knightfan26917

* A chapter of my Route 66-based story posted Sunday. This, from Saturday, could be a scene from that story, with the caption something like: “Um, sir, you know the train don’t come through here anymore, right!?” http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/03/14/car-tunes-saturday-8/ Speaking of Route 66, which would you rather drive along it: 1957 Chevy or 1967 Pontiac? http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/03/12/thursday-survey-8/ Anyone like Andrew Llloyd Weber tunes? http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/03/10/cd-showcase-memories-52/ & ... this might be creative, but now ... I'm kind hungry for Doritos.... http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/03/16/daily-dose-mon-madness-9/ BTW, if interested, go to the home page & sign up for Email notifications…. Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve "Some are leaving town" __ David Nail __ 'Red Light'

* From 3 of this week’s “Automotive Daily”s…. Couped-up Monday, 1977 = Dodge Charger (a bit different than the model that was The General Lee) = Ford Thunderbird (1st year of the “mid-sized” birds) = Monte Carlo (last of the 2nd generation, 1973-7) See more: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/03/09/automotive-daily-50/ Wagon Wednesday, 1973 = Dodge Polara (last of the 4th generation, 1969-73) = Ford LTD Country Squire (1st of a new breed, major redesign) = Impala (wait! where’d the back door go?) See more: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/03/11/automotive-daily-52/ 4-door Friday, 1975 = Dodge Dart (a year away from being replaced) = Ford Granada (1st of an 8-year run) = Nova (1st of the 4th generation, 1975-79) See more: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/03/13/automotive-daily-54/ Among other daily-weekly themes is this for my Route 66-based story, posting it chapter by chapter: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/category/sunday-story/ [i drove Route 66, September 2009. I road tripped at least once a year 2002-2011 to meet people & see family-friends.] Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve "Now you know the truth is in the way you feel inside" __ Johnny Lee & Lane Brody __ 'Yellow Rose Of Texas'

Yes, I agree! Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve "All my pictures seem to fade to black & white" __ George Michael __ 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me'

Hi Dave! Ah, no need to be sorry. Just the way my life is! Well, actually, the 2006 trip was before I joined here, too. But, yes, I, too, have had that experience of noticing something I missed. In fact, I was just reviewing pics of my 2010 road trip the other day & ran into that sort of thing! Funny, isn't it!? In the photo from the 2006 trip, the Dodge is my rental for that trek & the Buick is (er, was, as he has since replaced it) owned by the friend I met for breakfast. Cort | www.oldcarsstronghearts.com 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve

* After all the “doctors soap opera”, the endo-colonoscopies are now set for 04/07/2015, Tuesday. Cort | www.oldcarsstronghearts.com 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve

* Something from my website … my Dallas-Fort Worth TX stop for breakfast during my 2006 road trip: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/2015/02/24/tuesday-trip-6/ In health news … if only registering, coaxing doctors to communicate with each other, coordinating schedules & receiving-executing pre- & post-procedure instructions could be listed on a resume as professional abilities, duties & experience…. 03/25/2015, Wednesday = pacemaker replacement …technically outpatient, but may have to spend a night in the hospital; a week of rest follows, then follow-up on, of all days, April 1. TBD = endoscopy & colonoscopy …these should be easy. Given other test results, tho, Medicaid-appointed PCP is concerned. Originally scheduled 03/03/2015 (Tuesday), these may be done AFTER the pacemaker replacement, depending on the Medicaid-approved gastroenterologist’s decision … tomorrow. Despite me calling multiple times, Medicaid has yet to provide a podiatrist for my feet pain or an orthopedist for my knee pain-swelling, so not sure what to do…. Cort | www.oldcarsstronghearts.com 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve "Funny how a melody sounds like a memory" __ Eric Church __ 'Springsteen'

Kinda like the maps ... neat addition to your site! Cort | www.oldcarsstronghearts.com 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve

VERY cool! That's another on my "bucket list" that, at this point, doesn't look like it'll get done ... at least, for road trips..... Cort | www.oldcarsstronghearts.com 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve

Good to still see you out'n'about!!!!!! Cort | www.oldcarsstronghearts.com 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve

Hey Dave! Thank you! Sorry, I guess I didn't describe the potential income-producing very well. I'm thinking of using Google Ads or some other ad service that would place ads directly on the site that, if clicked, would earn me some $$. Course, I'm also thinking of doing a Business Plan to create a business I own ... maybe somewhat involving the website. We'll see, tho. SS Disability ... did not get, but once again also exploring that. Cort | www.oldcarsstronghearts.com 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve

* It’s been a LONG time since I’ve been THIS excited about something … & it feels good! It’s cool to have a platform other than Facebook to showcase my talents. I’ve been unemployed since February 2012, no income since September 2013 & almost out of $$. Hoping some self-employment considerations will work…. Remember my Nephew & Niece? They are now 6 & 2 respectively! Cort | 41.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = www.oldcarsstronghearts.com

* Rather excited to present my new website [kudos to my cousin, Ben, for help & expertise], which officially debuted today, 01/19/2015, 2 years & 1 month after I launched my Facebook page 12/19/2012: www.oldcarsstronghearts.com Posts originate from the page & are automatically publicized to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts For those not on FB, this gives a glimpse at what I’ve been crafting. I look forward to implementing a few more ideas rattling around in my brain & maybe even making a go of some self-employment ideas I’ve been brainstorming…. Across the top of the main page are links to pages I created, including playlists (etc.) from my radio shows many of you heard, as well as… …OC,SH history: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/about/ …me & cars: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/me-cars/ …me & CHD: http://www.oldcarsstronghearts.com/me-chd/ Cort | 41.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = www.oldcarsstronghearts.com

* “Life throws you curves, but you learn to swerve; me I swung & I missed & the next thing ya know I’m reminiscing’” At least my OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS facebook page & ‘OC,SH express’ group keep me smiling, talking old cars & sparking memories! ‘81mc is in Kentucky; finalizing plans to get my 1989 Caprice Classic Brougham elsewhere for winter, tho it’d be most helpful for it & my 1979 Caprice Classic to be sold ASAP: http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/4672447173.html Now, since all things must end, this is goodbye time … temporarily. NO idea when I’ll return; if you want, stay in touch with me via OC,SH (link below)! Cort | 41.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts

* During the last Chicago Cubs game ever broadcast on WGN radio, 09/28/2014, Pat Hughes (voice since 1996) reminisced & mentioned that, when saying goodbye, we tend to say we’ll see each other later or will keep in touch, but that rarely actually happens. I somewhat succeeded, by road tripping 2002-2011, meeting many of you along the way. I also tried to get people in this area together but stopped asking; ironically, I still want to ask if anyone wants to meet up…. I look through my pics of road trips, people, places, cars … & wonder where some, including those I thought would always be in my life, are today. Next week, I say goodbye to friends of 13+ years; they’re moving to SC 10/10/2014. It will mark the end of an era in multiple ways. With them leaving, I have to figure out where I’ll consign my 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics to sell (can’t really afford storage for the winter), where/how to put the ‘81mc in storage (lowest possible cost) & which junkyard to dump the unneeded & unwanted car parts … all while continuing the job search & starting the process of reviewing my stuff. I’d ask for help, but…. Know that feeling of the walls closing in? Yep, that’s where I’m at now! “Life can take your dreams & turn them upside down; friends will talk about you when you're not around … People make you promises they'll never keep; soon you'll know why people say talk is cheap” "I thought things couldn't get much worse, but guess what they did ... I can live on my prayers, 'cause I'm done playin' nice ... I get stronger with every step ... You push on me I'm going to push back harder, I got a whole lot more than a little bit left, so don't put dirt on my grave just yet" Cort | 41.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts

* So glad I have my OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS facebook page (& related ‘OC,SH express’ group) to keep me smiling & "talking old cars & sparking memories"! Sunny, warm days (which seem to be disappearing now) make me want to just drive: sunny-day only car(s) or a road trip. Wish life was a bit slower paced & money wasn’t the basis for so much…. “Life throws you curves, but you learn to swerve; me I swung & I missed & the next thing ya know I'm reminiscin’” Cort | 41.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts Thank you, Denny! & 32vld, condolences?

Thank you, 32vld. Good to "see" you! I haven't pursued the disability claim, but if I do re-apply, I will contact them ...! Yep ... I am also looking into starting my own business ... or teaming with others. We'll see what develops. Sounds like we've been along the same roads in similar areas ... cool! Trying very hard to stay positive..... Cort | 41.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts

* Article about OC,SH & me, published online on my birthday, 09/19, & appeared in the 09/21/2014 print edition: http://couriernews.suntimes.com/2014/09/19/heart-felt-facebook-page/ 09/22/2014, watched “The Rockford Files”, then drove my 1989 Caprice Classic Brougham on the road for the 1st time in over a year … will make it more difficult to sell it & my 1979 Caprice Classic. Also drove the ‘81mc on the road for the 1st time in over 2 years. Odd therapy … mix of invigoration, sadness & memories. Ended the afternoon by watching “CHiPs”. Always remember. Things CAN switch in a heartbeat. Easy to support when things are well; challenging when not. Easy to hope someone is OK; challenging to reach out to them. Easy to claim to be a good friend; challenging to show it. Easy to wish you could help; challenging to actually do so. Cort | 41.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts

* Near the end of this week I turn 41. 5 years ago, while on my Route 66 trip, I didn’t think things would go bad in a hurry: 4th open heart surgery (11/11/2011), forced to job hunt, selling cars, discovering I have way fewer friends than I thought, etc. For those who take life for granted & don’t see things ever changing, it CAN switch in a heartbeat. On the plus side, starting my OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS facebook page has been a blessing, in many ways: https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts Still, I’m unnerved with much “up in the air” & unknown but trying not to worry. In the next 2 weeks, I have to sell 2 Caprice Classics or find storage for which I cannot afford. Drove a bit this past Sunday, despite gout flaring up, to enjoy the sunshine-drenched skies, but I just felt sad. “Has it all gone to waste? All the promises we made, 1 by 1 they vanish just the same … Now the days are so long that summer's moving on, We reach for something that's already gone … Of all the things I still remember, summer's never looked the same, the years go by & time just seems to fly, but the memories remain” NEW AD; 2 Caprice Classics http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/4672447173.html NEW AD; pickup or local delivery ONLY. Prices EXTREMELY negotiable; if not sold, parts dumped at a local junkyard http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/pts/4672448456.html Cort | 40.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts Hi Dave! I sure appreciate your response. For as much as I was active on many forums "back in the day", you are 1 of all of 5 people who've responded ... & yours is the most in depth & heart felt, it seems. So, thank you. I did apply for disability, but was denied. I have NOT pursued it further because I am NOT completely disabled; I am, however, limited in the work I can do. Unfortunately, companies are finding ways around the law ... by asking about health without asking about health ... by adding weight lifting requirements to even office jobs. That has been the most-aggravating obstacle these past 2.5 years. I am in the greater Chicagland area. I didn't mention what all I'm doing to find a job ... because that's about all I do all day. To say it is discouraging, doesn't even begin to cover it ... so, I try not to discuss that when I give myself "time off" to do other things, such as visit boards. As for narrowing what I can do, that's not exactly a choice.... Yes, the local community college is 1 resource I'm using to locate work. It is tough, even tougher when your are limited in what you can do. *shrugs* But, I haven't stopped looking.... Thank you!

* We tell others to "never say never", but then use the phrase "never forget" for 09/11/2001! Perhaps "always remember" is a bit more appropriate for Patriot Day & other things? I’ve said it’s more about people than anything, but starting to wonder.... Until a few weeks ago, it had been ~1 year & 3 months since I posted. I’ve been without a job for over 2.5 years & without income for a year (unemployment ended September 2013). I was denied disability; I am now on Medicaid, but cannot see my doctors. I’ve sold cars, with 2 more for sale now; all of my FWD-condoning MCs are gone. Otherwise, things are great; ha! Nephew will be 6 years old & Niece will be 2 years old this November. Job search has had too many misses. I’m looking for customer service, marketing or social media opportunities; trying to use my crafting creativity on my OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS facebook page to leverage social media experience. Thinking about moving to 1 of these areas: Nashville-Jackson TN Bowling Green KY Albuquerque NM Kingman-Flagstaff AZ Amarillo-Dallas-Fort Worth TX Tulsa-OK City OK 5 years ago, I was in the midst of my 2009 Route 66 road trip. I’ve been sharing pics from that journey on OC,SH daily: https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts That was 1 of many road trips I did 2002-2011 to meet people in person, including some of you. My 2 most-recent trips were in 2010 & 2011: https://picasaweb.google.com/knightfan26917/NorEasterTrekRoadTripWed08042010Sun08152010 https://picasaweb.google.com/knightfan26917/CoastToCoastRoadTripFri06242011Mon07112011 Easy to support when things are well; challenging when not. Easy to hope someone is OK; challenging to reach out to them. Easy to claim to be a good friend; challenging to show it. Easy to wish you could help; challenging to actually do so. Need to sell these 2 Caprice Classics ASAP; storage gone at the end of this month: http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/4623573271.html For these parts, pickup or local delivery. Prices extremely negotiable; if not sold, parts will be dumped at a local junkyard: http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/pts/4623575967.html "I can still hear us laughing on the front porch in the dark; there are days when I know I've traveled so far that I'll never find the road leading back to the start" "I used to love this view, sit here & drink a few ... these sleepy streetlights on every sidewalk side street shed a light on everything that used to be" "Somewhere in this city is a road I know where we could make it, but maybe there's no making it now ... I was only trying to bury the pain ... If the time could turn us around, what once was lost may be found ... We hit a wall & we can’t get over it, nothing left to relive." "It's hard to say it, time to say it, goodbye; so hard to stay, so hard to leave" Cort | 40.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts

* Road trip canceled. 5 years ago, I was in the midst of my 2009 Route 66 road trip; sharing daily pics (& notes) of that journey on my OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS facebook page! That was 1 of many road trips I did 2002-2011 to meet people in person, including some of you. 2 most-recent trips: 2010 https://picasaweb.google.com/knightfan26917/NorEasterTrekRoadTripWed08042010Sun08152010 2011 https://picasaweb.google.com/knightfan26917/CoastToCoastRoadTripFri06242011Mon07112011 Cort | 40.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts

* Start of road trip delayed (not sure yet about schedule-timeframe), but so far, stops include: Chesterton-Fort Wayne IN Sioux City IA Oklahoma City OK (possibly Phoenix AZ) Fort Worth TX Cape Girardeau-O’Fallon MO Jackson-Nashville-Knoxville TN I’ve had no job since February 2012 & no income since September 2013; looking for customer service, marketing or social media opportunities. Been trying to use my crafting creativity on my OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS facebook page (link below) to leverage social media experience. Cort | 40.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts Thank you, Denny! Yep, should be ... if it works out, that is. At the moment, not sure if I'll be in Cincy at all, but if I am, maybe we can meet up ... would be awesome to see you again, sir. Hey Dave, Thanks ... been a while, I know...... I was in Washington during my "Coast to coast" road trip, late June-early July 2011. Not sure how much time I'll have this trip to explore some of the old roads, but ... if you have anything in particular in the Fort Worth TX, Jackson-Nashville TN areas ... let me know.

* Suppose I could file this under “why didn’t I think of this before”, but instead of shipping parts sold, I am planning a road trip to deliver them … & job search, hoping a relocation will spark a more formidable change. Planned road trip (starting late this or early next week) stops: Chesterton & Fort Wayne IN Sioux City IA area Oklahoma City OK Fort Worth TX Cape Girardeau & O’Fallon MO Nashville & Knoxville TN Let me know if you’re interested in meeting along the way…. Parts to be delivered are those here: http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/pts/4623575967.html Also, my pair of CCs are still for sale: http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/4623573271.html Cort | 40.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts

Hi Dave, Yep ... I am in the process now. At the moment, I'm waiting for the records from my 11/11/2011 open heart surgery to arrive; I have the records from my previous 3 surgeries. Once I receive those, I will contact a lawyer ... and go from there. Just ... ugh. I wish I could see it the way you do ... made of strong stuff & no need to be nervous. COBRA (health insurance) runs out in ~2 months; if I don't get a job soon, I'll be in a world more trouble than I already am. I try NOT to talk about how bleak it is ... because I know how it sounds. It's hard to even ask, sometimes...... Talking about 2 lane roads sounds awesome to me. If you want, Email me ... I check Email at least once a day: faithcubsmc2691 @ aol.com Thank you! Cort | 39.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 2 MCs + '79 & '89 Caprice Classics CHD.cars + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts "There's things goin' on make me mad down to the core" __ Charlie Daniels __ 'Simple Man'

Yes, I can verify they were in place by 2009. I was told that they had JUST been recently installed by the time I began my Route 66 trip, September 2009. 3 pics I took that year: https://picasaweb.google.com/knightfan26917/RT66TRIPDAY2#5427160261956042674 https://picasaweb.google.com/knightfan26917/RT66TRIPDAY2#5427160265514564290 https://picasaweb.google.com/knightfan26917/RT66TRIPDAY2#5427160265863868322 Jim, Sure enjoy your posts & pics. Seeing & reading them bring back so many cool memories of my own trips. Thank you for sharing. Cort | 39.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 2 MCs + '79 & '89 Caprice Classics CHD.cars + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts "Did the trail of yellow brick come to an end?" __ Debby Boone __ 'Are You On The Road To Lovin' Me Again?'

You basically wrote my thoughts on this, Rick. I'm not so sure I agree with placing the terminus somewhere it never was (per evidence), but ... it's nice to see Santa Monica acknowledging that Route 66 ended within their city limits. So much history seems to being lost because cities, towns, counties, states, jurisdictions, etc., aren't even acknowledging historical elements...... Cort | 39.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 2 MCs + '79 & '89 Caprice Classics CHD.cars + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort OLD CARS, STRONG HEARTS = https://www.facebook.com/OldCarsStrongHearts "Does it really matter?" __ Pirates of the Mississippi __ 'Feed Jake'