Signs of the Season



Figaro just loves to sit on top of anyone who will let him
Including ME!

Welcome to Fall!  Wheee!  I love this time of year.  College football everywhere.  Food coming out in pails and buckets.  The horizon chock full of so many colors as if angels had painted the landscape in joyous celebration of the harvest.  Neighbors passing blessings to each other in the street.  There is that fall 'nip' in the air, so very fresh and delightful.  Wind blowing the trees around as if the trees were waving goodnight until spring.  Riding the Harley is wonderful this time of year.  Wearing the full gear is easier now, unlike mid July when even looking at a leather jacket makes you sweat in agony.  And Halloween is almost upon us - BOO!



Cheyenne before Homecoming



Our youngest Cheyenne finally went to the homecoming dance this year.  She was almost giddy with excitement.  She went with a friend from school.  Right now the only "boys" she looks at are the Jonas Brothers.  Boys at school are 'obnoxious' which is actually kind of nice for a change.  Dad doesn't worry about her as much, in part because any boy who wants to take Cheyenne out is going to have his hands full.  Maybe all that grilling is finally paying off.  She is doing well in school, particularly in Algebra.  Unfortunately teachers at school don't like Dad helping with the algebra homework.  If we do it Dads way we miss some of the important lessons, so Dad refrains from helping much.  We get a lot of help from school, and she does quite well to get her studies in order, although we do slip on occasion.  Its those slips that help me step in to teach a bit, and teaching is cool!



Cheyenne (left) Jesse(center) and Katelyn



Jesse, our oldest, is having a bit more of a struggle.  Her boyfriend had some "personal" issues and has left for Ohio.  Consequently there will be no wedding, but as with Cheyenne, it has served Jesse well to remind her of some of life's lessons and how to learn from her mistakes.  She is looking for new work, and hoping to go back to college (Dad WAS right!) and work into paralegal studies at some point.  She has remained quite positive and resilient, and I have seen a definite positive change in her attitude. She has a big heart, and I know she will make it.  Its one of life's negatives she is working into a positive .

As for Mary and I.  Work work work, and when you are done working, work some more! Mary has outperformed most of her management goals by far, but she works a bit more than her body can handle.  I pick up where she can't (my mommy taught me!) and step up the house where I can.  She enjoys being a supervisor, but sometimes it gets a bit hard to work 60 hours and only get paid for forty.  Salaried folks do not apparently get the same overtime perks.  My consulting work has been all but nill, until I got a call last week that work was coming.  Things have been plenty tight with lack of that extra work and all the furloughs I have suffered through, so maybe just MAYBE this will help.  I love what I do, enjoy it immensely!  I think my biggest joy comes from driving through a neighborhood I helped to design.  That's just neat! 



The 2009 Road King Custom at Cedar River Harley in Charles City.
What a beauty and that includes the pricetag.



Riding time has been at a bit of a premium.  Not much time to ride when you are busily tending to the herd.  I did get in about a 400 mile day two weeks ago.  Made a big circle of sorts riding west to Ames, then north to Mason City, on through Waterloo to home.  On the way I stopped at Cedar River Harley.  Found a gorgeous Road King, and they even have one of the newer Electraglide Limiteds on display.  I hope I can figure out how to get my hands on one of those Limiteds soon.  My goal, at least for the riding portion, is to get to Alaska on the Harley by the time I turn 50.  I read an article in a motorcycle magazine many years ago about a guy that rode his Harley from Florida to Alaska, then down along the Pacific Coast Highway to the top of Baha California, then back home.  Not sure I have those kinds of lofty goals, but even if I can get to Calgary, Alberta, what an awesome ride that would be!!!

Peace and Love everybody!!!