Checkups

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Went to the doctor this week for a checkup. Unlike in the picture, I did not awake to see seven masked medical professionals looking down on me. I guess that I am OK. They had a new pneumonia vaccine, so I got that. I asked my doctor if he ever had to deal with anti-vaxxers. He groaned and said all of the time. I booked my next three appointments, six, twelve and eighteen months. So, I guess that I should plan on hanging around for a while.

In addition to my personal checkup, I also got one for the car. It too is running fine and I got out of the dealer in record time. A 2019, the RAV4 is beginning to get long in the tooth. I think that it is already too old to use as an Uber. I have been quite pleased with this Toyota, but I am already looking at what will be next. I’ve seen the new Toyota Corolla Hybrid Crossover and would be happy with one of those. Slightly smaller and cheaper than the RAV4, it is still huge when compared to the regular Corolla. What I am keeping my eyes open for though are the even newer all electric Toyotas. These are Chinese manufactured and boast a 400-mile range. That is further than the RAV4 can go on a tank of gas. The best part of them is that they are not Teslas. I think that they are still years away, at least in Saint Louis. So, I’ll have to nurse the RAV4 till then.

Bugatti

Bugatti

A study in sweeping lines and fluid Art Deco ornamentation, this unique Bugatti was constructed by Carrosserie Vanvooren of Paris. From 1911 until the start of World War II, the automobiles of Ettore Bugatti, an authoritative and artistic Italian who lived in France for most of his life, competed successfully in international racing. Bugatti’s cars were stylish, temperamental, exclusive, and fast. He experimented with aerodynamics and pioneered the use of lightweight metals like magnesium. This one-of-a-kind, supercharged Type S7C belonged to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last shah of Iran. When Pahlavi married Princess Fazia of Egypt, their nuptials were celebrated in Cairo. To flatter the future leader of a key oil-producing country, many nations sent lavish wedding presents, such as this luxurious car. Its windscreen can be lowered into the cowl for a sportier appearance.

Ancestor Worship


Anne, her sisters and cousins have been chatting up the airwaves of late about applying for Canadian citizenship. The impetus for this interest in dual citizenship is two-fold, a certain orange ass and Canada’s recent change in its citizenship laws. Anne and her relatives all share common grandparents who were born in Canada. Apparently, that is all that is required. My question to them is, if they all flee north across the border, then do Bill and I get the cabins? 😉

I am not eligible for a second passport; all of my ancestors for generations have been born and raised in the States. Coincident with my in-law’s search for a new homeland, I have received a blog inquiry about one of my ancestors, my great uncle Lukey. In the received comment someone claimed to be Lukey’s cousin. My mom’s uncle, her father’s brother, Luke has been our family’s one and only sports hero. At Boston College he played football, basketball, baseball and ice hockey. He played well enough that he was named captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams. After college, he caught for the MLB Boston Braves and played professional football in Buffalo before the NFL was formed. He eventually settled down to coach high school basketball, in Fall River at Durfee High School. He coached the Hilltoppers (Named for the school’s hilltop location.) for twenty years, winning two New England championships. My mom also went to school there and later acquired the pictured basketball jersey.Â