A core memory...
When I was about six, we were packing to go on vacation. Supposed to leave the next morning. Dad checked the oil, walked around our vehicle, and said everything was good to go. Later that day, I tried to help.
My idea of checking the tires was playing with the valve stems. A good twist and SHHHhhhhh h h h h h h h ..... Uh Oh.
We had a problem. I still thought in a strange, six year old way, that I was helping.
The reaction from my dad surprised me. He was not happy. The fussing that followed helped cement this memory in my mind.
The tire got fixed the next day. We left, a little later than planned for vacation.
An interesting definition for "core memory." - Emotionally charged memory with meaning. Tagged by the brain and stored for long term recall.
Twice recently, I've revisited, even relived that core memory.
About a year ago, I was supposed to meet a dear friend in Franklin for coffee and a visit. It was much anticipated, and looked forward to.
The night before, I decided to ride the motorcycle the next morning to Franklin. It was dirty from riding in the rain, and just needing cleaning. So I got it outside, and gave it a good washing. While scrubbing the back tire and wheel, I broke the valve stem. The SHHH sound was familiar.
All of a sudden, I was six years old again and had just messed up. After some regrouping and getting diffferent transportation, my friend and I met as planned.
Last night, it happenned again. You'd think I'd learn.
Terri was leaving this morning to go to Martin, for Thanksgiving. After supper last night, I went out to check the oil, and make sure her truck was good to go. Before checking the oil, I noticed a build up of corrosion on both battery posts.
It's not unusual to have some on the positive, but this time even the negative was covered. I got a wire brush, and gently, then not so gently, removed what I could of the green build up. One copper connector was especially bad. A couple of more passes with the wire brush, and.....Uh Oh. It broke. And, I broke it.
Terri's plan to leave in the morning didn't look so good.
It's a four hour drive, and she was going by herself. Will was driving down later with Torey. Thanksgiving. No pressure.
I piddled with it a few minutes, took this picture, and went to O'Reiley's Auto Parts. On the way, I called Will and told him I'd messed up, and needed his help.
By the time I got to the parts store, went to 285 to help Sheri with mom, and back home, Will was there. I was tired, stressed, and worried.
He'd soaked the broken cable in coke. It was perfectly clean. Imagine what a good strong Coke must do to our insides.
We opened the box of new connectors from the parts store, and found one that might work. He peeled back the covering from the cable, and cut it off clean. Once the connector was on, he gave it a big squeeze with some pliers. It was back together.
He used the back part of the pliers, instead of the teeth to get a good crimp. I was impressed.
We reattched the cable, and put the washer and nut back on. The truck started. Everything worked. Crisis averted!
Three hours after I went out to check the oil, it was fine. "Oil is good!"
You'd think I'd learn not mess with anything the night before a trip. For those three long hours, I was six again, and in trouble.
Thank you for the help Will, and Terri. And, for not fussing on me.
Maybe I'll do better next time.