a bunch of old Craftsman tools from the pre-Chinese era.
“All I really have of his are a bunch of old Craftsman tools from the pre-Chinese era.”
That is pretty awesome.
Good to hear some one understands this .
I too have Sears Craftsman tools dating back to the 1950’s , I always got flack from the guys who had only the newest toys sold off the tool truck .
‘ crapsman ‘ etc. .
I wasn’t aware they’re now made in China , many of mine were made by Miler Tools ,a very good outfit indeed .
In the late 1970’s they tried Japanese screwdrivers , they were awful and all wore out very quickly , good thing for the lifetime guarantee .
I think it wise to ask your Children what they want and remember it .
-Nate
I’ve had some great Craftsman tools over the years. I was also always impressed with the Park tools for bikes.
A+ Jack.
I love it when you go to this well (it literally can’t be often or deep enough).
You have a special way of touching upon this subject matter, and bringing important points about quality “things” connected to life to the forefront of the minds of your audience.
The Porsche Watery Big Bang/Hublot essay was another one that effectively pulled this feat off.
I’ll be looking forward to next weeks article. I actually mentioned it in a paper I wrote in college. The professor gave me a D.
Great work.
I enjoyed that from start to finish, and found myself wondering what odd flotsam of my life I’ll want to leave my son. Your writing is really, really fun to read when politics and gender don’t distract from it.
Jack’s writing is especially tantalizing when politics, sex and salacious insinuation combine to vigorously, spurt like frothing, luminescent crimson from a severed artery. Therefore, the helmet article was… kinda boring, and the contrived ending, teetering on the mawkish.
I just sold my E90 328i sport yesterday and it made me quite sad. I was hoping it would be the car I would teach my son how to drive in, one of those “They just don’t build them like this anymore” kind of things. But there will be other cars in the intervening 15-16 years and there probably won’t be room for drivers cars on the automated highways of the future. It bummed me out, let me tell you.
My maternal grandfather was the only anchor in my scary childhood. Although he lived over 1200 miles away, and really had no idea of the physical and mental abuse I went through daily, his love was always a bulwark against a lousy world.
Every week, he wrote me a two page letter in which he enclosed two crisp dollar bills. When my father passed out on a Saturday afternoon, those two dollars would let me walk to the local theater, and they paid for a double feature, popcorn, candy and a Coke.
When he retired after working 35 years for RCA Victor, he got the proverbial gold watch. I had it cleaned and refurbished and gave it to my older son when he graduated. I have never seen it on his wrist, but it comforts me knowing he has it.
I have given away my Great Aunt Ruby’s diamond and sapphire bracelet and ring to my older daughter-in-law, and my younger daughter-in-law wears Great Grandmother’s wedding and engagement rings. My hope is everyone will feel loved when they see these tokens.
Strangely enough, I have one piece I will never give away. It is a sterling silver man’s bracelet engraved with a WWII service number. It was smashed beyond repair in the Aleutians…just like the man who wore it. But I loved him anyway,
She did.