Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Miss Beatrice Joins the Family

Apparently once bitten by the "bug" to own old things, the disease spreads and you start buying even more old things that need even more attention. Which led us to buy a 1974 VW Beetle Convertible. I know - it is just like our house, and about as old in "car years". But it is so cool!

When we bought the B&B we inherited a pool with the place. We didn't know what to do with the newfangled "cement pond" out back, but were pretty sure that the lovely emerald shade of the water was not right. Then we learned about Pool Dude. His real name was Dennis, but we dubbed him Pool Dude and it stuck. Pool Dude had a ruined voice that must have come from years of packs a day, but was delightful to listen to in a strained, will he make the end of the sentence or will it give out sort of way. Pool Dude helped us navigate the murky waters (literally) of pool ownership, to the point that now, years after his passing (will tell that story in another blog) we are able to spot algae bloom in its infancy.

All that to say, when we bought the VW for our daughter, we needed a "Bug Dude" to go with. That would be Tom. Tom is in Avilla, MO (pronounced "Aviya", because it annoys Jeanne when I say tortilla phonetically and I needed a way to extend that annoyance.) Bug Dude has not quite turned out to be the gem that Pool Dude was. He is a bit smoother, although just as crusty in his own way, and that smoothness makes us wonder.

It all leads to this: I am shopping for a timing light, tachometer, and dwell meter on Amazon because I have come to the conclusion that Bea (short for Beatrice, the name that was given the VW by Sarah upon purchase) needs to come under my direct maintenance, and no longer be a steady revenue stream for others. I anticipate making a purchase in the next 20 hours in order to qualify for free shipping to be here by Thursday! I love Amazon, although it can never replace Pool Dude, whom I miss terribly. I am planning to start missing Bug Dude soon, albeit voluntarily.

Beatrice is suffering from excess gas, I suspect. She does not idle smoothly, is a bit rough when first started, and gives off a rich odor of gasoline at idle. Unbecoming a lady of her years, and correctable, I hope.

What does all this have to do with inn keeping? A lot, I think. I love old muggle things, and love making them work as they once did. I hope to drive Bea in the Maple Leaf Parade one day, and will do so with pride. Provided, at least, that we can solve her little gas problem.

Visit us at http://www.grand-avenue.com/. We hope to post pics of Miss Bea soon.