September 8th: Holland wanted his friend Tim, in Kelso, work on Beast Betsy - and Tim agreed … and reneged for 3 years straight: regardless of how Holland feels, it is abundantly clear to me that Tim in not a good friend. Tim is a user; and he is not trustworthy. Tim only makes contact with Holland when Tim wants Holland's help - but, Tim is not there to help when Holland needs his help. Holland will have to come to an understanding about this on his own. But, for the time being, Holland has actually heard me on the maintenance issue: "Forget about Tim - he is not going to do it. I have heard him - same as you have, the past 3 years, saying 'sure, I'll do it'; you have had the pieces in the back seat of Betsy for 7 months, Holland … but he is never available. Tim is available, however, when he wants you to do something for him. E.v.e.r.y.m.o.n.t.h. Something for him. Forget Tim & hire someone who will actually get on it. And from now on, tend to the upkeep when it's needed - don't plan on 'Tim's help, when we get back up north'. Hire someone reliable - someone who is not going to shine you on 👻". So, Friday, Holland broke down & hired a traveling mechanic 💻📱💬🛠️ to install brakes & shocks (this man has worked on race cars, so Holland is satisfied that 'he knows what's he's doing'): Betsy's front end, was done yesterday afternoon … and her back end was done, this afternoon. Finally, that is done 🤝: Holland forked the 💵 out, and the frustration level - for both of us, has lessened.
While he was gone, I did a set of stretching exercises - combined with the warm-up movements, it was about 15 minutes of physical flexibility activity:
Warm‑Up Routine for Seniors Before Hip & Glute Stretches: Aim for gentle, dynamic movement before hip and glute stretches to warm muscles, lubricate joints, and reduce injury risk. Why Warm‑Up Matters for Seniors: As we age, muscles take longer to heat up, joints produce synovial fluid more slowly, and the cardiovascular system needs more time to adjust to activity. A proper warm‑up improves blood flow, joint lubrication, neuromuscular coordination, and balance.
Step‑by‑Step Warm‑Up Routine (5 min. minimum): Perform each movement slowly, breathing normally, and avoid bouncing. Tip: Repeat this warm‑up before each hip/glute stretching session, and consider doing it daily for best results
Transition into Hip & Glute Stretches: The hips are the body's deepest joint. The muscles around it prone to shortening due to sitting down. The glutes are an engine. They power our body when we run, jump and kick. The Hips & Glutes Stretch workout applies mechanical force on the hip and glute muscles to strengthen them and improve range of motion. It will make you feel more in control of your own body. Safety Tips: Keep movements gentle; avoid bouncing. Stretch to a mild pull, not pain. Stay within a comfortable range of motion. I have modified the workout sets to make them friendlier to senior joints. Hold each 20–30 sec (count, 1-2-3, ect.), breathing deeply, and stop if you feel sharp pain.
I read a couple chapters of my latest Read …
When Holland came back home, we drove to Centralia 🚘, to grocery shop at the Winco there 💸🛒 Holland prefers the freeway, so that is how we went … up I-5. Along the route, someone a couple vehicles ahead, hit their brakes hard - causing everyone else to lock their brakes up to avoid back-ending the vehicle in front of them. The vehicle directly in front of us, stepped on his brakes so hard - he fish-tailed. I braced my right arm against Betsy's cab roof 😱 as Holland applied the brakes and turned Betsy's nose towards the center median to avoid her front end from kissing his vehicle, as it swung around: I was thinking we'd either be T-boning him - or bumping his back bumper. Holland was watching what was playing out in front of our windshield 👀 as well as watching the side mirrors to make sure no one would be careening into Betsy. It was a seriously dicey situation; but Holland handled it calmly & with ease 🦁, and Betsy escaped being squeezed in a fender bender gridlock 🤑 When we were sure the danger was past, we looked at one another with relief, and said at the same time, "Well, we know the brakes work." That wasn't how we planned to test the fella's workmanship - but it was an assurance we were happy to know.
There is more work to be done on Betsy before we get back to our road gypsying again 🚘🗺️, but that can be scheduled throughout the next couple of weeks 📅 And maybe Holland can schedule another knee injection ⚕️💉 too, before we leave here.
Back home, I put everything away … and got supper underway; visited my Blogger friends, & after tidying the kitchen, unwound with a cup of coffee & by designing ☕️✍️ and crafting 🧶 a new Fall-themed kitchen towel set, while watching a humorous YouTube movie 💻🎬🎧🤭:
