How to fix your car
I stopped over at my son's place after school. The plan was to return an umbrella stroller and maybe take his wife and kids to do a little shopping, since their old car was out of commission.
When I came over, the hood was up on the old Buick and my son was ensconced underneath trying to unhook the alternator. He had bought a new one for $100. and was having trouble loosening a crucial screw. You know, the one that is frozen in place and is absolutely necessary to completion of the task.
This is usually where a lot of cussing and throwing items takes place by most men of my experience. He had used every tool imaginable including a hammer and some WD-40 to loosen it up. I had a few tries at it also, as well as whacking it and trying to saw it off with the hacksaw. Mostly, I lent moral support.
Well, somehow, he managed to get a the right wrench wedged over it, and got it off, which proved that miracles still take place. Thank the Lord, as he had taken the day off to deal with it.
Second hurdle involved putting a new belt over six different round thingies to make the motor work which meant moving the idler (one of the six circles) over while wedging the belt in place. A great deal of muscle and effort went into that. Very similar to giving birth.
Congratulations were in order! Not only did my computer nerd son, who knows nothing about cars (he once put water in the oil opening, and had a different car catch fire and totally immolate on the way to work) actually replace the alternator and replace a difficult belt, but when he turned the key, it ran!
I am very proud of him, as he is finally turning into a real guy! He still doesn't care about the Super Bowl however. So, if you see a really ugly beige Buick loaded with bumper stickers and a trunk that doesn't close, go by, give him a thumbs up and an atta boy!
