It's Raining, It's Pouring

We've had 2 or 3 days with occasional rain showers. And it's raining again. Nothing dramatic, but the temperature has definitely been lower. How wonderful when it's in the late afternoon and evening. This morning it was only 72 degrees compared to the 77-79 that it has been running in the mornings about 7 o'clock.

Monday morning Sam suited up... ...and rode to participate in Harley Davidson's 5 Million Mile Monday. He visited with John and Erin. They met up after their trip to the doctor to find out whether the baby was going to be a boy or a girl. It's a boy! And they already have a tentative name picked out. It's such a good one with good reasons...if they change their mind I will be very surprised. No...sigh...they will not be naming him after me. ;o)

Me? Not nearly as sore as I thought I was going to be. But every time I moved anything today...even an empty file folder...my left shoulder (the muscles in and around it) ached. I didn't think I would be able to do the routine, but I did. Without any additional pain. I'm plumb proud of myself.

Penny, he hasn't been back...but I've been carrying my camera in with me.

It Sold!

Yeppers...it's gone. It's a bit melancholy, but I do not regret the decision AT ALL!

Yeah. It's the cookbook that came with my KitchenAid stand mixer. First stand mixer I've ever had having used that avocado green handheld mixer since 1971...the mixer that fell off the kitchen island, hit the ceramic tile floor, yet lived to mix it up another day. ;o)

This cookbook gave me renewed confidence in pie crust. Prior to the recipe in this book, my pie dough was hit or miss...miss most of the time. It was always a patched up leaking mess that was not the least bit flakey.

The book also has a delicious plain pound cake in it. I always bake it in two loaf pans. We eat on one and I wrap and freeze the other for dessert emergencies.

Ozark Getaway Part Three

We did have so much fun around the Courthouse Square in Mt. View. I've mentioned the music. I haven't mentioned the food.

First though, you've got to drive/ride out to Fifty-Six for one of their hamburgers. Always. ALWAYS delicious. Oh. Fifty-Six is the name of the town.

While listening to the music on the Square, you must get a scoop of ice cream. I did. Three different days/times. Black walnut - in tribute to my dad. Chocolate. Then again, chocolate. I am assuming that the brand was Yarnell since that is an Arkansas brand, but I didn't ask. The chocolate was so creamy.

Changing subjects...have you seen the fabric sleeves that look as if you have a real tattooed sleeve? I have a t-shirt with tattooed sleeves. I put it on one morning. Sam said that when I got off the bike at the restaurant for breakfast that a man sitting in a rocker on the 'front porch' looked disgusted. And when we walked into the restaurant a few heads turned and gawked. (I loved it!) ...You can see similar sleeves here http://www.prankplace.com/tattoo.htm ...mine were actually attached to a short sleeve t-shirt.

So...we are at the Square that afternoon. Standing... since we don't carry folding chairs with us on the Harleys. This guy in front of me stands and moves his lawn chair out of the way so that two older ladies can maneuver around and out of the way (Sam and I are patiently waiting cause we are going to claim the rockers that they vacated.) This guy moves his chair back in place and proceeds to sit down. Unfortunately he has placed his very nice straw cowboy hat in his chair. I nearly panicked for him, saying "No! Your hat!" As I reach out and grabbed him. Well. Actually I grabbed his butt. ;o) Never pass an opportunity to grab a nice man's butt...or a man's nice butt...I always say. About the time I did it...I realized what I'd done. I said, "OH!" and jerked my hand back. Too late. His wife saw. And she laughed.

We sat down in the recently vacated rockers and laughed along with the couple. I have to say that the wife enjoyed it so much more than her husband. She said she really had a hard time keeping him in line and just wait until she got home to tell the grown kids. ;o)

Sam and I eventually walked across the Courthouse Square to eat Mexican food at El Tres Amigos. (Yes, I know enough Spanish to know that it should be Los Tres Amigos.) Remember, I have on the tattoo sleeve t-shirt. Two Hispanic young men, employees, made a beeline for me. When the first one got closer, he was still smiling, but his face fell a bit. He and his buddy wanted to check out my tattoos. That shirt is so much fun!

Saturday night we went to the White River Hoedown. We sat beside a couple from northern California. We talked and laughed before the show even started. He started it...he 'saved the seats for us and would've baked a cake but he didn't know how long it would take us to get there.' I replied that I'd bought the ice cream that afternoon but he never showed up so I had to eat it all. After bantering back and forth a bit I advised him not to get up and leave his cap/hat in the seat. He gave me a closer look then smiled. 'I saw you! You had on the t-shirt that looked like you had tattoos. You're the woman who grabbed that guy on the butt to keep him from sitting on his hat.'

Geesh. Can't do anything any more without somebody watching!

Ozark Getaway Part Two

Riding a motorcycle puts you up front and personal with everything around you. The heat. The cold. The wet. The steep, narrow, curving roadways. (Yep. Had to throw that in again.)

The aromas wafting from the roadsides can be so intoxicating...honeysuckle, ligustrum. Oh! One fence was just covered with an antique rose bush...and the bush was filled to almost solid white with blooms. It may have been a Lady Banks.

In addition to the sweet intoxicating scents from flowers, several hazards abound.

18-wheelers hauling cattle
Dairy farms
Chicken houses
Roadkill

Now, roadkill falls into two categories. Fresh or putrid. Ah, yes. There is a difference. As you approach and pass fresh roadkill, you detect a metallic coppery scent. Putrified...well, that needs no explanation.

I learned. When I saw something in the road, or a cattle truck headed my direction, or chicken houses in the pasture, I would take several deep breaths. Then hold my breath as I approached the offending object. As I passed it, I would slowly release my breathe. Worked most of the time to keep the lingering scent from hanging around.

Ozark Getaway

On motorcycles. Yes. I rode my own this time. So proud of myself! Last year about this same time we got rained on going 'up.' This time rain wasn't predicted until Sunday...the day we planned to head home.

Observations:
Texas roads are better (straighter and flatter)

Damnable grooves during an Arkansas road construction that went on ... like ... FOREVER it seemed. Try that on just 2 wheels! I dare ya! chatter...chatter...chatter

Repeat after me..."Never, ever. And I do mean NEVER attempt Hwy. 9 from Clinton AR to Mt. View AR. Never, ever, NEVER, EVER AGAIN!"

Have you ever in your entire life heard of a 15 mph curve? FIFTEEN MPH CURVE?! That's not a curve! That's a 45 degree or tighter TURN. Now listen up people. 15 MPH is NOT A CURVE!! I rest my case!

Do you know what is at the bottom of an "Oh, SHIT!" downhill 25 MPH curve? A BRIDGE! In the curve, aka turn! And they are also in just about every other 25-40-50 MPH downhill curve. A bridge! A narrow bridge at that!

Do you know what the double yellow stripes down the center of the road mean on those narrow pigtrail roads in Arkansas? NOTHING! NADA! ZILCH!! Which means you better stay on your side of the road because there's no guarantee that the car/pickup/18-wheeler that's coming atcha is gonna stay on his/her side of the road.

We hit the road between Clinton and Mt. View eight hours after we left the house. We stopped several times to walk around a bit, get a drink of water or a 'coke,' to eat lunch. So it wasn't all eight hours on the road, but it was still EIGHT HOURS...then get hit with those tight turns and curves. I was petrified! I took them at the recommended posted speed, but the locals in their cars/pickups didn't like it very much. TOUGH! I didn't want to get scraped off the pavement or untwirled from around a tree trunk. Eventually there was a straight (LOL) stretch of road where four or five cars and pickups could get around me...the last...a woman...laid on her car horn...like I could give a care! ;o) I didn't try to keep up with Sam and I didn't let the vehicles behind me 'push' me. I'm telling you! I could've crawled around some of those curves/turns faster on my hands and knees than I was riding around them!!

I talked to God. I told Him that I would not ride 'over my head' and He could take care of the rest. AMEN!!

Sam pulled over one time to let me catch up with him...I didn't stop...I just kept right on going. So, now I am in the lead. I had two or three more vehicles behind me when I noticed an 18-wheeler back there. Since I'm from a truck driving family...I didn't want him mad at me. Lo and behold! Thank you God! A convenience store! I whipped my turn signal on faster than you could blink and pulled into the lot...right in front of the pumps...hit the kill switch...put the kick stand down...got off the bike and looked Sam square in the eyes when he stopped beside me. "I am NOT having fun!" I wanted to cry. This narrow, crooked, steep road was 38 miles of sheer white knuckle terror!

Sigh. I made it to the Red Bud Inn in Mt. View and parked my bike. I didn't move it until we got ready to leave...rode two-up with Sam the whole time we were there.

I love the winding narrow twisting roads when I ride with him. You know something? Hwy 9 north of Mt. View going to Melburne Arkansas (where NASCAR racer, Mike Martin, has a car dealership) is just as crooked as the southern part?! What WERE they thinking. Okay...it started out as a game trail. The Indians walked along the trail turning it into a path that the first trappers followed. Somebody got the bright idea to go over the mountains in a wagon and they continued to follow the game trails or the path of 'least resistance' whenever they could. Then the Model T's followed behind the wagons. My question is when somebody finally went to college and got the 'engineer' diploma...couldn't they figure out a better way to build a road besides following a long ago game trail? HUH?! ;o)

Mt. View was so enjoyable! YOU've got to go there if you like music at all. Old-time music now! Mountain music, some country, some bluegrass...acoustic guitars, fiddles, mandolins, banjos, bass fiddles. You can find just about anything you like on the Courthouse Square. If you play, take your instrument, they will scoot over and let you pull up a chair!

Two groups worth mentioning:
The Turner Family from Mt. View. A wonderful gospel group. A dad, two grown daughters, and a young son. The youngest daughter caresses that banjo and can make the most beautiful music flow from it. http://www.myspace.com/turnerfamilybluegrass

Cross Creek is from Paris Texas! They will be playing at the HWY 80 Mission in Longview TX June 6. (I think that's what we were told.) - Hmmm...can't find their MySpace page...But I did find a photo. http://m.wayn.com/waynphotos.html?wci=photo&photo_key=28099052&ref_id= The three women are sisters. The man with the fiddle is standing almost in front of his wife. ALRIGHT!!! Back to edit again. Finally found their MySpace page! http://www.myspace.com/crosscreek08

We went to the Cash's White River Hoedown Saturday. The show was good and hilarious at times! We laughed so hard during the comedy. http://www.whiteriverhoedown.com/

I asked Sam to ride out to Leslie...Yes, it's a town just like Shirley. BTW, those of you who don't know me personally...guess what my parents' names are? Leslie AND Shirley. ;o) Anywho...the road to Leslie was not as winding and treacherous. Same 38 miles but only the last two miles are tight curves. So, that's the direction we headed Sunday morning to go home. Only problem...it's raining. Not storming, but a steady rain. Yuck. We have all the appropriate riding gear so suited up and headed out at a nice leisurely pace.

We stopped at Clinton for fuel and breakfast. Waited and rested a bit then started out again. I didn't get antsy until Morrilton. Like...PULL OVER SAM! He's in front. I turned my blinker on in plenty of time for him to see...only he didn't. We get out of Morrilton and cross the Arkansas River bridge. It RAINING harder and the wind is gusting. And I'm on a bridge WAAAAYYYYY up in the air. I can barely see Sam for the rain. I WANT TO STOP NOW! Lo and behold. Thank you God! I see a convenience store. Deja vu' (more of them French words). ;o) I turn my blinker on and turn in. I watch as Sam continues down the road. I park and walk to the front and wait for the returning lone rider. When I see a bike, I wave, point to the side where I'm parked, and walk into the store...dripping water everywhere. Yep, it was Sam. We pulled off wet gear...and I do mean wet. My feet are sloshing my gloves are wet and yucky. I'm not cold though...ah...always a silver lining in the cloud.

Get something to drink. Go back out to the bike to get my paperback. Read until the rain slacks off...some...potty break...head back out yet again. When we got to Mt. Ida, somehow I'm in the lead again. LOL Sam's probably afraid I'll pull over without him knowing again. ;o) I pulled over and looked at him when he stopped. "I'm tired. Find out if there's a motel, a B&B or if someone will rent a bedroom or their camper for the night." We survey our surroundings and guess what I see? No...not a convenience store...a MOTEL!!! Mt. Ida Motel. Remember the first motels? Motor courts? That's what this was. Older than dirt! A bit run down. But clean and only $40. LOL

We slept late this morning. Although it wasn't raining, it was still dreary looking. Suited up. Again. Headed out. Again. Somewhere down the road we stopped for fuel. A car pulled up beside me. The window rolled down and I thought..."Ah-oh. Irate because I was going too slow to suit him." An older couple looked at me. "You were lucky back there. We've followed you since Mt. Ida. A deer ran out right behind you and in front of the car right in front of us. It slipped and scrambled around on the wet pavement. Got it's feet back under it, then headed back the way it came." I know I looked at him blank-faced. That's not what I was expecting to hear and it just didn't register. I didn't think to tell him about the promise I made to God about not riding over my head and He would handle the rest. Well...He did!

We ate lunch...headed out again. Had just a few sprinkles on us the other side of Dierks then the glorious blue sky started showing. We stopped at the next town and shucked the rain gear off and put on sunglasses. The rest of the ride home was sweet! We stopped in New Boston for David Beard's Catfish King...catfish of course.

So. There's the saga. Photos? Yes. I took my camera. No. I didn't take it out of the bag...not once! Like when was I going to have time? Going around those 15 mph TURNS? I'm truly surprised that I didn't get one single photo.

Hopefully this make up for the lack of photos and for this post being like the Energizer bunny...going on and on and on...

Parlez-vous du français ?

Aujourd'hui nous avons pris notre Harleys à Paris.

Better that I say, Hey, y'all! Today we rode our Harleys to Paris...TEXAS!

Now I used one of those online translators so please don't scream at me for using incorrect French grammar. Thank you.

I really, really enjoyed the ride. It was about 150 miles round trip. I've been 'riding' in my mind...stopping...starting...making turns. And the 'practice' paid off! I stopped beside Sam most of the time not two lengths behind him. Didn't make the bike die any time that I started off. And while I'm still not as zippy as Sam is on the start, I am soooo much better than I was last fall when I stopped riding for the winter.

I admit. I am a fair weather rider. As my confidence builds I can't help but improve. Now. Turning in a tight spot. roll eyes

I Won a Door Prize!

I went to Women's Garage Party at the Harley Shop in Longview this evening. http://www.theharleyshopinc.com/ This was their first time and it was a great success. We were divided into four groups and went to four stations...finishing with a fifth station to fill out a survey. We were shown the Harley's, appropriate riding gear, parts department told of several things that can be done to make 'your' Harley a better fit for 'you,' and how to pick up a 500+ pound bike. I did it! I've been wanting Sam to lay my bike down and let me try to pick it up...well, not pick it up, but set it upright. My bike is another 200 pounds heavier though. I still need to give it a try.

AND!!! I won the big door prize! They gave away two t-shirt celebrating May as Ladies Month. Then a basket with a bag that can be worn over the shoulder or clipped to the belt loops on a pair of jeans, a pair of shades, a disposable camera, a photo frame, and a doo-rag. YEAH ME!!

On to more sedate things...this is what I've been working on with the ribbon yarn.

Rats, the cables don't show up very well. This is the first time I've ever attempted cables.

And, look at this. I read someplace that when doing stockinette stitch, that the purl side looks looser on the right side. Mine does. Look just above the ribbing at the thick and thin rows. I am now making a concerted effort to tighten the purl stitches and make looser knit stitches. The stitches closest to the needles are more even. I am NOT going to ribbet what I've already done. I am still learning how to knit...and I am extremely proud of what I've accomplished so far.

Beautiful Saturday

What a beautiful sky this morning. With temps predicted to be in the low to mid-70s, the local motorcycle riders planned a trip to Powderly Texas. We at at a little restaurant called Borderline. They had an 18 ounce hamburger on the menu. 18 ounces! One couple ordered it to share. One man ate it all by hisself. (That's a funny word - probably grammatically incorrect...but, What the hey! I'm from northeast Texas!) The meat hung out all around the large bun by a good two inches. Forgot to whip my camera out.

After we ate, we stopped in Paris (Texas!) at the Harley shop and scanned the bikes and clothing.

Seems that we had ten bikes and 13 people.

I rode with Sam. It's been two months since I last rode my own bike and I didn't want to be in a group of people when I got back on it. I need to go to a parking lot and ride it, turns, stopping, starting. Besides, the wind was blowing terribly! And it was blowing from the side. If I'd known it was going to be that bad, I probably would've stayed at home.

This morning - I am so sore. I feel as though I rode a horse all day long! That pillon/pillion seat for the passenger is really not made for butts. And it is a better (term loosely used) replacement seat than the stock seat.

Harley Days Toy Delivery

What a Blast! Today we went to Longview to participate in delivering toys to the office of the women's shelter.

This morning Sam asked if I was going to ride with him. At that time the temperature was 35 degrees. Brrrrr. I asked what the high was going to be. He didn't know. If I had to give an answer then, No. I turned the television on and found out that the high was going to be around 43. My final answer was, No. Sam put on his leathers and climbed astride his Harley. I put on my jacket, wrapped a scarf around my neck and followed him...in the 4-Runner. My mama didn't raise no fool...at least not this little girl! (I have three brothers - that's a totally different story.)

We stopped at the Harley Shop which was still closed. Sam wears H-D FXRG leathers and is a walking testimony. He said that he was warm enough except for his fingers...he has been trying to find the FXRG gloves...looks like he is going to have to order them. After storing his leathers in the back of the 4-Runner, he climbed in with me and we went to Jason's Deli for lunch. When we got back, the lot was slowly filling up.

The bed of a pickup truck was filled level with toys.
35 bikes left the Harley Shop with a police escort. At the office, everyone lined up bucket brigade style and unloaded toys. Um...look at the guys eyeballing the toys!
Over 50 members of the Longview H.O.G. and Longview CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association) participated today.
$$$ worth of bikes...remember - 35 of them!

Busy Day...

...with double great results! The 2008 Tigers played their final game today at 3 p.m. against Cisco in the Waco ISD stadium. The Tigers are the new Texas State 2-A winners beating Cisco 26 - 8. Cisco scored in the last 10 second of the game...and in my opinion only because the coach sent in his second string so that all the boys could have a chance to brag about playing in the state championship game.


Read all about it here: http://www.news-journal.com/prep/content/sports/stories/2008/12/21/12212008_daingerside.html

A few of us met at the library to watch the game via the internet. We had trouble getting sound - couldn't get anything through the speakers so had to plug in the earphones...which meant only one person per computer. Three of us sat in the 'office' area and listened to a radio broadcast over the internet. And we worked. LOL Earlene entering in the computer. Margie checking books in and putting them on the shelf. While I covered jackets with the clear cover, taped them back on the books, then put the books on the shelf.


This evening Sam and I headed to Longview - in the Toyota...not on the Harley's. We stopped at the mall for one more Christmas present then went to Hallsville to the Longview H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) Christmas party. Admission is one toy each. Tomorrow the toys will be delivered to the women's shelter. There will be a ride for that...don't know if we are going yet.

Sunday Morning Ride

I had a wonderful time! The Longview L.O.H. (Ladies of Harley) met in Longview today for a ride. Sam rode with me to Longview - it's about 40 miles. Then he went on his merry way and a wonderful group of ladies babysat me. They are so patient and gave me many pointers even to tell me where there was a good parking lot near me where I can practice going slow and turns. I was put behind the road captain in second place.

I do pretty good until I slow down. That's bad...LOL I can stop decently - have a tendency to sneak up on the stop sign and am working on that. I got thumbs up several times towards the end of my ride. Starting up from a stop is no fun at all, especially if a turn is involved. I'll get there though. I did ride solo for a few miles. The ladies were going to continue their ride by going around Lake o' the Pines, but when we passed within a few miles of my home, I rode on home...they knew of course.

Sam said that he'd not been home long when he heard me. He was waiting in front of the garage when I pulled up. I now have over 500 miles on my bike having put about 143 on it today. ;o)

And The Winner Is...

I woke at 6:30 this morning and got straight to work. After double checking the names and verifying that no one is a relative of mine or an employee of my company (oops....I don't have a company) or any of my subsidiaries (oh, no company - no subsidiaries), no one sent any bribe money or goodies or even chocolate - rats! I then started the ardous task of hand-writing all the names of the many people who entered this fabulous give-away opportunity.

After breakfast and watching my three quilting/sewing programs on PBS this morning, I read a chapter in a Sharon Sala book (my favorite new author). When I saw how late it had become, I showered and sorted laundry.

Oh, back to the task at hand. And the winner - drum roll - is.

Congratulations, Lindsay aka Saved Sinnr!!!

1st Anniversary Giveaway

I knew the competition would be hot and heavy! ;o) We are coming down to the wire. Friday, when we return from the drive across the Talimena Drive - yeah!!! - I will check back and have the names ready for Sam to do the drawing. Thanks for the compliments on my blog. I told "Your Son" about being called "fascinating." He laughed and said he had another word in mind. I know...he's not to far off from getting cut out of the will.

To celebrate the first birthday of my blog, I've decided to have a blog giveaway. For a chance at a machine embroidered patch for your motorcycle vest, just leave a comment. For a second chance, mention this on your blog (let me know so that I can come take a look). This is one of only four that I've made. While I 'designed' the layout, the embroidery designs were from http://www.annthegran.com/ .

I know that this will be a heavily sought after prize (LOL) and that the competition will be hot and heavy. I will do my best to keep up with your comments. Last date to enter will be Friday, November 7.

This is Sam's sewn on his vest.

Beautiful Day

What an absolutely beautiful fall day! We woke to temps in the mid-50s and it just got better - no higher than 77. After lunch, Sam and I took a ride and rode about a hundred miles. Before hitting the main roads, I told Sam I wanted to stop in the 'bottom' before getting to the farm-to-market road and 'shoot landings.' Well, the landings aren't the problem, it's the take-offs I'm having trouble with. I am so tired of stuttering, stumbling, burping, and killing the engine when I get started. Sure enough. First time I stopped and tried to start, I killed the bike three times. THEN, I realized that I wasn't in first gear. Sigh. Finally got going and was able to repeat several good starts until we got to the stop sign and the main road. I even did decent there! On the whole trip, I didn't have but two bad starts. Improving by baby steps - one at a time. Most importantly - I haven't dropped my bike since the first outing!

The scenery was absolutely gorgeous. So many trees are changing colors. Sam and I want to take a day car trip to Mena AR, drive across the Talimena Drive and then back home. We better hurry and do it before the color is gone. I don't think I could hold up to riding my bike that far right now...just one hour does me in. I also need to get something to exercise my clutch hand. It gets so tired; especially on winding farm-to-market roads like we were on today.

We stopped at a Sonic in Atlanta (TX not GA!). While we were sitting at one of the tables, one of the 'courtesy' employees asked if we needed napkins, mints, anything. Then she looked at me and asked if I road my own bike. I told her, "Yes." She smiled and said, "You go, girl!"

Oh, before I forget and I should've already posted this...friends in our H.O.G. chapter...their 17-year old son was killed in an auto accident earlier this week. Such a tragic loss. Please be praying for this family.

Another Beautiful Day to Ride!

We left the house this morning all bundled up against the 53 degree temperature and rode 40 miles to Longview for the Harley Shop's open house. I rode my own bike. Here's proof:

Mine is the solid red bike in front. Sam's is the cream and burgundy beside it.

We hung around there most of the day before heading home. When we got home, I had Sam to adjust my handlebars just a bit closer to me again and attach my new "glove compartment," better known as a windshield bag. Now I have a place to put my shades or whatever. I also purchased a red cap with bling-bling on the visor and a turtleneck sweater. All, of course, with Harley-Davidson logos!

Look at this! Some guy refurbished a WWII era Military Police motorcycle! Look at the "hand grenades" in front of the leather saddlebag.

Oh! We won two door prizes! Sam won a breast cancer awareness cap, white with a pink bow. Then I won a pair of pink-framed sunglasses...I'm not into pink very much. I saw a friend's little girl and gifted them to her. She was really excited...the shades match her pink helmet!

Beautiful Day to Ride

After lunch we went on a bike ride. I am getting more comfortable each time. Got down the driveway just fine and dandy. Also didn't have a bit of trouble when we got home. We rode around Lake o' the Pines today. I'd forgotten how curvy that road was too. Had to figure out what to do to keep my left hand from getting so tired from using the clutch. I realized that I was gripping the handlegrip all the time. So, I started straightening out my fingers when we were just riding. That helped.

We had to have gas when we got back to town. My first tankful is gone! This is getting more and more enjoyable. No photo today...

Tomorrow we are headed to Jefferson for the Boo Fest. There will be too much going on for me to be comfortable on my bike, so I'll be riding with Sam. This is a worthwhile event. Go to http://www.boobenefit.org/ for more information.

I Did Not Drop It Today!

I am so excited! I did not drop my bike today. It's been a whole month (or more) since I've ridden...due to weather, work, bad cold, excuses, excuses. ;o) In the middle of the afternoon, we set out for not only some back road riding, but I even got on the highway!


I wasn't as nervous leaving the driveway this time...didn't fail to 'feather' the clutch but twice and killed the bike both times. After I got out of the driveway...for those who know this area...we hit FM 130 to FM 161 and all its curves to Naples. Through the Paul Pewitt school zone at the right speed, "Hello, Mr. Officer." I even smiled forgetting that I wear a full face helmet. ;o) We stopped at the Dairy Queen in Omaha, got something to drink, and waited out the school traffic.

South on US Hwy 259 back to town and home again, home again, jiggedy jig. I maneuvered up the driveway this time without a hitch and parked the bike where Sam told me to park it last time. APPLAUSE!!! APPLAUSE!!! If we were the high-fiving type people, I would've high-fived Sam!


I am so excited! I didn't even get nauseous like the last time - rather, the first time. I mean it. I was so nervous the first time I rode my bike that I could've thrown up my lunch...sorry to be so graphic, but it was that bad.


We went to the Longview H.O.G. meeting last night. I showed a photo of my bike to everyone there. The Lady H.O.G.s are planning a ride in three or so weeks. I told them that I didn't think so. I still need a babysitter. The lady sitting beside me said that she'd gone through the very same thing...that's what they are there for. So...every spare chance I get, I'm riding. I want to be ready to go!


On to more sedate matters...I finished a pair of socks! Talk about anti-climatic. LOL They fit great and are so comfy. I want to try to knit two socks at one time. Unfortunately, I didn't have the required needles...circular needles with a 40" cable. So I had to order some. Of course, you can't order just one item...makes the shipping too expensive, so I order sizes 1, 2, 3, and 4 with 40" cables so that I can knit any size yarn!

I Have a New Toy!

Look at the bike, not the person with helmet hair and no makeup!! (Don't worry, I ride with long sleeves.) That's Sam's bike in the background. Don't they look good together?

Saturday, Sam and I went to American Eagle Harley in Corinth Texas (great deal!) for my new bike. I've been looking at second hand...somewhat smaller bikes, but this is what he picked. Took it out for the first time this morning and rode over 30 something miles...had to wait to get insurance on it.

Our driveway is steep (to me on the bike anyway) and gravel. Once I conquer the sheer fear of maneuvering down it...I'll be alright. And, I have to be mindful of the heel shifter. I put my heel down on it right to start and started off down the driveway in 2nd gear...well...not really down the driveway. I took a detour into the yard first. Stopped. Got off. Sam got off his bike, walked over and turned mine around...put it back where I started. I got on it...and did it right that time. Coming home from the 'other' direction. I overshot the driveway! LOL Stopped. Put it in neutral and duck-walked it backwards...oh, Sam got off his to help me keep mine upright. He asked, "Want me to take it up for you?" Anyway, that's what I heard. I said, "Sure." Well, he turned it into the driveway...just where it starts. Got off. Damn! (Oops...darn...well, never mind. I'm a Harley chick, and I can cuss now.) I got on it and rode it up the drive. Eventually (LOL) stopped it where he wanted it to be so that he could get them both in the garage. Mine goes sideways in front of my car (Sam made a gadget that can be moved and placed on the garage floor beside the bike...when I pull my car into the garage very very slowly and lightly bump it - the gadget not the bike - I apply the brakes and stop...so far so good). Sam's bike goes between the car and the pickup.

He'll be out of town tomorrow, so no riding...then I sub at the high school Wednesday. I really need to ride every day to keep my courage up! The last big bike I rode was over 25 years ago...Ron's (first husband's) Honda 750...and I never rode it very far - just from our home to my parents' or the other way around...five or so miles.

You know, remembering, foot brake-clutch-shifter to first or neutral-handbreak- left foot down when stopping is rather taxing on one's brain! Are you praying for me?! If not, would you please?!

Am I Ever Sore!

After two grueling days I am back home to a soft bed and an air conditioner! I spent two days in Hell taking a rider's safety course this past weekend. I have had the motorcycle endorsement on my driver's license since the mid-70s when my first husband and I rode bikes. My motorcycle days ended with my pregnancy in 1983. In 2006, my current husband acquired a Harley-Davidson (photos of hubby and bike are in earlier posts). I'm tired of riding "2-up" so decided to take a "refresher" course before getting my own bike.

In the ten years that I rode, I never dropped my bike, skidded my bike, laid my bike down, etc. Not one scratch on its beautiful paint job. This weekend, I dropped the class bike on Saturday and high-sided it on Sunday. We had a bit of classwork then got on the bikes before lunch on Saturday. We were back at it again at 7 a.m. Sunday. We were out on a parking lot in 90+ degree sunshine. After all of the "modules" we then did some honing of our skills before testing. I realized how extremely tired I was. That's when I decided I'd had enough. I had reached the level past concentration and my responses were slow. My riding was getting sloppy. Time to quit before I got really hurt. For me to get back on the bike at that point of exhaustion was dangerous. A wise person (LOL now I'm wise?!) knows when to stop pushing and to quit.

IF you ever decide to take a motorcycle rider's safety course...do not take it in the heat of summer. Try to find classes that are taught half-days for four or five days. Pace yourself.

This has not dimmed my desire for a bike. We will be traveling to American Eagle Harley in Corinth Texas to pick up my new bike within the week. I see some nice slow riding on the back roads in my neck of the woods while I get accustomed to my new bike. Photos will follow!

Memorial Day Weekend

We attended a motorcycle rally, Party in the Pines, in Longview this past weekend. This is just their third year and they more than doubled last year's attendance. Over 4,000 people had registered by Saturday evening. This photo shows just a few of the bikes waiting for the beginning of the Joker Run Saturday morning. Sam and I did not go on the run as we had committed ourselves to working at the site that morning and afternoon, but after church services Sunday morning provided by the Christian Motorcyle Association, we did go on a ride and returned in time to fulfill the remainder of our volunteer commitment.

I took a few photos of my beautiful Dietz lilies that Carol, my sister-in-law shared with me. Aren't they just beautiful?!

When we purchased our home in 2004, I did some Internet research to find out what variety of hosta would work for my little corner of Texas. I planted six Undulata Albomarginata bulbs (or whatever they are called). Talk about disappointed! The first two years - absolutely nothing to brag about for the three that did sprout and survive. Last year was better. This year ... see for yourself! I'll repost when they bloom.

Now, I want to plant more around a redbud. I can see some of the blue varieties ringing the tree...