MTFCA Forum

[image][/image]I want to share something that happened to my wife and I yesterday as we came home from taking our glass to the recycling center at our local beach. It’s been warm here on Long Island and the run to the beach is beautiful as the road passes through historic districts on roads that were once just paths to farmers fields. Usually there is little traffic and we can lope along enjoying our ‘Belle’. We got to the beach, threw the bottles into the bin, talked to a lady who recalled her families old cars, then slowly drove along the beach beeping the horn when folks smiled and waved. All in all a fun outing.
On the way home our 22 T was doing great, until… It started to stutter then wheeze and finally stopped altogether by the side of the road. I knew that I had run out of gas, again! (At least I hoped that it was nothing worse.)
My wife had that look that someone who always asks, “do we has enough gas”, before every ride, as she got out so I could put the stick in the tank to determine what happened. It showed about three quarters of an inch, and we were on an incline so I figured a lack of fuel. All in all that would not have been a big deal except that this was the third time I had run out, hence her checking on me.
I called my son, got no answer and as I was hanging up a fellow stopped, asked about our troubles, then offered to get us some fuel he had at his house. We profusely thanked him and off he went. Another two guys stopped as well and offered to help. We told them of the first Samaritan but that didn’t deter them from wanting to help. A few minutes later the homeowner strolled across his lawn to investigate why the traffic on the road was slowing in front of his house and offered the gas he had for his lawnmower!
As we were explaining the fellows who had offered their help, they all began to appear. One had his tanks that he was going to fill in his truck, another that wanted to make sure we were okay, and the third who took a two gallon brand new gas tank out of the back of his truck and proceeded to fill the tank, all while the six of us chatted about T’s and told stories.
The gas was dispensed and as I was screwing on the top the fellow told me to keep the tank for the ‘next time”! I tried to give it back but he would not take it and now I’ll travel with it as a reminder of the kindness of strangers.
We all gained some karma after our meeting.
Belle started right up, we rode to the gas station, filled up and came home knowing that community is still out there.

I had the same experience in a small town in Ohio. This little town was in a valley between two hills. The Fordor didn't have enough gas to get out of the town on either hill. To add to the fun, the town had no gas station. Local folks to the rescue. By the time I left, my gas tank was full! All due to the kindness of multiple strangers who all emptied their lawnmower gas cans into my tank. I convinced 1 guy to take some money for the gas. The rest flat out refused to be paid. If I could go back in time, I would not change any of that, even if I could. I was happy to have had such a great experience.

It's a real shame that so many people today believe in equality of outcome instead of oppertunity & feal that everything is owed to them.
They will never get to experience the priceless feeling of helping someone or having someone help you when needed.
Craig.

Remember it costs the same to keep an empty tank half full as a half full tank completely full - until you run out of gas

Craig Leach wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 27, 2023 12:16 pm

It's a real shame that so many people today believe in equality of outcome instead of oppertunity & feal that everything is owed to them.
They will never get to experience the priceless feeling of helping someone or having someone help you when needed.
Craig.

??? I missed it. Is that what happened????

Traveling in southern Illinois in my other old Ford, I drove past four exits all without gas. The last one did have a gas station but it was boarded up and I took photos. Decided to stay off the interstate and headed for a small town. Half way there I came to a valley with a hill on the other side. Looking for no cops, I gunned it down the hill, sputtering near the crest but made it. Almost to town, came to another valley, same thing, but didn't quite make it. A young gentleman stopped and gave me a 1/2 mile lift.
Back in New Orleans, Vern is smarter and has a gas can with gas in it, runs out of gas and fixes his own problem. Two miles later the traffic is slow for a while, until I come across a car broke down in one of the lanes. No one had bothered to help the guy. So, I got out and we pushed the car into the intersection in the median. He was just out of gas and my gas can had gas 10 minutes ago. But we took care of that. There is a difference between the big city and the small town.

That's a great story Bob I'm glad everything worked out well thanks to the kindness of strangers or I should say friends that you just met.

Great story

Being a lawgislanda, this post gives me hope!

No John, That's what usualy happens now days.
Craig.

Thanks for keeping it real.

When I first got my T I had several failures of locomotion and wound up at the side of the road. I discovered that I had a contaminated fuel issue and the screen was plugging up. If you have ever pulled a cowl tank you will know why I had the recurring problem. Virtually every time that I pulled over to clean the screen, someone would stop to see if they could help. FWIW: I finally broke down and pulled the tank to have it professionally cleaned. I haven't been stuck since, and it is a stinking job.