Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Tire Blowout No Catastrophe

“It wasn’t just flat on one side.”

There was barely a shred of rubber showing anywhere on the wheel rim.

Really going six-miles-an-hour under the speed limit, honking from behind wasn’t initially heeded. Intrusive blaring continuing, whippersnappers with big ornery grins pointed to the attached trailer while whizzing by.

Still unaware of what was wrong, an intersection not far ahead allowed stopping place for the checkup. Finally obvious, the left trailer tire rubber had been destroyed as highway was grinding on the rim

Uncertain how much earlier the blowout occurred, but an extended time, for sure.

The 12-foot, single-axle stock trailer used for hauling show horses was bought new six years ago. Typically taking two horses, sometimes one, occasionally three, it’s been a number of miles.

Inflated rubber tires always go flat sometime, but it was the first one on this trailer.

There was a spare, still no comprehensible way to get it changed. There is a jack and wrench someplace, but uncertain where in the pickup.

Notwithstanding frequent derogatory comments about cell phones, sure glad had one that worked. Punched in “911,” nice lady answered and without much rigmarole promised assistance was on the way.

Short order, a congenial sheriff’s deputy pulled in offering help, too. He wanted to wait until the official-tire-changer came to inform passing traffic of the work being done.

In very few minutes, the wrecker driver arrived, quickly looked at the dilemma, and went to work. “No problem,” the professional insisted as he easily jacked up the loaded trailer.

Cody and Maggie fidgeted with alarm when the compressor-powered lug wrench roared, but soon calmed down.

While the spare tire had felt well-inflated in storage, it was flat when tightened onto the trailer. The helper’s ample air machine readily solved that issue.

Well-deserved gratuity for the efficient tire changer, appreciated handshake for the lawman and on the road again.

Tire blowout, complications, and expense still arrived arena early. Proof again that getting up and started always beats sleeping in.

Despite setbacks, and being wrongly missed in the first class, the day really went quite well. Interestingly, little pressure felt compared to what would have been years ago.

Reminded that First Thessalonians 3:7: “In spite of all our stress and difficulties, we have been filled with comfort and cheer because of faith.”

+++ALLELUIA+++

XI–28–7-9-17

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