tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4160223532207347025.post1395979784283220717..comments2024-02-28T23:35:56.193-05:00Comments on The Curious Reader: I Thought I Could, I Thought I Could...Gradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526750467742207099noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4160223532207347025.post-37995825321047097172010-10-08T05:36:13.310-04:002010-10-08T05:36:13.310-04:00Very cool. I don't think i could have done tha...Very cool. I don't think i could have done that :)<br /><br />Thanks for visiting my blog.Tabitha Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08196816108272065974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4160223532207347025.post-29236009744107720222010-10-07T04:28:26.431-04:002010-10-07T04:28:26.431-04:00I am speechless with admiration.I am speechless with admiration.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4160223532207347025.post-57947708926020080722010-09-29T15:18:17.409-04:002010-09-29T15:18:17.409-04:00I'm grinning like a crazy person at this post....I'm grinning like a crazy person at this post. I'm so impressed at your persistence and skill (and the "I hate you" kick was inspired)! And your descriptions are priceless. (By the way, your letter arrived in Cape Town and L is bringing it this Sat so thanks!)Petehttp://couchtrip.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4160223532207347025.post-60585944064065462652010-09-29T07:00:35.037-04:002010-09-29T07:00:35.037-04:00Hahaha I love the calm 'I hate you.', that...Hahaha I love the calm 'I hate you.', that makes this story for me :) Comedians Mitchell and Webb have a sketch about special lessons that boys get in secret when they get seperated out from girls for PE or sex ed, where the boys are taught how to draw penis grafitti, then told to never mention the lesson to anyone (I really hope that makes it through the spam filter). And voila it's like they were born knowing how to do it. I suspect there are similar classes about motors and then they fool us into thinking there aren't by giving that one practical lesson to everyone in Physics on how to earth a plug. Well done for beating the system of mechanical ignorance ;)Jodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11462660276240016464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4160223532207347025.post-20081093209349644062010-09-22T09:31:59.980-04:002010-09-22T09:31:59.980-04:00Shelley, Riah would certainly have known how to ma...Shelley, Riah would certainly have known how to make things work right. My favorite "ingredient" was Blaster! Just the name alone instills confidence!<br /><br />Fugitive, little Juliana actually shoved a business card in my hand with the name and number of a fellow who fixes small engines. When I got home I pulled it out of my jeans pocket and was sorely tempted, but I simply couldn't stand the thought of giving up. Long distance, my brother assured me they don't sell things for lawn mowers which would cause them to blow up. It would be very bad for business. Once assured I wouldn't be a threat to myself or the neighborhood, it was just a matter of figuring it out. The Combustion Fairy announced she loves travel.Gradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526750467742207099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4160223532207347025.post-6768179454517164402010-09-21T20:55:49.646-04:002010-09-21T20:55:49.646-04:00Grad, you are my hero. I am the designated Fixer o...Grad, you are my hero. I am the designated Fixer of Stuff in my parents' house and my own (only in my family could I be the technical genius) but I'd have baulked at a combustion engine. <br />I do love that it was the calm, "I hate you" kick that solved it, though. We read the instructions, we try the logical stuff, but secretly we're all about the percussive maintenance - a little light assault and battery, and if that doesn't work, call a professional. After crying, obviously.<br />Next time my car dies, though, please express me the Combustion Fairy.Fugitive Piecesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4160223532207347025.post-57217521943715737852010-09-20T20:26:23.967-04:002010-09-20T20:26:23.967-04:00Although I write about a woman who loves fixing he...Although I write about a woman who loves fixing her tractor, I have zero competence with cars/machines, so your shopping list alone arouses my admiration!Shelleyhttp://dustbowlpoetry.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4160223532207347025.post-70808119963923615582010-09-20T16:53:10.844-04:002010-09-20T16:53:10.844-04:00Litlove, I truly can't believe I actually did ...Litlove, I truly can't believe I actually did it. I called my brother in Chicago and got some practical tips...guys just seem to know these things. The fellows at ACE had a few suggestions as well. But in the final analysis, it was just me against machine. Me! Who hates to break a nail much less a sweat! I went out to the garage a few times on Sunday just to start it. Was it a dream or did it really happen? The only explanation: There must be a combustion fairy living in my garden.Gradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526750467742207099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4160223532207347025.post-2269302400877223882010-09-20T16:34:16.380-04:002010-09-20T16:34:16.380-04:00I am not worthy!! Really, I can't even change ...I am not worthy!! Really, I can't even change a fuse, so I am mightily impressed by your fixing a whole lawn mower - AND giving it the makeover it needed to believe in love again. By the way, my husband says the first law of engineering is: kick it. This seems only to apply to him, though, as he makes the most incredible fuss when either I, or our son, takes that approach. But really, there's nothing like it for retrieving your change from a machine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4160223532207347025.post-30802526886401117682010-09-20T14:36:44.189-04:002010-09-20T14:36:44.189-04:00Tinky, really you could have done exactly the same...Tinky, really you could have done exactly the same thing I did. I had to watch several videos on the internet to learn how to change a spark plug, where to look for it, and what an air filter looked like. I knew what a spark plug looked like, but had never come into close contact with one. I learned I needed a socket wrench to get it off. I bought the wrong size first time around; I bought a lot of stuff that didn't fit, or didn't work, or wasn't right. The folks at ACE were determined to see me succeed; I think I became a cause celebre. One small step for Grad. One giant leap for people who like pink!Gradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526750467742207099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4160223532207347025.post-52079488858695177952010-09-20T14:19:40.692-04:002010-09-20T14:19:40.692-04:00I am SO impressed with you. Never, ever could I ha...I am SO impressed with you. Never, ever could I have done that (although I love pink things so I like the sound of your Blaster). <br /><br />I hope when you get to know Juliana better you'll have an opportunity to dazzle her with a joke.....Tinkyhttp://www.ourgrandmotherskitchens.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4160223532207347025.post-45092547474278195082010-09-20T14:15:25.121-04:002010-09-20T14:15:25.121-04:00Stefanie, I have new found admiration for people w...Stefanie, I have new found admiration for people who can fix things. The whole time I was terrified that the thing would exlode or that I would set everything in the vicinity on fire. As it turns out, an engine is a remarkable and beautiful thing. I really do hate that I had to waste that joke opportunity, though.Gradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526750467742207099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4160223532207347025.post-61686315178473794742010-09-20T13:41:57.182-04:002010-09-20T13:41:57.182-04:00Oh Grad, your mower adventure is indeed priceless!...Oh Grad, your mower adventure is indeed priceless! And just think, after all you have learned you could have a second career in lawn mower repair and be very good at it. I also admire you restraint at the huge opening for the joke that Juliana provided you.Stefaniehttp://somanybooksblog.comnoreply@blogger.com