I had a really, really bad day at work last Friday. There were a series of stressful events leading up to that day, and after a meeting with even more crushing news, it was time to go. Immediately. At 3:45 pm I walked to my car and drove home with a ... <BR><BR>To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.
. I've said it over and over... The best therapy ever is a drive in a hot rod. a roadster just makes it that much better... .
Man I am on your wavelength. At 70 I never figured on being a caregiver for my wife of almost 50 years but the cosmic tumblers roll snake eyes at the damdest times. But I get in my Model A, even just to the local market for bread and milk, and my mind is in a happy place. Don't get out much to formal events or even cruise nights due to her health but we can zip to the Tastee Freeze for a cone in the summer, or this time of year go to our local farm for apples and cider. Takes me back to my first hot rod, back in '62, a 283" powered '47 Ford tudor and those days of cruising Main Street by Schemmerhorn's Drugstore where the girls hung out at the soda fountain. Don't need big pharma's chemcal high, mine comes from enjoying a hobby I have had since I was young.
There isn"t a new car made that has that kind of soothing power...Next time get the roadster out quicker.....
Great write up and so true!!! It's amazing how a simple ride in your old car or rod can make all the difference in the world to your mental well being. This Saturday I too was fortunate enough to get out my roadster and spend some time with my Pals and their cars. We all had a blast and it left us all in a great mood. That's good stuf, Bro!! Love your roadster and glad to see your pal is out enjoying his Model A!!!
Hang in there Jay! It'll pass. But for sure being in the wind, the smells of a simpler time, and the sounds of unrestricted combustion are the best medicine in the world. Pretty hard not to smile in a Roadster. All the best, Tim
Great therapy, family, friends, hot rods. Better than those happy pills they sell. Glad to hear that your better, Carp
My buddy's wife has advanced Dementia. Can't remember her own kids. He puts her in their 55 T-bird with the top removed and she's a teenager again herself. He badly wants to get the 49 Olds fastback she learned to drive finished. Almost the same with other old friends. We ride in their 46 Ford convertible or one of our cars and it's life in the 50's again. The past few years we've been going back home to visit. Yes you can really go home again!
Works well as preventive medicine also. I have not driven mine for 2 1/2 weeks. I'm dying slowly. BUT, it's going to be worth it.
Sometimes, even a slight irritant can need a short drive or maybe, just sitting in her. Missing mine about now.
There's nothing like being in-the-moment to wash troubles away. Jay, man, I hope this week is off to a better start... Cris
What happened Jay,did your company remove your favorite beer from the break room tap? Seriously,when I was going through chemo before my transplant,I'd come home and sit on one of my vintage bikes and fantasize about carving up some road down in the Ozarks.It helps you get through those rough patches.
I don't have a car on the road these days and I kick myself for selling my bike, but time spent in the garage is almost as therapeutic. Without garage time or windshield time in an old car I think we'd all go nuts.
Yep, I have two roadsters, and two closed cars. The closed cars are for "BAD WEATHER", the roadsters are the most fun. One of my roadsters doe's not even have a top. A friend of mine had three really nice rods, but seldom ever drove them. Then he built a roadster with a Flathead, and drove it often. He said "now I know why you have so much fun".
JB...please dont ever paint the passenger-side door on your roadster....I have grown so fond of it...seriously.
Yeah...even a quick drive in a hopped up old car will clear out the bad and put a lasting smile on your face...
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