Swimming in the air

Tues-Thu 26-8^th: Hung out in Columbus, went to see Hamish, swam, looked at real estate (way cheaper than Arizona), played shuffleboard, roasted marshmallows. Emily was all upset when she realized that we didn’t get to stay in the model home that we visited!

Friday 29^th: Went up and parked outside Darren and Mary’s house in Elida. Ben and Matt came over for dinner – fresh “Incredible” sweetcorn, mmmmm.

Sat 30^th: Modified the Excursion using a .22 shell, end cap cut off, 5/32” hole in the side, as an extension tube on the turbo pressure sensor – promises to increase airflow and thus horsepower. At least I think it's the turbo pressure sensor! Raymond, you’d’ve been proud! Is it the only Excursion in the world that utilizes a .22 shell in the engine? Let me know! Richard almost broke a rib doing it as he fell nicely on the engine…

Sunday 30^th: Church, then Chinese buffet in Findlay. Bro. Chuck was in fine form. I particularly enjoyed this one he told: A man and his wife needed a new car. “We should get a pick-up truck”, the man insisted. His wife was equally adamant that they should get a fast car for zipping around town. They argued back and forth for weeks, then the day before her birthday, the wife came to her husband, put her arms around his neck, and said “It’d be lovely if I woke up tomorrow morning and found something in the driveway that can do 0 to 200 in 4 seconds”. When she woke up next morning she went outside and found, sitting in the driveway………… bathroom scales.

Mon 1^st: Washing. Even the best trips need clean clothes.

Tues 2^nd: Looked at real estate in the Lima area – extremely affordable – 4,600 square feet for $219K.

Wed 3^rd: Moved on to Yeshai and Jennifer’s house.

Thu 4^th: A memorable day in the Grylls family’s history – Elizabeth decided she wanted to learn how to swim, and she did. Feet, hands, breathing, she learned it all in 10 memorable minutes. She did maybe 6 laps across the 30’ pool!

Random observation: What it means to be an American. Dean Alfange, Who’s Who in America, 1984-85, vol. 1, p 42

I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon – if I can. I seek opportunity – not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations, and to face the world boldly and say, this I have done. All this is what it means to be an American.