The other day I got a call from my old grade school buddy
Paul. He owns and operates a local animal hospital in my
suburb, that takes care of all the high dollar dogs and cats
in town. Paul and I are close I guess but our different life
styles just doesn't let us get together often. Our sense of
humor and views on life are similar since we were products
of the same environment.
I will never forget the time that Paul was complaining at our
local general store, where we were raised, that he needed glasses
but probably wouldn't get them for some time. He was wearing
old levis with many worn holes and patched gum boots with bailer
twine for a belt. We had flown in on his plane to visit with our
parents for the weekend. I probably was not dressed much better.
The local Vista Volunteer grabbed Paul and was going to take
care of poor old Paul's medical needs. I remember him saying,
"I can take care of all your needs." Paul said "I've been looking
for you for years, I've got a lot of needs."
About fifteen minutes into the spiel one of the locals said, "Doctor
XXXX, would you look at my cow when you have time."
This killed Paul's act and the Vista Volunteer left. If you own a
2-3 million dollar animal hospital you just don't get your needs
taken care of. Anyway back to the safe story.
It seems that Paul had bought a 700 pound Browning gun safe
that had to be picked up at the Grand American Trap Shoot that
day. I borrowed a pickup from my niece and went to the Grand
American. What an event. We picked up the safe and returned to
his house, which with the help of much thinking, we unloaded the
safe in the middle of his garage. Without the lever and the inclined
plane it would have never happened.
After we finished we were reflecting on the day and the Grand
American in particular. "Paul did you feel threatened today?
There must have been a thousand people walking around with
guns and ammunition?"
Paul's reply was, "The question never even entered my mind."
So much for gun control. ~ Old Rupe
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