RATRODS ARE REALLY ROWDY
Barbara: When I hear the word “hotrod” it brings back images from the 50s and 60s of guys cruising in their shiny cars or racing a la Grease. But I had never been in the presence of hundreds of them in one place. Ratrodtober in McKinney, Texas is where it was this weekend. A.D. and I walked into the grounds and were immediately hit with rows of shiny, colorful motorcycles and a bunch of riders who looked like Willy Nelson, revving them up to ear piercing levels. Once we passed that we were presented with hundreds of beautifully painted and refurbished hotrods and muscle cars from those eras. I saw my dream car – Thunderbird, cherry red from the mid 50s. I’d also gladly take that blue sedan. All I have to do now is win the lottery.
BUT…I had never heard of the term Ratrod. A ratrod is defined as a custom car that is intentionally designed to look worn, unfinished, and rugged, often using cheap, repurposed, or discarded parts and embracing a “lived‑in” aesthetic — with visible rust, primer paint, exposed mechanical parts, and creative, non‑automotive details like wrenches as door handles or saws as visors. They look like a cross between Mad Max and Zombie Apocalypse.
After walking 2 miles we had to leave but I’m very glad we went.
POETRY CORNER
We’re continuing with this as a regular monthly feature. Remember – we choose 4 random words from a book and have to make a poem with them.
Laura:
Words: before, upsetting, perfect, cold
Sadly, I know many who love betting
Fun at times, before becoming upsetting
When you win, you grin
When you lose, where’s the booze?
Your luck can run hot or cold
It’s very exciting, or so I’ve been told.
It’s a perfect evening if the chips fall your way
If not, well tomorrow is another day.
Barbara:
Words: pound, pair, store, them
I went to the store for a pound of ham.
A woman in line said “excuse me, ma’am”
The socks you are wearing are not a pair.”
I looked down at them in much despair.
Embarrassed, I told her “That may be true
But you’ve got a clump of sh_t on your shoe!”
