Friday, July 28, 2017

This is South Dakota

He came to the back door of Wild West Wheels Fix it Shop. He was tall, thin and anxious. His son was sitting in the cab next to him.

"I have been driving all over town trying to find someone who could help me. Can you get my motorcycle off of the back of my truck?"

Bob took one look. "No problem. Just back up to the loading dock."

Later his wife joined the pair. The man was uncommunicative and seemed in a hurry. Bob presumed they were camping in the area and wanted to tour with the motorcycle.

Bob looked at the license plate on the back of the white truck. It identified the vehicle from New York.

Bob interrupted his work on a lawn mower to slip the Triumph motorcycle off of the back of the truck. It took him about 20 minutes because the man needed help in parking his truck correctly in order for Bob to unload it.

"How much do I owe you?"

"Not a thing. It only took a few minutes of my time. This is not New York and this is the way we do it in South Dakota."
To the family from New York: enjoy your trip compliments of Wild West Wheels from South Dakota!

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Flat and Proud

"Why are you having breast implants?" The nurse stood at my bedside after my surgery.

I was struggling with the issue since I had initially agreed to have the implants and was still in shock after my double mastectomy.

"I've been wondering that myself," I responded.

I was lying in the hospital bed, feeling alone and confused about taking the implant option. I was still groggy and relying on input from the "experts". Initially I was diagnosed with cancer in my left breast and had agreed to an implant since I was giving public presentations at that time and did not want to be lopsided. During the surgery they discovered cancer in my other breast which resulted in a double mastectomy.

I will always be grateful to that nurse who stood at my bedside and asked that question. She was the only one who challenged my original decision. All other medical or cancer personnel involved encouraged the breast implants, and later, after my decision not to have it, directed me to a store to order "falsies" to enhance my image.

After leaving the hospital and checking out the limitations and discomfort of plastic surgery, my husband and I drove to the suggested store that offered medical supplies for any restorations and was measured for the falsies. I was horrified to learn the cost.

"Medicare will cover everything," I was told.

"So what?  I was going to research this further, especially after another customer stood at the desk requesting a replacement item and was told, "We can't give you one of those. You have to purchase the entire box and Medicare will cover the cost."

My research began and I found inexpensive inserts at Sears. They were not covered by Medicare but I would not be bloating the system by ordering the very expensive inserts from the restorative store. During further investigation I learned about mastectomy swimming suits from Lands End that were far less expensive than those I could order from the store.

I paid out of pocket for everything and felt then, and still do, that I made the right decisions. Within a short time I abandoned the falsies and went flat and proud! Breasts do not define who I am.

Today the CBS Sunday morning show was dedicated to cancer. It covered issues such as research, cures and causes. One segment was of special interest to me. It was the one dealing with women choosing to go flat. So I am not alone. There are other women out there who have made the same choices that I did six years ago.

To make me even more certain, I have since learned that implant surgery is not a "one shot remedy". It is a lifetime of returns to the surgeon with many complications.

I did make the right decision to go flat. I am still me, minus some parts, and I wish I knew the name of that nurse who quietly stood by my hospital bedside and asked me the question that helped save me years of regret.
Whoever and wherever you are, Thank you!

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Recoursefulness

She was about 15 years old - thin, brown hair with glasses. She hesitated, then came into Bob's Fix it Shop pushing her bicycle.

"I need my bike fixed. I fell and it is sort of messed up."

Bob stopped his other work to help the girl. He patched the tire, adjusted the brakes and replaced the broken shift control with a new one.

"How much do I owe you for all of this work?"

"I will charge you $20.00 for the new shift control."

"Well, I have to ask my mother for the money and I have to wait until she is in a good mood."

The girl took her bike with her.

Two weeks went by before the teen-ager came back to settle her bill.  She handed Bob the $20.00.

"Oh, I guess your Mom was finally in a good mood."

"No, she wasn't. I saved my lunch money to pay for my bike."

There are still shining beacons of hope among the newest generation.


Sunday, July 9, 2017

Slow and Steady

It has been a year since Bob purchased the former "Robb's" building in downtown Hot Springs. During this year he has worked on the building and opened a Fix It Shop in the back. He recently completed work on the one bedroom apartment upstairs and is renting out the business section below.


The Fix it Shop is doing remarkably well. He and his partner can barely keep up with items being brought in for repair. He also teaches a weekly class to children from the Boys and Girls Club on bicycle repair, during which time the bikes from the club being stored at the shop are also being fixed.

And as of this week he has begun to carry and sell small motorcycles which are light, fast and suprisingly affordable. Scooters will follow soon. Watch for them.



All of this has been accomplished by my 80-year old husband who loves to repair, restore and keep the locals from having to make a long trip to Chadron or Rapid City. Being a long-time environmental enthusiast, his lifetime goal is to leave the earth with a small footprint. He continues this goal by helping others in this "throw away" society to use and re-use while using less gas and enjoying life.

Let's here it for use and re-use!




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