Last weekend was adventurous as part of my “to-do” list funneled down to Thursday, Friday and Saturday appointments and excursions that made these “chores” (unexpectedly) rather pleasant.

Let me explain.

Some of my chores included changing my drivers license to my new address and we all know how slow and tedious that task can be when showing up at the DMV or government center. Surprisingly the experience was uneventful and the person helping me was quite pleasant and accommodating.

Cross that off my list.

Another chore was bringing my Jeep in to Discount Tire to get new tires put on. Again, the wait wasn’t tortuous and the people working there were first-class and amiable.

Scratch that off my list.

The most undesirable chore I had looming was replacing my tire carrier on my Jeep. But that too had a pleasant outcome.

A few years ago I took my roof rack off my Jeep and also my tire and tire carrier from the back to lighten the load. So when I moved from my house to an apartment five years ago I inadvertently must have discarded the tire carrier and hardware while I had the spare stowed in the back cargo area.

Well, fast forward to today (last weekend actually) and I decided I wanted to get that spare tire out of the cargo area and back on my tailgate. So I ordered a new tire carrier and little did I know but it didn’t come with the bolts I needed to attach it to the tailgate.

So I looked up the supposed bolt size needed and headed to 3 Son’s Hardware in Big Lake to get the items. An employee found what I was looking for and sold me the new hardware. I returned home, anxious to start my project when I realized the bolts were not fitting the threaded holes. Ugh.

I returned to 3 Son’s and explained my dilemma and a young man working there took time out of his day to come outside to my Jeep and assess the situation. We tried numerous bolt sizes to get a proper fit but he explained he thought the threaded holes may be stripped or rusted out. He suggested I go to Home Depot or Menards to see if they could help me with a thread repair tool he did not have in store. 

So I ventured to Home Depot in Monticello and headed for the nuts and bolts area of the store. Immediately, an older gentleman approached and asked if he could help. I told him my story and the situation I was in and he graciously searched for something I could use. I told him the original bolt size I was supposed to use didn’t work and he seemed perplexed but was very helpful in his way.

After several attempts at finding what I needed, the man suggested I visit Napa Auto Parts and see what they could do for me.

So, I ventured to Napa in Monticello and when I entered the store, I noticed two young men (late teens, early 20’s) working behind the counter. Since I was the only one in the store, they (Daniel and Andre) jumped up to the counter and asked what I needed.

I again explained the dilemma and these two youngsters went out of their way to work with me to find the right part for my situation. I was impressed. They spent an enormous amount of time in the back room searching for the hardware I needed. I was at the store for probably two hours and these boys never tired of helping this old man out.

One of them, Daniel, went in and out of the store on numerous occasions trying to ensure I had the proper bolts to hold my 35” all terrain tire. At one point I apologized for taking up so much of their time but they just told me, “Are you kidding? It’s been so slow here we are glad we have something to do.”

I even joked with them that when I get home and attach the tire carrier, maybe they could stop by and help lift that huge tire to the carrier for final mounting.

Daniel said “Are you kidding? We could help you mount the carrier and tire right here in the parking lot.”

I was thrilled to have such good-natured and chivalrous service from a store I rarely visit and from two young men who were eager to help. I was so grateful to them for their generous spirit and offered to give them a tip on my purchase but they politely declined.

Daniel said, “I just love working on cars.”

What a weekend. My faith in decent humanity skyrocketed with the experiences that made my chores both favorable and rewarding.

Scratch, scratch.