Alva Review-Courier -

I didn't watch The Donald's State of the Union address. I watched Josh's basketball game, then went to Seiling to pick up Justin (his truck had mechanical problems). Besides, there are so many “smart” broadcasters to tell me what I missed. Sure enough, the first guy I watched said it was one of the greatest State of the Union addresses he had ever heard. The next guy said he had fact-checked to tell me all the things the “Prez” had gotten wrong.

When I was young, my parents and I would drive to Fairview to see my grandparents. We would pass the greatest place I had ever seen east of Aline, a salvage yard with an old car sitting way up in the air and later Paul Bunyon sitting on the hill at the back of the salvage. When I turned 16 and needed auto parts, I usually went to “Uncle Russ's” (Russell McAllister) out on Hunt Street. He was one of the nicest guys I ever knew and always helped everyone, and I still miss him.

As I got older, once in a while I would stop at Bud's Salvage for parts, or to look around. There I met another of the good/nice guys, Bud Anthony. Much like Russell, he was willing to help anyone and always had a great smile for everyone. You would have to go around the world trying to find anyone with a bad word to say about these men and fail in the attempt. Over the years I would run into Bud different places and it was fun to see him.

Once when I was somewhere away from Alva, Mrs. Anthony and Bud showed up on their motorcycle. I asked where they were headed, and Las Vegas was the answer. I found out that motorcycles were one of his great loves. After he retired from the auto salvage business you would have thought he would have slowed down a bit. I would go through Aline every chance I got on the off chance he would be outside and we could visit some.

Sure enough motorcycles started showing up all around his house and shop. Once I asked him why he had started salvaging cycles. He said he had to because they just started following him home!

Some years ago I stopped to visit with him and he seemed a bit confused while we talked. I found out later he was having memory problems. I have really missed his wit and wisdom. My friend Bud Anthony passed away this week. My condolences to his family. Bud, when you get to heaven, look Russell up, shake hands with him, and tell him Jim thanks both of you for showing me how to treat people in the junk business.

On the old-timer's front: Not to brag, but I just went into another room and actually remembered why I went in there. It was the bathroom, but still.