Oh yes we did

According to my calendar, the first day of fall is still two weeks off. But it’s September, Labor Day is behind us and classes are back in session. Local high schools already are into the second week of their football season. (Mountain Home whacked Harrison last night, 30-14, and the game wasn’t as close as the score.)

We awoke to 56°F this morning. Tomorrow and Monday will begin in the mid-40s.

I know there’s plenty of summer still to come. And yeah, this is The South, so it’ll be a good while before Ozarkansans feel a genuine nip in the air. Yet all the signs are there — we’re rolling into my favorite time of year.

As I made the turn on my chore path this morning, walking back up from the shed, the parked SilverSilverado caught my eye. It’s become an uncomplaining, unglamorous workhorse of a truck since we took up residence on The Mountain last June, and it shows.

The “redneck wrinkle” in front of the right-rear wheel well has gone unrepaired. The plastic air dam under the front bumper hangs by a shred, tore-up a little more each time I leave by way of the south end of the driveway.

The left-rear turn signal and brake light still don’t work. A few weeks ago, the windshield washer quit.

I haven’t given the truck a bath in over a year. It needs an oil change.

It hasn’t been completely ignored. I replaced the thermostat and the coolant-temp sensor. Faced with a flat tire, I put on four new 10-ply skins.

Having seen 23,000 miles under my hand, now showing 116,000 on the odometer, this Chevy has earned its keep. It’s easily one of the best decisions we’ve made.

Deb and I kicked off our Saturday with an early morning trip to the vet clinic in Gassville. Regular checkups. Smudge got a nail trim. Scout did, too, plus annual shots and meds for her itchy ears. Notably, 14-year-old Scout weighed in at 39 pounds, while our happy Heeler tipped the scales at a solid 59 pounds.

Oh, and Smudge reverted to her cautious, nervous puppy self in the waiting room. Go figure. I guess that’s better than her going after every dog in sight.

We devoted the rest of the day to working in the cabin. Deb was occupied plotting the electrical layout, while I threw myself into installing the heat shields above and behind the woodstove. I called her over when I needed an extra set of hands, and my work didn’t go without a hiccup or three, but by late this afternoon the job was done.

Here, in lieu of what would be a lengthy account, is a gallery.