A Dash of Insanity



Mary on New Years Eve just
prior to surgery.



Wow.  Its been a bit since I last posted.  Things have been, as the title suggests, a bit insane around here.  Not that we don't all have occasional moments of driving ourselves to the brink of madness every now and then, but this is too different from those times.  This is a 5 alarm, which way is up, pass the scotch and the valium, brass tacks nut farm around here.  While it isn't hitting full panic mode yet, the last few weeks have been awful.  I knew when I signed up for marriage and children there would be times of trial and frustration, but this isn't in the Dad's Handbook for The Middle Aged Lunatic.

This started January 12th.  Mary had a surgery performed on her lower back to relieve the pressure on the disks in her lumbar section of her spine.  The procedure seems sound enough, and after querying about this procedure, decided this could really benefit Mary's back pain.  The surgery went well, although some slight complications with the location of the vertebrae, the disks, and scar tissue which had formed around some of the disk areas.  After surgery we met her in her "penthouse" suite at Mercy Hospital, and left her in good hands.  I must say the staff was very helpful, and the doctor explained everything in details we both understood well.  The next day I could tell the initial shock to her back was obvious.  She could barely move, and although she had managed to walk a couple times, felt pretty sore.  The next two days were very much the same, walk, go to the bathroom, lay down, sleep an hour, get up, repeat.  The object was to get her moving so that the stiffness would work out and the back could adjust to the clamps now supporting her spine.  At the end of her stay at the hospital, Mary was moving around fairly well, although she needed a lot of help with about every aspect of her life.



How to "properly" supervise
yard work at the office.



And that is where the insanity started.  As it turned out, I grossly underestimated the amount of help Mary needed, the work load I was carrying, the ability of our daughters to assist, the requirements for Marys care, and my ability remain calm and steady under fire.  PFFFFT!  The first week home, I think Mary and I got 12 hours sleep in 6 days.  My consulting work had taken on new work I had not counted on.  The day job was really taking a toll, especially when I had several disagreements with staff over project loads, survey operations, and hiring a new staff surveyor.  And to boot, the cats crapped under my desk!  The surgery was a success, but Mary needed constant supervision, as she was still quite unsteady just walking to the bathroom.  And speaking of bathroom, the potty runs every 90 minutes in the middle of the night were totally unexpected.  Even bathing had to be supervised, not to mention keeping Marys lower extremities clean from her bathroom visits.  Finally realizing how exhausted Mary and I were, I took last Friday off to get some rest from it all.  As a fellow surveyor told me last week, this is the truest test of a relationship.

This is not exactly my idea of
"volunteering".

We visited the doctor tonight, where he examined the incision, answered all of our questions, shared some funny stories about getting lost in Queens (don't ask!) and addressed Mary's prescription needs.  Monday night one of the staples started showing some signs of drainage.  The clamps are holding well, but a byproduct of that is the pressure being taken off the nerves is allowing those compressed nerves to wake up ans swell a bit.  The drainage is fine, fairly normal, no signs of any infection, but to be safe he prescribed an antibiotic.  Her physical progress is better than expected, as she only needs one crutch to walk around with.  The right leg is still fairly weak, however, with time the strength in that leg is expected to return.  She still needs some assistance with bathing, but as her progress increases we gain more confidence.  The pain in her lower back for the most part, is gone.  While not completely eradicated, her ability to move around, to be mobile, and to enjoy life, increases every day.  We are now planning a trip to another NASCAR race, as yet to be determined. We are also looking into a couple overnight trips, just little mom and dad getaways that we discovered last year really helped us feel better about us, each other, and our marriage.

There is still much to be done.  The staples holding the incision together have remained for now due to the unexpected drainage.  The walker, well, Mary offered to do something with it that I think is physically impossible.  In fact - I think if anyone gets near her with a walker, they might be wearing it permanently.  For me, just seeing her live relatively pain free after years of back pain has been a true blessing.  While it was frustrating at the time, the care and love she needed was more than worth the sleepless nights, the fatigued days, the fret and the worry.  We just want to enjoy each other in these later years of life.  Maybe be a bit more active, and a little more patient.  Mary has been a bit humbled by the need for all the care she needed, but she also realized to get better she would have to put her fears aside and let those things happen.  Her goal is to be more mobile and play a bit more active role in the day to day life in our home.  Even though it was a bit insane at times, the sacrifice was small but well worth it. 

Daytona is only three weeks away, and RIDING season shouldn't be too far off after that....THANK GOODNESS!!  I miss my Melissa.


The 2011 Road King Classic with the 103 cubic inch engine.



Peace and Love Everybody!

A footnote:  For all you BEARS fans out there...DAD!  My sincerest apologies.  Maybe next year, eh?? 

A New Year for The Same Old

A few original ornaments
from our first year

Its been awhile since my last installment of things Harley and such.  Holidays are supposedly a pretty busy time, and this year was another shining example of our hectic schedules.  I just wish for once that folks would sit down and read the Good Book and realize Christmas ain't about who you can run over at the mall.  Its not about expanding your credit card debt our your waistline.  Its just amazing that the time of year when we all should be at our best, we fail miserably.  Not just as a country, or a people, but as a species in general.  Sometimes I wonder if the gene pool needs a bit of cleaning out, because there is more inexcusable behavior our there than I care for.  Thankfully, the holidays are behind us, and maybe we can all return to our regularly scheduled insanity.

After a big snowstorm two
days before Christmas

This year has been hard.  Jesse decided to go to Arizona before Christmas.  Not that I can blame her.  The weather in Iowa can be downright bitter in wintertime.  Cold weather snow, and ice are all products of living in Iowa, and it can really wear on you.  Unfortunately planning was not good and she realized quite rapidly sometimes that living with Mom and Dad isn't that bad compared to being in a strange city with no room, no food, and no shower.  As my mother reminds me all the time - its a "learning experience" and this is one of those times she will count her blessings a bit differently next time.  The "real world" can be foreboding unless you have a real plan in place, as in this case.  Thankfully, Uncle wasn't too far off, and was able to lend a hand and give her a place to stay for a week or so. 

Melissa in September

Melissa has been put to sleep for the winter.  Oil changed, polished a bit, battery tender at the ready.  I took one last ride after returning from Michigan, but that was so cold, I think I am still trying to warm up.  Planning new rides for 2011 is already taking shape some.  A trip or two to Michigan, perhaps a trip to Kansas, and Sturgis may be in the offiing.  Whether these come to fruition is another story, but at least for now I can plan and dream.  Sturgis is supposedly a rite of passage for any "true" biker, although whether I am one of those is a bit doubtful.  My goal would be Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument, and Devils Tower - not sleeping amongst 700,000 biker maniacs. Thats just not my speed.  I love to ride, see the scenery, be out amongst the mountains, but in all that something draws me to Sturgis.  Another biker goal is to ride to the Mackinac Bridge.  Its well within reach, but logistically will be a bit more difficult.  Lots of goals and planning to do - and its the first week of January!



Our Christmas Tree All lit
Ready for Santa!



My wife Mary will undergo a small procedure on her back of a different nature on January 12th.  A new procedure known as ILIF may be able to alleviate the pain she is experiencing in her lumbar area.  Scans show at least two disks may need this procedure.  Its pretty simple actually.  A metal brace is put in between the two vertabrae, and a fragment of bone is put in creating a fuse.  The brace will help the spinal column to lift off the disk area, lessening the pressure on the nerves and reducing the pain.  Its quite new and has shown some good results in other patients.  If this can work, it may help her to become more mobile and allowing her to be more active.  Back pain is never fun, but the last few years its gotten progressively worse.  In the last four years she has needed epidural treatments and medication to control the pain, but those procedures are failing to control the pain.  The last resort is a full fusion of the back, and that is a long and drawn out surgery.  Recovery times extending into the 6 and 8 months, whereas this ILIF procedure should see a full recovery in the matter of a few weeks. 

For all of you - Have a safe and prosperous New Year!

Peace and Love!

My Family Christmas 2010

Giving Thanks!

South Haven Lighthouse

taken November 26

Thanksgiving has passed, and I have returned to my blogging duties.  Needed some time to collect my thoughts and maybe think about those things I am thankful for.  We seem to be getting into a bit of a family tradition at Castel de Atwood at the Glen Allegan. Almost sounds like a scotch, but truthfully its always neat to see the family, but sometimes it would be great to meet up more than once.  Unfortunately my schedule gets so jammed, but as I was reminded....its really no excuse.  I am terrible at breaking away and spending time with those I SHOULD be spending time with.  Its that work thing where I am compelled to work hard and make something of myself.  Like the heading of my blog, I am trying to point my life in a new and positive direction.  I just have to quit saying and start doing!

Mary Lou -
my wife of 25 years

During our few days visit, I gave some thought to some of the things I am thankful for this year.  I mean, one penny just won't cut it!  I do have a lot to be thankful for.  Health. For both my wife and I.  Even my folks looked very well.  Life.  That I able able to live my life in a country that values life. Employment.  Thats a biggie around these parts lately.  Love.  That there are people that love me for who I am (even though I sometimes may not show it back as often).  Blessing.  That I have a warm comfortable home, dependable transportation, yes even my Harley is a blessing, food on the table, clean clothes, and the tools I need to live my life.  Family.  That they support the direction my life is heading, and being secure enough in the knowledge that they are there for me when I need them as much as I am there for them should they need me.  Safety.  That we have men and women serving both home and abroad, keeping us all safe from all enemies, both foreign and domestic, and that they have written that check payable to the United States, at a cost of their life.  While I am not maybe the wealthiest person in terms of monetary or physical possessions, the gifts I have inside me as well as those around me are what make me rich!

Jesse and Cheyenne
Our two daughters

I took some time before I left for one last ride on Melissa.  Went up to J&P Cycles to get a full face helmet.  At the time I had this crazy thought of riding Melissa over to Thanksgiving, but those temps just got colder than expected.  I did learn I can ride in sub 30 degree temps, but I need some better gloves.  My gloves, even with the fleece lining, are terrible!  I need some heated gloves or at least some heated grips.  That would make a huge difference, but those are both rather spendy items.  The ride up was colder than coming back.  On the way home, I stopped at a christian bookstore and picked up a little birthday gift for Jesse, our daughter.  Nothing like waltzing thru a christian bookstore in full Harley leathers, eh?  Had one gentleman ask me if I was lost, another asked me if I had enough sense to find my way to a warmer climate.  As I left I could almost sense my Guardian Angels laughing hysterically.

Funny-those don't LOOK like
Notre Dame colors!

Soon I will be preparing Melissa for her yearly hibernation.  I make no qualms about how much I HATE not riding.  Like the saying goes, "If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand".  There is oil to be changed, filters to change, and time to get the service manual out and figure out how to do simple things like changing fork oil, or brake pads.  A new seat will be needed for next season.  Also a luggage rack so that an extra helmet can be strapped on, or perhaps a simple pack of clothes.  Also need to make a few needed repairs.  An electrical problem, as well as a faulty gas gauge.  I am still planning a trip to Wyoming, but I may put that to the side a year if things work out a certain way.  Perhaps a second bike might just make its way into the garage.  If nothing else, a trip just to The Badlands would be just as fun.  Stay tuned, you never know whats next!



Sister Tara and Glenn



Kamilla the exchange student
from Norway. 

My cousin Deb and wife Mary Lou

Sister Rhonda

Rhonda's husband Steve
A "unique" perspective on him!

Aunt Barb.  Maybe I should put the
camera...down?

In the meantime, find something to be thankful for. Christmas and Hanukkah are here!!

Peace and Love!



Me at my drafting desk.



An Affair of the Heart

The flags flying through the
\fall colors at my office.

It's Veterans Day today.  When we all give thanks to those who have served our country's military services in one form or another. When we should all take pause for just a moment, turn to a veteran near you, and just say "Thanks for your service!".  Oh if it were all THAT simple.  I served in the navy at a time when nuclear weapons protesters were shouting obscenities at me on occasion, maybe pointing out my family lineage in ways I never knew, or just making a scene just to make a scene. I never wanted to serve for attention, but that kind of attention I could just as soon do without.  I really don't talk too much about my service, because all I really did was stand my watch - nothing more, but today I got several "Thank You's" and I really feel a little embarrassed by it all.  There are PLENTY of men and women who HAVE served who are much more deserving of a Thank You than I am or ever will be.  If I had actually been shot at or commanded men in battle that might be one thing, but babysitting a bunch of nuclear weapons on a ballistic missile submarine isn't exactly the cornerstone of an exciting military career!  My brother, however, is much more deserving of a Thank You, so from me to you bro - Thank You for your service!

My wife Mary
Deep in thought about how to keep me in line!

Its been a rather stressful few weeks.  I am the only man left standing in my department at work, and trying to do the work for the entire department is proving to be a bit of a strain.  Mary and I both have been fighting off the flu bug.  To top it off, Mary, my wife, went into a cardiac care facility for a heart catheterization the other day.  And this was not something that we were exactly expecting.  In fact, she was almost rushed into the care unit because her symptoms were almost indicating she was close to a heart attack.  GULP!  Try as I might to keep cool, that sort of test is not exactly what I would call normal.  ANYTHING that involves the heart is always a bit tricky - I don't care what doctor says what.  Prayers were said, calls made, and in we went.  We spent pretty much most of the day in the cardiac unit.  Doctors even told us if they found blockages what to expect.  Stents might be used, or even bypass surgery was a possible option.  In the end, all the thoughts and prayers from everyone won out, and as it turns out, there were no blockages of any kind.  Not even a burp.  To say THAT coming just before the holiday season - what a wonderful blessing to receive knowing at least your loving spouse who has been your lover for over 25 years has a clean set of pipes.  COOL.

Mary and I earlier this year

Thanksgiving is fast approaching.  My riding time is now almost at a standstill.  I did take some time today to go to the airport as part of a Welcome Home for a Marine returning from his tour in Afghanistan, but apparently this Marine missed his connecting flight home, so the airline put him on stand-by.  Tell me - what stupid airline puts a returning war hero on stand by??  Here is a Marine who hasn't been home in several months, and when he gets to the states....to HOME, they put him on stand-by.  I have my own opinions about such people, but repeating those feelings might get a little rough...stupid third rate jerks!  On the bright side, I put in some riding time last weekend.  Just took off, got lost, roamed around aimlessly through the countryside.  Not a care in the world.  That's the way to ride!  Some of my best praying times come like that.  Lately I have been trying to come up with a plan for a motorcycle trip to Wyoming next summer.  Actually, I have been plotting this trip for many years, but just didn't have the motorcycle yet.  I have the route planned, sort of, but its time to start figuring out some of the logistics, getting some much needed replacement parts on the bike, losing a few more pounds, finding some bike bags, stuff like that.  I am sure it will happen at some point, its just a matter of putting it all together.

Life has a funny way of tossing you rotten eggs.  Its how you deal with the crap that helps build the character of a person.  I suppose I could have run off and gotten all mentally irregular over Marys health issue that came up, but it never would have solved anything.  I could easily start beating down brick walls over my frustrations at work.  Maybe even put in for a rubber room reservation over some of the obstacles thrown in our path this whole year.  Anymore, it doesn't hardly faze me I guess.  Not sure if its some sort of "maturity" thing, or that I just don't care to get that excited about it.  Its been nearly two years ago I jumped on the wagon as it were.  For the most part I have been doing ok, not having hardly a wee dram of Guinness to quench my thirst, but the last month or so I have had a night or two of indulgence.  A glass of 15 year old scotch can be a wonderful thing, in moderation.  I found that I didn't need those Friday nights like I thought I did, but after awhile, I still had an occasional craving, so I caved.  A friend told me that just going as long as I did without a drop had a positive effect on me.  There have been many challenges this year, a lot of forks in the road, and sometimes a little cow pie in my eye from time to time.  In my mind - just wash the crap off, and get ready for the next manure truck!!!

Peace and Love Everybody - Its time for the holidays!!!



MY ultimate dream bike- The Harley Davidson
Elctra-Glide Ultra Limited. 



Scuttle Buttin Blues

Standing next to Freedom Rock

October 17th, 2010

Often times we all get the blues.  Sometimes its the stirring of an old memory, a song perhaps, the smell of a familiar food.  Our senses strain to absorb all those tangible and even intangible processes. Fall colors stir my senses, help me feel alive, happy, free.  Even the smell of burning leaves or the "spice" of the outdoors wafting across the wooded landscapes penetrating my nostrils with an invigorating aroma gives me some sense of gratitude and adventure.  I am alive, riding my Harley with almost sensory abandon, scouring the countryside for those scenic travels awash in fall slendor on an almost daily pursuit now.  Colors are presently near peak in Iowa, but the telling of the tale says soon it will be time to park for another season.  My soul is starting to feel the blues of the season as it succumbs to the snowy trails of winter.



The inscription on top is a prayer recited
from Eleanor Roosevelt.



Last year I rode over to the Freedom Rock, and this year I decided to make a return trip.  Freedom Rock is just that.  A rock!  There is located west of Des Moines a rather large rock that a local artisan paints in a veterans motif, paying tribute to all veterans for their service and sacrifice.  I try to visit it every year as the mural is changed during the Memorial Day weekend every year, so it is a neat little trip to make on the Harley just to see how the mural changes.  The artist also has used the ashes from fallen Vietnam veterans in the paint as an additional honor to those fallen.  To date the remains of 16 veterans resides in the paint on that rock.

My return trip this year was held up for a few days by a flu bug which kept me home trying to recover. It's a nasty bug, but October 17th I felt well enough to suit up and mount up for a days ride there and back.  Probably not the best decision to ride since I still felt a bit weak from the bug I have been fending off, but I also knew the weather was spot on perfect, and I needed some wind in my hair.  The trip really is not all that scenic in itself, although there were spots of colored foilage dotting my route.  Stopping briefly just west of Ames for gas, I noted other groups of Harleys heading out as well, so I knew I probably would not be alone.  The trip there is a bit over 180 miles one way, and a perfect day for getting outside and enjoying the sunshine.



The east side of Freedom Rock 2010.  The image of
the helicopter contains the remains of 16 veterans.



As I pulled up, I noticed several cars parked in the rock area and even a few Harleys as well.  Looked like I wasn't the only one with the same bright idea.  The rock was beautifully colored, including a prayer recited from Eleanor Roosevelt that is just about the best way to describe how I feel about veterans.  As the "crowd" mingled, one couple and I struck up a conversation about the rock, and as it turns out, the gentleman I was speaking with was an old World War II veteran of the navy.  We hit it off, talking about our naval experiences and sharing our thoughts on the rock and of being a veteran.  I hope that I see this man again, as he was a delightful reminder of his service to our country!  He plans to attend the Honor Flight to Washington DC next April in Cedar Rapids, so I hope to see him there.  He served on LSM 275, a landing ship platform designed to land supplies and equipment onto beachheads.  Coincidentally they have posted a web site, so anyone who has a chance go to lsm275.com for a look see. 



This is a testament to the recent
National Guard deployments from
Iowa this past summer.



After spending about an hour at the rock, talking with various visitors and just enjoying the beautiful day, I decided it was time to start heading back.  The ride back would take almost 3 hours, and I would be getting back home after sunset.  One of the most dangerous times on any motorcycle is at night.  The visibility of a motorcycles is reduced, the profile is not recognizable, and the deer love to roam the roads at night.  Its bad enough to hit a deer in a car, but on a motorcycle the chances of surviving an impact with a large animal such as a deer are pretty low.  Riding in town at night can be ok in well lit areas, but in the rural areas it is a dangerous trip even for the best motorcyclists. While I have ridden at night in the outlying areas, I simply prefer to not push my luck any. 

As I pulled into the driveway, I made my prayers known.  On every trip on my Harley, before I leave the garage I always thank God I am alive, and so it goes when I get home.  Riding any motorcycle is inherently dangerous, and I take my riding very seriously.  I dont like taking chances on the bike, and I always consider not only my safety but the safety of those around me.  To that end, as I pulled into the garage, I thanked God I was alive, and thanks Him for my trip.  That I live in a country where I am free to ride as I like, where I like, and do what I choose to do.  I am most thankful that I have the support of my family as well, for they relish in my riding as much as I enjoy riding.

Hi Mom - Get Healed Up.  Peace and Love everybody!

The Color of Time

I get all sorts of giddy inside when the colors start coming out.  I just cannot get enough of the reds yellows even some purples here and there.  So just for giggles, here are a few pics from my Friday bike ride to the Mississippi Palisades State Park north of Savanna, Illinois.  This is a wonderful park with a number of scenic viewpoints along the Mississippi River where you can see for miles.  It is also a very popular route for us motorcyclists to see the fall colors, so I took this trip on Friday so as to avoid the traffic which seems to really clog up the place on weekends.

There will be more to follow.  After all - ITS FALL!!!  Oh thats right, did I mention that the Quack Attack is back???  Woo Hoo!!!

See what riding a Harley does to me?  Puts a big ol' SMILE on my face!

This is from a viewpoint looking north.  What an incredible view!

The train moving north from Savanna, Illinois along the river.

Planes Trains Automobiles and Color!

Leaving the park ran into more color.

This is from my office at the Department of Transportation today.

This tree is almost in full bloom at my office.

Same tree, just a different angle.

Ok - I couldn't get enough of this tree.  Its really colorfull from inside the office too.

This is looking at the Flag thru the fall colors in the front of the office.

This is a tree just west of my office.

Melissa during my ride along the Mississippi River

Peace and Love everybody - Enjoy!

Gettin' the Gloves Off



You know, there are some things in life that chaff my ass.  Yes I am going to be downright blunt.  There are some things that just irritate me like bird crap on my Harley.  I am a pretty patient guy, but lately I have been getting some signals that I am not welcome in certain places.  Take, for instance, the attorney's office I visited recently.  I went in all dressed up (hey - Levis and a sport shirt is dressed up to me!), checked in with the secretary, only to discover my appointment was canceled.  "Excuse me - why?" and the response "I don't know".  After a bit of wrangling we got it straight, met with the attorney for a couple hours, and left with some information I needed to resolve a dispute.  I don't care if you are personal assistant to Billy Gates or Mr. Barack H. Obama, if I make an appointment, my time is just as valuable, if not more so than yours.

Melissa - after a nice long bubble bath

This particular rant begins in another place.  Let it never be said that I am not one that narrows his vision on one thing.  Take my Harley (Melissa!).  I have wanted a Harley since before Gerald Ford was president.  That being said, you never know what might come at you, and I actually looked over a couple other non Harley models a few weeks back.  It is amazing to see what different manufacturers come up with, and its neat just to study them.  Unfortunately, there are a few select individuals who seriously need some Ex Lax in their feedbag.  Take, for instance, the guy at the drug store the other day who began staring at me while I was mounting up to go home. "You Harley guys are too obnoxious".  Excuse me?  Where did THAT come from?  Whatever - then I must be obnoxious because I ride a Harley, right?

Chrome.  Gotta have lots and lots of Chrome!!

Then there was the two younger "ladies" and I use that term loosely, who decided to walk right in front of me while I was trying to pull out of a gas station after I had gassed up Melissa.  They kept walking right in front of me and kept glancing back knowing I wanted around them.  When they got to the end of the entrance they stopped effectively blocking me from leaving.  They didn't look a day over about 20 (I got an ingrown toenail that's older than that!) and I am not sure if it was the Harley or my leather jacket, but after I got around them, they decided to give me the "Hawaiian Peace" sign. 

A few days ago I went to the bank to deposit a check I had been waiting for awhile.  Another one of those "private" surveys I had drawn up for a business associate had been completed, and all I wanted to do was put my money in the bank.  I filled out the deposit slip, walked up to the teller, leather jacket on, and she asks if I was on that "noisy Harley" she heard pull up.  "Well, yes now that you mention it I did"....to which she responded "Why can't you Harley guys tone it down".  Tone what down? "Every Harley I hear is so darn loud and those guys are all tattooed and obnoxious".  HUH?  About that time the head teller took over, handed me my receipt, and thanked me for the business.  Not sure I heard the last part ma'am!

My personal message about Breast Cancer Awareness
For my Aunt Barb who survived that horrible disease!

The more I ride my Heritage, the more I get the "impression" that just because I ride a Harley, just because I OWN A HARLEY, means I MUST be one of "those" guys. Lets set the record straight.  I ride a Harley because its what I like.  It fits me and my lifestyle.  It holds fond memories of looking through all those biker mags every time I came home from sea.  It wasn't the "Playboy" mag I took with me on that submarine - it was a stack of bike mags.  I tried other models, and some of them seemed ok, but for my riding experience, nothing beats a Harley.  I work two jobs to make a living to pay for the things I love, Now I am guilty by association just because I own a Harley.  BAH HUMBUG! 





Anyone who is narrow minded enough to believe that ALL Harley guys are rabble rousing law breaking obnoxious one percenters have never been on a Patriot Guard ride.  Never attended a military funeral on a bike.  Never sent off young men and women to war.  I have met teachers, engineers, police officers, firefighters, doctors, some of the most hard working honest decent people on those Harley's who give their time freely to such causes as breast cancer awareness, Toys for Tots, and Coats for Kids.  It is so amazing to see someone pull up behind you on the side of the road just to ask if everything was ok.  Some of the friendliest folks you want to ever meet can be found on a Harley.  How anyone can make the assumption that a guy on a Harley must be up to no good needs to remember one thing "Judge Not - Lest YE BE JUDGED".

That sure felt good.  Peace and Love everybody!