Mornin'

I remember my 20's, vaguely... I was confused. I was energetic. I was very ignorant to the ways of the big city having come from the small town of Oscoda. However, I did know a little about the alcohol. Many years later I've calmed my ways a lot. One could say that I'm basically docile living in a quiet domicile dealing with life's daily drudgery. So I was definitely amused as well as slightly disgusted when I stepped out of my house and was confused at what was across the way.

Then upon closer inspection it was confirmed that the birds and the bees keep trying and trying. The tenacity of young pups could line up to be something to be admired. Yet, I wonder as I go back through my fuzzy memories, how in the hell did these two end up passed out on the front lawn. Oh, I giggle at the all familiar dichotomy of man's pants around his ankles and woman fully clothed. Yep, I remember my 20's, vaguely...

1930 | Ford | Model A

As the Communist Party spreads through Vietnam and Panama, in the United States of America Hostess invented the Twinkie. And Mahatma Gandhi informs the British viceroy of India that a change is to come. Henry Ford finally realizes that he has to let others take the reigns to push the Ford Motor Company forward from T to A.

Masking tape is invented. And soon people will begin to know what The Shadow knows as people gather around their radio.

All adult Turkish women are given the right to vote in elections. 1930 saw the beginning of the what is said to be the longest, most widespread, and deepest depression of the 20th century.

General Motors was able to replicate Ford's factory features and begins to build cars that more aesthetically pleasing to consumers.

And sometimes you get hungry, drive to a silvery building that is trimmed in neon. A diner shining brightly under the shimmering sun. In the parking lot by happenstance is another nugget of what was.

A visual spectacle that is able to whet my intellect as I wonder. However, I don't linger long for my appetite reminds me that I am hungry now.

Chevrolet No More

Lansing, Michigan has a long car history. I'm not a historian. I just travel along in my automobile trying to do my gig. On the West Side on West Oakland just after the split and right before it turns back into the road that is called West Saginaw Street which is also Interstate 69 Business and M 43 - there used to be an Oldsmobile factory. An interesting dichotomy to have an Chevy abandoned where a Olds plant used to be. And that is where I saw this pretty piece of [almost] perfectly preserved Americana.

There is a traffic light at North Rosemary Avenue. It used to be an entrance way to the factory. There are large cement barriers blocking the road to the weeds.

I imagine the train used to frequently stop at this area often.

Look at that history. If a picture normally is worth a thousand words, I would say that this one would be worth about twenty-five hundred. Do you know what model year this car is? Do you remember when the factory used to exist?

I don't know much about cars. I do know that this vehicle has moxy. It has character. This car is something that made it call to you. I'm not saying that I would have wanted to be around when this car rolled off of the assembly line. Not at all. That is too far back in history for my liking. I'd imagine the 'good ol' days' had some details that may leave one wanting. Marinate on that for a moment.

Look at those lines. That's American engineering showcasing beauty. There are times I wish I wasn't concerned about miles per gallon and I wonder what it would be like to mash it with a beast with whatever would be under that hood.

I can't decide if this says to me look at me know, hello or a solid wave goodbye. I've never named one of my cars before. I wonder if this scarlet lady has a name.

I don't just mean a model name attached to the year she was made. I mean a name like Donna, Sandra, Brenda or Angela. Monica. She looks like a Monica to me. Like a tall cold drink of water but ready to ride hot and hard, break a sweat but still shine. Yep, I think she sure does look like a Monica.