Summer of 1980 I commuted everyday from the northside of Indy to Kokomo to work on a Kroger/K Mart strip mall. Our crew rode together in a work van; we played euchre on the cooler on the way up and played euchre and drank beer out of the cooler on the way back. I learned how to drive a stick that summer when the foreman said: “We need someone to be the jobsite gopher, pick up materials and make deliveries. Do you know how to drive a stick?” The only word out of my mouth was “Yes.” I figured I just had to get that Ford pick up off the lot and across the street where I could practice a bit behind the Hardees where he couldn’t see me, and then if I made it to Kokomo Lumber and back, I was set for the summer. And that’s what happened, as I spent several afternoons driving around Kokomo listening to Vince Lloyd and Lou Boudreau broadcast Cub games on WGN.
I don’t remember a lot of openly gay people in Kokomo back then.
ha! i learned how to drive with a stick.
later in life, I went out and bought the muscle car I couldn’t afford when a teenager. and guess what? had to learn how to drive a stick all over again, ha!! the skill didn’t “stick” with me.... smile smile smile
Kroger and KMart are still there. KMart not worth going in to.
The Krogers is about the best in town. Wrong side of town for me, but the only place one can get fresh oysters on any given day. $.59/ea
My Dad in St. Joe Hospital just down the road and I’m heading there after I visit to get me a dozen.