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January 16, 2021: A SAAB Story

You who were so efficient this morning, prided yourself on getting to the recycling center before 11 a.m. It’s a feat for you to arrive anywhere before this time. This is because you have a lot to do in the mornings around the place. You of course would be much quicker if you took coffee, the wonder drug – but you don’t. This is a matter of choice. You enjoy easing into the day. At the same time, you enjoy being around others who are experiencing a coffee high because they are generally a chipper lot.

You went in the back door rather than through the front entrance and down the stairs, in order that you might avoid having to make small talk. Your friend Bill


The SAAB is on ice

arrived minutes after you. He had had his morning coffee, his speed then made up for your lack thereof.

You both placed boxes in front of and to the side of a Gaylord, a chest-high cardboard box three-quarters full of books. In short order, you called it a gay gaylord because it contained a lot of good books, this including Grindle family memorabilia. You didn’t snag it all, but you did get Grindle senior’s airplane log. The family apparently lived in Kansas. You are going to box up the materials and send them to the address in his pilot book.

There were a lot of Alaska books in this box. Next week you might call the Pioneer Home and see if they want these books. The Alaska pilot books, you’ll most likely call the Talkeetna Flight museum and see if they want them.

You finished sorting through the Gaylord and next went through a pallet of boxes from the thrift store. Bill is going to stock the first new bookcase he has built and set up at the Valley Hotel. You are going to stock the second bookcase he’s built, which is going to be set up at the Vagabond Blues Café.

You both finished, then commended yourselves for having done such a good job and in such an expedient fashion. This commendation was a bit too soon. You went outside and started your 91 SAAB. It went whrrr, whrr, whrrr but would not catch. What to do? You called Pete who was not home, put the books back in storage, then had Bill give you a ride home.

You and Pete, together, returned to the recycling center. Again, the vehicle went whrr, whrr, whrr. You who know of such things knew that the problem wasn’t the battery for there’s only the click of the starter if, say, the battery is dead.

Pete called Robert, the former owner of the SAAB, and together they spent several hours trouble shooting. They came to the conclusion that the electrical system is the source of the problem. Robert showed you a small grey metal box and said that the amplifier needs to be replaced.

You of course are now wondering if this vehicle is going to be reliable. This could be an instance of getting what you pay for. The SAAB was free.

Next: 17. 1/17/21: A Conversation with Tyra: Well Whatdaya Know

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