As usual it’s been one hell of a ride … but I’m not complaining. We’re all still here, reasonably healthy, and happily engaged with life.
Shelley is working as the personal assistant to the lead singer of a popular rock band, where she gets to see the inner workings of the music industry. She’s also developing a TV show which she will be pitching to the networks soon. Trips to England and Mexico and a few other places rounded out a busy year. We’re looking forward to having her home for Christmas!
Mike has developed a successful handy man business. Kitchen and bath remodels are a never-ending source of work. Dad even gets to help once in awhile and that’s good for both of them.
Neighborhood referrals keep him busy. “I was getting my nails done and I heard you do good work. Could you come by and take a look at what I want” is the usual opener. He’s got more offers than he can handle. Trips to Mexico and England added a little spice.
Suzanne has at last officially retired. A couple of trips to New York to see Broadway productions and a trip to Italy were the highlights of the past year. Supporting her theatre friends in local productions means she gets to lots of shows. Sometimes she sees costumes she made “back in the day.”
This year Duane got to see the completion of two longterm projects. Try 40 or 50 years!
I rode a Harley K Model when I was 19 or so.
Willy G. Davidson, Art Center grad, Ford Design alum and Harley’s long time V. P. of Styling rode a K also. His new book RIDE FREE a memoir is out just in time for the holidays.
Street versions of the K were produced from 1952 to ’56, and racing versions, known as the KR were built until 1969, where they dominated AMA (American Motorcycle Assn.) racing. It’s a very rare bike and was quite fast for its day. In 1963, I sold mine to a relative who took it apart (“Gonna restore it”) and then left the parts sitting on his garage floor for half a century. https://mustangirs.com/blog/index.php/2019/07/08/old-cars-old-bikes-old-memories/.
When he passed I took the “basket case” to a local bike shop who brought it back to life … with some suitable upgrades along the way. So nice to hear it run again!
Not quite 50 years, but close. In 1966 Carroll Shelby commissioned 3 cars to be built for the new Can-Am racing series. At the end of the year Shel closed up shop and headed to Africa for several years of big game hunting. The last car, chassis #003 sat outside in the mud until I found it about 1985.
I sold the chassis (tub) to a good friend who has brought it back to life! It’s the last car Shelby produced.
Mike and Shelley and I were honored to accompany it to the Goodwood Revival vintage car race and show.
It’s held at the Duke of Richmond’s 12,000 acre estate about an hour south of London. It was shown with Shelby’s first car, a 1962 Cobra, to mark the 100th anniversary of Shel’s birth.
They were a big hit, and we all got to dress-up in period correct, i.e. 1960’s, attire.
It’s been a fun year. We spent some time jousting with windmills. We won a few … we lost a few … and we hope to do it again next year. If you’re in the neighborhood, please stop by, and call or write anytime.
Love,
Duane & Family