On the website, rebuildinghotrods.com there is an article about rebuilding hot rods. The writer names several cars that were or would make good hot rods and then tells how to restore them and what items like a manual for rebuilding the motor are necessary. Restoring the outside of the car is a must. So if you are thinking about restoring an old hot rod, this website gives you information to get started. As it says in the article if you just want to restore the outside of the car and not the engine, it can always be kept on display in your driveway. 

About 30 years ago, an aunt retired from work. Her work life had been very active, an hour commute by train each way plus traveling from the station to her office and back to the train each day. When she finally retired, she used to tell me how she was never bored and she was always busy with “paper work”.

I have now been retired for fifteen years. In the beginning I did a lot of volunteer work, attended classes, served on local and regional boards, traveled to faraway places and enjoyed my freedom.

Eight years ago, the life I was enjoying so much changed. So here I am trying to fit everything into one day and finding it impossible. I have become a late riser which shortens my day. I must go to exercise two or three times a week which makes me tired and then I don’t feel like working on anything when I get home.

So here I am trying to decide which task I should do first. Should I write for my website? Should I get rid of the clutter? Should I spend time talking on the phone with my friends and family? I hope I can set up some kind of a working schedule soon.

A month or two ago, I wrote a blog or two about clutter and how it just never ends. Recently my aide decided to pack up some of it in plastic bags. I am neurotic about throwing anything out with my name and address on it without shredding it which means, I have to look at each item, then destroy any personal information and put the rest into a bag for recycling, another one of my shticks.

The other day I decided to work on something and when I went to find what I needed, it was no where to be found. So after searching where I thought it should be and not finding it, I knew it was time to attack the clutter. So I started sifting through it. I opened old mail. One told me I had been nominated to serve on a local committee. Since I missed the meeting, which was about six weeks ago and never responded, I am no longer a candidate.

I never found what I was looking for so I will have to continue this project. However I did fill one large bag with paper, both shredded and whole for recycling. I sorted some that I felt I still needed and either put them in files or piles to be filed. At least, it was a start!

Whenever, I have soft bananas and sour milk, this cake is a good way to use them.

In one bowl put:

2 ½ cups cake flour ( I always used regular flour.)

1 2/3 cup sugar

1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder

1 ¼ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

Add:

2/3 cup shortening

½ of I cup buttermilk or sour milk

¾ c mashed bananas (3)

Beat the above ingredients until smooth and add:

2 eggs

Remaining ½ cup buttermilk or sour milk

Fold in 2/3 cup of chopped nuts

This cake may be baked in 2 greased and lined 9 inch layers at 350 degrees for 30 - 35 minutes or it may be baked in a greased and lined 13 by 9 inch oblong pan at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Be sure to test the center to be sure it has baked enough.

¼ cup shortening

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups confectioners sugar

1/3 cup mashed banana

Mix the ingredients together until it is a spreadable consistency. Add more sugar to thicken and more banana to thin.

I don’t usually frost the oblong cake. I just cut it into slices or squares. If you are putting it on individual serving plates, you could put a dollop of cream and a strawberry to garnish it.