I Know What Yer Thinkin!(Herm Sherwood-Sitts) I Know What Yer thinkin!
By Herm Sherwood-Sitts

When I was 14, I had painted a picture of a Corvette Stingray. After showing it to my art teacher (Mr. Buhner,) I was honored to be placed in individual studies. This was an advanced art class, where you could use any medium you wished to explore. I was the youngest in this group.

The Corvette had the lines of true racer. A two seated, sports car that had been on the edge of technology as a proto type for many new auto inventions. Corvette was the first car with independent suspension. It had become the car of my dreams.

At 14, I had taken a job working on a farm at the rate of 50 cents/hr. The starting price for a new Corvette at that time was around $8,000. There was no way I was going to afford one.

At 16, I was still working on the same farm. The Farmers son was home from college, sporting a 1969, black, Corvette convertible. Every day I took time to check it out. What a beauty!

One day, the farmer’s son asked if I would go to the next town with him. He was going to pick up a motorcycle and asked if I would drive his Corvette back home for him. I was in heaven.

I crawled into the driver’s seat and was sitting eye level with the road. I pushed in the clutch and turned the key. The 327 purred like a tiger. As I went through gears as smooth as I could; she hugged the corners as I accelerated out of them, like a true racecar. At 16, I hadn’t driven too many nice vehicles, mostly Farm trucks, tractors and my 64 Ford Galaxy. After driving the Vette, I was in love!

17 rolled around and I was working at a grocery warehouse. I was making around $5.30 an hour. However now I am making payments on a mobile home and getting married. The price of the Corvette was steadily climbing.

At 22, the baby needed shoes and her life had more important needs than me wanting a Corvette.

At 25, the twins were born; the Corvette is completely out of the question. The price was way outta my league and a family of 5 won’t fit in a Corvette.

Life moved on, divorced, remarried, 5 children now, football, wrestling, basketball, karate, softball you name it (Graduations, Marriages, 4 grandchildren.)

At 65, my son Rod and his wife needed some help with a project. I have never been a risk taker, but this was one of those times when parents do what they can. I rolled up my sleeves and worked alongside of them. To my surprise it paid off big. Thanks to Rod and Steph, at 65 I was able to purchase a 1977 Corvette. She is 43 years old and I love it!

“I know what yer thinking!” Midlife Crisis... If so I would live to be 130. No my friend, it's a bucket list thing.

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