Vintage Flat Volkswagen Bugs Sitting on Bare Shelves

 

The other day, I went to the store to once again find something to serve for dinner. It's always trying to think of something we haven't had in the past two or three weeks. There are so many entrees to choose from, yet it is one of the most difficult decisions an adult has to make. I hate adulting. I want to sit at home and play with my pups and kitties, spend time with my hubby, and make jewelry. Is that asking too much? Seriously. 

But here we are. Walking up and down the aisles in the store as if I'm waiting for some dinner idea to jump off the shelf and into my cart. How about taquitos with refried beans? We have not eaten that in quite some time. But what is this? Did something earth-shattering hit the region that I'm not aware of? Why are there bare shelves? 

So much is missing. What happened to everything? I looked for Terry's favorite tea. Missing. I searched for a simple box of taquitos. Gone. A simple search for turkey pot pies ended up with zilch. Everything was gone. Is COVID hitting again? Has someone come off a diet and begun to scarf everything in sight? What is happening? 

Another store ended up being the answer to the dilemma. They had it all. Everything I was searching for was on the shelves there. At least someone in town could offer us what we wanted. 

***

Wednesday, July 6, 2025

Here we go again with another relaxing weekend. Terry is outside smoking a cigar as he loves to do while he reads various Kindle Unlimited books on his tablet. This leaves me unsupervised, which is not good. Having no adult around usually leaves me to my own devices, and this leads to unwise decision-making skills that I put to use. Oh, boy. Anyone who knows me understands that this can lead to all sorts of ideas and loads of messes. God help Terry and the fur babies. 

My first choice was to create more jewelry. Doesn't sound too problematic, although I typically find a way to make it a problem. 

I started off with a butterfly and cherry blossom necklace. Nothing too extreme. Curb chain, link in a few beads, bring it to a Y formation, then add the focal, which is an oval bead with a cherry tree and a couple of butterflies. I added it to my stores, and so the evening began. 

Next up, garnet beads and some textured gold "dog tags" I have had hanging around for a while. No pun intended, of course. 

I love gold with so many colors, red garnet being one. Layering necklaces makes a nice piece, so onward I beaded and linked. I love the end result. The idea of working on jewelry wasn't such a bad one now that I'm finished with two projects. Hmm. Maybe this will keep me out of trouble for once? 

The colors of red and gold blend well, along with the necklace style. I love it all. This set is listed as Garnet & Gold Necklace Set in my store, Clutterful Crapola. 

Onward to the next project ...

Faceted black crystal beads and gold rounds make a good combination ...

***

Bedtime came soon after our jewelry making and reading time. I went to bed around 11:30, Terry not until the wee hours of the morning, as is often the case on his days off. Why not? 

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Thursday morning came around. I began to work on another necklace set while the sweet man spent time outside. We had made plans for the afternoon and readied ourselves around 3:45 or so. 

A car show and BBQ with live music was happening in town, and we both wanted to look through the few cars that typically show up at these events. We saw the usual cars, and then a few unique beauties as well. One stood out as being the strangest I had ever seen. It was a flat Volkswagen bug. A beetle that had no bottom half. It literally hugged the road from beneath the windows on up. With a license plate identity of "Lo Bug," this little bug can be driven. 

The owner of this little piece of artwork astounded and astonished those at the show. How the car ran beautifully and was drivable had me wondering. Cute little thing, but no, thanks. I want a car surrounding me as I drive down the freeway. I'm pretty sure the driver doesn't do much traveling in this marvel. The front "seat" was nothing but a mat. One that looked like an old gym mat. Not certain what keeps it from wearing out on the bottom while there is friction between the mat and the pavement. Interesting. 

We walked around the four rows of vehicles, most vintage, and enjoyed seeing Shelbys, pickups, hot rods, Camaros, and more at the rather small car show. It was so much fun, though to spend the afternoon with Terry. We do seem to have a good time when we're together. 

From beautiful old pickup trucks to a gorgeous Buick Skylark example, we saw several styles, makes, and models to make the trip through the show worthwhile. 

Some of the beauties were cherried out, and others, not quite so much. But all in all, the respect was there for vehicles still being driven after all these years. 

Spotless engine along with the compartments they are bolted into, while I can't keep a windshield clean on my car. 

Several Camaros, one of my favorite cars. 

From modern Corvettes back to those vehicles from long ago, we had a chance to see a good selection. 

We did take a few moments out of the car viewing to eat a pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwich, cole slaw, corn on the cob, and some potato salad. Awesome food!

Finally, I saw my baby. My car. My one and only dream car ... the Indianapolis 500 pace car, which is a beautiful Camaro. I've mentioned this car before, after seeing it online as a car I would purchase at any time Terry wanted to snag it for us. It's only $95,000. Hey, take one for the team, buddy. 

I do love me some 'Maro! Not wild about the orange color inside and out, but hey, I'll take it. I would love to drive this car around town and call it my own. 

The band began to play some good, old-fashioned rock and roll from the '60s and up. Sounded pretty good too. 

Like I said, a lot of beautiful cars that have been loved and cared for over the years to keep them nice. 

I'm not a huge fan of Ford cars. Nothing serious against them, of course, but just have not found many I care for. Although the Mustang Shelby and the Shelby Cobra are another story, because wow. Love the design of these cars. Carroll Shelby bolted a V-8 into a British roadster, and the vehicle soon became a '60s icon. 

Not only are these cars beautiful, but the Shelby Cobra commands attention. The power, beauty, and reputation of the Shelby gave Ford an extra thumbs up in my book. 

There were some gorgeous cars on display, but this truck took the center stage for the paint job alone. 

Yeah, a few flames and a line or two are pretty, but this truck's paint had much, much more to offer. 

Even the bed cover displayed artwork. 

The artistry continued even under the hood. 

The overcoating on the art was so shiny that it was difficult to get a photo without glare. Stunning. Absolutely stunning. 

Everything under the hood of this truck was shiny and perfect. 

Terry is a fan of the Trans Am. 

I do have to admit that I thought this car was my favorite, or at least one of my favorite Camaros of the day. That sleek, silky blue color with touches of black really sets this car apart. That, and I am partial to Camaros. 

While I consider myself a huge Camaro fan, there is no reason to leave out a car that is just plain gorgeous, without a make or model considered ...

This Buick Skylark is stunning. The sky blue color, perfect detailing, and simply a lot of TLC crafted this beauty. 

Yesterday (Wednesday), while Terry was at work, he spotted all of these cars and more lined up where he could get an early viewing. He chose his favorite out of the bunch, but didn't see this particular vehicle when we went today. Loving what he saw about the car, he began to take photos to send to me, introducing the car show happening today at the Diamond Lake bowling alley.  He spotted this nice 1970 Cuda as just an example of the awesome cars in store for us ...

With the lid raised, it gave us a chance to see the sun sparkling off the car in an advertisement-type pose. Could not have planned that sunlight any better, even if you were going for an angelic look in a car commercial. This Cuda does sparkle!

Pretty on the inside like it is on the outside. 

I can see why this was one of Terry's favorites. The Plymouth Barricuda shown here did not attend the show the following day. I would have loved to have seen this car in the mix on Thursday! 

Beautiful color. Nice detailing. The chrome wheels add a touch of class to the Cuda. Nice entry. 

Very nice detailing on the inside as well. 

Well done, car owner. Well done. 

Now, I'm not by any means a car expert. I may not know the year or what size engine it has in it, but I do know one thing ... I love cars, and especially the older vehicles. I love things that carry history in their being. I love old homes, and vintage items such as furniture and knick-knacks. These cars do have a lot of history behind them. That is what I love the most. Even a layman can appreciate that. 

What is it you love about older cars?

***

Well, thank you so much for reading the post. We appreciate you! Have a safe, fun, beautiful summer filled with plenty of love and TLC for yourself. Give yourself a little love today. We all need that. It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it, right?

Until our next post, take care. Sending love, happiness, and peace to you all. Until next time ...

Terry & Vicki Macrae

Photo of Crater Lake, taken by Vicki Macrae in 2015