‘Tis the Season!

The FJ Cruiser got some well deserved love today.  It’s a bit early, but first stop today was at America’s Tires to get the seasonal studded snow tires off.  They need to off before May 1 per the California Vehicle Code.  I haven’t really needed the studded tires since I left Yosemite in 2018 yet continued to switch to save some tread on the summer tires.  

During the summer, I’ve been running BFG KO2s and in the winter, the studded Goodyear DuraTracs.  I bought both sets in 2017 so they are getting a bit old.  Nevertheless, they still have great tread on them.  It’s time to replace my summer tires, especially before we do a big trip later this year, so my reason for switching doesn’t exist anymore.   

My first winter after leaving Yosemite, 2018-2019, I tried selling the rims and studded DuraTracs.  No takers.  A couple weeks ago, I posted them on some FJ and Toyota Facebook pages.  Again, no takers.  

In talking with America’s Tire manager extraordinaire Jay, he said he’d put some feelers out.   Sure enough, late today I got a text from a business neighbor of Jay’s, interested in the rims and tires.  It looks like I’ve made a deal, and new to him 2007 FJ owner Nathan is going to pick them up tomorrow.  

After dropping off the studded tires at home, I headed to Rodeo Hand Car Wash & Detail for a thorough cleaning.  I wanted to get that completed before putting my storage cabinet back in.   Rodeo has always done a great job on the FJ.  Of course, Parfait had to maintain visual quality control.   😂

Rotary Club Food Distribution, December 2023

Not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning (apologies to Pastor Joe 😉 ) For the 39th year, the Clovis Rotary Club handed out food to those who need help for the holidays.  

              Our President’s back.  We try to “cover” it.

Locally well known P-R Farms provided both the facility and the large wooden produce bins that were filled with generous donations in Clovis schools.  Mix in a healthy amount of donations from vendors with purchases by the club, and a little from all adds up fast.  Our school based Rotary Interact clubs (age of 12 to 18-year-olds who work with Rotary clubs to do service projects and develop leadership skills), Rotary sponsored Boy Scouts, at least one school soccer team, Clovis Police, plus family members of all above, showed up in force ready to fill and distribute 500 boxes.  Plus, a trailer full of donated Christmas trees for those who needed one.  

Boxes were filled as they moved down conveyor rollers, stacked on pallets, then moved to the drive-through lanes by forklifts.

                          Having fun with my fellow box buster.  

It was an amazing process.  This is my first year with this club doing my very small part to help.  The scale of the operation was almost overwhelming to see compared to my former and much smaller club in Yosemite National Park where we were ecstatic to distribute 12-20 meals each year.  

Good deeds, small or large, are wonderful.