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Ok, time for a story. As you have probably figured out by now, when I author a letter, there is usually a story. When Terra does, there are neat pictures. So for the story... Upon moving back to Arizona, Symantha has wanted her piano back in her house. As you probably know by reading previous letters this happened about 3 months ago. She has her piano back. This left Terra without a piano and so the great piano hunt commenced. Karren, knowing of Terra's desire for a nice piano found us a free one as a temporary piano, until we found the "perfect one for the perfect price". If you have ever been piano shopping, you know that is not an easy task. Well, after we had the loaner for about 2-3 months, we found one that Terra liked enough to procure. After we visited it, and Terra tickled the ivory for a while, a deal was made and we purchased it. This required a trip in to Tucson with the Bronco and trailer to get the piano. It also required AJ's help to move it as these pianos aren't light. So on a Friday or Saturday afternoon, I enlisted AJ and we loaded the piano and then I headed back to Benson. As I neared the town where we live, the Bronco started acting up and loosing power. Finally it just died and refused to go any further. I coasted until I was off the freeway and tried to coax the vehicle to pull the piano the remainder of the way home (3/4 miles). It would not. This is not the first time it has exhibited this type of behavior. When we lived in Arkansas |
| I was pulling the trailer with a load in the middle of the summer and after about 2 hours it did the same thing. Both times the remedy was the same. Let it cool off and it will work once again. I believe this is heat related, because when we moved from Arkansas to Arizona, the Bronco pulled a loaded trailer for 2 days straight without incident (but that was during December and cooler ambient temperatures). I removed the gas cap and the air filter trying to see if there may be a clog in either system preventing the fuel ratio from reaching a combustion point, with no luck. From talking to Wyatt, he believes that it could be the ignition module. I plan to procure one and run the Bronco with a load until it dies - replace it and see if that fixes the problem, but I haven't had the opportunity to do so yet. So back to the story. I conned Terra into pulling the Bronco, and piano home with her van (as AJ had my car due to his own car problems - see his letters for details). Terra under protest finally came with her van and we hooked up the tow strap to the two vehicles and it dragged the caravan home. Once home, (we were gone for maybe 10 minutes with Ethen, Kyle, & Rachel home alone) we came in to move the old piano out of its place and replace it with the new piano when we found this... |  |
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...our table that had served us so well for the last 11 years (and my grand parents for many years prior) had given up the ghost. We asked the kids what happened, and the only answer that we were able to get out of them was we didn't jump on it we were just sitting on it - I promise. Well either they invited Dumbo over for tea while we were gone, or they were playing 3 little monkeys jumping on the table, but either way the ending result is the same. It appears that the wooden slides that the tables opens and closes on for the addition / subtraction of extra leaves gave way under the load and split into many pieces. We have been looking for a larger table half heartedly, but now we have a little more motivation. Luckily we were "storing" AJ & Brittney's table in the garage, and we simply switched places with both tables. Now when I can once again find some more spare time, I have a table to fix. (Mia if you still want this table and you hurry, it will currently fit in your trunk). |
| Once the dust settled, we managed to get Terra's piano set up and in position. Terra has played it now and then, and seems quite happy with the acquisition. I just hope that it lasts for a while and we don't need to find another one anytime soon. AJ wouldn't be very happy to find his table smashed in pieces when I have to pull the Bronco home with another piano strapped to the trailer. Of course, maybe just maybe, next time it will be in the winter and we wont have to tow the Bronco home. |
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