My Ranting Temper

This will be short, brief - to the point.  I was watching TV last night with Mary.  Normally - we watch racing.  Its our thing....grown men driving in circles with nothing better to do than try to sell me battery operated underwear and butt cream for babies.  Its just amazing what someone will put on the side of a race car and the depths to which those guys will sell themselves for nothing other than to ride around in circles.  What does that say about people who watch them!!!  What can I say - I am easily amused by the travelling carnival show called NASCAR..

Somehow, I managed to catch some news about this debt debate in Washington, and nothing is making me more stressed than those blundering idiots giving my money to the Polish government to study cow flatulence.  Or writing an open check to the Pentagon to build the next new superweapon.  And guess who gets to pay for it?  Why - you and I.  OF COURSE, right?  Well, after watching an hour of CNN and seeing them march senators and representatives in front of their cameras, pointing fingers and blame at everyone BUT themselves, I finally decided to spend my own 30 seconds in front of a camera.  This is my version of "I have had ENOUGH of this"!  Just click on the link, and it should take you to a youtube video I recently posted about how I feel about this whole debt ceiling and crisis and politicians and.....well, just watch. 

The Ranting

Peace & Love Everybody!

Hot Turkey Comin' Thru!

SFC Terryl Pasker

If you haven't melted under your house yet from all this heat, I am guessing you live in a freezer or Antarctica.  Its the summer time heat I hate the most and man is it ever in full force in my neck of the woods.  Even looking at my Harley is making my face cook and my legs fry.  And as if it wasn't bad enough, I just got my electric bill, and I must say that AC feels nice until you get the bill.  Add to that the 15% rate hike and all the fees, and you have the makings of a revolt.  Its only money, right?  I mean, really - how many folks think like that?  Well, I know one, and his humor isn't making me laugh right now.  I know - stop your whining guy - its making me sweat.  I guess I can't do much else about it, so I'll just have to live with it and be thankful for the house and the AC I have.

Welcome Home!

Riding has been awfully hot lately.  I commute to and from work, and then work most of the weekend so I don't have as much time riding, but I did one Welcome Home for a National Guard unit, and rode in escort for a military funeral this month.  Lots of soldiers coming home from Afghanistan this month.  Lots of families reunited which is always great to see.  The unit I escorted home was deployed over a year, and they looked good, albeit a bit tired.  As the troop of Patriot Guard Riders walked in, we were greeted with a very warm standing ovation.  Believe it or not I feel a bit embarrassed by all that attention.  The troops deserve more attention than I do, but it goes with the territory.  I remember when I served - we never got the welcome the guys now get.  In their defense they earned every second of it.

Arrival at Welcome Home - The press trucks!

A view from the windshield just for escort departure

Lined up to escort SFC Pasker

With the good, also must come the bad.  SFC Terryl Pasker was killed by an Afghan security guard while serving in Afghanistan.  For reasons not yet known the guard opened fire on two of our soldiers, killing SFC Pasker before being fatally shot by the second man in the same vehicle with SFC Pasker.  I decided to ride in escort of the remains and do funeral escort knowing the conditions would be quite hot.  The body was returned on July 15th, and about 30 bikes showed up to support the escort.  The ride itself was quite uneventful, and even noticed full semis pulling over to salute the fallen soldier, and a couple times actually blocking traffic for us while we escorted by.  While we did witness a number of folks showing their respect, there is always one or two idiots who just insist on being jerks, but with police escorting the motorcade, I noted one unlucky imbecile who was pulled over for failure to yield to a patrol officer.  Other than that we arrived in good order, rendered honors to the family and returned to our normal duties.




Pre Ride Briefing and prayer


The funeral escort took place July 18th, and with all the excessive heat warnings out, I took extra steps to make sure I was fully hydrated, even skipping my usual one cup of coffee to avoid the caffeine.  I took one quart of ice water with as a precaution, and headed out.  After a mix up in meeting places, I finally found the group, including a beautifully prepared  Freightliner semi that paid honor to the fallen heroes we escort.  What a beautiful truck!  We lined up and headed for the church, and got in our usual flag line, and that when the heat started taking a bit of a toll.  I drank my ice water, and three additional bottles of water.  I felt OK but it was becoming obvious the heat was going to be bad.  I took on some peanut butter crackers just to keep some calories in my stomach, but we waited a long long time for the services to conclude.  After one more bottle of water, we waited another 30 minutes before we started to head out to the cemetery.  At about the halfway point I realized I wasn't feeling right, but continued assuming we would have a chance for more water.  By the time we lined up and waited for everyone to arrive, it was 97 degrees, and I knew something was wrong, and as the service started, I looked at one of the fellow riders and asked for help. 



Standing Flag Line - HOT!!



I am doing better, well, the heart rate calmed down anyways.  The next day I decided as a safety measure to take a day off and try to let my body recover a bit.  In looking back, several things contributed to this.  One was the mistake of wearing a leather vest - a black leather vest, with a black tshirt, and not leaving the vest off during the flag line.  The other was the excessive time it took to get the funeral motorcade moving and the lengthy amount of time it took for everyone to gather, in effect prolonging the time we were standing in the heat.  The last was my caloric intake for the day was minimal.  My mistake was assuming we would be done by lunch time.  I had only one slice of peanut butter toast and some crackers.  My body was eating up more than I was taking in.  After conferring with the doctor, I was released to go home, but my days of doing that kind of thing are pretty much over.  The worry now is now that this has happened once, it can happen more frequently and could be damaging to my heart if allowed to go unchecked.  I am also told that I need to cut down on my stress level some.  This means no more jumping up and down screaming like a maniac when Michigan or Oregon loses a football game.  That means no more getting wound up about a car race.  That means that as much as my coworkers tick me off I must refrain from my usual "teddy bear" demeanor.  No more road rage, and no more arguments with Mary.  Well, lets not get carried away!



Truck leading the funeral motorcade

As for Mary - her pain has returned.  AGAIN!  Now the neurosurgeon wants to implant a nerve stimulator.  Not really sure what that will do, but results seem to be good with it.  The schedule is still iffy, but it looks like another three weeks off for recovery assuming all goes well.  The last surgery she needed more time to recover, so we will see how that goes.  She has been at work for about 3 weeks now, and she has been doing better, but the pain just keeps coming back.  As it turns out, her condition is degenerative, and genetic.  Her father had a similar condition, and suffered terribly from the constant back pain.  In those days they did not have the extensive treatments that are available today.  The surgery in January did relieve the pain in two areas, but this is a new area, and the condition will continue to work its was thru the back.  The kids are taking it well.  Jesse is working at Wal Mart while she contemplates her next "career" move.  She realizes school is important, but getting back is another matter.  Cheyenne - well, she has this disease - senioritis! She will be 17 in a few weeks, and she is already looking into graphic design.  I have watched her on the computer, and she does have an eye for it.  How we'll get the tuition, well, that's another story.



Arrival at Funeral Services



I was going to chat a few words about those yaywhos in Washington, but I think we're all hot enough under the collar about THAT!



Ahhhh Old Man Winter!!!

Peace & Love Everybody!

Freedom Rings!

My stop on the Minnesota State Line

July 4th - the day we all as Americans celebrate our "independence", and a day we reflect on the freedoms we all enjoy.  Its amazing what you think about on the Harley - riding through the county roads, drifting around corners effortlessly, gazing over the landscape as you crest a hilly knoll.  Taking in the scenes, the aromas of summertime plumage.  Today is July 4th, and as usual, I took in a rather lengthy 450 miles on Melissa yesterday thinking about life, liberty, my own personal pursuit of happiness gone awry.  Spending some time NOT at my desk, but rather just getting away for a day to pause and take stock in the things I enjoy most - my wife, my daughters, family, friends.  This year has been a very testing and trying time for Mary Lou and I, but not without its rewards.  Even as I write, Mary is preparing to finally, we hope, return to work.  Our test has come full circle, we hope, but the time to celebrate is today - when we all must remember to thank those who have given us the freedoms we enjoy.  Who have sacrificed of themselves in some way to serve our country.  The next time you see a soldier, a sailor, an airman - thank THEM for their service, to our nation.  You'll be glad you did.

Found this sign in a little river resort
stop.  Almost think  this belongs
somewhere in Washington DC.

My riding has been, well, not riding.  Lately work has so overtaken my life that I am feeling a bit overwhelmed.  I get up, go to work, come home, work some more, and collapse at 11:30 PM, only to rise at 5:30 AM the next morning and start all over.  That's not a life.  I finally decided to give myself a long weekend this July 4th and took a day to do nothing but ride.  Anywhere really, but this trip I went to Minnesota.  The route was not really meticulously planned, but I knew the area I wanted to ride - along the Mississippi River.  Some of the views this fall will be even better, but the route is very curvy and challenging, something I needed to take my mind off work.  Riding a bigger bike can be challenging anyway, but this route would help me understand weaknesses I have in my riding skills, so that I can work on those.  Fortunately, the only weakness I found was turning around from a wrong turn, but the riding was excellent.  Lots of viewing, some rocky cliffs overlooking the route, hilly peaks and curving cliffs made for an exciting way to spend an afternoon.   Finally after about four hours I ended up feeling a bit hungry and found a place to eat and call home.  Unfortunately I cut my trip short after finding out that I might run into rain on my way home if I had gone a different route, but instead I altered my planned route home and took the OTHER scenic route home - along the east side of the Mississippi.  Again - the views of the Mississippi River Valley are impressive, and even seeing the barge traffic was neat.  Still have to work on my navigation skills, though, as I took a couple more wrong turns, and was forced to turn back.  Note - if anyone is wondering, a great Christmas gift for me would be a navigation unit for my bike!

The GPS monument set by the
County.  The number will help
to locate the correct notes.

I did stop once to locate one site that has a personal interest to me, and the work I do as a land surveyor.  In September 2010, the local newspaper did an article about a survey of the original Iowa-Minnesota border in 1852.   The starting spot for that survey was a 12 inch x 12 inch oak post and was the starting point that crews used to begin the survey of the state boundary line.  Since that time, the original post has long since rotted away and was lost for a lengthy time, but last July, a crew of ten students led by one of the senior surveyors in the state restored the monument with a new one, which is located in a park just north of the town of New Albin, Iowa - a town that sits just south of the Iowa Minnesota border.  I didn't locate the post, but did locate a GPS survey marker in that same park area.  I will most likely return, after contacting that surveyor in hope that I can navigate to the post and write a short story about my findings.

One of the many rocky bluffs foound
along the Mississippi River - this one
in Winona, Minnesota.

Stay safe everyone - and Happy Fourth of July!

Peace and Love!

Some Like It Hot

I still can't figure out if it's spring
or winter yet!

Is anyone melting yet?  I mean really.  This goofy weather is just getting weirder by the minute.  We go from highs in the 40's to highs of 90-ish in about 3 weeks.  My poor bike doesn't know whether to wrap up in a blankie or stretch out on a bath towel naked!  And to make matters worse, allergy season has hit me like a ton of bricks. Every time I mount up to ride I start sneezing and hacking up fur balls like the cats in our house.  Its hard enough to ride on Ol' Melissa but compound the problem with allergies and that's a recipe for ugly happening on the road.  I guess on the positive side of things my arthritic knee isn't quite as painful, especially given I am trying to get into a more active regimen.  I guess the best thing is we have not had the tornadoes that some states have had this year, and hopefully won't see any time soon.  All my prayers are with those folks in Joplin and Tuscaloosa.

Saw this gorgeous 2011 CVO Electraglide a
couple weeks ago.

Riding has been ok, but a few weeks ago I was walking back out to my bike from making a deposit at the bank, and took one look at my rear tire and my jaw about crumbled.  It was bald. Not down to cords, but there was no tread left on it.  It was almost totally smooth like a racing tire, and if I were to ever get caught in the rain - that would be bad.  When I checked my rear tire mileage it said only 5480 miles.  That's not much, but remembering last summer, I got talked into putting a set of Screamin' Eagle tires on, which are a performance tire - not a touring tire.  Nothing scares me like the thought of blowing a tire doing 75 mph down the interstate.  After consulting a couple folks, I ended up going to J&P Cycles just up the road about 30 miles and getting a whole new set of tires - Metzelers to be exact.  After some nifty finagling, I got the tires mounted balanced everything for a bit under $500.  Had I purchased those tires from the dealers, well, that would have been really spendy.  Morale of the story - inspect your bike as often as possible and look for those things even just going to the grocery store.

Mary seems to be doing a little better these days.  She was given another epidural in her back, only this one went into the spinal area from the side, and she seems to not have nearly as much pain but there is some weakness.  Our neurosurgeon will confer with her tomorrow on her progress and then some decisions will need to be made.  It is likely she will need these shots for the rest of her life, but as long as the frequency stays down she can live with one every now and then.  The concern is how long this epidural will last, and it is likely if it does not last as long she will need additional surgery.  Employment is also a factor, as things are happening at her office, and we all know how that goes when you are away for too long.  Between the medications she has and the shots she keeps getting, its been a rough patch, but things look like they might be improving for now.

Mounting up to escort a soldier
coming home from Afghanistan

Took some time Saturday night to do a Welcome Home/Escort event for a soldier returning home from Afghanistan.   Earlier in the day another soldier was laid to rest after an IED took his life.  With Mary being a little shaky I decided to attend the Welcome Home since the funeral run would take me about 110 miles to Ottumwa - Radar's home!  The Welcome Home would be right here in Cedar Rapids, so I went.  About 40 bikes or more showed up just to escort this young man home.  As he shook my hand after deplaning I was struck at how utterly young he was. He hugged practically anyone and everyone in the terminal, but then came the escort ride to his hometown of Van Horne - about 30 miles west of here.  To put it mildly - this was going to be a nerve wracked 30 miles at best.  Note to those cagers - if you see a mass line of motorcycles with lights blinking and turning - don't pull in the middle of their formation.  That happened twice, the second time right in front of me as the road narrowed from four lanes to two.  Another note - bikers don't stop for law enforcement.  Deputy sheriff came at us with lights and sirens a blazing, and we didn't even try to break formation.  Sorry Roscoe - soldiers coming home are more important this night!

Bikes pulled into Van Horne

Its at this time I make a confession.  Most folks who know me well, know there are just certain rules about riding any motorcycle I will not break.  I always wear jeans, boots, helmet.  I NEVER drink any alcohol while on the bike or when I know I will be on it.  EVER!  I always try to use the mantra "If I ever get into a problem where my safety is compromised it must never be my fault" and all those rules have served me well.  But this night I broke a rule of wearing a jacket.  In fact I broke that rule three times last week.  In my defense it was over 90 degrees, and even looking at that leather jacket made me hot.  You wont ever see me in shorts and Birkenstocks on the bike - like one of my fellow riders did.  I wont ever ride without a helmet.  I tried that once or twice and just didn't care for it.  Something my uncle told me "if you do something fun - do it safely!".  I always try to be as safe as I possibly can on the bike.  It is something I promised myself so long ago.  Helmet glasses leathers or at least a jacket and boots.  This night I wore a long sleeve denim shirt with my leather vest, the shirt something that would never have held up if I had laid the bike down.  So now I am looking into a vented jacket that would offer a bit more cooling while on those warmer rides.  Its probably not the best idea to wear a denim shirt on the way to work, but at highway speeds, that's not all that smart.

The sun setting as we prepare to ride

It was nice for a change to get out on the highway and twist that throttle some.  Between Mary's health and me working too darn much, its been quite hectic.  I had hoped to make a run for South Dakota BEFORE the August insanity of Bike Week there.  I have never seen Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower, or the Badlands.  Its a trip I dreamt about in the navy.  Being out at sea does a number on your imagination, and I always had hoped I could visit Rushmore just once to see that place, and the Badlands to feel the spirits moving me.  Not sure I can make the trip this year what with gas prices, Mary's reduced income, and the housing industry just not doing well.  But - at least for one night I got to enjoy a short ride, and maybe get a little air under my wings.

I couldn't end this without making a note of June 13th - a day which will live in...wedded bliss! Mary and I will celebrate 26 years of marriage next week.  I suppose a lot of folks MIGHT ask what took us so long.  Some others might be a bit in wonderment as to how Mary could have POSSIBLY put up with my temper and wake up to my mug every morning.  Have pity on her! Whatever your view is - we celebrate this year I think being more IN love with each other than anything else.  To me - Mary is the love of my life.  I hate the term "soul mate" perhaps because it sounds a bit corny, maybe a little too high schoolish.  We have stood the test, and made it through.  I always have been adamant about making sure that three things come before anything else in my life - God, my wife, and my kids.  We have been steadfastly dedicated to each other and to our family.  Haven't always made the best decisions, but always made sure each other came first.  Sometimes that has been a source of ridicule and admonishment, but ask me if I care.  When you take an oath, whether it be to our country or to each other it should be for life.  Period.

I love you sweetheart! 

Our "wedding" day - I had been in my navy uniform all day and didn't
want to see it again and didn't have a real suit.

Mary and I sharing a quiet moment at her mothers house.

Peace & Love Everybody!!

The Price of Motion

April 16th - a snow storm to start
our Saturday morning.

Its supposed to be spring around these here parts, but you could have fooled me!  I was out on the bike two weeks ago and temps were trying to dip below freezing for the 6th straight day.  Legs get just a mite COLD when it does that.  Its supposed to be spring - the morel mushroom season - - wasn't!  Spring temps were so cold that forecasters are predicting no mushrooms.  DRATS!  I love those little things too.  Another sign - dandelions are coming out in droves! My yard is currently covered, and I have yet to mow for the first time this year.  I keep hoping another chilling frost will kill the grass, and even my neighbors are beginning to wonder if I am even alive.  Sorry - I hate mowing.  Maybe its that I had to mow growing up, or maybe its my knees.  I don't know perhaps I am just being obstinate? Yes folks its spring, and suddenly my hunny-do list is growing faster than I can keep up. 

A rose to commemorate
a wedding

Riding has been hit and miss.  My trip to Chicago on the bike was great, but other riding activities are being suppressed a bit.  Lots of reasons why, but the hard part is I can't ride as much right now, and boy does it EVER pain me to say that.  I did take some time to test ride a 2011 HD Street Glide, and wow what a machine!  It has the larger 103 cubic inch engine, and when you hit the throttle you know you are going somewhere.  It had been my hope to move up to a bigger bike.  The advantages are fairly plain.  My larger size, a bit more reliability, and a new bike comes with a warranty.  The last couple of weeks I am beginning to hear a slight lifter noise from Melissa.  To me that's a sure sign of trouble, but both mechanics I have spoken to tell me its nothing.  Usually when you hear a metallic tapping in an engine, well, maybe its time to take it in to see what that issue might be.  Unfortunately as circumstances are, with Mary missing so much work, my down payment has been used up on medical bills. So for now, I will have to stay with my Heritage Softail. 

Melissa resting after a long trip.

Thats going to be a challenge, though.  Anybody priced a road trip to - say a local gas station?  And they call a second mortgage insanity!  I have watched the price of petrol climb faster than a Navy F-18.  And when will the lunacy stop? I watched a part of a congressional hearing about that very issue, and those CEO's keep playing dumb while raking in record profits.  Someone tell me again why?  I have hear one theory is speculators are driving up the price, while others blame the oil companies, and still others blame OPEC.  I blame all of us.  We all need gas, but why speculators are even in the equation is bizarre, and those pesky CEO's are just too darn greedy to really care, which leaves us OPEC, who claims to not know a darn thing about oil prices.  Then there are folks like us dumb Americans whose thirst for gasoline is rivalled only by their thirst for beer.  And - the price of gas is sure to drive up consumer costs, pushing down spending, and further causing global economic peril.  Stop me when you need a couple aspirin because this whole affair is making my head hurt.

Mary - coming up on
26 years of putting up
with my mug!

As for our home front Mary is not doing well.  Her back, inexplicably, has suffered some sort of setback.  She was back at work for two weeks, when she started having that same pain.  XRays, CT scans, and MRI's were all ordered.  The neurosurgeon believes one of the braces has slipped just enough to cause pressure on one of the nerves again.  She was doing so well, too, but now we may be facing a second surgery.  For now she will take the next three months off, recuperate, and see how her back continues to heal (or not!) and if she continues her current pain level, the doctor may have to operate again to reposition the braces.  Hopefully this is a minor setback, but I am not quite as "hopeful" as others might be.  Every time I "hope" for anything, I get sorely disappointed.  Its a real problem for her too, because she can't be as "active" as he would like, and at a time when we would like to think about doing a little travelling from time to time that's maybe not so good.  I even suggested she try some acupuncture, but she offered a solution that's probably not physically possible!

And speaking of moving forward - we went to a wedding yesterday. Mike and Jessica finally got hitched.  Mike is a young man I have watched grow up since he was a fourth grader being a real pain in the asterisk to our daughter Jesse (no not the same as the bride!) and has been a great help to Mary and I, been a super friend to Jesse, and just about the most positive person around.  He has been a blessing to everyone he meets, and I will hope and pray that he and Jessica have a wondrous and prosperous life together!  They are a great couple, and I am hopeful they can be a great influence in our community.  Congratulations Mike & Jessica!

Perhaps I should have taken up golf!   

Peace & Love!

Have a Happy Life!

Where Eagles Dared To Fly

Isn't that the truth!

Ahhhhh by now we have all, or at least I HOPE we all, have heard the news of the death of Osama Bin Laden.  We heard the news last night when my cell phone lit up with an email alert about it last night about 10 PM.  I think I stopped breathing for a few seconds and then sucked in about 8 gulps of air.  I even had to pinch myself a few times before turning the news on tv to find out my cell phone was NOT lying to me, indeed, it had told the truth.  I sat in bed almost stunned - maybe even a bit numb from it all. A man our country has sought for so very long had finally been brought to justice by, of all things, a Navy SEAL team.  After serving four years in the navy myself, I can honestly say I was just a wee bit proud of that team and the navy. 

Patriot Guard Escort
Pvt. Davis Funeral May 2010

I thought about these events today.  I think I feel just as stunned as we all did on 9/11, but let me take this a step further.  So far our country alone has sacrificed almost 6000 men and women, and suffered almost 45,000 wounded casualties in the nearly ten years since 9/11.  While those numbers are nowhere near the casualty rate of wars like Vietnam, the fact remains that we have paid a high cost for the life of just a select few who chose to rule as dictators in lands we simply have no real understanding of.  As I watched the events unfold last night I recalled the numbers of people killed at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, Flight 93 in Pennsylvania - alas even the number of those killed in Spain and London exacted a heavy toll, and yet thru all of this I felt a sort of disbelief that after the enormous loss of life literally exacted by this one man, he had finally been found - and served justice at the hands of OUR military.



The body of Capt. Wiznieski arrives
home after he was killed in a helicopter
July 2010



I have watched and supported our military since I left the service in 1986.  I have watched young men and women come home, literally some right out of high school, killed in action or wounded in battle.  Babies really.  Young men who couldn't possibly fathom the sacrifice they would pay with their lives in the service of our country.  The 19 year old Marine killed by an IED, or the 30 year old helicopter pilot whose helicopter was shot down trying to rescue a pinned down unit, or even the 22 year old who was killed while on a rescue mission to save a stranded pilot.  The latest is a 32 year old Army specialist who was serving in Afghanistan, who leaves behind a wife and a daughter.  When you stop and think about it, the cost of hunting this one man, the human cost this one man inflicted on our country alone has been staggering, however, this man had to be hunted down to stop the senseless bloodshed he has caused our country for over 20 years.

The body of Capt Wiznieski is escorted by members of the
 Patriot Guard, and to far right members of a B-17 Flying
Fortress flying memorial - men who asked just to stand the
 flag line to honor a fallen hero.

I never liked celebrating a death - any death.  Life is too precious to be discarded like yesterdays newspaper.  While I am not opposed to capital punishment (as in the case of Jeffrey Dahmer) the scenes that played out last night reminded me that our children have suffered, have watched friends go to war, have lived with the words "terror" and "Jihad" in a time when they should have been more concerned about the prom, or college, or just living their lives "in the timeless pursuit of happiness". They should have been allowed to find the happiness that I enjoyed even as I left military service to start a life as a husband and father.  While I watched those kids come out into the streets, I realized that maybe we should give thanks to all those military men and women who serve this country to defend us all against all enemies both foreign and domestic.  To those "kids" who have grown into adulthood and have put their lives on the line so that we all may be free of terror.  And to their families who have suffered and toiled in the hopes that their loved one would return home safe. 

God Bless our military!

Boomer and Barry’s BIG Adventure!

Tuesday Morning Departure

Or – When to Flush your Cell Phone into the SEWER!  It has been a little long since I poisted.  Took some time to go see my fav rock band.  AGAIN!  Second time in about 9 months.  Met up with another couple, and after all was said and done, all we could do is laugh! When life drops lemons in your lap – make some lemonade. That’s exactly what we did, but the route we took to get to that ambrosia was a sightseeing tour of Chicago I hope to never make again ever. It’s not that I don’t like Chicago – I love Chicago, as long as I do not need to be near those expressways!

View Larger Map

Bella - our new addition
to the family

Our little tour began innocently enough Tuesday morning. I had to take our new puppy Bella to the vet for her second deworming treatment. As I was handling those things with the receptionist – Bella decided to drop right on my work boots and leave her “opinion” on the matter. Nothing like a good pile of crap on your shoes to start the day. Got back home, dressed in the full leathers – better rawhide than my hide on the bike, right Aunt T?! Mary wasn’t feeling the best, so I hugged her gently, we embraced for a moment, and then I was off. After all – she had purchased this as a Christmas present, and although I felt a little guilty leaving her dealing with some pain issues, I also knew if she had wanted she could have asked me to stay and I would have gladly done that. But – onward I went.

Me and those pesky TOLLS!

I am often struck by what I see while I am riding. Little details that I might ordinarily miss in my truck stick out. For instance I was just a few miles from home, heading east on Highway 30, and saw what I thought was a tree stump instead turned out to be a rather large beaver sticking his head up checking out the traffic. Or the poor baby skunk which met his demise trying to cross the highway and not making it (whew that was ripe!). Sometimes it’s the eagles or hawks surfing the sky overhead, perhaps a wild turkey wandering into an empty cornfield looking for a meal. The misguided Mercedes with Miss “AllAboutMe” primping her eyelashes while yakking on the cell phone all over the road. Gassed up in Morrison, Illinois and headed towards I-88 and onward to my destination. The rest of my trip to Chicago remained fairly uneventful, although paying tolls on a motorcycle can be – a challenge?



At the hotel safe



I pulled in to the hotel (Flag A), and gave thanks I had arrived safely, sent a text to my new “friends” and checked in. Unloaded the bike, covered it up, and was greeted by Barry, and then Cass (sorry dear – didn’t know that was YOU on that elevator!). Wonderful folks – smiling all the time, very positive – hey this will be a great show and a great time I thought. After taking some time to change into my concert ”uniform” we climbed into their car and were off. The time was 3:22 PM. We stopped for a moment at a gas station (Flag B) for some water, and as we pulled out, we heard a sound which we knew was trouble. A loud “clunk” from the engine area of the car, and suddenly we realized something had broken and the car was not going anywhere. Barry started making calls, and within about 40 minutes T & A Towing (interesting name!) shows up to cart the ill car away, and then our rental arrived. Whew – we were going to make it. After some nifty wrangling, we were back on the road. The time was 4:17 PM.

Chicago Skyline. Beautiful sight if you aren't lost!

Now – Chicago is a most difficult town to navigate in, but the route to the United Center was pretty much a straight shot, as long as you aren’t a bit distracted by the conversation. And in Chicago one missed turn can result in hours of redirection, as in this case. For whatever reason we took a wrong turn, which began our troubles. Soon I was seeing large commercial airliners landing, and knowing that Midway Airport was on the SOUTH side of Chicago, that could only mean we were approaching the O’Hare Airport Complex. Oops! After some redirection, we managed to find our way over to the Kennedy Expressway – at rush hour. With the highway full of cars I realized a GPS check of where we were might help us get to our destination faster. It’s at this time where I say – if you ever feel the urge to utilize GPS Navigation on any cell phone device at all – don’t. It took over 30 minutes to get to our turn, and by the time we got to where the GPS said to go – it was nearly 6 PM (Flag K) and we were nowhere NEAR the United Center. At this point – we were all beginning to wonder if we would even find our hotel again, but Barry remained cool under fire, fired up his own nav system, and eventually we found the Kennedy again, and by about 7:00 – 30 minutes before the show – we landed at the United Center – a bit tired and hungry but ready for the show (Flag N).



Sticks from heaven!



The show itself was spectacular as usual. As if there were any doubt. I mean – after this many years the boys pretty much have a proven track record. Little things like the guy directly behind me bumping into me about every other bar, and then the “I’m sorry!”, or the young lass who started taking her top off to “Limelight” (security made her put her clothes on again!), and then a wafting odor of rotten socks permeated my nose. Anybody who has been to any rock show knows that smell. There was the guy who has a denim vest on that had about 40,000 different band pins and patches on it. During the intermission I spoke with some of the folks around me. The father who brought his teenaged sons, the four friends who drove from St Louis to see the show. The couple next to me who had been married for four years who seemed a bit shocked at my nearly 26 years of wedded “bliss”. The great thing about this concert – everyone was respectful of one another.



"La Villa Strangiato" 
The song that KILLED music careers



After the show, I located Barry and Cass, and as we made our way back to the hotel – hunger was taking over rapidly. It was almost midnight when we returned, and after some pizza Barry offered a toast to “absent friends”. I never make any bones that one of my favorites songs is “Time Stand Still”…”to pass an evening with a drink and a friend” and that’s exactly what we did. Of course, by then we were about to all collapse, and after returning to my room, I gave thanks for two great friends a great time and some great laughs. The next morning we had a simple breakfast together, and chatted for several moments in the parking lot. It is said you can always tell a man’s heart by the firmness of his handshake. A firm handshake is a mark of a true friend, but a limp shake is the mark of a lukewarm dishrag. Barry had taken care of both Cass and I, and held my hand firm as we said our good byes.



Melissa taking a break from me!



The trip home was relatively uneventful. The woman who nearly ran my Harley over – I could have put my foot on her bumper. That’s close! The tolls were again a bit frustrating. Not paying them, but rather having to remove gloves control the bike, find the cash and HOPE I get the correct change back. A quick stop for gas and a sandwich was all I needed on the way. The bike was performing wonderfully, the roar filling my ears with that beautiful “Harley” music. When I pulled in to the garage – a bit stiff from the previous evening, a little saddle sore, I remembered a prayer from another biker who had remarked “When I leave the garage I say Thank Goodness I am alive, and when I return I say Thank Goodness I am alive”. I spent a few moments thinking about that prayer, walked into the kitchen and kissed my wife – and the first thing I said to her was ”Thank goodness I am alive”. 



RUSH - what a great concert



Unfortunately Mary is having some issues again.  The nerves are coming alive, and with that some of the pain has returned.  Pain treatments will help, but we take each day at a time. Some days are good, while others a challenge.  Think they call that life!  Cheyenne is doing ok in school, but she is getting that dreaded "senior-itis".  You know the kind.  Right at the end of their junior year - they know those seniors are gone in a month and they are large and in charge.  Jesse has finally found work at Wal Mart.  Next step not sure yet, but to coin a phrase - the curse WORKS dad.  You know the curse - "I hope when you grow up you have kids that act exactly the same way you do".  That curse.  Not sure how I got the curse, but I am pretty sure there is NO known cure.

I'll be travelling to a little town called Waverly this weekend.  Another National Guard soldier lost his life in Afghanistan, and I am riding escort duty for the body of the soldier as part of the Patriot Guard mission.  For now - I'll just say Happy Birthday to "me pappy"!

Peace & Love!

Me Pappy - you're only as young as you feel pop!