Honorable Mike Miller


My protégé – Honorable Mike Miller – take heed.
 

Heavy snow still around despite slight warming trend last couple of days.  Master Po hobbling badly from mishaps in snow and ice earlier in month.  As usual, this important later in story.

Mrs. Po leave for Richland to visit her mom, and her last words to me are, “Don’t go in deep snow anywhere where you might get stuck.”  I make usual promise in return that I won’t, and tell her to be careful and to watch her speed as always.

As soon as she pull out, I load dog in Jeep, and go to check on cabin along yellow creek.  Like honorable Mike Miller, I not listen well to wife when she tell me wise things for my own good.  I promptly get 4x4 Jeep stuck in deep snow at bottom of hill trying to leave cabin area.  At least 4,568 attempts later, in 2-w drive, 4-w drive, 4 – Low, and 4 – Lock, I am still sitting at bottom of hill.

Master Po surprised that engine and drive train and transmission start to smoke after this many attempts, so he turn engine off, and step outside of Jeep to allow moving parts (friction wear, no doubt) to cool down.  He wise like this. He not want to damage any auto or rickshaw if he can help it.  Passerby in car stop and ask Master Po if he need assistance, and I yell back to friendly Samaritan, “No, I’m just checking on things down here.”  He leave with puzzled look on his face cause there are no footprints in snow indicating that anyone walked around cabin property – Remember, Master Po not able to walk in deep snow because of other mishaps. 

After many more attempts Master Po now notice tread on new tires also is smoking.  Master Po never realize (despite having science background) that rubber tires can burn even on cold snow and ice.  Smoke and steam (aka water vapor) now start to form cloud around Jeep, so Master Po wisely shut off engine to allow to cool again.

Second Samaritan in white pickup truck stop and ask if I need help.   But, Master Po not only stubborn, but too embarrassed in situation to tell man truth, so I tell man, “No thanks,” and  continue to try again another 4,128 attempts at hill. 

After many more attempts and engine cool-downs, Master Po tell himself that he will accept next offer, cause I not want to spend whole weekend at cabin with no food. As fate would have it, no new offers to help come my way. 

Finally from divine intervention in heavens, Jeep break through and we reach summit.  Dog, Coco look at her Master and just gaze with her eyes.  Master Po hope she not have concussion from jarring around in Jeep.  I think she just wondering how she ended up with me as her master. 

When we get home, she jump out of Jeep much quicker and more easily than Mater Po for sure.  Dog okay – not sure about Jeep, or about Master Po though and when Mrs. Po hear story, he may feel even worse. 

My Roots - The Potchaks - circa 1927

My Roots - The Potchaks - circa 1927
From Left: Son, Steve - Dad, Frank - Mom, Anastasia (Makar) - Sons; John, Mike, Frank, Chuck (Author's Dad) - Twins, Pete & Mary - Daughter, Catherine. Photo taken in Wilmore, PA