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Being mad at a flat tire doesn’t put the spare on.

Being mad at a flat tire doesn’t put the spare on.

I remember a summer about 15 years ago when I was with my Grandfather somewhere in southern Illinois and his truck made that familiar flop…flop…flop noise of a flat tire.  He was either being lazy or trying to teach me a valuable lesson that day because I got to change the tire.

It was 115 degrees outside. I weighed all of 125 pounds. I didnt know how to change a flat tire.

I was mad.

He walked me through climbing under the truck to get the spare tire that was bolted to the bed down.

I was mad.

He walked me through loosening up the lug nuts. He walked me through jacking up truck. He walked me through taking the flat tire off.

I was mad.

Once I got the tire off the truck and on to the side of the road I kicked it. I don’t know why.  I was 16 years old and dumb is about all I can come up.

I was mad.

My grandfather then looked at me like I would look at an idiotic 16 year old today who just kicked a flat tire and said:

Being mad at a flat tire doesn’t put the spare on.

It didnt sink in at all that day. I finished putting the spare on. Got back in the truck and pouted all the way back to St.Louis.

I luckily don’t get many flat tires. I had a flat tire on Sunday afternoon and as I was waiting for my wife to come and pick up from the garage where I was getting it repaired I remember this as vividly as if it happened last month.

My grandfather passed away 7 years ago this month.  I miss him and his guidance nearly everyday. I just hope that I can take this great advice and apply it no matter what kind of flat tires life hands me.

Nobody is impressed with how good your excuses are.

If you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room.

Went on a float trip yesterday on the Gasconade River. Had a blast and even did a sweet flip off of Revis Rock.

This sign at the Break Time wins sign of the year hands down.

My entire life has been me trying to be more like Andy and less like Barney.

We always end up shooting clays on holidays. 

Here is a picture of Grandpa and Great Uncle. If you ever wondered where I got my huge forehead now you know.

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