We were bringing laxatives to the father of the sister of a friend. From the sounds of human anguish that we heard, it was apparent that he needed whatever we could provide and more. The house was a museum piece -- a 200-year-old, thick walled adobe structure with a beautiful garden and a marvelous collection of treasures. There was a piano and a Victorola and a 100-year-old encylcopedia, and much much more. Mercedes was fretting because the roof was in desperate condition, and it was all but impossible to get the wood that was needed to make repairs. We left her (that's her in red in the background, talking to the carpenter), and passed this amazing relic from another time -- a 1929 Model A Ford.