"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." - John C. Maxwell

I had a clever and critical quote about politicians that I was going to use for this post title in a nod to election day but decided against it in favor of a more positive quote about leaders.
It's too easy to get cynical (or worse) about politicians and too many of them have given us good reason. But to paint them all with the same brush is unfair to them and hurtful to our best interests.  The best among them have a commitment to country and genuinely (if in error) seek its best.
I agree with Churchill who said, "Democracy is the worst form of government with one exception - all others."
His point: democracy is a flawed system with plenty of problems. But it's the best of the bad options and we are very fortunate to enjoy its many benefits.
Alexis de Tocqueville said, "People get the government they deserve," something that's especially true in a democracy. So perhaps instead of railing against the politicians we ought to take a closer look at ourselves.
(And then there are the NT passages that command us to respect and obey civil authorities.)

I went to bed with the feeling that I was on the leading edge of a cold. I woke up this morning at 3 a.m. convinced. Oh well. I only wish it wasn't my first week on the job.

BTW, I'm still convinced the people are the best part.

Can I ever get Buddy to give up his urge to chase cats? I think I've given him a conscience about it; he now knows he's not supposed to take out after them until he reaches the end of the leash and comes to a very abrupt halt. I can tell he knows better. But the sight of a cat within 20' is an internal trigger that seems irresistible.
There's a sermon illustration in there somewhere.

Cool old logging pics.

God gave me a birthday present today.

First, I'm not dead.

When I picked up Sally from Joe's Automotive the owner (whose name isn't Joe) showed me what he took out. The inner and outer wheel bearings on the front left side were disintegrated. Worse: the hub they sit in was worn to just this side of failure. That hub is what the wheel bolts onto.
But wait! There's more.
Sally has ugly unfortunate aftermarket wheels. I bought some used stock wheels when we were in AZ a year ago but the wheel covers (like hub caps but they cover the whole wheel) run about $75 each, so that switch was going to wait awhile. OK, a long time.
It turns out the lug nuts on these aftermarket wheels are incorrect and wouldn't torque down to the right tightness. More risk of wheels coming off.

The owner is also an old car guy and after showing me all of this he told me he has four Mustangs in his warehouse - two 1965 fastbacks, a 1966 fastback, and a 1966 couple (like mine). He took one of the hubs off one of those cars to use on mine, and also took 16 lug nuts. (He's going to hot rod the cars so these original parts are of no use to him).

But wait! There's more!
He also GAVE me four wheel covers. They've got some light dents but they won't be visible from 10' or at 10 mph. I spent some time this afternoon with some chrome polish and elbow grease and they cleaned up well.

Thursday I'm going to take Sally back and they'll put my tires on the stock wheels I've also cleaned up and install these wheel covers.
Sally will look SOOOOOOOO much better. I'll post before & after pics.

He told me if I need any other parts to come see him.

T'ank you, Fadder.