Back on the road...for the most part

After stomping around San Francisco without a jacket in February, returning to the Midwest's dastardly temperatures forced me back indoors for several more weeks - minus March 15th when it was dry and warm enough (52 degrees) to venture out on the bikes for several hours, snow and all.

April passed by busily, still actively seeking permanent employment, which had become both promising & more bleak than ever, depending on the day. Finally in May, the paycheck Gods smiled down upon me in a very generous way. Not only did I hook up with a job I love & which pays well, but it is mere steps from my front door AND I was able to sneak in a visit with FRP in St. Louis (where the weather allowed for motorcycling only mine was in Wisconsin where temps hadn't caught up quite yet)...how cool is that?!?!

Days off I'm up at the crack of dawn, licking a finger, deciding which way the wind, and therefore my hair, shall blow. I've had to adjust to once again being a weekend only warrior, but relieved to have plenty of time, $$ and destinations to keep my wheels spinning, even if it is just around the state for now. Managed to log over 2,000 miles since the beginning of June and haven't complained once about the weather in weeks ~

First Ride of '09

It can feel like forever between winter and spring in Wisconsin, especially when you're eager to get back on the open road.


It was chap weather this morning when Rog & I started out on our clean & shiny Harleys, but soon warmed up to the balmy mid 50's, which gave us the opportunity to shed a layer for a couple of hours and enjoy the crisp, exhilarating breeze.

We stopped at one of our favorite spots for a much overdue, near perfect Bloody Mary; meandered through the Kettle Moraine Forest and were surprised to find the Hamburger Hut open for business so early in the season and took advantage of the small crowd waiting in line for a good old fashioned, greasy burger and a spot at the only seating available...outdoors, of course.

The sky is blue, the road is long and the snow is nearly melted...all is good ~

The Return of 'Normal' Life ~

Finally settling back in to the routine of my 'normal' life after spending an extended period of time with 3 of my darlings in St. Louis. FRP is growing, thriving, healthy, happy and such a joy to be around, which makes the 7 hour car ride to view her in action a piece of cake!! The weather there was warmer than back home, even with their unusual 8-inch snowfall and the frozen ice plates barely floating down the Mississippi River, so we were fortunate to be able to spend a good amount of time outdoors. Baby got her first taste of snow, literally, and we enjoyed hours of nursery rhyme singing through parks, windy roads & city streets, as well as celebrating her 1st birthday again!!

Can't wait for our next encounter and those warm & rosy smoochable cheeks, but first I'm off to San Francisco where the cheeks of my very first darling await...oh, and some Dim Sum dumplings!!

A funky, homemade trike; checking out I-55; Milwaukee skyline; Jefferson Memorial Arch; 100K mile mark on the old 4-wheeled vehicle just shy of the St. Louis city limits; a much deserved nap after serenading us for miles to the bumps in the road!!

No Resolution, Just Peace

I wished it for others and meant it, and mean it, but found myself too drained to consider a happy New Year celebration. Not drained in an over-worked or exhausted way; drained in the sense of spirit and emotion.

My world, my life, with all of its flaws and imperfections, is a solid, comfortable and colorful work in progress - I am blessed, truly, and grateful always. The lives of those nearest and dearest to me are also, for all intents & purposes, healthy, wholesome and riddled only with 'normal' issues we all face.

The lives of so many, too many, of our worldwide fellow men, women & children, however, are continually being destroyed, ruined and literally taken, despite political promises, global awareness and previous lessons still unlearned.

My heart breaks and my soul aches as my brain tries to reason & understand. My eyes shed tears for those whose new year will be clouded with much the same tragedies and travesties as the previous years, despite their deserved hopes, dreams and desires.

For us all - PEACE ~

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

This is the latest look of our neighborhood!! It is so pretty for the eyes and makes Santa & the snowmobilers happy, but it is such a pain in the a$$ to drive in & shovel. What can a poor Midwestern gal, who should be living in the tropics anyway, do? Bundle up for a walk and take snowy pictures. I've posted so many this past week on Flickr, that people think I'm making this stuff up in Photoshop!! Count your blessings if your worst winter weather concern is a drop in temperature and count your blessings anyway. Happy Harley Days to All ~

Pigs Do Fly ~

Be careful of what you say, say what you mean, don't cut yourself short, embrace the unknown, believe that anything is possible, consider the consequences of your wishes, and encourage others to do the same...because pigs really can fly...and now you have seen it with my own eyes!!

1st Snow...

...but, oh, how I wish it was the last!! This dusting of Mother Nature's frozen dandruff existed less than an hour and let's just say...it was 59 minutes longer than necessary, for I get the point...no aimless motorcycling in the forecast :-((

How I ended up in the frozen tundra, especially since my little birds all flew the coop, for the most part, to warmer climates, is beyond my comprehension. I spent sporadic years attempting to root myself in various other parts of the country, but for time worn reasons & fairy tale rhymes, I would migrate back "home" to Wisconsin.

One day, the sooner the better, I will grab the bull by the horns and steer myself towards a place where the weather alone won't institutionalize me. In the mean time, I'll rub my hands together, don my feet with extra fleece and wear hats indoors while I conjure up my ideal destination. ~

Hope Won!!

I woke up in St. Louis this morning. I live north of Milwaukee. That's 440 miles in between. A 6-1/2 - 7 hour piece of cake ride, well, technically a drive, because I had the 4-wheeled vehicle. (Hey, it was only 45 degrees last Thursday when I left home.) Of course it was in the upper 70's all week in SL, but I gave up predicting weather when I descended earth, and besides, I've done my time as a frozen Popsicle, and quite frankly...it's not that freakin' cool.

Anyway, the mission was to get back home before the polls closed at 8pm. No problem, except that I
was hangin' with my FRP and it is sooooooo hard to say goodbye. I pulled it off though...got in as many smooches as baby would allow and hit the road, only stopping once for gas and once for a photo-op. Arrived at 7 on the dot, filled out my ballot, snapped a photo and finished the journey home to watch the night's events unfold. And glory hallelujah, unfold it did!!

My Spooky Family

When I heard that my FRP was going to go out after dark, dressed up in a costume to bang on stranger's doors and beg for candy, I was like...I'll be right there, cuz this I have to see for myself!!

Unfortunately for her, she was only allowed to suck on wrappers, mainly because she has no teeth, but also because she has one of those Dads who will sell her out for a big Snickers bar and a Mom who refuses to let her try anything 'bad' until she falls in love with all vegetables first (good luck with that BTW!!)

We carved pupmkins (notice no braggin' photo of that!), baked pumpkin seeds, tricked & treated way past dark (the folks of St. Louis demand that trick 'r treaters tell a joke before receiving their treat - I had never heard of such a ritual, but think it's a fun one - they also offer adult beverages to adults which I declined, but also think is a fun ritual!) and in general had a very Happy Halloween...something I have purposely avoided for years. Funny what those little devils do to you ~

Bloody Sunday Birthdays!!!

We agreed to meet Sunday morning by 11am for a couple of celebratory Bloody Marys and perhaps what would be the last bike ride of the season (for the others anyway!!).

It was quite daring to sign-up for a bike ride this time of year...it was 47 degrees outside when I woke up and only 52 degrees when we started off with the sun up..., but everyone showed; their chaps & gloves in tow and off we went.

Our first leg was a mere 35 miles - beautifully colored autumn scenery - nobody seriously bitched, no limbs froze and the company & the Bloodys' were worth the trip.

By the time we set off for our next stop it had warmed up to a comfortable 65 degrees, and I for one could have kept right on riding. Instead we cozily settled in to watch a Green Bay Packer game, sampled mystery shots each time the Packers scored and laughed out loud A LOT (BTW...the Packers kicked butt!!)

Unfortunately someone noticed that it had become dark outside...our cue to head out..., so the remaining four bikes headed down the highway and one-by-one broke off for home. I could be mistaken, but I believe it was warmer than it had been all day ~

All I wanna do...

Autumn Days

Summer is pretty much over...the leaves are beginning to turn colors, the windows have been shut day & night for the past 12 days or so, the garden is no longer producing, the neighbors have their blow-up/light-up ghost/pumpkin display in place, and I had to don scarf & gloves to ride the last 2 times out.

Fall clean up is well under way - so far I got all of the tomato cages down, the summer plants pulled and the spring bulbs planted in the garden; had the oil and fluids changed in the four-wheeled vehicle, even filled it up with gas...first time since the end of March!! Took all of the big quilts to the cleaners for freshening and laundered all the curtains and throw rugs. Still need to wash a few outside windows, which is an ultimate waste of time because our gravel driveway dust tends to end up blocking my view within days anyway...I'll do it just the same.

Looking forward to our family's "event of the season" this weekend, my sister's wedding!! Everyone will be home, so of course I'm cooking, cleaning and even doing some baking just in case a hunger pang should arise! I'll post some pix on Flickr as they come in.

Happy Autumn Days & Nights to All ~

A few sights from the week

2 Days at the Ranch

It's official...we are going to have to change our affectionate name for the Martin family's home from "the Ranch" to "the Fat Farm", because there was so much food for Saturday's family/friends pig roast that we had to go back Sunday morning to eat more food before properly cleaning up the party site!

Everything was all SO delicious...cheese & sausage platters, custom smoked salmon, fresh garden veggie trays, dips, chips, crackers, candies, grilled sweet corn, and homemade sauerkraut, baked beans, stuffing, pasta salads, potato salads, fruit salads, baked goods, tortes, plus pie and cookies too - never mind the bar & beer truck!!

There was a magic trick that involved a pickup truck and a fire pit, which was our cue to head for home, but other than that a delightful time was had by all :D

For future reference, a near 200-lb pig and trimmings is enough food to feed a village of 200 and too much for a party of 75. No worries though, nothing went to waste and it has been duly noted going forward that A.) Cut back on portions, or B.) Invite more people, strangers if we have to, to the next bash. ~

1 More Week Down...

...not good news, but fact.

Time is ticking - summertime is nearing its end...I know this for sure because we closed the pool yesterday - even though its clear, clean water was so pretty and soothing to look at, it became too cold over the past 2 weeks to enjoy actually diving into. And the garden, although not quite done producing, is looking slightly pitiful, with browning leaves and spindly tomato vines barley hanging on to their life source.

The days are still long and warm enough to hop on the bike and ride with abandon; the scenery as beautiful and vivid as ever - a tad less green though, a bit more yellow and golden. Because of my camera, I made new friends along the road this week - two of them are horses!

A pig roast today on the Martin ranch later today, which will be a good time; no matter what's going on at the Martin ranch, it turns into a story to share! I'm making a garden/pasta salad to take along, if I don't sample it to death before its time to leave!

F.R.P.'s Visit

Our visit with my Future Riding Partner was all too brief, but oh, so enjoyable!!!

She and her chauffeur, daughter B, arrived just in time for a family favorite, Southwest casserole - tortilla chip crust layered with beef, chilies, sour cream, enchilada sauce, onions and tons of cheese, along with garden fresh veggies marinated in my secret sauce - all so yummy! And, of course, a side of delectable baby food for our precious little toothless one.

It was a long 7 hour ride for the two of them, so we planned to just chill out, catch up and see first hand baby's latest achievements - crawling in a fast forward motion was the absolute highlight!

Daughter D and a friend traveled a bit to witness her relatively new niece's progress and we spent Sunday being totally entertained, awed and amazed! Baby is VERY alert, comical, strong, fast, neat (as in clean), curious and kissable (we smooched her for everyone we know at least 1,000 times!) and loves things that move, that shine, that make noise, that fit into her mouth, that involve water or anything with texture.

Her little peanut head practically spins off as she attempts to take in all around her - the slightest sound or movement and she's on it!! By the size of her thighs, cheeks and torso, it appears that she hasn't met anything she won't eat - from fuzzy baby biscuits and sauerkraut juice to flower tops for example! She talks and giggles often, sometimes when you least expect it, and growls like a bear on command (actually, I think it's a motorcycle thing)!! She is so fast on her knees that occasionally an elbow will give out, but she keeps going!! We're convinced that crawling could be the next new Olympic sport! She readies herself for sleep by pulling a blanket partially over her face or by clutching a soft toy under her chin, but forgoes the ritual when Grampa rocks her. She wakes up noiselessly, full of smiles & hugs and ready for anything all over again.

We wish she lived closer, at least next door!!! ~

Awaiting...

...the arrival of my future riding partner and I feel slightly manic, so I'm taking a brief pause.

It isn't like there was a ton to do - the house, for the most part, is always clean, at least odor & lump free and presentable. Suddenly, late this morning, I decided major appliances needed to be dusted under and furniture orifices required vacuuming - this development was so unnecessary, not because the appliances and furniture couldn't have used a bit of attention, but next week, or next month would have been soon enough; why today? Roger joked about rigging F.R.P.'s 7-1/2 month old hands and knees for dusting the hardwood floors - I was all for it, so why did I spend 2 hours on mine??

Then there's the food thing...always more than enough of it in and around our house, but I planned to pick up Thai food for tonight any way - my daughter (F.R.P.'s brave & daring, long distance chauffeur) has been craving Burmese food since her last visit to San Francisco and Thai is as close to it as it gets in this neck of the woods. So why in the hell did I chop, slice, dice, brown, marinate and create an entire menu for 20 while making up things to clean???

Am I worried that my 7-1/2 month old Granddaughter will leave here with a bad impression? She's visited before and didn't complain. Or am I concerned that my daughter would freak out to see her baby's obvious knee prints in hardwood or worse yet, permanent stains on her knees? For a true "clean" test, we could confine her to the white carpeted areas of the house, but confinement is no fun.

Funny thing is that nobody is even going to know that I spent half of a perfectly good, end of the summer season riding day doing chores I didn't have to do, because in the end, the house looks exactly like it did when I woke up this morning with a few more things to eat in the fridge!!! ~

What a Celebration...! - Part Four

All I know at this point is that if you weren't able to be a part of this 105th celebration, you missed out on an extraordinary event and I wish that words and pictures could recreate it for you!

Despite the inevitable, "consumer rape" that occurs at just about any big event and the notable process flaw at Miller Park Thursday, this was one hell of an unforgettable, tell the Grandchildren some day, Bruce Springsteen really does rock, kind of party!! So thank you to Harley-Davidson, the maker of the greatest motorcycle in the world, and to Milwaukee, the city of my birth, for hosting the biggest, most entertaining event of the 21st century to date, and thanks as well to everyone who traveled near & far to make what I'll forever describe as the Christmas I got everything I wished for and then some.

I can hardly wait to do it again in 2013! ~

What a Celebration...! - Part Three

Friday morning begins like most any other day - make the bed, have some breakfast, throw in a load of laundry, check to see what grew overnight in the garden...the exception being that I'm just stalling until it's appropriate to hop on my bike and make the run to Milwaukee and the day's music & entertainment! I figured a 12-hour day of fun & sun would be enough, so I'd leave around 11AM.

Roger had errands to run, he wasn't joining me for the rest of the weekend, he had his fill of crowds for the season at Miller Park Thursday and he returns to work Saturday bright & early. So off he goes, leaving me to finish getting ready and wishing me a great & safe time.

Near departure time - I'm dressed and have completed a sufficient amount of chores to ward off any "party" guilt. All that's left to do is shove the necessary essentials - tickets, camera, cash, walking shoes, sunscreen, jacket - in the saddlebags and I'm ready to roll...but wait. After all the planning, prepping and butterflies I decide that I need a shoulder bag, much handier than my usual fanny pack. I dash to the spare room closet, keeper of nostalgic apparel, where I should find what I'm looking for, but NO. Disappointed, I turn to leave the room and the house with my good enough fanny pack when I spot two yards of biker-motif material. Ah ha, I can make what I want with a couple of snips and some straight stitching - and so I did! In less than an hour (more time than I cared to give up, especially since it was cutting into my departure time) I had a one-of-a-kind, hands-free bag to hold my stuff.

Needless to say, Roger returned home, surprised to find me still there and helped to put the finishing touches on my newly created bag! I also learned, upon loading my bike, that he had taken the liberty of packing my jacket, chaps and boots in my too tiny saddlebags - he is "THE BEST"!

I arrived in time to find a free, primo spot at the south end of the Summerfest grounds and the rest of the day/night went off without a stitch hitch! I met so many awesome, kind people from around the country, sadly, not many from other lands as in years past, sampled delicious foods, and of course, jammed to great music - Black Crowes, Los Lonely Boys, War, Big Head Todd and even caught the tail end of Foghat. I took my time leaving the park, making sure to chat with as many folks as I could and returned to my bike a bit after midnight.

The ride home was so cool, partly because I was too lazy to suit up and rode home in shorts and partly because after 25 miles or so, I was the only northbound vehicle on the Interstate!

I'll wear convertible pants Saturday and rig up a canteen of sorts - they're getting $17.32 a gallon for bottled - I don't think so. ~

What a Celebration...! - Part Two

...so, the alarm is set for 3:30AM - double and triple checked - and for once I have no problem falling asleep without reading. What felt like several minutes later, I dreamily open my eyes, so proud of myself that I beat the alarm, but when the old eyes focus on the clock I scream &%@#?*, jump into a pair of sweats, grab my cell phone, flip-flops and keys and fly out the door.

I waited until I was out of the driveway before placing the apology call to my waiting daughter - I had to let the panic subside, remind myself that she's over 21 and for the love of Pete and she'll manage. Her phone went right to voice mail - a good sign for me - so I left my "Mommy's on her way" message and got down to the business of driving the four-wheeled vehicle, which I have only driven one other time since May.

The condensed version is that her plane was briefly delayed, her luggage took forever and I ended up waiting for her - go figure! So we return home, where I plan to finish my nap before Thursday's all day/night H.O.G. festivities at Miller Park (back in Milwaukee where the airport is!) But the next thing I know, I'm cooking a royal breakfast, the phone is going bonkers, Roger ran to do an errand, my daughter is on the couch and I just want to sleep!

A 3 hour nap did occur and we were well on our way to Milwaukee by 1:30. Again, we made plans to meet up with two other couples and again, after 2 false alarms, over 30 minutes in line for beverages, and 4 cell phone calls between us, we gave up looking for them in the estimated crowd of 80,000 and just started enjoying the day.

We took in a bit of Billy Bob Thornton's Band, some Joan Jett, a couple of national motorcycle stunt teams, comedian Lewis Black, as well as the entire performances of Sugarland and Kid Rock. And...we ran into one of the guys we tried finding the night before in West Bend!!

Another honest to God, you had to see it to believe it event, and other than not meeting up with our friends, which bummed me out, it was another memorably fun, perfect Wisconsin summer day. ~

What a Celebration...! - Part One

For me the trip "home" for the 105th anniversary celebration of Harley-Davidson in Milwaukee, the city of my birth, was breeze - literally and figuratively, but regardless of the short distance I traveled to be there every day, I wouldn't have missed it for anything in the world!!

Roger & I started the weekend last Wednesday with a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert at Washington County Fairgrounds in West Bend, WI, another short 45 mile ride for us. We arrived about 30 minutes before the show to the staggering sight of what looked like 100,000 motorcycles, and I know what 100,000 bikes looks like from Sturgis and Daytona. All of those motorcycles in one spot was nothing short of utter awesomeness!! Such a sight also convinced us that it would be near impossible to find the group of friends we had planned to meet.

The concert was great, even though I only caught occasional glimpses of the stage & band, they sounded fantastic - and yeah, I know, some folks take issue with the fact that they aren't the original group, but it's hard to tell by listening to them. That massive crowd was excited, entertained & pleased and there was no problem getting a cold beer - unlike the problem of not finding our friends, despite cell phone contact attempts - but we did run into a cousin and his family, whom I haven't seen in a couple of years!!

We made it home well before midnight, which was a good thing - my youngest was returning from a San Francisco trip and I agreed to be at the airport by 4:30AM - ugh!