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  1.  
    Phranque, I remember your posts so clearly. I remember sitting her crying along with you. Little did I know that I would be joining you in the ranks of the widows and widowers very shortly. Gord will have been gone 18 months as of April 26th. It doesn't seem possible.
  2.  
    Phranque: I followed your journey just as jang did and I have now joined the group of w's & w's. This strange disease eventually takes all of us. I almost just followed in your (yours and others) footsteps. I read a lot of the posts and feel so bad because those folks are now following in our footsteps. And, there is nothing they can do about it. I wish I could do more to help them.

    Regards
  3.  
    My niece gave me a book called " The Cherokee Feast of Days". It is an inspirational book. One part which I can only paraphrase states that as we travel in our journeys, we can reach back to help others navigate the path. I think that is what we all try to do. No matter which stage we are in, we can reach back to help those following.
  4.  
    jang: That is a lovely thought and I try to help by encouraging them on their journey. I was referring to the disease when I said that there is nothing they can do about it. Unfortunately, medical science doesn't know much more about it now than they did 30 yrs ago. And, in all of recorded history, it is 100% fatal. I know that they will find a cure someday. Lets hope and pray that it is soon because there is an epidemic coming at our society.

    Love You Guys.
  5.  
    Dean, my husband was in a trial for the last 24 months of his life. The trial closed the month after he died. I finally received the news that of the four possibilities of the trial, Gord was on the highest dose of the unknown drug. That was the end of the study. There were apparently few if any good results from the drug. I wonder how many died.
  6.  
    Another thought Dean, I hope it is soon too. Gord had the APOE4 gene. I worry about my sons, my grandson and my granddaughter. I don't think I could bear to see my beautiful sons with that awful disease. I will be gone before my grandkids get it. I know that both my boys are afraid and are consumed by keeping healthy physically and mentally. Unfortunately, my eldest son is a diabetic as is my granddaughter. Oh Lord, I hope they find a cure soon.
    • CommentAuthorFayeBay*
    • CommentTimeApr 20th 2013
     
    We can find blessings in all tragic situations. Phranque was our blessing.
  7.  
    We need to hear from Phranque!!!!
    •  
      CommentAuthorol don*
    • CommentTimeApr 20th 2013
     
    Phranque may be on a cross country tour with his old Buick,he must have the bumper rechromed by now
  8.  
    Phranque is alive and well.....and yes the bumper is shining beautifully....I now have a 1929 Ford Phaeton (oops that is Phord Phaeton, or is it Phord Faeton??) also, and I drive that almost every day...I still peek in this site daily, but it reminds me often of the pain I went through, and I still cannot accept EOAD in any form. We might be able to have an entire country search for one terrorist, but we still cannot find one single remedy for AD.
    There is life after alzheimer's and caregiving, but the memories are still tender and painful. I suspect that time will fade the memories, and make them better. I miss all of you, and am a bit disappointed that very little humor is being posted. It helps to laugh a bit, despite the tragedy that is unfolding in front of us. If it were not so sad, it would really be funny.
    •  
      CommentAuthorol don*
    • CommentTimeApr 21st 2013
     
    Phranque,your not alone I feel exactly the same,however I only have a 87 Firebird Formula to while away the time and money soon to be replaced with another Mustang ragtop anything to keep my mine off the last 6-7 years
  9.  
    Phranque & Ol don: I also have a car 'problem', but is isn't so easy to solve. I had bought my DW a new Cadillac in 06 that she loved. We didn't need it at the time, but, I bought it for her. I did good. She loved it. Now, she is gone and guess what sits in my garage most of the time. I drive a pickup so I don't actually need her car, but, I need a car of some kind occasionally so I just keep it. And, it isn't worth much anyhow.

    Oh Well..
  10.  
    Well guys mine is a 90 Camaro that I bought for our 30th wedding anniversary. It sits in the barn at home as I do not drive it anymore but the sentimental value is still there. Just cannot seem to let go of that part of the past. Must be a man thing.

    God bless you all.
  11.  
    Dean, I bought DH a 2005 Cadillac - that's what he wanted. We still have it, drive it everyday and I love that car!
  12.  
    I feel so guilty because I need to find a home for DH's first car, a two tone '56 Olds 98 that weighs 4000 lbs. He's had it rehabbed to drive to a few reunions but other than that it takes up space in the garage. It has all original everything including the emblem. Any ideas on where to find a loving buyer? Disposing of his things is like placing a litter of puppies to good homes. Sad business.
  13.  
    Marche, look to see if there are any car clubs in your area. They would most likely be able to help you find a buyer who would appreciate a find like that one.
    •  
      CommentAuthorNikki
    • CommentTimeApr 21st 2013
     
    How it warmed my heart to see a thread with your name it once again Phranque*

    I have been spending a great deal of time at the NH because Lynn is fighting pneumonia and a sinus infection. Last night while taking Lynn for his walk before tucking him into bed we ran into a sweet lady, she thinks I am a relative of hers and is always telling me how much she loves me and wants to spend time with me.

    She asked me to come closer because she had to tell me something, fully expecting her to tell me she loved me, I had my arms ready to embrace her and my lips were already forming the words I love you too.....

    when she said " My butt-crack really itches, can you help me with that?"

    How's that for a bit of humor? :D
    •  
      CommentAuthorol don*
    • CommentTimeApr 21st 2013
     
    Marche,if that old "98" has been redone should be very easy to sell,as Sandi*said there are lots of folks at car shows just looking for something like that,check online to first see what it would be worth
    •  
      CommentAuthorCarolyn*
    • CommentTimeApr 21st 2013
     
    Nikki, thanks for the laugh this morning. Re: cars. I'm still driving our 2001 Crown Vic. I left the title in both our names since I like the
    Purple Heart license plate to honor him. Besides, the DMV said to leave it be since it would cost $80.00 to take his name off.
  14.  
    ol don* Other than having the engine tinkered with through the years, the car is virginal.
  15.  
    OK, Phranque, a little humor..... I hope I can be forgiven if I've told this story before, but here goes:

    It seems that these two senior ladies were touring the zoo one day, and seeing two adjacent porcupine cages, one labeled "American Porcupine" and the other labeled "Australian Porcupine", they weren't able to distinguish any difference. Seeing a young male zoo attendant passing by, they hailed him and asked if he could explain the difference. "Oh, it's actually a very subtle difference, ladies, but the difference is that the American porcupine has a prick about two inches long, whereas the Australian porcupine's prick is only about one inch long." Well, the two ladies were so shocked and embarrassed at this explanation that they stormed up to the zoo manager's office, demanding that he fire "that fresh young attendant". The manager explained that the young man in question was his most valued employee and he couldn't imagine his having done anything to upset them. When he asked if they would tell him what it was that upset them so, they protested that it was too embarrassing to repeat, but one finally swallowed her embarrassment and screwed up the courage to repeat what the young man had said about the lengths of the porcupines' pricks. The zoo manager burst into laughter and explained that it was all just a misunderstanding. "The young man was just referring to the relative lengths of the porcupines' quills, ladies -- confidentially, I doubt that either one has a prick more than about a half inch long!"
  16.  
    ok..seeing as this is Phranque's thread, I can tell a joke too. A local type joke.

    The Portugese guy went to the Filipino guy as he saw a horse in the field he wanted to buy. He inquired about it-"Hey brah, you like sell dat horse?" The Filipino answered, "Ah, you no like. Dat horse, he no look so good"

    The Portugese said, " Well he looks pretty good to me", and made an offer. Off he went with his horse in the trailer.

    The next day, he noticed the horse could was blind!! He went storming back to the Filipino, and said hey what the heck?? The Filipino answered casually and truthfully, " I told you he no look so good"
    • CommentAuthorxox
    • CommentTimeApr 21st 2013
     
    I would love to buy the olds "98" but don't have the money and I don't have a garage. I am sure you can find a good home for it and get a tidy sum.
    •  
      CommentAuthorm-mman*
    • CommentTimeApr 21st 2013 edited
     
    I have collected cars since I was 16. I have an entire collection old cars (like about 10-12) some I have owned for 30+ years. (Phranque et al - mostly Fords Lincolns & Mercurys 40-70s)

    Since the AD took two steps down, they now just sit in the barn I hardly have time to even look at them and never get to work on them. :-( The car shows and meets all ended years ago.

    It is amazing how AD knows exactly what is important to you and manages to steal it out from under you.

    I had to get rid of 10 lessor condition cars last year selling them for $100-200 each just to get them moved. I kept them for parts for the keeper cars. Sadly when I next need the parts I will have to pay more for another bumper than I sold the entire car for. . . .

    Marche if you want to know anything or everything about selling an old car just ask.
  17.  
    m-mman, My DH has an old 1970 Chevrolet truck. People have stopped here and tried to buy it. It's not in great shape but has a big motor. Is it worth anything? DH has a strange attachment to that truck and has never been willing to part with it. We may be way off topic here but considering the title of this thread and knowing who it is, we could probably talk about anything! Right Phranque?
    •  
      CommentAuthorm-mman*
    • CommentTimeApr 21st 2013
     
    For anyone who has an 'old car' in their life.

    For real estate it is 'location,location, location' . . . For old cars it is 'condition, condition, condition'.
    Anyone who has had (or sold) stamps & coins understands.

    Yes; year, make and model will make or break a collector's interest but then it becomes all the little things. . . .

    1970 is a good year for a Chevrolet truck, and 1957 is a better year for an Oldsmobile, but everything has value.

    This thread could go way off topic! and I would enjoy it, but Joan may not.
    Write me ;-)
  18.  
    Ok, I just had to add my bit.
    My son is Aussie Holden car mad, at one time had 4 old Holdens. raced an old Torana at the speedway on avgas, aviation fuel....needless to say how happy I was when he sold that car.
    Now he just has A 1961 orginal baby blue Ute, if interested you might like to google them.
  19.  
    Vickie: Thanks for the info inre the Caddy. This is a beautiful car and my DW loved it like you do yours. However, I am a retired banker that likes to hang around with some old Okla guys that think they are rednecks. We go to the public golf course and then go eat catfish. These aren't Cadillac guys and those ain't Cadillac parking lots. I try to fit in with them and the Caddy is a distraction.

    Hope you have a good day.
    • CommentAuthorWolf
    • CommentTimeApr 22nd 2013
     
    Good to hear from you Frank.
  20.  
    I find it so flattering that I managed to gain my own thread!!! And my interest in cars has consumed me, and I find it to be a great distraction, and a fun hobby. I have attended numerous car shows, and it is amazing that when I drive one of my cars around, people smile, wave, honk horns, give me a thumbs up, and have a huge smile on their face. I often see people taking pictures in front of my cars, and they are all excited to have an opportunity to see such old cars. How I wish they would react the same way for "old people".
    I have found that having an antique car automatically attracts people, and they have no problem starting conversations when they see it. I found it a great way to reenter socialization, and meeting new people.
    I would love to keep this thread going, since I really believe that there is quite an interest here for the memories that were made with so many different cars.
    M-mman---if you ever decide to sell your cars, please let me know. I am already bored with the 6 cars I have, and NEED more of them. :)
    So far, I have a 1931 Buick 87 (named Betty Buick), a 1929 Ford Phaeton (Phord Faeton?) named Murray, a 2003 Jaguar XKR that Don has helped me load the front end into the back seat, a 2011 Corvette (torch red) that makes everyone think I am having a midlife crisis, a 2004 Lincoln Aviator that I used to haul a trailer for my car or boat, and a 2009 Acura RL that I never drive and will soon sell. I am considering buying a showroom 1940 Packard, and some type of 1930's car with modern engine and transmission, a/c, power steering, etc...
    Then I will start to buy garages........
    • CommentAuthoryhouniey
    • CommentTimeApr 22nd 2013
     
    Do any of you car nuts come to PA for the Hersey and Carlisle car show? I know people from all over the world come to them.
    •  
      CommentAuthorm-mman*
    • CommentTimeApr 22nd 2013 edited
     
    Ok Phranque . . .
    The cars I cant play with right now; (all 100% stock) 41 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet, 59 Lincoln Conv, 58 Imperial Limo (Ghia built in Italy), 64 and 66 Mercury Park Lane convertibles. 64 Ford Galaxie XL conv, 71 Ford LTD conv, 55 Cadillac Superior ambulance, 71 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance, 66 Cadillac Superior flower car and a 66 Ford F-350 Holmes tow truck to move them around. (and the essential parts cars to support these)
    And they all live in the 2000 sq ft 1944 barn (garage) in the back yard . . .

    I just sold all my Edsels (8 of them) and the 64 Lincoln conv I bought back in 1976 for $150 . . .
    I prefer luxury cars. My goal is to get a closed CCCA Full Classic. I saw a wonderful original 1925 Lincoln with a Brunn body on ebay two years ago, (It went cheap too) BUT . . . .other priorities get in the way. . . .

    Hershey & Carlisle? yeah it is the center of the earth for old cars. Only been able to go once :-(
    Nowadays I cant even get to the local wrecking yards (my relaxation)

    Utes? Yup know them too. Seen a few, but rare in the USA of course.
  21.  
    m-mman: Don't have time today, but I will definitely seek your advice on selling the Blue Ox.

    We live in the vicinity of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg museum - you car guys should visit that place if you haven't. Labor Day is fun just seeing all the old cars tooling down the interstate coming to the auction.
  22.  
    Marche: Last year, as part of the breast cancer awareness program, someone displayed an Auburn Dual Cowl Phaeton. The info said that it was #1 of 16 that were built. Such a beautiful machine that I took a picture of it.