The News From Here

It’s very cool in the desert. I mean it was 34 this morning and it’s expected to be under 30 in some places in the morning. It probably won’t get quite that low here but its close. Now I DO remember that those temperatures aren’t REALLY cold but they refresh the memories of COLD. Like digging my way out of the back door of the old prairie cabin in Dixon IA. Digging out the back doorway was only the first part of getting to my pickup sitting up on the top of the hill. Once out the door the snow was often blowing so badly I couldn’t see the pickup. It was diesel so had to be plugged in if there was any chance of it starting. The cord was plugged in right outside the door so once I was outside I’d find the cord and follow it up the hill till I got to the truck. Even with the block heater and all the additives the company would buy it wasn’t a quick start. Hit the pre-heater, turn on the glow plugs wait for a minute, often the hardest part was waiting. Then crank her up. By now I was deciding about going back to the cabin and waiting for it to warm up. That 150 feet back to the cabin usually discouraged me enough to just wait till it warmed up enough to drive and soon after warm that air would be coming. In those days my territory began about 30 minutes drive away so about the time I was thawed out, my feet warm and my coffee long since gone I made my first stop. Back out in the cold. As you can imagine most trucking companies and construction outfits didn’t invest much for the comfort of salesmen. A trudge through a parking lot loaded with snow because they figured that if you couldn’t get your vehicle through the snow and your body into the office they didn’t need to talk to you- one thing about it there wasn’t much competition during those periods. Unfortunately there wasn’t much equipment running either so not much need for replacement stuff. All that said I guess I won’t complain anymore THIS morning.