This is the place where where I periodically (meaning whenever I feel like it, or get around to it) ramble on about whatever I feel
like rambling on about. If anybody is bored enough to want to read my old ramblings, just click on the appropriate year, below, to
read them. (Y'know, you really SHOULD get a life!)
Sorry for the long pause...yes, I've been reminded of it...but time just kinda gets out of hand. I'm tired, bone tired,
but not in the physical sense. Mom's been having what the Doc describes as mini-strokes so it's been the rounds of MRI's, scans
and pharmacy runs. The utter fatique is from trying to maintain the upbeat facade to help keep her spirits going. I do
so appreciate the times you let me unload on you, AND the offers of help but it seems there's no way to turn my brain off. Well,
there ARE, but drugs would seem to be rather counter-productive, and make things worse. Okay, end of pity-party!
As you
may expect from the above observations, the riding time has lately tended to get shorter and shorter but I have tried to get out for
an hour or so whenever Mom is feeling good and settled in. The urge to turn back and check on her, though, comes more frequently
now. On the plus side, I don't have to change my oil as often as in the past and it's too damned hot to even think about it,
anyway.
As far as the generator project goes, we know it has physically left Minnesota and is probably receiving a nice vacation
tour on it's way to Pensacola. That, at least, was the word as of this week. The contractor says that's all he is waiting
for as everything else is all lined up and ready to go. Of course, that only slightly helps my anxiety level as the first tropical
depression of the season does it's little trip through the Carribean. I wonder if it just happens to be a coincidence that,
should it develop, it'd be named after Mom....Alice. Hmmmm?
Thanks, guys...I'm feeling a little better...so I'm going to
cut this down for now. If you are riding out there in this heat, do remember to stay hydrated (with water, NOT beer) and alert
on the road. I've seen so many close calls with red-runners in the past couple of weeks that I wonder if the oil spill is causing
more insanity amongst cagers than even before. Take care, y'all!
7/5/10
A rainy Monday after an absolutely gorgeous 4th of July! I was going to cut back some bushes this morning but the pleasant
awakening to the sound of rain on my steel roof saved me from that. On the other hand, I don't think I now have the luxury of
avoiding vaccuming the house. I really do need to clean up what I've tracked in while watching my whole-house generator
being installed. That was last Thursday and, despite my usng extra floor mats at the doors, I managed to make a visible trail.
The job should be completed tomorrow and I'll rest a tad easier this (and subsequent) hurricane season.
Between the heat,
rain, and care-giving duties, I haven't gotten in much riding since the last update but Sunday was the exception. Mom was up
and settled in early enough that I was able to get on the road before 10. Feeling the need for speed, I decided to use as much
superslab as I could to get up the Milton for the Firecracker Bike Show. Not to enter; just to visit for a bit. I was feeling
great until I got off at the Bagdad exit and realized that last cup of coffee was annoyed with me. I never realized before just
how bumpy the back way into downtown Milton was. After a rapid trip to the "facilty" I got to see a bunch of folks I haven't
seen for a while, and probably won't again until the Toy Run in December.
Getting back on the interstate, I collected some more
wind until I decided to get home and into the A/C by 2. Dammit, I just ain't as young as I used to be! (But I may be able to
get older if I can just remember that!) Since the weather forecast seems to indicate more of this pattern, I doubt I'm going
to get a lot of miles in before I'm back here. For you more intrepid souls, be careful out there; the heat, rain AND traffic
can all be killers and I don't want to lose any more friends...even ones I haven't met yet. Be good to one another and I'll
catch you next time.
7/16/10
...and time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' into the future... Not really a lot to say except, IT'S BEEN HOT!
I've tried a few morning rides but found the temperature is just so oppressive as to make it not worth it. Of course,
it's been pretty comfortable on the Interstate at 70 and above but I feel like passing out getting to and from. Evenings haven't
been too bad and, in fact, it was real nice to take in Bands on the Beach this Tuesday and there was even a nice breeze there.
The
generator is completely done and I have the supplies laid in for first 2 oil changes. This should almost guarantee we won't
need it! Of course, if I hadn't gotten it, we'd be slammed with power outages this season. Oh, and by the way, there are
apparently no alternatives to a Generac air filter. Plugs and oil filters, yes; air, no!
Mom seems to be benefitting from
the change in meds but the ol' machine is still wearing down, day by day. even just riding in truck for sight-seeing is wearing,
but she enjoys getting out of the house. Last week, she wanted to go Perdido Pass to look at the oil booms and, on the way,
I noticed thhat the old Hawgs Heaven building is now a BBQ joint. We stopped on the way back for lunch and I was pleasantly
surprised by the pulled pork sandwiches. Melt in the mouth tender...and thick.. Try them if you're hungry and out on Perdido
Key.
Okay, grocery shopping day and I smell my coffee calling. Y'all be safe and I'll drop back in when I can remember
to. Maybe this heat will break and I can actually have some riding to tell you about.
7/26/10
Okay, I see the pattern forming, with 10 days being the new norm instead of a weekly update. Maybe it's because, being
retired from occupational restraints, I don't have a normal (for you still-working stiffs) week. On the other hand, maybe it's
because my life has kinda slowed down and this is my "new" week. I do know that my life, as well as many others', is now emptier
with the loss last week of my friend, Karl Murray. Most knew Karl as the retired Navy Chief who was President of P.M.S.
and a fun-loving spark plug of energy. He was all that, and more, but I knew him as a kindred spirit who had taken care of his
aging and ailing parents. He was the one I could always confide in with my own doubts and inadequacies and come away with renewed
strength and energy to continue taking care of Mom. I miss you, Karl.
Alright, Folks, I'm now ready to take donations from
anyone who's glad that Bonnie kinda petered out over the gulf. You do realize that was all my doing, by putting in my whole-house
generator. Now that I've paid for it, I won't need it and everyone in the P'cola area is now under my umbrella of superstition.
So, maybe it doesn't really work that way, but it never hurts to ask. It's kinda like politics, that way. Between the
heat and the rain, I haven't ridden much although I DID wash the bike and change the oil. Of all the oil changes I've done over
the years, I think this was the only one that took me over 2 hours, start to finish. I had to break it down into discreet segments,
seperated by cool-downs in the house, whenever the sweat got into my eyes too much. I'm sure it was just the heat and humidity..not
the effort of getting up and down off the ground.
'Nuf for now and the laundry is probably ready for the drier. DO
ride safely, and watch your 6 as well as the idiots in front of you; I can't afford to lose any more friends.