Old age is in the eye of the beholder
Tuesday, June 20, The Old Men of the Mountain were at Mrs. K’s Restaurant in Middleburgh.
Now that school is only giving exams (a prelude to graduation), there was no entertainment on Main Street in Middleburgh. Traffic flowed normally back and forth and the day was uneventful, at least in the beginning; who knows what happens after the OFs leave the restaurant and go home.
The OFs were chatting about how they felt when they woke up and got up. Apparently this is not a pretty sight. The OFs complained about the typical morning aches and pains, but this time added concerns about all the different noises they make now.
The OFs said they never made these sounds before. As one OF put it, these noises are completely unintended and some are so loud it makes the dog jump.
Then there is that one OF (there is always that one) who said he can’t wait to get up in the morning and get to the mirror on the bathroom door. The OF says he just stands there and looks because he gets better looking every day.
The OFs just looked at him because he is as grizzled as the rest of us. He has shaggy eyebrows, deep furrows in the face that could be planted with quite of bit of seed corn, and lumps and bumps are there along with a good crop of age spots. He is no different than the rest of us.
It has to be his eyesight fails a little each day and gives the OF the reflection of someone younger in the morning; however, his good eye is bright, and deep blue and has a crisp sparkle to it. Do you think this OF might just be putting us on?
Ships collide
The Navy veterans discussed the two large ships that recently collided on the high seas. These ex-Navy OFs all agreed right off the bat that the destroyer should have avoided the collision because the bigger ship has the right of way.
One OF thought both ships were culpable. The OF Navy men did not know if this assumption was correct but, right of way or not, both ships should have tried to avoid the accident.
One OF noted how the Times Union used the inflammatory word “slain” as the lead for the story. Seven sailors slain, say what! The sailors died because of an accident — they were asleep; they were not slain. The OFs couldn’t get over this.
The sailor group talked about how long it takes to stop a ship the size of that tanker under full steam. One OF said he thought it was miles. Even under docking speed, something weighing that much bumping into something else is going to do damage.
Work as art
The OFs talk about the quality of work quite often. The OFs admit that they, themselves, are not always the best ones to have do some work. Maybe when the OFs were younger but today they tire easily, and to get the job done, “closies” count as well as the statement “good enough for government work.”
“Let’s button this thing up and go get a drink” is also a phrase to end a day.
The reverse of this is also true. When the OMOTM are not pushed, the work from this group could be exceptional.
Many OFs’ barns and garages have as many tools as a hardware store, and the OFs have the knowledge to use them. The type and quality of work of the OFs can be viewed by hikers that hike in the Hilltowns or on the Long Path. Many of the bridges that are used by the hikers were constructed by the OFs, and these bridges are also works of art.
Some OFs restore old equipment and one OG made clocks — these, too, are works of art, and a plug for the OF who paints portraits and they are art.
One OF said, “There are four ways to work: the right way, the sloppy way, your way, and my way. Then there is the ‘oh so important way,’ and at times this is the only way and that is the boss’s way.” (The term wife can be substituted for boss at anytime.)
The Gas-up
Speaking of work as art, many of the OFs attended the Gas-up held around Father’s Day in Shutter’s Corners just outside of Gallupville. Some go there just to get a hot dog, and a piece of pie, but others do go to reminisce and still others go to either check on their own antique equipment to see if they can improve it, or get a few new ideas.
Some of the OFs have participated in the Gas-up but now it is a ton of work just to get ready so the OFs have backed off. The quality of the show is continually improving and this year it was well attended, and had many participants.
It was encouraging to see younger people involved with keeping these antique engines and old equipment running. The disparity between the youngsters building robots and drones and remote-controlled boats and cars, and those who are dealing with engines from 100 years ago is interesting.
One OF commented that the old-engine kid would probably be able to figure out how to handle the drone easier than the kid with the drone could figure out the hit-and-miss engine and get it running. Then again, maybe not.
Those OFs who made it to Mrs. K’s Restaurant in Middleburgh and all in modern vehicles (not one came on two piston hit-and-miss engines steered by a tiller) were: Harold Guest, Bill Lichliter, Roger Chapman, Dave Williams, Bill Bartholomew, Jim Heiser, John Rossmann, George Washburn, Robie Osterman, Pete Whitbeck, Chuck Aelesio, Richard Frank, Glenn Patterson, Mark Traver, Otis Lawyer, Duncan Bellinger, Art Frament. Herb Sawotka, Lou Schenck, Gerry Irwin, Jack Norray, Mace Porter, Ted Willsey, Mike Willsey, Warren Willsey, Roger Shafer, Bob Fink, Bob Benninger, Ted Feurer, Bob Lassome, Wayne Gaul, Bob Giebitz, Elwood Vanderbilt, Harold Grippen, and me.