10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

MAY 2005 TRUCKER TALK

SPRING IS FINALLY HERE
By Writers and Owner Operators Rod & Kim Grimm

The Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, KY is history and it can officially be spring now! You never know what it may do for weather in Louisville in the spring. This year was no exception! From beautiful to rainy and cold, but as always it was a GREAT show with lots of awesome trucks and trailers! Nice as it was not to have to work on our rig, getting it ready to show, we will be showing again next year for sure! Not showing our truck left me with way too much time on my hands.

Wednesday, the day before the show opened, I ran errands for friends so they wouldn’t have to leave while working on their trucks. And in my infinite wisdom, I decided to work on the tan that I’d started at home. Well, at home the tanning beds did NOT have new bulbs in them and I did NOT go for 20 minutes. I highly recommend NOT doing that!!!! I was moving pretty slow on Thursday, and it wasn’t till Saturday that I was back to my usual full speed! Just after getting out, I felt fine - got my nails done, picked up paint pens and flowers for friends needing them, no problem. But as the day went on I kept frying! After the peeling, I am brown, but there has got to be a less painful way to get to that. Everyone got a good laugh and to those who felt sorry for me, I told them it was my own stupidity and I am brighter now (literally at that time). New rule: only 10 minutes in the tanning bed when the bulbs are new.

Three days at a truck show seems like it should be enough time to do everything, but at the end when it’s all over, you look at all you did and think of all the things you wanted to do and didn’t get to. Such is the way in Louisville, and I’m sure nothing will change next year. At least we got to do the most important thing we do at truck shows - we got to visit with old friends that we sometimes only get to see at the shows. What better reason could there be to have a truck show? Now it’s time to get back to work. “Play time” is over. But it’s not so bad. Tire chains should be a thing of the past until fall. The trees are getting leaves, flowers are blooming and the air is warm. Life is good!

Now that it is officially spring, we should remember that summer driving can be like driving on that first snow of winter. Construction zones full of orange barrels and cones are popping up like the daffodils and tulips! Be sure to slow down, because many states are increasing the fines for violations in these construction zones. And be extra careful, because the state workers aren’t always. I’ve seen workers step in front of traffic with only a stop sign for protection. Even with the traffic slowed, these workers still need to allow time for drivers to stop. The accidents are not always the vehicles fault. So be aware and slow down when you see people working out there.

Also, kids are out of school, riding their bikes and having fun outside, not always paying attention to the traffic around them. We have to watch out for them. Then there are all the RV’ers out seeing America - not all of them are really familiar with driving the large vehicle they are seeing America in - look out for them too. So welcome spring, after a long winter, and be extra careful as summer approaches.

Have you noticed the price of fuel lately? Duh! They say it will be even worse this summer. Personally, I think it’s plenty bad enough right now! If you don’t have a generator yet, the sooner you can get one, the sooner it can start saving you money. With warmer weather near, cool air will soon be a necessity. This year we have to think about keeping another “baby” cool along with Lizzie - our “new” baby Starbuck.

It doesn’t seem like it’s been seven months since we got Starbuck, but it has been. And we are as happy as he is about his new living arrangements. They say, “You can’t save the world by saving a dog, but it can mean the world to the dog you save,” and we believe it. Lizzie loves her little buddy and only “grrrrrr’s” when he steps on her head when she’s on the floor between the seats and he’s headed for the bunk. He has gained ten pounds and his fur has grown into a beautiful coat. Sometimes I think he’s a clown because of the funny things he does, but when he looks at you with those little Cocker Spaniel eyes, all you see is love.

Even with all that love, you still need to “Bucky-proof” the truck or house when you leave Starbuck unsupervised. He looks like a cute little kangaroo when he stands on his hind legs, but don’t be fooled. That is how he reaches things on the dash in the truck or on the counter or table at home. Lizzie likes his ability to reach things because he always shares his spoils. She doesn’t have this talent.

When I called to board them in Louisville, the woman asked about their weights. Being presumptive she asked, “They weigh about 25 pounds each?” Yea, right. “No,” I said, “we have the jumbo models. One is 41 and the other is 36 pounds!” I tell people that the dogs are my workout program! By the time they take me for a walk and I help Lizzie back into the truck (Starbuck jumps right in on his own), I have had a workout. And since we do this more than once a day, I’d say it’s good exercise.

The pet warning for spring is look out for ticks - I’ve already found four on Starbuck and one on Lizzie. We got the Frontline Plus to go along with their Sentinel (flea and heartgaurd pill). Make sure you keep plenty of fresh water around. When we run out, the dogs flip the bowl to let us know we’re slacking. Don’t leave them alone in a hot truck either. The summer heat can’t be much fun when you wear a fur coat that you can’t take off. Although we do give the “kids” summer cuts, I like their hair when it is longer. And as always, look out for stickers! It isn’t any more fun for them to get them in their paws than it is for you to take them out. Grrrrrr!! See you next month.