The Change of the Seasons

It looks as though Summer is losing its grip and fall is on the horizon.

We've had a hot summer, here.  There were plenty of days in which the temperatures were in the triple-digits.  That can be hard on a person, especially one who does a lot of outdoor work, and one who prefers vintage/vintage inspired clothing.

Today, the temp dropped from the low 70's, down to the 50's by mid-afternoon and it looks like they intend to stay low, too.  Today, I brought out my first cardigan of the season.  Last week, I was finally able to start wearing sport coats to church again.

Thank goodness for more bearable temps, I can finally bring back some of my favorite vintage elements to my daily routine.

Real Estate

I have recently began school to get my real-estate license.  I've always loved real-estate in the area where I live.  Most of the homes are old, built from the 1850's, to the 1970's.  The majority are from the 1880's to the 1920's.

My parents are involved in real-estate, buying, selling, and developing.  I'm hoping we can work together in that venture.  Plus, I really love the idea of promoting the historical value of homes.  That's something not done anymore.  I also like the idea of showing buyers and sellers that they don't need to rip out vintage fixtures and hardware in lieu of new ones and that the charm of an old home should be preserved not 'remuddled.'

Even if I can save a few historic homes from a fate of granite counter tops, and stainless steel appliances, my work on this Earth will not be in vain, haha!

If I pass my exam, and if you live in Wisconsin, look me up if you want to buy or sell a property!

A Tribute to a Friend.

We all have a couple friends in our lives who will always be near and dear to us and who will always be the closest to us.  I have a couple friends who have been like family to me since I moved to Portage my Freshman year of High School; Jon Hill, Thomas Schell, Jesse Martinez, Josh Halverson, and Bart Mueller.  This post is a tribute to Jesse Martinez.

I met Jesse my Freshman year of High School, shortly after I moved here.  He was one of the first people I became close friends with.  We sat next to each other in Science Class and jokes around a bit and a solid friendship formed from there.

We spent so much time together, working on cars, cruising, or just going and doing whatever we wanted.  Even after Graduation, we both got jobs at the plant and worked about 15 feet from each other.  It just seems we were meant to be close friends.

Jesse's the kind of guy I could rely on for anything.  I could call him any time, day or night, if I was in a jam and he would help me.  Whenever I had a car problem I couldn't figure out, he was the first person to come help me out.  I remember, even when I just needed a ride to work and back because my starter went on my truck; instead of just dropping me off, which was all I needed, he stopped and helped me drop the starter out, in two feet of snow, at 10:30 at night.  That's the kinda person that Jesse Martinez is.

I could go on for days about what a great guy and what great friends we were and everything, but nobody is going to want to read all that.

So, I told you all that story to tell you this story.  A car pulled out in front of Jesse, while he was riding his motorcycle.  He dumped the bike and tried to slide under the car, but all of this resulted in a collision, anyways.  He didn't survive.  Him and I, and all of our close friends went through something similar when our friend, Josh Halverson, rolled his truck on his way to base for drill.  I never thought anything would be as awful as when Josh passed, but it was just as terrible losing Jesse.  He was like a brother to me and even though all this time has passed, it's not any easier to discuss.

Jesse has two lovely children, Anthony, and Angel.  I am proud to say I am Anthony's Godfather.  Jesse's memory will always live on through his children, and through all the people he touched and who loved him so much.  He will never be forgotten.

How Time Flies

Oh my goodness how time manages to slip away from us.  I'm on vacation this week and am going to try to catch up on a few events that have went on since March and get us all up to speed.

The Station Wagon: An American Icon

The Station Wagon: An American Icon.

When you think back to the heyday of the American suburban family, you picture mid-century ranches in nicely manicured neighborhoods, kids playing, and of course, the family station wagon in the driveway.

They were the perfect vehicle for the family.  Often offered with three rows of seats, there was plenty of room for mom to load up the kids for school, scouts, baseball practice or anywhere else they would need to go.  Fold down the seats and there's room for groceries.  The cargo space was 4x8, perfect for hauling drywall or plywood while Dad's doing his weekend home improvement projects.  Let's not forget that luggage rack on top for those memorable family vacations.

As time went on, the wagons got bigger, more ornate, and plenty more wood 'Di-Noc' paneling on the sides.  It seems like every family had one.  Sometimes, it seems as though they've disappeared overnight.  How often do you see these quintessential family cars making their way down the road like the grand land yachts they are?

When minivans came out in the eighties, the extra height and removable seats lead people away from their wagons, and then the SUV eclipsed the minivan.  It's all part of times changing, but I can't help but feel nostalgic.  My grandparents had wagons, my dad's first car was their 1966 Caprice wagon that he bought from them.  When I was a kid, my parents had (an already slightly antiquated) 1977 Ford LTD wagon.  It was a big brown beast with a 400 engine.  My mom could get three of those really big 80's style car seats across the rear bench.  They sure don't build them like that anymore!

It seems that the tradition hasn't died yet.  I own two station wagons, myself; a 1987 Caprice, that I drove through High School, and my current daily car, my 1990 Grand Marquis Colony Park.

As time goes on, I hope my (someday) kids get to enjoy riding in the 'way back' and looking out the tailgate window, just like I, and generations before me did.  It's a tradition my fellow wagon aficionados and I hope to never let die.

My High School Wagon (Now Awaiting Restoration)

My Current Wagon

I hope you've enjoyed reading my first blog post.

God bless,

-Tom