Introducing the 1960 Ford Falcon Ranchero

Being that I'm a big-time newspaper publisher, it only seems fitting that I have a classic car for taking The Goddess out to Sunday brunch or a rummage sale.

I considered purchasing a Bugatti or an old Cadillac, but due to budgetary constraints and the crumbling economy, I had to set my sights on something more realistic. Last week I found a classic vehicle in my price range. It was located out on Warren Creek Road next to a chicken coop.



It's a 1960 Ford Falcon Ranchero, with a straight-6 and three on the tree. It hauls ass and appears to be mechanically sound, despite a wee bit of rust.



The speedometer didn't work on the test drive until I hit a pothole. Now it's fully functional, almost.



I like the name "Ranchero." It's very manly and makes me want to talk like the guy in the Black Angus commercials.

Like A Rhinestone Cowboy

Now for a random childhood memory...

The year is 1975 or 1976.

I'm a small child, playing with wooden blocks – red, blue and green.

I'm in the dining room on a hard, white floor with speckled black dots. I stack the blocks one atop another until there's a teetering tower and the blocks crash down, making a spectacular sound.

My parents are across the room reading books on a green couch. They're happy, as usual, and occasionaly mutter words of encouragement as I repeatedly stack my blocks.
In turn, I feel happy and accomplished. I'm enjoying the music, which is this song:

Obituary for my mountain bike

(The family respectfully request that you click on the video above so you can listen to the music while you read about our dearly departed friend.)


Specialized Rock Hopper, born December 1995, died March 2009 in Humboldt County, Calif. It was 13 years of age.

An aluminum mountain bike, Rock Hopper passed away peacefully after suffering a fatal frame crack which rendered its bottom bracket useless.

Rock Hopper was a friend to all and will be missed.



Rock Hopper spent its early years cruising the Hammond Trail, with occasional excursions into the hills east of McKinleyville.

In the summer of 2006, Rock Hopper was converted to an electric-powered bike and, for a short time, had its own blog – Jack’s Electric Bicycle.



By early 2007, Rock Hopper was converted back to a regular mountain bike and became an almost daily commuter. With its fat, knobby tires, Rock Hopper went off the beaten path and explored many of McKinleyville’s nooks and crannies.




In the last six months of its life, Rock Hopper spent quality time communing with nature on the trails of the Arcata Community Forest.

Rock Hopper is survived by an English Hawthorne 3-speed, a Navara Randonee, a vintage Cannondale road bike, a Schwinn unicycle, The Goddess’s Trek Navigator and a Hobie skateboard.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made to Jack’s bicycle fund or the charity of your choice.

Before interment at a recycling center, Rock Hopper will undergo an extensive organ harvest, with its parts destined for a new mountain bike once a new frame is acquired.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

New Acquisition for The Durham Fine Art Collection

Should anyone have the temerity to question my taste in art, I present the following.




This most excellent artwork was acquired today at a thrift store and will now be given a place of prominence in my office.

These are the astronauts of Apollo 11. From left are Lunar Module Pilot Edwin E Aldrin Jr., Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Commander Neil A. Armstrong.

Rock on, you lunar legends!

Micro-Thought #1282

Make two trips, not one, when carrying stuff.

Micro-Thought #1281

Mayonnaise is the condiment of The Gods.

Lanphere-Christensen Dunes Preserve.3.14.09

On Saturday we pedaled from Kim's house down to the Lanphere-Christensen Dunes Preserve, formerly known as the Mad River Slough and Dunes.



There's a narrow trail just past the gun club.



You can see where the forest meets the dunes.



Our bikes co-mingled.



Our feet touched.



We saw a nest.



The trail ends at this trestle.



We discussed further explorations of Mad River Slough using our kayaks.

A.B.C. – Always Be Closing

This week I've been a Sales Force of One – pounding the pavement in an effort to keep the ship afloat.

Before I go out, I listen to this inspirational sales talk.

Shall we howl?

Factory Girls

I love this Flogging Molly song, especially the lyrics:

Empty are their pockets
But their voices are filled with song

Pedal Around the Bay

On Saturday The Goddess turned 42.
For her birthday, she got a new tattoo.



While the tattoo artist needled away,
I pedaled around Humboldt Bay.



In Manila I came across a Great White.
It was quite a fright.



From the Samoa Bridge, I watched godwits using their long beaks
to dig for tasty treats.



The architect of this structure did his best
to create a building that looks like two breasts.



On Old Arcata Road I felt a little bolder
riding on a new, smooth shoulder.



I admired the Lanphere Dunes
while whistling some familiar tunes.



Then it was time for some cocktails and a shot or two
as we all toasted Kim's new tattoo.

Lloyd Bridges and the Lloyd Building

I don't recall where I read it, but this building in Eureka was once owned by the late Lloyd Bridges.