BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 10:58 AM

I'd be willing to give up royalty rights on the name if it'd help any with the cost.:-) Gawddess knows with Spaw, they really could use a working pumper though...esp. if there're any matches nearby when he lets loose.

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 03:38 AM

Save gas; fart in a bottle!
G ¦¬]

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 04:51 PM

Spaw could sell his flatulence, bottled, on Ebay..... or his body.....

I suspect the flatulence would get more bids.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Tinker
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 12:31 PM

I just checked and the auction only lasts a few more HOURS.... could make financing a bit of a problem....

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 12:03 PM

Dave - it looks perfect to me. We don't want Tristan driving around in it and terrifying the neighbors plus without pumps he can't flood the house. The name "LaFrance" is significant to some of us. I think it is an omen. Now where are we going to get a few thousand dollars?

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Dave Swan
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 11:52 AM

Check that. I just looked at all of the photos. We can do better. They should pay us to haul that thing off.

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Dave Swan
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 11:45 AM

Hmmm. 'spaw is a car geek who could probably keep this thing running. I can show him how to operate it. It's just a question of finding parking for it. Oh, this could be good. It'll give him FITS.

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: GUEST,Tinker
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 11:29 AM

Whoops that was me

Tinker

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 10:45 AM

How about this one SINS ?

It's already in Ohio, so Spaw could pick it up easily....

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 09:30 AM

A Fire Engine, guys. We gotta find him a fire engine with a really loud siren.
Too bad. Years ago, after a fire on my street, the engine company left a huge hook on the street. It looked like the poles we used to use to open tall windows. I returned it to the fire department. Tris could have made a hit showing up with that thing.
I am off to eBay to procure a fire engine - hook and ladder preferably.
Auntie SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 11:09 PM

Mick, send him a real fireman coat or boots, a copper badge, hat or shirt. Just Something Real.

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Big Mick
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 07:46 PM

Spaw, I love ya to death. The one thing that you could never bore me with is stories about your amazing kids, especially Tris. I have always said that I can tell a great deal about someone by the children they raise. Despite his difficulties, Tris is a remarkable young fella. Ole Big Heart Swanno recognizes that too. The only thing that pisses me off about that friggin' Swanno, is that I will never top that gift.

Please never stop sharing your stories about this guy. We love them, and I love you for sharing them.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Mar 05 - 05:54 AM

Gees... if we can cope with a 70+ posted thread about a lost pencil, we can sure cope with more about Tris!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: CarolC
Date: 17 Mar 05 - 09:51 PM

There is nothing boring about Tristan. Write as much as you want.

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Sorcha
Date: 17 Mar 05 - 08:56 PM

Aw, Spaw, we lubs ya. (well, maybe not Shambles, LOL)

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Mar 05 - 08:54 PM

I'm glad that so many of you enjoy hearing about Tris andI'll try not to bore you. What I will try to do is take some pictures and let you all get a good smile up of your own. I don't have a camera that's working right now believe it or not and it's a pain NOT having one but I'll get things sqaured around and post some stuff!

Thanks again........Y'all are the greatest.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 08:58 PM

And I stil want Pics! PICS, I SAY!

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 07:26 PM

LOL, SINS! Count me in!

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 02:59 PM

Damn it, Spaw! Now I'm all weepy. Your boys' pictures are on my fridge with a few other children I wish were mine. And I have some of Michael's artwork as well. HMMMMM...I wonder how hard it would be to promote on out of service fire engine for your boys? At last - a suitable project to amuse me and torment old Uncle Spaw.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: gnu
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 12:22 PM

Awwww. Sniff.

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: nutty
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 10:05 AM

Spaw ... your Tristan sounds like many of the children I taught during my 28 years of Special Needs Teaching. They brought a special kind of joy to each new day and simplified the complications of life in such a way that you started to look at life a new way as well.

Of course, there were situations that made no sense to anyone else except the child but even that was refreshing in its own way.

Like the boy who, in order to buy a new cage for his budgie, actually sold the bird.

Another, in an arm wrestling competion with a friend, looked him straight in the eye and asked which way he was going.

Looking after children like this is not always easy but unbelievably rewarding. You and Karen have my admiration, although I believe that a sense of humour such as yours is an essential requisite.

Please keep posting your updates and let us know how the family are progressing.

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 09:13 AM

It's a few years old, but the smile doesn't change. For those who may not have seen this picture of Tris or may have forgotten about it, click here...it was one of the first times he had reason to smile due to a fellow Mudcatter. (The nekkid flamingos are on that page, too!)

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: jacqui.c
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 07:40 AM

I'll go along with Liz on Diggerland.

I have a four year old grandson who, like Tris, has a passion for heavy machinery. We took him to Diggerland about a year ago and he was in seventh heaven. He can't wait until he's old enough to go back and operate the machines himself, instead of sitting with Daddy.

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Jeri
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 07:28 AM

Thanks Spaw. Yesterday, I recalled a conversation a friend and I once had about the number of keyboards some folks must go through, what with the facial incontinence they describe. I must admit I got a bit leaky at this tale though.

I also agree with Metchosin. Sometimes it seems folks don't have anything to talk about if they're not arguing, and these days it takes some degree of skin thickness to post about anything that makes one feel powerfully good. I really appreciate these flashes of brightness you share with us. Aside from being a really good story about a great guy making a kid happy, you remind me that the reasons I came to Mudcat and stayed - the compassion, the kindess, the willingness to take the risk of reaching out - can still occasionally shine through.

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 03:38 AM

Spaw - bring him to the UK sometime soon... there's a whole "pleasure park" not so far from London called Diggerland and he'd be in seventh Heaven there!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 03:31 AM

I have a lovely view out of the window where I sit at my computer, but I can't see it very well now. Spaw you've made the highlands of Scotland go all blurry, bless you!
Tell Tris that although I don't go looking for them any more, the love of big machinery never goes away, I still stop and watch heavy plant.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Metchosin
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 01:36 AM

and thank you Spaw for sharing that with us.

Your recount of Dave Swan's incredibly thoughtful gifts to Tris and the wonderful impact such caring has upon Tris, you and your family is in itself a beautiful gift.

There has been a lot of times in the past couple of years that I have wondered why I visit The Mudcat BS section. It is so easy to get drawn into all the Ain't It Awfuls in the world and forget Ain't It Wonderful is more often the case.

Thank you for reminding me why I decided to hang around. Not all of it is BS below the line.

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Metchosin
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 01:04 AM

as Sorcha said......Wow.

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Amos
Date: 16 Mar 05 - 12:21 AM

Nice job, Captain Dave. You da man, all right!!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: harpgirl
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 08:31 PM

...and rtms is going to put us out of business! I'll become a bag lady!
oh no

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: harpgirl
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 08:29 PM

We all worry about our children making their own way in the world when we are not there to guide them. Hell, Spew, if he becomes a fireman, a union carpenter, a water and sewer guy for the city or any one of many, many skilled trades guys, he'll have a job for life, benefits, and a pension.

That's more than I've got! He will be fine with the empathic attunement you have for him....Helping a child find his "spot" in the world is a gift that many parents do not have and can not give their children. I work hard at believing my own son will find his "place in the world" and opening the windows to it for him.

But, Swanno just wanted to get rid of his old firehouse shit!
LOL
l, h

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 07:50 PM

I do hope you'll post a photo of the squadron commander in his full regalia! Great story, Spaw!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Morticia
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 07:38 PM

I needed that, thank you Uncle Pat, and Tris and El Swanno......makes me remember why I love this place.

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 07:20 PM

doggone it...I gotta get out there some day and say hello to you all, 'spaw...I feel like I know you all already, and since 'stuff' conspired to keep you from making the Getaway so far, I better make plans!

Tris is a lucky boy to have a whole world of friends...just as we are lucky to know about him.

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: artbrooks
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 06:54 PM

Smiles!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Sorcha
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 06:19 PM

Wow. Just Wow.

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Kim C
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 05:37 PM

Awesome story.

So where the hell you been, anyhow? Whatcha think about that upstart Kurt Bush winning the Nextel Cup last season?

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Tinker
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 05:00 PM

Thanks for sharing the tale Spaw I too have a few tears streaming down my face....

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: jeffp
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 04:58 PM

Dammit Spaw! Ya went and made my eyes leak again!!!

Great story, great friend, great kid.

jeffp

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Alba
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 04:57 PM

Just beautiful Spaw and Dave wow....how neat.
sniff....

Way to go Tris. I can feel the warmth from your grin through your Dad's words.

Beautiful..
Love and Light
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 04:53 PM

Screw the stories Spaw, we want pics!!!!!

For every three trolls here, there's one decent guy. Tris has a knack of making them crawl out the woodwork.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Wesley S
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 04:49 PM

That's a sweet story Spaw. Thanks for sharing.

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: CarolC
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 04:47 PM

That's a great story. How old is Tristan now, Spaw?

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: Big Mick
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 04:44 PM

Well ..... here I sit, all 260 pounds of mean ass social crusader, blubbering like a kid. These are some friends, eh Spaw? My life has been impacted so many ways by this place. That friggin' Swanno just loves tormenting me. First that damn gorilla friend of his, and then he pulls this. The only thing bigger than his moustache is that damn heart of his. Mind you, I have had him in my house, and damned if I can figure out how they get that big a heart in that little bitty ass body beats me. All's I know is Esmerelda the cat is pacing back and forth wondering what the hell is the matter with the big guy.

Go get 'em, Tris.

Love,

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 04:29 PM

That El Swanno is really something...always making a gyrl cry...you, too, Spawdarlin'...I can just see that big, beautiful Tris Smile beaming at everyone.

luvyakat

Subject: BS: Smilin' Tristan and His Mudcat Friends
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 04:13 PM

Once again the special friends that Mudcat has produced over these past 7 years continues to amaze me. So many of you have also almost adopted our sons as well and they have received some wonderful things from many of you. Aunty Sinsull seems determined to be sure they have things that will drive me nuts but that's another story. Let's just tell this one right now..............This story originates with this posting of mine from a few months ago:

Tris had a great summer. He has always loved trucks and machinery and will spend hours on end watching them work. Several years ago the Village administration sent us a letter asking us to keep Tristan from following the garbage truck!!!! This past summer though.........

For the past few years I have allowed him to watch when work is being done somewhere as long as I know and the owners and workers okay it. I have had to track him down on numerous occasions and apoplogize to someone. But they have always said the same thing....that Tris stayed out of the way and they loved having him around. He does kinda' have that effect on people. In any case Karen and I have worried to death about him but the "call of the machinery" from a lawn mower to a cement truck to a backhoe has been far too strong. We are so grateful to have decided to live in this little village............

Early in the summer I went out looking for him as he'd been gone awhile and found he and his trusty bike sitting together and watching the street and water depatment guys use the backhoe to replace some lines. I talked to Rick and Byron and they both said he was "no problem" and always stayed out of the way. A few days later he came home with a bright orange new safety vest. It was immediately his most cherished possesion. There are about 8 guys in the street and water gang and they decided that if Tris was going to be around, he could help! So off he'd go each day "to work." They let him sweep and all sorts of things....even gave him a bit of lap time in the backhoe. I went out one day and found them and thanked them all, especially Rick and Byron, for doing this. Again, they said no problem and began telling me stories of things he'd said and done.

About a week later the railroad crew came to town and spent a week working on the crossing with our street guys. Sure enough, Tris comes home with safety goggles and a real hard hat from Norfolk Southern!!! I think Byron then fixed him up with some old gloves as well. You had to see it!! Here was this little boy all rigged out and hanging out with the big guys!!! If we were away, as soon as we came home he would put on his vest, helmet, glasses, and gloves and head out in search of the crew. Other days he'd simply get up and "go to work."

At the local gossip shop I'd talk to some of the Street and Water gang and they were really getting a kick out of having him around and indeed as I listened I knew they were telling the truth. An ex-mayor said to Rick, "Hell Rick, I think he's ready to take your job!".......and Rick laughed and agreed. It was wonderful to hear how much these men really did enjoy Tris....and watched out for him as well.   Some would think we are awful parents.....maybe we wre. But the day I drove past them all sitting on the curb drinking cokes, Tris right in the middle and "dressed to the nines" in the proper attire, I felt more secure about Tristan's ability to make his way in the world.

So on Saturday afternoon, Tris comes to his Mom with something about a big box and she sent him to me. Before he came to me, he had retrieved a fair sized box from the porch and came up anxiously telling me all about how he saw the delivery truck and that I should open this new and exciting piece of the unknown. When I saw the return addy I was pretty excited too as it was from Dave Swan... Mudcatter, Fire Captain, and high dive artiste extraordinaire......not to mention his musical abilities and the fact he shares his life with an even more talented person, the beautiful PJ.

El Swanno has got this thing taped up all to hell and begone and it takes a few minutes to safely open the box. I pulled out two sweatshirts for Karen and myself and a T-shirt for Michael, all from Dave's unit, the Piedmont Fire Department. Great stuff, but it seems they were mainly packing material for the main object within. I removed a letter from Dave to Tris and in it Dave told Tris that he had heard of his work with the various crews around town and that should he decide to hang out with our Fire Department, he should have the proper stuff..............and I pulled out a fire helmet from the box. Not a toy mind you, no...this is the real thing, goggles and all, that has seen some heat. And while Tristan just beams and radiates happiness, his old man is almost in tears. The shield on the front says Piedmont and Captain and as I sat there watching Tris who is discovering the weight of the real thing, I think how lucky I am to have friends like this.

We adjusted things around and it fit pretty well and made the weight a lot easier to balance. Tris got his coat and headed out into the 28 degree weather to canvass the neighborhood so all could see his latest headgear. Several times I looked out a window and saw him here and there and with the coat he had on of about the right length and color, he did indeed look like a little firefighter! Saturday night found him asleep on the couch, fire helmet by his side.

Thank you my friend..................

Spaw