After spending eleven days parked behind the shop at Classic Coach Works we left Lakeland. We have vacillated for months whether we wanted to do additional updates to “the Rev”. Robin has yearned for a dining area with table and chairs, along with a credenza to replace the booth set up. Although I’m never keen on sitting in a booth, especially in restuarants, I bristled at the thought of giving up storage space under the seats. In the end I relented and am happy for that. Larry, not me, proved to be a master craftsman. He handbuilt a cherry credenza, matching our existing wood perfectly. Greg, owner of Classic was able to procure matching drawer pulls and handles from elsewhere. This was a daunting task given the fact that our rig is five years old. We purchased two new dinette chairs and Larry retooled the esixting table to give us as much table top as possible. However, the credenza proved to ber the coup de’ grace as it has enable us to store even more items than previously held by the drawers under the booth. You know what booths look like but I wanted to give you a shot after it was pulled out and intial progress made and then the finalized project. We found that Larry was originally a musician in several bands. Our conversations were interesting at the least, in finding how and why a man can go from musician in some rock bands to master cabinet maker. Regardless, it was our gain as you can see what he was able to pull off. 
Dining Area Makeover
Here We Go Black and Gold (by Brutus)
I knew there would be some time to kill today. Parts for “the Rev” were late coming in and we’re still parked here in Lakeland. I’m lovin’ it as I sit for most of the day gazing out the window. There must be two dozen cats living in these parts. Robin calls them feral but I think they’re furry. They’re just not very friendly. They don’t want to play and everytime I go outside they just snarl and their yellow eyes start to glow as if tea lights behind them fire up. It’s not long after breakfast that I get this gnawing in the pit of my stomach. I hear Larry talking about having to fly back to Pittsburgh to take care of some banking business. My heart sinks. I hate when they fly somewhere. I never get to go. They think I can’t fit. I’m relegated to staying at the Banfield Hotel, tucked neatly within the Petsmart store. Don’t get me wrong. This is a swank place. But I don’t cotton well to other dogs. I’m pretty much of a loner and when the hotel guards retrieve me from my room, they put me in a gym with others and expect me to play with them. But alas! I hear Larry saying something about driving to the airport to check out possibilties. Robin smiles so I know this may be a good thing. I’m just going to lay in the backseat, lick myself, and see what they talk about. In less than an hour, we’re entering the short term parking lot. I see Igor Sikorsky’s name all over the place. Down on the elevator and it opens to a whole new world. Tons of people with little kids all standing single file for reasons unknown to me. It must be a Southwest store as they have their signs everywhere. A young lady leads us through a maze of fat ropes hooked to pee poles. Larry takes me in his arms and holds me up to a lady behind a computer. He asks her if I can fit on a ride to Pittsburgh. She tells him to hold on and leaves to go in the backroom. In a few minutes, out she comes with what looks like a new bed for me. I’m hoping. It’s even in Steeler colors. They unzip it and put me in. I’m not sure what to make of all this. My head gets tucked in. I feel like one of those turtle things. Robin zips up the sides and all I can see is a bunch of legs through the mesh that surrounds me. But I hear laughter and see Robin smiling. Hell, Larry is even grinning from ear to ear as the lady from behind the computer says he’s good to fly. OH! that’s me. I get to go now. I get to fly when they go to Pittsburgh. Or anywhere else for that matter. I hated when they left me for the wedding. No more Petsmart hotels. Not for this guy. I am beside myself. I’m going to get in that new bed in the backseat and sleep, pausing only for a lick here and there. I don’t care where they go now. I’m tagging along, bucco. These folks of mine sure know how to treat a guy.
My Life Saved
Saturday! The day after the theft became a bitter lamentation of life as it is today. Am I being naive? There are countless legions of victims out there on a daily basis. Yet, until an affront comes to one personally, it is just a news brief in the local tabloid. The aftermath brings on a deluge of thoughts that permeate the mind’s eye. Loss, defeat- lends an air of tragedy and nostalgia that the victims find necessary.
For most of the day, I busied myself by cleaning and rearranging items towed in the trailer, allowing thoughts to run rampant in my mental process. Was the incident a manifestation of bad karma? Have I done something wrong and now retribution has reared its ugly head? None come specifically to mind. I try not to hurt anyone’s feelings and still make attempts, however futile to live by the golden rule. Do I have too many material possessions while much of the world has far less? Not a chance. I’ve worked long and hard for almost four decades to allow myself these pleasures. This line of thinking is just the Catholic guilt that has followed my daily steps for the good part of fifty-eight years. Was it just plain stupidity on my part? Afterall, I didn’t set the anti-theft button when we vacated the vehicle. Or was it just a plain act of fate – an incident with random victims for which there is no rhyme or reason?
I’ve learned so much from this. While I toiled away within the walls of the trailer, anticipating a Steeler win, Robin came to my assistance with not only a willing back but her knowledge of packing. But it was not that kind of help that finds me fallling in love with her again. It is her words of encouragement pervaying the feeling that once again “things will be all right”. The solace that she provides is like a bright lamp that I can always trust in the darkness.
Brutus being spared from harm has awakened in me feelings that I didn’t know existed. Sure, he is at times a pain in the butt. He has become her baby, replacing me as the central figure in her life. Plans sometimes need changed and rectified because of his mere existence. However, I didn’t realize the love I have for him when coming so close to his possible loss.
This incident has ignited all five senses into a concert or preparedness. Perhaps it has alerted us to sentry duties unrealized that will be needed for future days. Once again, I have been able to find some good, embrace lessons learned, from a disastrous day.
GypsyLarry
