Just sitting and thinking

[wildcard]

I went to an eye clinic a month or so ago that specializes in the eye disease I have. (Retinitis Pigmentosa) After all the tests, I am now considered legally blind. Even got the paperwork saying so. I can actually see whatever I'm looking at fairly well. Just have no peripheral vision.
Got to stop working because I got to stop driving.
But I was thinking, I've always enjoyed driving and have driven a lot of different type trucks and cars. Got to thinking what all I have driven and it turned out to be a heck of a list.
Learned to steer on a Farmall tractor. Then daddy taught me to drive in his 60 Chevrolet pickup with 3 on the tree.
My 1st car was a 1971 Vega. Moved up to a 67 SS Chevelle with the 396. Went through several custom vans and pickups. Really enjoyed an AMC Gremlin I had with the Levi interior. Then I got stuck on Fords. My daily driver now is my 85 F150 with the 3 on the tree. I've had 3 bumps that I can recall and I can truly say, other than the Chevelle, they are the ones I would like to have back. Especially the 67.
I've driven a few different semi's too. Learned in an old 8 speed Freightliner. Drove many a mile in a 76 (I believe it was) 13 speed Pete that had only manual steering. Speedometer didn't work, but then I probably didn't want to know how fast it was going either. Drove a White Freightliner when that was the name of them before it became different companies. Ford semis back then were junk. International wasn't much better. The 15 speed was nice in the hills. Made a 600 mile trip in a Volvo once and that was enough for me. Drove a Western Star for a while, Good truck but the speedometer only went to about 100. After it went past that and wanted to start back around the 2nd time, I chickened out. The Ford and White Freightliner had the old 5X4 shifters. Had to put one arm through the steering wheel and shift one stick while shifting the other stick with the other hand. Took a while to get that system down. Sterlings are nice except the one I picked up in Kansas and drove to Texas had a mighty stiff suspension.
There were other vehicles I had or drove. Some good, some not so good. At least I have the memories of some good times in them. I'll miss driving a lot. But I know it's time to give it up.
Probably gonna keep my trucks for now. Got to have something to tinker with. Definitely staying on Fordification.
Sorry this was so long. Just sitting here thinking and nobody to listen to me except the dogs. And they only listen when I say "Want a bite".
Hope everyone has a good day and a wonderful weekend.

Benny

[sargentrs]

Sorry to hear about your "condition", Benny. Sounds like you have some great experiences driving. Looking forward to my retirement so I can spend my time tinkering with old cars and trucks.

[AZf100]

Sounds like you are in good spirits, although I'm not in your shoes I don't know if I could take it as well. Thanks for sharing your story.

[jimmy828]

like Sargentrs said, sorry to hear about your condition. I have a neighbor that has the same sight problem. He stills tinkers with his early model hot rod. He is not allowed to have drivers license, but i see him get his pride and joy out sometimes and take it for a spin in front of his house. Can't keep a good auto enthusiast down.

[Mancar1]

Sorry to hear of your sight condition. Sounds like u r continuing to enjoy each day regardless. I am fortunate to still have my eyesight to a good enough degree. I have a bunch of medical issues that often come with advancing age, but as it sounds like u r. I am blessed.
God bless, and keep on keeping on my friend.......John

[crazyhorse]

Mr Wild, I'm sorry to hear about your eye sight.

I pray The Lord will bless and heal you as only He can.

Sounds like you have lived a very interesting life.

I hope you keep your truck and stay with us on Fordification.

I enjoy reading your posts & comments.

God Bless you Sir.

[wildcard]

Thanks for the comments and well wishes
. It really doesn't bother me until I go to look for something such as a tool or whatnot and finally find it laying a foot from where I've already looked and just didn't look directly at it. I just seem to spend a lot of time searching for stuff.
My wife wanted to know what I was gonna do when I couldn't look at all the women anymore. Told her I would just have to get them to come to me so I could feel of them. Wrong answer.
But seriously, I've been to some training for the visually impaired. Got a talking alarm clock and calculator along with a couple canes that I've been trained to use . So I will make it.
It's time to sit back and realize that there are others worse off than me. I have a wonderful wife and family that understand and have patience with me. And the Good Lord isn't going to give me more than I can handle.
So I'll keep on going and keep hanging around on here. Maybe I can throw out some advice or info to help somebody else one day since I got tons of info from this site.

Benny