One thing about when you are going thru a little  storm or gale is coming to totally put you into the high s tress zone, that’s when you find out who were friends are and real quick.

For example, On August 4, 2009, I had gotten up at my normal time, coffee, shower, checked my calendar, rechecked my list for errands and running to the store. Went to Alpena, which is ten miles away from me. Complete most of my errands, except for two, but I had planned to them on way to work. I arrived home, around 2: 15, p.m., I saw smoke coming from my 2006 GMC Jimmy. I was a little upset, for I just had the water pump replaced, along with new tires, and a right front ball joint.  I was good to go.

            But, it all went up on smoke within seven to ten minutes.  I got out of the Jimmy, raised the hood, and flames, jump over to the right of the motor. I ran into the house, to get my small fire extinguisher, but by the time, I got back to the jimmy, the fire had already consumed the driver’s part. Soon, it practically jumped into the back seat, busting the windows, leaping over the seat, it consumed the “trunk part” of the jimmy, the back side windows, shattering.

            Just as glass was flying from the windows, the fire department arrived. They didn’t even look and see what was happening, they just grabbed their water hoses, and said to stand back.

            My friend, neighbor next door, my neighbor across the street, was already in the neighbor’s yard, as far as we could go.

            The Ossineke Fire Department did a brilliant job getting there, even though I panicked, and called them twice, for I did not know what would happen if the fire had reached the gas tank. I certainly did not want anyone to get hurt or their house to catch on fire.

            The fire had already done enough damage, not only did it destroy my Jimmy, it melted the siding on the front of the garage, and burned the leaves on one side of a pine tree.

            If, it had been later in the year, it would have caught the tree on fire, for the leaves a re very dry and brittle in the late fall.

            But, no one got hurt. I did without a vehicle for almost eight weeks.

On Oct 2, I found a “95” Cherokee, so hopefully, I made a good choice. I drove it to town, to change title and put gas in it. I went to the store to get items for the evening meal I was planning.

I drove out to the hunting camp, I was unloading, my Cherokee, and I looked down, and I thought this is real. I haven't even had these wheels, 12 hours yet, and I already have a flat. Maybe, I should take the guys out to dinner.

But, when the first two came back, I told them, they went out to see, number one, for I don't think they beleived me, second, they did the gentlemen thing and changed it for me.

One thing about during this time.

            I still have a job, and I certainly found out who my friends, were and which ones cared what was going on in my life, made sure that I was able to get back to forth to work, get my errands done. Now, all that I can hope for, is that when they need help or if someone comes into my path, I hope that I will be able to do what I can to help them.