tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44489983260730797032024-03-05T18:15:12.742-05:00Ruckus Scooter LoveMy scootin' life and awesome adventures riding the back roads of southern Ohio. Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.comBlogger211125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-11496234507323160582019-09-21T08:54:00.002-04:002019-09-22T17:05:27.234-04:00Not Dead YetI have not posted in over a year. Some of you may wonder where I have been so I am checking in.<br />
<br />
Mostly my life for the last 2 riding seasons has been about loss and struggle. I lost my life partner of 28 years in May of 2018.<br />
<br />
Social Security took income so I was forced to sell my scooter in order to pay the rent until I could find a job after being a full time caregiver. So I've have not ridden the past 2 seasons because I am still trying to recover financially.<br />
<br />
Five months after, I lost 2 of our 3 dogs. One to mouth cancer and my beloved Maxi (she is the one you see here) to old age. She made it to age 17+ and she could no longer stand or walk. <br />
<br />
With my heart completely broken I went back to doing flower delivery with a local florist and grief counseling with hospice.<br />
<br />
My car died in September and by a literal miracle I was able to replace it with a 5 year old better one. But no scooter.<br />
<br />
The holidays came and went and I worked on getting my counseling license. I was able to finally do that and have been working some private practice hours but it is an uphill struggle to get clients, as it always has been.<br />
<br />
I went from delivering flowers to delivering food after Mothers Day.<br />
<br />
So I have been busy and mostly working on improving my physical and psychological health.<br />
<br />
No scooter, no credit, no ability to gain ground on any of it. At least for now.<br />
<br />
I miss riding more than words can express, truly up until recently, I would not have been safe to ride due to poor concentration and anxiety, including panic attacks.<br />
<br />
I hope I will be able to get a scooter next spring and get back to riding. I miss it so much.<br />
<br />
In the meantime I rescued 3 dogs. One was a puppy found on the road and he is now my best buddy. Eight months old next week. A Boxer mix of something or other.<br />
<br />
I have a black and white 5 year old Shit Zu terrier mix who is missing an eye but makes up for that with a feisty little soul and energy to keep us all going.<br />
<br />
My last Bichon that we owned is now 13 and still a live wire herself.She has become the new Co-pilot and loves her brothers so much.<br />
<br />
I have come a long way and I hope to get back to scooting and blogging and taking photos of my forays into the countryside.<br />
<br />
My next phase meanwhile is to try to get back to riding my bicycle, which I haven't done in years. Anything to simulate scooting. But never the same.<br />
<br />
Time has marched on, much and many have been lost, but I am not dead yet.<br />
<br />
RIP<br />
Maxidog<br />
5/21/2001-10/17/2018<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-12254441236395883122018-04-18T08:06:00.000-04:002018-04-18T08:06:45.572-04:00To The Covered Bridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWxb1FYAdnLynLq27BvGsueYqTi2DJOXi9hOGNq8r7ix5yJbcMjlsQjZ_a9ziLg66mnJvE0FaYGNtPH8SQGN0TRKmncULCgKGa3jaf2fD29-Z82MBp_ULAF-M5aN5JQzyzFYeQK0MZWg/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWxb1FYAdnLynLq27BvGsueYqTi2DJOXi9hOGNq8r7ix5yJbcMjlsQjZ_a9ziLg66mnJvE0FaYGNtPH8SQGN0TRKmncULCgKGa3jaf2fD29-Z82MBp_ULAF-M5aN5JQzyzFYeQK0MZWg/s320/012.JPG" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="480" /></a></div><i>The covered bridge seemed to dwarf the scooter no matter how close I got to set up the shot. It was weird</i>.<br />
<br />
So finally the sun was out at the same time that it was sorta warm, so I took a first real ride of the pseudo-spring.<br />
<br />
I headed out a favorite back road down into the valley along Route 50, over the East Fork River, and onto Stonelick-Williams Corner Road. There I came upon our restored version of the only remaining covered bridge in Clermont County.<br />
<br />
The ride felt stressful rather than restful. I don't know why. There were a lot of motorcycles out. Big Harleys mostly. I got a lot of waves and grins but I was not feeling it. I wanted to hurry up and end the outing and the damn cell phone kept stopping me along the side of the road with calls from doctor's offices and transport services. I could barely understand what they were saying due to being outdoors in an open area.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLvfxMTx6FBCiWfZPRTbTX7g-numCinrmjlzqqHm2bBRTWklSnqYx39Nb_AVoLqoOEjJb83d-xm2hIeFFNkqN6idCnbXmHnOYaq_qH9CrzzHG2VgQ1pJimiviyMCprwYNs8iKIz1Who8/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLvfxMTx6FBCiWfZPRTbTX7g-numCinrmjlzqqHm2bBRTWklSnqYx39Nb_AVoLqoOEjJb83d-xm2hIeFFNkqN6idCnbXmHnOYaq_qH9CrzzHG2VgQ1pJimiviyMCprwYNs8iKIz1Who8/s320/007.JPG" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="480" /></a></div><i>New decals on the scooter with a puppy paw motif, Cheeky Seats seat cover in neon puppy paws, and reflective Yamaha decals.</i><br />
<br />
Here are more pics of the decals on the scooter. The red stripes are reflective as are the Yamaha silver decals.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXF66jsu1yyElmnhX1eAwu_cY5lSHwDuEX1Q1wVE4pBlWVMLn6rLRobIeiiw6VOMJEf68qISoqWRq36LszJLbEKegXUROsYnQW0x-ZlLO4nBMA1-PqGFnAnev8aRzOSUuui3Th4Z5gYM/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXF66jsu1yyElmnhX1eAwu_cY5lSHwDuEX1Q1wVE4pBlWVMLn6rLRobIeiiw6VOMJEf68qISoqWRq36LszJLbEKegXUROsYnQW0x-ZlLO4nBMA1-PqGFnAnev8aRzOSUuui3Th4Z5gYM/s320/005.JPG" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90h5HD5KTaBcMfpWGXxapQ9sABqGacBtNH5RkkxVUMtiXmsNfu0Cegg2REWYZRepuXyBLOSJmFWl17mM13Zw7dtq12-D5h_PnUj9fhggri9QqHQt0lvfJl02TEQLlmAIWhp-QdS9Xb54/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90h5HD5KTaBcMfpWGXxapQ9sABqGacBtNH5RkkxVUMtiXmsNfu0Cegg2REWYZRepuXyBLOSJmFWl17mM13Zw7dtq12-D5h_PnUj9fhggri9QqHQt0lvfJl02TEQLlmAIWhp-QdS9Xb54/s320/010.JPG" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox4YifVDFP_T24grmufI0lh5zWYGQAOF3XuYvgVBU5tWgo6l0p5M0vpqpW4dhAsOoEyzsdGMdb7c_oofDVIyMp7FHrhd2GfQDu7X1b8jwmcZnf0ypHC8WXH0ymbmGEKiRROg8bC6IDVQ/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox4YifVDFP_T24grmufI0lh5zWYGQAOF3XuYvgVBU5tWgo6l0p5M0vpqpW4dhAsOoEyzsdGMdb7c_oofDVIyMp7FHrhd2GfQDu7X1b8jwmcZnf0ypHC8WXH0ymbmGEKiRROg8bC6IDVQ/s320/009.JPG" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxJYY_Ygf-P5PYz8bAsIvfr_ofYmM8RIphAUP67-QSAxPGDVbnOfx5aEul-7mLXF9f2Gw_S8FYLu-tPtmag4s7jo_nfqgb1sfbJFOyTNyjWFOKq1IGqtxaMj-S1z0fFG4Dx-jLn1ES1E/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxJYY_Ygf-P5PYz8bAsIvfr_ofYmM8RIphAUP67-QSAxPGDVbnOfx5aEul-7mLXF9f2Gw_S8FYLu-tPtmag4s7jo_nfqgb1sfbJFOyTNyjWFOKq1IGqtxaMj-S1z0fFG4Dx-jLn1ES1E/s320/011.JPG" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjic4J-4Kip6XuKjFBTUNjB1pL3RmGtIpDdG_DB2gXR-vBccLdUFkXO61bZbUhmMy47jgQECUue-R4puWTP5fSNOog-_p53joMD9lblw43FEuCeTVODvv31WCJ5Qeli63F2d0jLBAJvOEw/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjic4J-4Kip6XuKjFBTUNjB1pL3RmGtIpDdG_DB2gXR-vBccLdUFkXO61bZbUhmMy47jgQECUue-R4puWTP5fSNOog-_p53joMD9lblw43FEuCeTVODvv31WCJ5Qeli63F2d0jLBAJvOEw/s320/008.JPG" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QBdpF8axhNO9o1FC0_EOMLRDQg0sFv7ABAgd3VarwToRHkxWs-qxfluCDeoqJVFSkPYaFsSrstIGbNNS0Ri0f2rzI2bSpqEtSLidcCwG4ShMRL1totE-jKJDcM4wNnUFmyiDachuX3o/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QBdpF8axhNO9o1FC0_EOMLRDQg0sFv7ABAgd3VarwToRHkxWs-qxfluCDeoqJVFSkPYaFsSrstIGbNNS0Ri0f2rzI2bSpqEtSLidcCwG4ShMRL1totE-jKJDcM4wNnUFmyiDachuX3o/s320/003.JPG" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="480" /></a></div><i>New cup holder.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXcWpZ58MyYi9vpNFDdbQBERxDm0u3ieYGLD_6gEVdG__in5cx8sLTtmKs9u7zzw1o37t4e4__g4kL4EtHaNtqo7pGfULKS45tIrWXjIcyAI7wT3DoNNpAey61ajB0l8CbMnF2KfXKhA/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXcWpZ58MyYi9vpNFDdbQBERxDm0u3ieYGLD_6gEVdG__in5cx8sLTtmKs9u7zzw1o37t4e4__g4kL4EtHaNtqo7pGfULKS45tIrWXjIcyAI7wT3DoNNpAey61ajB0l8CbMnF2KfXKhA/s320/013.JPG" width="320" height="240" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="480" /></a></div><br />
It was a nice day to get out but I was glad to get home. My butt and back hurt and I just was bored with it all, really. I am starting to wonder if my scooting days are just about over. I don't know anymore and I am in no particular hurry to find out.<br />
<br />
Anyway, it snowed the next day and the next and maybe that has something to do with my apathetic attitude. It is hard to feel joy and enthusiasm about doing any outdoor activity with these up and down temperatures.<br />
<br />
Safe rides friends....<br />
<br />
Deb<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-66788945772627365432017-05-29T09:28:00.001-04:002017-05-29T09:28:41.696-04:00Never Forget<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn18uN-rACU0isuNUh2p7fMY7vOheXG0_EHaXlvHe6m8qxQjmAlUrCz0vMczsmNNjzGbSzsJlWGLbKIM7MdkSvnGYgJ6s-O2ytWJjkZXPK-ucfGtYg3ly8Z4ijfJg4RDMmQymEgQVE9M/s1600/MadMikesMemDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn18uN-rACU0isuNUh2p7fMY7vOheXG0_EHaXlvHe6m8qxQjmAlUrCz0vMczsmNNjzGbSzsJlWGLbKIM7MdkSvnGYgJ6s-O2ytWJjkZXPK-ucfGtYg3ly8Z4ijfJg4RDMmQymEgQVE9M/s320/MadMikesMemDay.jpg" width="320" height="241" data-original-width="300" data-original-height="226" /></a></div><br />
Visit a cemetery, fly a small flag, stop for a moment and say a silent prayer of love and honor to those who have passed on.<br />
<br />
And never, never forget that some gave all so we could be free.Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-38760115577865127752017-05-04T10:48:00.000-04:002017-05-04T12:29:28.828-04:00Sweet Spring Thing<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZw6erL6ad9HGFTuqoeDxe3cqSHY9rUnzVFMIGBAOCWqHzfX0-cakjZdx7ZQ9T81gX-JovcGcxlTb20_PxAShrMChx4FAp4d2SAmPaC2vPatgCxXGrwfH5zk99S7JXuBvMwYO4TEb1rI/s1600/Honeysuckle-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZw6erL6ad9HGFTuqoeDxe3cqSHY9rUnzVFMIGBAOCWqHzfX0-cakjZdx7ZQ9T81gX-JovcGcxlTb20_PxAShrMChx4FAp4d2SAmPaC2vPatgCxXGrwfH5zk99S7JXuBvMwYO4TEb1rI/s320/Honeysuckle-1.jpg" width="271" height="320" /></a></div><br />
The air has been filled with a mysterious sweet odor all week long. Scooting about, who could miss it? <br />
<br />
It is the delicious fragrance of honey suckle blossoms in the air, everywhere!<br />
<br />
Mostly I’ve noticed it all along the back of the shopping plaza where I scoot to get groceries to bring back to the “cottage by the mall”. Back there, where no cars roam, there is an entire line of honey suckle bushes. Just beyond that line there is a hidden creek, running down to a small secluded pond where Canadian geese often wing their way from out over my cottage yard.<br />
<br />
So the honey suckle flourish there and their sweet smells fill the wind with childhood memories of bike rides and days spent lazing in the sun with no cares.<br />
<br />
Out riding along a country lane, we’d stop and linger on the side of the road underneath the honey suckle bushes, their creamy yellow buds dancing delicate among the leaves and twigs.<br />
<br />
Every kid knows to pull the petals off the stem and put the little drop of honey on your tongue. This guy figured it out years ago: Adam Lonicer, a German botanist, (10 October 1528 – 29 May 1586) who hailed from Marburg, Germany. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh7GQxvV1SttIOTdFVmuJqpZtdZT-2dekSr_t7g8zmT_2JwU0eYpAylvp4YFiVp4zQVvm1Cy-pxHGfeVymDHn0SKTsNFJbFRCdKdWkBNdeMgHXhyphenhyphenKzOMLMRI_ZcSqWdf4iM4kHM5-J2A/s1600/Lonicer04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh7GQxvV1SttIOTdFVmuJqpZtdZT-2dekSr_t7g8zmT_2JwU0eYpAylvp4YFiVp4zQVvm1Cy-pxHGfeVymDHn0SKTsNFJbFRCdKdWkBNdeMgHXhyphenhyphenKzOMLMRI_ZcSqWdf4iM4kHM5-J2A/s320/Lonicer04.jpg" width="243" height="320" /></a></div><br />
He was a pretty smart fellow. He taught mathematics at the University of Marburg and later went on to become a physician. In fact he became the “town physician” in Frankfurt am Main. I found that interesting as I lived there as a kid in the 1960s. Beautiful city!<br />
<br />
Anyway, he really loved herbs and botany the most and he is the one who coined the name “honey suckle”, for obvious reasons. Honey suckle is categorized under the genus Lonicera, named for who else, Adam Lonicer. <br />
<br />
Interestingly there are now known to be over 200 varieties of honey suckle plants in the world. Bees and hummingbirds love them and I remember loving the simple pleasure of tasting that tiny drop of nectar on my tongue as a kid many years ago.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2wRBLYV6fvd07k4o3N-KrEPGQQ3aMPTwqeTlODkJ3eAcxwLJEUl3-jAkS8IiD6rtvRfM1oJ9EFuH9ZBP-Tw6zCZUjQKGoCNHAEQKKBCBH-fCOo-htGhv75dVB9CEzJUpZsVmjUlJcbk/s1600/HummBd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2wRBLYV6fvd07k4o3N-KrEPGQQ3aMPTwqeTlODkJ3eAcxwLJEUl3-jAkS8IiD6rtvRfM1oJ9EFuH9ZBP-Tw6zCZUjQKGoCNHAEQKKBCBH-fCOo-htGhv75dVB9CEzJUpZsVmjUlJcbk/s320/HummBd.jpg" width="320" height="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmMhTXgWCrTHCxPyzYnpnLyNLHTOInGgMnoos5Dkipt9fb41O8wBBFJRCs2wfHzm_5sp4qTHTkKgxKEl4DI0wDPeeeNqM9F2WdLH2ra-8BNNQbNHDQjc3Cl7xzsRzKCLrc4HOJxZGjIw/s1600/Bees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmMhTXgWCrTHCxPyzYnpnLyNLHTOInGgMnoos5Dkipt9fb41O8wBBFJRCs2wfHzm_5sp4qTHTkKgxKEl4DI0wDPeeeNqM9F2WdLH2ra-8BNNQbNHDQjc3Cl7xzsRzKCLrc4HOJxZGjIw/s320/Bees.jpg" width="320" height="213" /></a></div><br />
So if you haven’t had the pleasure of sampling the nectar of the honey suckle flower, maybe it’s time to walk, bike, or scoot out <br />
into the countryside and see what you have been missing!<br />
<br />
Safe rides….<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1S-7cUImmTeUJL_BVaKXdO5_xWPulsJNGLkR8CX3_2h_sxNkyL_vh9vZQ3ReqoB69PrBjUubFPDUKjIyw4EFKK1JfvYs00zzee_xWJASHrLUAhKeV2uVoGWAl2MFgTGjBTPSbNaTqJxg/s1600/Honeysuckle-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1S-7cUImmTeUJL_BVaKXdO5_xWPulsJNGLkR8CX3_2h_sxNkyL_vh9vZQ3ReqoB69PrBjUubFPDUKjIyw4EFKK1JfvYs00zzee_xWJASHrLUAhKeV2uVoGWAl2MFgTGjBTPSbNaTqJxg/s320/Honeysuckle-2.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<i>All photos are borrowed from the internet...too cold and wet to be out today!</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-6117847262291872772017-04-26T13:22:00.001-04:002017-04-26T13:28:08.428-04:00My New Ride!Meet my 2007 Yamaha C3, “The Blue Breeze”!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dbxjtc48yHI4vyGuKFGwAlXpg8o1QCp8-1dzrrU16w7vLlf06GUMf6pUtohsRXsw-gpvGoILK-SfO9LEQIHSu6uUHc-l00O22MOxxOmBWt1ks3VDP9BNMJ9Uo8MHtXqWvGpE6Hc1cj8/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dbxjtc48yHI4vyGuKFGwAlXpg8o1QCp8-1dzrrU16w7vLlf06GUMf6pUtohsRXsw-gpvGoILK-SfO9LEQIHSu6uUHc-l00O22MOxxOmBWt1ks3VDP9BNMJ9Uo8MHtXqWvGpE6Hc1cj8/s320/017.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
I took her on a little ride through the valley yesterday and we stopped by our favorite creek overlook to listen to the quiet trickle of the water over stones in the creek bed…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-YX_pBR_Q94SSAj4jt50sdVdS0FQJe8ImjbrXqkWtsi1FQjykjLrdC2-glFuluoNdvbdYi6v4Lln9m8BjCZN3p8wk8ciQyN_HMAbVh8nqVec7nqd1vlrkog4GxIAneB_cagirRjbu8Q/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-YX_pBR_Q94SSAj4jt50sdVdS0FQJe8ImjbrXqkWtsi1FQjykjLrdC2-glFuluoNdvbdYi6v4Lln9m8BjCZN3p8wk8ciQyN_HMAbVh8nqVec7nqd1vlrkog4GxIAneB_cagirRjbu8Q/s320/016.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Of course I visited my cow and donkey friends, who greeted me with approving looks…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRicvIp55ayHx6XdkkE_ToSdOeDlJN1s0wxpb6Z5DQUq0x2ZDgyy-DLtlz1SQSRuerMSZOL5P760PYaAijzrSHzzeYKz_Ois36QXFjrOZ1-U1A2DftIfj_RWSf5fB7gYJdtGfoMx5NWE/s1600/DigCamOct14+173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRicvIp55ayHx6XdkkE_ToSdOeDlJN1s0wxpb6Z5DQUq0x2ZDgyy-DLtlz1SQSRuerMSZOL5P760PYaAijzrSHzzeYKz_Ois36QXFjrOZ1-U1A2DftIfj_RWSf5fB7gYJdtGfoMx5NWE/s320/DigCamOct14+173.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Breezy has new tires, a new battery, fresh synthetic oil, fresh coolant, and a cleaning out with Sea Foam.<br />
<br />
She’s ready for adventures and little trips to the grocery and farmer’s market!<br />
<br />
The Yamaha C3 is my favorite 49cc scooter of all so far. It was imported to the U.S. in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011. It is still sold in Europe as the Giggle and in Japan as the Vox.<br />
<br />
This scoot is fuel-injected, 3-valve, water-cooled, and will go up to 40mph restricted and gets over 100 mpg!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWbsaP_4RQcrjqYH3nUep-Chk1Y4ULo23Cc3mdNhNJgHJUVUG_OxYEtX3Gga-e9GSZ-zzxqcQjG-8WleZXKEsbunQhyphenhyphenAJuhHT4nH5xGKpRwwHGUviIxeOJIWUXhVppazE-1EqZq8VXYQ/s1600/Boxey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWbsaP_4RQcrjqYH3nUep-Chk1Y4ULo23Cc3mdNhNJgHJUVUG_OxYEtX3Gga-e9GSZ-zzxqcQjG-8WleZXKEsbunQhyphenhyphenAJuhHT4nH5xGKpRwwHGUviIxeOJIWUXhVppazE-1EqZq8VXYQ/s320/Boxey.jpg" width="320" height="151" /></a></div><br />
It is a hoot to ride and now they are getting harder to find because fans just love them for their solid handling and roomy storage.<br />
<br />
I’ve had two and been forced by circumstances beyond my control to sell them. <br />
<br />
Now I’ve got one back and am loving it!<br />
<br />
When the Cheeky Seat seat cover is installed I will post more photos.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, ride on friends and stay safe on the roads…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBCJ0JtekAQP-YhTnzZM6Vgih3lxwmCafx0rPRZw8sbfhMek3-pQtYGfFlV37cu5720rFNBjqIhxbIWnxa4lSMR094-gmvtEc87P7kAfj88oA1bl1PfoYbcYh-Mi3yoqg4cN4_0XXJI4/s1600/DigCamOct14+123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBCJ0JtekAQP-YhTnzZM6Vgih3lxwmCafx0rPRZw8sbfhMek3-pQtYGfFlV37cu5720rFNBjqIhxbIWnxa4lSMR094-gmvtEc87P7kAfj88oA1bl1PfoYbcYh-Mi3yoqg4cN4_0XXJI4/s320/DigCamOct14+123.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-38449903927836533972017-04-16T09:39:00.000-04:002017-04-16T09:39:21.749-04:00Happy Easter, Happy Spring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQzT8h2j6m-VzG8eD0n7KkzTejuNd2xF_HhkzNXXmtjYMwaWKIEAeD2LO0Jug6B3fpqjt4EH2Ql5V-8BvCXFi923-ZvGB4WffTFBaszzpV0jrKsWtHY3fIKC39vqAT6hRwGSZPXlxR2s/s1600/DigCamOct14+232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQzT8h2j6m-VzG8eD0n7KkzTejuNd2xF_HhkzNXXmtjYMwaWKIEAeD2LO0Jug6B3fpqjt4EH2Ql5V-8BvCXFi923-ZvGB4WffTFBaszzpV0jrKsWtHY3fIKC39vqAT6hRwGSZPXlxR2s/s320/DigCamOct14+232.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<b>Happy Easter! Happy Spring! May your lives be filled with joy, peace, and the promise of new beginnings!<i></i></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9oy6nRjhcsjdh7CZlGMyZcL8xNnkMwhbwDE3vxERTnBLXnhi1BoVqyLO_IAlVYPA0FlXIl5K8oZRK1FJyWToyzJj_9Umab_HoiuaFVWZAt9-hutSF8cpwP1tYlpsazQQQ9MMW6YmQmM/s1600/DigCamOct14+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9oy6nRjhcsjdh7CZlGMyZcL8xNnkMwhbwDE3vxERTnBLXnhi1BoVqyLO_IAlVYPA0FlXIl5K8oZRK1FJyWToyzJj_9Umab_HoiuaFVWZAt9-hutSF8cpwP1tYlpsazQQQ9MMW6YmQmM/s320/DigCamOct14+164.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-9297214039806155422017-04-06T09:40:00.001-04:002017-04-06T10:41:56.830-04:00A Tale of Two Scooters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-Q-i4iCVBabTciFhrBqpRQ2qtxjMfsOB8bq2yxX3kMxmTRNXow-VnyJhGC0kzJCeeNPIIzQPyWbGbzKlSeYGBlW3fywl3D660HAjwsiU8D6E4syuur1RC6kb8IjuTV5Vt_9eNzJkWAI/s1600/IMG_0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-Q-i4iCVBabTciFhrBqpRQ2qtxjMfsOB8bq2yxX3kMxmTRNXow-VnyJhGC0kzJCeeNPIIzQPyWbGbzKlSeYGBlW3fywl3D660HAjwsiU8D6E4syuur1RC6kb8IjuTV5Vt_9eNzJkWAI/s320/IMG_0679.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
My love of little 49cc scooters puts me in a rider’s quandary.<br />
<br />
At some point in my scooting life I will always be in need of more power. More speed to navigate traffic, more power to pull up hills, more comfort to ride long distances. <br />
<br />
More.<br />
<br />
This realization pretty much sums up my version of scooter angst over the years. There is nothing that I can do to alleviate this existential frustration other than own more than one scooter, if one of them is going to be a 49cc. <br />
<br />
And oh how I love the little scoots, the 49ccs. At this point in my dotage I have come to accept that one must be in my scooter cave.<br />
<br />
If it is the only one, then I will have to rig up a way to transport the scooter out into the rural areas for expanded riding options. A utility trailer, a versa haul, a small pick-up truck as a second vehicle. Something.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQKaFYCjXJRXIvgQZK8KVRTUZq6XaYAQVEfoXWJEHuA4zx2hYClHjuI6tA0wws2RJnYs1yUpva8qgvZvFaPuU87MFnZ7OIJDbubQSO5Obh77uPrJxfkMJRHKUeu9Xkf8dV7n77HvtVz8/s1600/IMG_0448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQKaFYCjXJRXIvgQZK8KVRTUZq6XaYAQVEfoXWJEHuA4zx2hYClHjuI6tA0wws2RJnYs1yUpva8qgvZvFaPuU87MFnZ7OIJDbubQSO5Obh77uPrJxfkMJRHKUeu9Xkf8dV7n77HvtVz8/s320/IMG_0448.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
I started out on a 49cc Ruckus and riding one puts a big ol’ grin on my face every single time. 40 miles per hour feels like 80. They zip around like a jack rabbit on speed and it has to be the closest thing to the sensation of flying. <br />
<br />
49cc scooters are small enough to park at the bike rack up at the grocery or on the sidewalk at the mall. They can be stored easily, moved around easily, and I sit flat-footed on them with ease. <br />
<br />
They are cheap to insure and easy to love.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXkySAdItTQqeFJvdRFxFmlsyiShH7huL-xmzM9JkARKVrIEcjiMTkmnvGMjnZBDmSjiwW3V_6ipwCE93Hj6jtNYVtD2PTtxYIfjSxdYRY7kup3xt2DHCV0AUuOcRYloMTGvYKBnvOkE/s1600/IMG_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXkySAdItTQqeFJvdRFxFmlsyiShH7huL-xmzM9JkARKVrIEcjiMTkmnvGMjnZBDmSjiwW3V_6ipwCE93Hj6jtNYVtD2PTtxYIfjSxdYRY7kup3xt2DHCV0AUuOcRYloMTGvYKBnvOkE/s320/IMG_0661.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Now here are the downsides to owning only a 49cc scooter, in my experience…<br />
<br />
I live in a semi-rural area. This means I am doing a bit of errand riding to the grocery, library, post office, book stores, local parks, and the mall. All within a few miles of me at no more than 35 mph. Perfect for a little scooter that goes up to 43mph on a flat route with an encouraging wind at my backside. <br />
<br />
But this daily use of the scooter is only a part of how I want to ride. The thing I love the most is to get out on those back roads east of my location. Rolling rural enclaves of farmland stretching out to the Ohio River and on to the foothills of the Appalachians. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboTrOCPD8paZgN3tEOg34v8hogUQafyn9NLezGZYDAIK7tCKphpm7s-eUvGuIMGvnG9xsPf3m4bIwJkJnJE1tWjpu252wM4i8XEuYiY0A8u8nb__-tNmlvDuCWZYiO_QEGw-s6ujBOGE/s1600/IMG_0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboTrOCPD8paZgN3tEOg34v8hogUQafyn9NLezGZYDAIK7tCKphpm7s-eUvGuIMGvnG9xsPf3m4bIwJkJnJE1tWjpu252wM4i8XEuYiY0A8u8nb__-tNmlvDuCWZYiO_QEGw-s6ujBOGE/s320/IMG_0535.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Miles and miles of quiet, scenic beauty where I find my “scooter nirvana”. I have gone out there on my 49cc scooter, but it has been a day’s journey out and back. I have had to ride on the side of the road most of the time to allow cars to pass and ensure my own safety. It is fun to do this once in a while, but for more frequent excursions it becomes a chore. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwcJWQ8KkMBunIFyDbs85V6qaehL_vNY_ouUHyVJ_OPpUvcEY-T4yiZNAcqc4mGnWGTNPFhh8qu1buCWGE8LsvWd5LofO_MR-FM3pXBKJcgldJu9BeOJG163STvgDDiQuIQKRDGIBUoQ/s1600/IMG_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwcJWQ8KkMBunIFyDbs85V6qaehL_vNY_ouUHyVJ_OPpUvcEY-T4yiZNAcqc4mGnWGTNPFhh8qu1buCWGE8LsvWd5LofO_MR-FM3pXBKJcgldJu9BeOJG163STvgDDiQuIQKRDGIBUoQ/s320/IMG_0713.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
There was a time when I lived out there and doing those rides was an easy, daily occurrence. Now, from the burbs, it is a project. One that I take on because I love it, but it takes up a lot of time and happens much less often than I’d like.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDVdBHUBex4nfuaAxHl6d1gZU3Otfu6MDQIzElKW7-dRgOnC4z0bjiN65elCG80HKpUTaKWM_3kaAwQVs0kwVm89aOGG6UjR7LUKWq03yoXic15nnYL0bOtdArLWf4JPXx9njGIXUKiQ/s1600/IMG_0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDVdBHUBex4nfuaAxHl6d1gZU3Otfu6MDQIzElKW7-dRgOnC4z0bjiN65elCG80HKpUTaKWM_3kaAwQVs0kwVm89aOGG6UjR7LUKWq03yoXic15nnYL0bOtdArLWf4JPXx9njGIXUKiQ/s320/IMG_0447.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Here’s another downside that I experience from owning only a 49cc scooter: I cannot go to local scooter club events as I am too damn far away and even if I could get there I cannot keep up with the group rides.<br />
<br />
And I am tired of scooting alone all the time. <br />
<br />
Sure I could “haul in” the scooter on a versa haul or utility trailer to the scooter rallies. And I may am plan to have one of those options available to me within the next year. Mainly because I would like to haul my scooter on vacation or take it to way far off areas to ride in events or on fascinating routes.<br />
<br />
But then again, unless these rides are “49cc friendly” (and some are, but most are not) I am still going to be the “cow’s tail”.<br />
<br />
Sorry, Bossy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnznfbZ9dbh7g5cf7XGK6P-cLRzd7MUTYmOtTUPMYmi5j-kbDhGVjDZMM2wAmN6npmfc-T_AXw6BTA8ik9l_9U_FM7SX5NjME7zgHAgNecv3e1_z0f1T1bDNK9vjgwg_HNCtNvPItmoU8/s1600/IMG_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnznfbZ9dbh7g5cf7XGK6P-cLRzd7MUTYmOtTUPMYmi5j-kbDhGVjDZMM2wAmN6npmfc-T_AXw6BTA8ik9l_9U_FM7SX5NjME7zgHAgNecv3e1_z0f1T1bDNK9vjgwg_HNCtNvPItmoU8/s320/IMG_0641.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
We’ve got two more or less local scooter clubs and I have never been able to go to any of their events. Even the few other riders in my area ride Burgman’s or PCXs or whatnot. I have had opportunities to hook up with some riding companions, but I am automatically “out of their league” in terms of keeping up. Most people are accommodating, but who wants to putz along at 35mph for hours on end? (Except for riders like me, who love to do that.)<br />
<br />
And then it comes down to this. Some days I would like to just get on my scooter and ride way out in the country. I mean “way out”. Down along the river, over 3 or 4 counties to the foothills, up to the antique shops north of me, into town for lunch with scoot club folk, and so forth. <br />
<br />
A bigger scooter in my garage would allow me to do that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVh_c-sYUZEJgt-sCR-Bk5Kjdwqhf8Echy94LOkcV_7W1mElYNyWf0hHQvZMgIpMHyzLplnIK6RqZ_rNg1OS5jBUcW8zjSyozRw67MgQ4ZxZDgS690aKNOlsuX2Mz1aFZT9DCgDop15cA/s1600/IMG_0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVh_c-sYUZEJgt-sCR-Bk5Kjdwqhf8Echy94LOkcV_7W1mElYNyWf0hHQvZMgIpMHyzLplnIK6RqZ_rNg1OS5jBUcW8zjSyozRw67MgQ4ZxZDgS690aKNOlsuX2Mz1aFZT9DCgDop15cA/s320/IMG_0677.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
So basically this need for 2 scooters is a functional thing. <br />
<br />
My goal at this point is to own another Ruckus and then to find a second scooter that I can do all of the above.<br />
<br />
For me, on my budget, and based on local availability, this might take awhile. I am not sure if, or when, I would accomplish this goal. <br />
<br />
I am not sure which scooter I will obtain first, little or big. <br />
<br />
I will start a little “scooter fund” once my retirement money starts coming in later this month. I will watch to see what pops up used locally and get some figures on prices for new models. <br />
<br />
I might consider a used scooter if it is a later model and ridden frequently. No more scooters that sat for years and years. <br />
<br />
There are only a few shops here in the area that carry used and new scooters. I am known in all of them. <br />
<br />
I lean toward Honda, Yamaha, Genuine, Kymco, and Suzuki products because of the warranty and availability of competent service if something goes wrong.<br />
<br />
I also want to consult with U-Haul about what it would take to put the brake light kit on my SUV so that I could rent a utility trailer. This would increase my range of options for shopping scooters out of town.<br />
<br />
In the meantime I am going to do a few other things that I have been wanting to do while I am saving and researching for another scooter. I don’t know how long it will be until I get another one and I need to have the cash on hand and to find the right one. <br />
<br />
I am in no hurry.<br />
<br />
During my “scooter hiatus” am going to get back into my first love, bicycling. So I will begin to blog about those experiences from time to time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9m6GHlEdkNOl9_pzA8EvFcugKmEAgfI5xdZFGPIfE4gP5HSmPbC-WVcNNPcaYtFmki7YiN81TlocG1EjEZZLiokNswurDviSeUkwssrt4YNO65n5hpxEssJs6ounM5Dc2Dkl0_f1TCk/s1600/Bike1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9m6GHlEdkNOl9_pzA8EvFcugKmEAgfI5xdZFGPIfE4gP5HSmPbC-WVcNNPcaYtFmki7YiN81TlocG1EjEZZLiokNswurDviSeUkwssrt4YNO65n5hpxEssJs6ounM5Dc2Dkl0_f1TCk/s320/Bike1.jpg" width="320" height="241" /></a></div><br />
I am excited about this time, this pause from the “same ol’, same ol’”. <br />
<br />
I feel like I am embarking on a new leg of my life’s journey, one that expands out from just riding a scooter to the grocery or out to see the cows and donkeys once a week.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvq68jI7YANVRKoIPzz0UWhLL75ygP_96BnhybJNQTD-_3mIaUyORCgrkYr6FbWB2RBYBx7eWcnzDnPmy4P7y1J4cP0corRq983XIiqmiMdkMh6vW67CFtMUVDSa-QYrK_DkRmz6fbpQ/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvq68jI7YANVRKoIPzz0UWhLL75ygP_96BnhybJNQTD-_3mIaUyORCgrkYr6FbWB2RBYBx7eWcnzDnPmy4P7y1J4cP0corRq983XIiqmiMdkMh6vW67CFtMUVDSa-QYrK_DkRmz6fbpQ/s320/008.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Interestingly, this morning I got an email from the guy who bought Breezy. He tore her down and rebuilt her carburetor. He said she runs “like a top” and he loves her! I felt a twinge of sadness, yet happiness that she is where she is loved.<br />
<br />
Two scoots, a lofty goal, but a viable one if the little 49cc scooters have grabbed the heartstrings.<br />
<br />
And I really, really, really want one more Ruckus before I age out of scooting.<br />
<br />
This blog isn’t called, “Ruckus Scooter Love” for nothing….<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSY9LKo_JaaN3tSyrMCOoBuqV9TaWOherO6xGjNSYVvIjBxMI8QgaA4mxTPIbnXrNR7jMQTcpvgZu0DDK_Wuy1WoHSAsg1N-tu6jvcwC32378SFXYXV4ZTcFirIaB2euBe9Yt7tKcpDeY/s1600/autumn+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSY9LKo_JaaN3tSyrMCOoBuqV9TaWOherO6xGjNSYVvIjBxMI8QgaA4mxTPIbnXrNR7jMQTcpvgZu0DDK_Wuy1WoHSAsg1N-tu6jvcwC32378SFXYXV4ZTcFirIaB2euBe9Yt7tKcpDeY/s320/autumn+010.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Safe riding, friends…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvei0cvO2YHTUH3Xoa7GAhdsJfvrgqx6NVKGm0i1FwNl4kWV6rYaG3zm6osgbdgfDo0-ri3aYrGjyIFDHTmZUJ3KPxAVG1CXEtPJeIpMpGOV_7ErCiloo_dI1k_MSaJ2kNbkzqNxLCyEw/s1600/IMG_1094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvei0cvO2YHTUH3Xoa7GAhdsJfvrgqx6NVKGm0i1FwNl4kWV6rYaG3zm6osgbdgfDo0-ri3aYrGjyIFDHTmZUJ3KPxAVG1CXEtPJeIpMpGOV_7ErCiloo_dI1k_MSaJ2kNbkzqNxLCyEw/s320/IMG_1094.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-20812123612439208522017-04-05T09:23:00.001-04:002017-04-05T09:32:22.300-04:00RIP Breezy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bB9w7Y3QD3xkB055541b4HI1y6Xp4l29UHCqi2F_77SIJMPakTlecngUcYAafPwzX8NhcKa9LCh-N2_c2x9g020Pq_NJ7gsYJhJF2WP2fOL-N7gfZAVsJa_BuKH-vhEgghyi7Rfpo7I/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bB9w7Y3QD3xkB055541b4HI1y6Xp4l29UHCqi2F_77SIJMPakTlecngUcYAafPwzX8NhcKa9LCh-N2_c2x9g020Pq_NJ7gsYJhJF2WP2fOL-N7gfZAVsJa_BuKH-vhEgghyi7Rfpo7I/s320/014.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Breezy bit the dust! And she was so pretty and so cool-looking too. But she bit the dust and now she is gone on to a new home where she will be used for parts.<br />
<br />
What happened is that she sat too long unused before I bought her last year, fourteen years, more or less. <br />
<br />
She had been used by her previous owner as a “camping scooter”. She had mostly traveled on the back of an RV and then was ridden around a campground. Off and on with years of idleness in between.<br />
<br />
When I bought her at the dealer they said they had cleaned her carburetor, swapped out her gas tank. She ran fine all summer.<br />
<br />
Then end of summer she stalled out on me while pulling away from a light. It was a scary experience, but I was able to roll her out of traffic and onto the side of the road where I walked her home two miles. <br />
<br />
Such fun!<br />
<br />
She would not throttle from idling on the center stand. I consulted every scooter shop in town and spent a lot of time investigating her issues on-line and with experts on scooter forums.<br />
<br />
The theory was that once she was ridden, all that internal gunk that had coated her innards started sloughing off. So with that I ran Sea Foam through her in an effort to clean her out. This took up most of the time from the date of my last ride until I put her up on the tender for winter. <br />
<br />
As I went through this process I was able to gun the throttle and blow off lots of exhaust smoke. I was told that this was an indication that the gunk was burning off and was a good sign. Yippee!<br />
<br />
It got to where I could eventually throttle her and I began to ride her around the storage unit weekly throughout the winter. It became start up, clean, idle, throttle, ride, idle. I figured by the end of winter she would be good to go.<br />
<br />
It didn’t happen. In fact, she went back to no throttle at all. Stall, stall, stall. <br />
<br />
When I added up the cost of having her picked up and transported to the dealer, plus having her worked on, it came to about half her value. Not worth it.<br />
<br />
I thought about buying a service manual and tackling the job myself, but lacked confidence and feared that worse would happen. So I put her up on Craigslist and sold her at a discount and got a buyer within 24 hours. <br />
<br />
He knew how to fix and service Honda’s GY6 engine. I did not and could not justify that big money to do so.<br />
<br />
I’m not sad, just scooter less again. I will be ok. <br />
<br />
I have learned my lesson about buying that old of a used scooter, even if from a dealer. Even though she was kept indoors and was serviced by a Honda power sports dealership, old is old and crap builds up after that long.<br />
<br />
Moral of the story: my next scooter will be new, under warranty and I am saving up for a new Ruckus.<br />
<br />
Yes, going back to my roots. It may take me all summer to get one, but so be it.<br />
<br />
I’ve got the patience of Job.<br />
<br />
And in the meantime I am going to ride my bike to the grocery, hike, and get my fitness level back up.<br />
<br />
Then one day I will take a taxi over and pick up my black Ruckus and ride her home.<br />
<br />
A girl can dream…<br />
<br />
Moral of the story: don't buy used, even from a dealership, if it's an older scooter with low mileage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqY0Yc4y8_6MHZsYBl4GkJXHIYEuM5zvXtf9zkHl6S2smtlmepdd-764mAdd3efe_cUeMFx7Thv5XNsRHPQhA7QNS_aFoXREkraX_t-gSY0HrFUfoxH30oZIdhLYYkFIiSpEKA86kV8QU/s1600/BlackRuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqY0Yc4y8_6MHZsYBl4GkJXHIYEuM5zvXtf9zkHl6S2smtlmepdd-764mAdd3efe_cUeMFx7Thv5XNsRHPQhA7QNS_aFoXREkraX_t-gSY0HrFUfoxH30oZIdhLYYkFIiSpEKA86kV8QU/s320/BlackRuck.jpg" width="320" height="178" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-68818022228673856122017-03-27T12:31:00.001-04:002017-03-27T13:00:46.918-04:00Ten Years Scootin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j7zHEf6nsA4du0CpN-PX1ff4OHv90lW26JX6k6Hy_BsN2VsO7gwmGXzMMWdubxoJXlGmJWiicXWfT5ui64ts2-aZYrcDm457QBsBHhaygF6LSZiE7FffVeLwXyGHkHoCpA6rcT49fFE/s1600/IMG_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j7zHEf6nsA4du0CpN-PX1ff4OHv90lW26JX6k6Hy_BsN2VsO7gwmGXzMMWdubxoJXlGmJWiicXWfT5ui64ts2-aZYrcDm457QBsBHhaygF6LSZiE7FffVeLwXyGHkHoCpA6rcT49fFE/s320/IMG_0416.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
10 Years Scootin’<br />
<br />
In the spring of 2007 I lived way out in the country in a little house on a ridge.<br />
<br />
Everyone, including my 78 year old neighbor lady, rode ATVs up and down the gravel road.<br />
<br />
She would come up the road to our house and sit with me out on the porch in the evenings and we would drink coffee and talk about planting gardens and watch the birds at the feeder and sometimes see the stars come out at night.<br />
<br />
One evening I asked her how she came to ride an ATV around the ridge. Her reply began a new direction in my life, <br />
<br />
“I ride to get out and see things I normally wouldn’t see. It is how I clear the cobwebs out of my head! There’s nothing like it!”<br />
<br />
I knew right then and there that I wanted that experience too. It was why I used to ride my bicycle in the city, why I walked in the woods, why I took long drives along the river.<br />
<br />
During this time I was working a temporary job at a town an hour away. On the way to that town was a very small “mom and pop” Honda power sports dealer in a little, itty, bitty village that was more a strip in the road than anything else. I’d pass through the area on the way to and from work and there were motorcycles and ATVs in the front window. <br />
<br />
One day I stopped to look at the ATVs. This was 2007, a time when Honda was phasing out their then broader scooter line. I looked at the ATVs, but was drawn over to the scooters. At this point in time I was totally ignorant, so had a lot of questions. <br />
<br />
I won’t bore you with them here, but suffice it to say I got right down to this: on an ATV I could ride up and down my rural road and in the woods, but on a scooter I could ride OFF that road and into town and beyond.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4woi8KHliN5QA1eWim-ku0CvtzMOnE9Ktuei-uid2b9Bg_nn82YmoRvcJz7doX8voVuN14eJPj6F7GJnu0gIPpRCx3ohUH06Bk93OajIZVpKTYAWwAmBgl7Q3FSBdrbrt5cJ7VrbCsc/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4woi8KHliN5QA1eWim-ku0CvtzMOnE9Ktuei-uid2b9Bg_nn82YmoRvcJz7doX8voVuN14eJPj6F7GJnu0gIPpRCx3ohUH06Bk93OajIZVpKTYAWwAmBgl7Q3FSBdrbrt5cJ7VrbCsc/s320/001.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
I wanted to ride on the trails and dirt roads with my neighbor. I did not want a big machine that took up a lot of room and was hard for me to handle. <br />
<br />
At that time on the dealership floor in 2007 there was a Big Ruckus, a Helix, a Metropolitan, an Elite 80, and a little Ruckus. A little Camo Ruckus with a gunmetal gray frame and big ol’ fat tires.<br />
<br />
That was it-that was the one that got it all started.<br />
<br />
From there I’ve owned a Honda Elite 80, Honda Elite 110, Honda Metropolitan, Yamaha C3, Genuine Buddy Psycho. 2 Rucki, 2 Mets, 2 Elite 110s.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFT5ut54htmWBTnLjyxOz0sPe3xSZwha8RWwk0nwJhgxGJd_Naq5EtORPn4F6qflYWRY37HfnN2phskRJNNmwJ8un4gxfAMF_WqrM_mFHfsJpwSG5MPG15LxJ7Z124mwlbA18-M9LnFc/s1600/DigCamOct14+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFT5ut54htmWBTnLjyxOz0sPe3xSZwha8RWwk0nwJhgxGJd_Naq5EtORPn4F6qflYWRY37HfnN2phskRJNNmwJ8un4gxfAMF_WqrM_mFHfsJpwSG5MPG15LxJ7Z124mwlbA18-M9LnFc/s320/DigCamOct14+101.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
If I could I would own one of each again and then add some more to the collection.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppNYPangsFKRopJhppk49vonxu5RDEUH9XZPN8eA0esy4gkVmvb-l78UlvUACF4P96FJC-oMa2-VDfVUm0jrRFuMMx9mzSqPvsJzNgUcKofsXF_NZFG2YixevHQPhnCHVPi2xurCNwBQ/s1600/DigCamOct14+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppNYPangsFKRopJhppk49vonxu5RDEUH9XZPN8eA0esy4gkVmvb-l78UlvUACF4P96FJC-oMa2-VDfVUm0jrRFuMMx9mzSqPvsJzNgUcKofsXF_NZFG2YixevHQPhnCHVPi2xurCNwBQ/s320/DigCamOct14+025.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Ten years later I still ride to get out in nature, to slow down and relax, and to explore my surroundings in a way that only a biker knows. <br />
<br />
I still love scooters, and the little ones are the most dear to my heart. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_CHWy1E7wYw7HVeZKEcRHH_gbEHtB12nuYS8v0UyC8DS4TaJ4sLSpjTbVKCjG6ExU7CfsG_kIl2F6Wz3DLW1xUA49lssUJIxhUmHuKT4UUBeONLma96sPTZsfwqNkMgXvkppOIKi7FA/s1600/IMG_0448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_CHWy1E7wYw7HVeZKEcRHH_gbEHtB12nuYS8v0UyC8DS4TaJ4sLSpjTbVKCjG6ExU7CfsG_kIl2F6Wz3DLW1xUA49lssUJIxhUmHuKT4UUBeONLma96sPTZsfwqNkMgXvkppOIKi7FA/s320/IMG_0448.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSKFbqTT9tzpKUwTrNFVOK19qf1LCpidjjxG-zwO9IPdGd1gdYC1x7eKIwAo-8aVihai0xueQubs13F9iAGJMTBXGkCLFaUzLHlTNdPoKizsKu90ro13zfGgeGHnU6xqst5lG9Jkb4bE/s1600/DigCamOct14+178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSKFbqTT9tzpKUwTrNFVOK19qf1LCpidjjxG-zwO9IPdGd1gdYC1x7eKIwAo-8aVihai0xueQubs13F9iAGJMTBXGkCLFaUzLHlTNdPoKizsKu90ro13zfGgeGHnU6xqst5lG9Jkb4bE/s320/DigCamOct14+178.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-zMHTJ2Le4HJtc32BUVYBv2J15XqLgqHhq3BkTkBCmRxhjSWPJ6HyyejZ-xGYtGWZuMLhq9z5FAylWNgIBWflGcc_ywpptMWJdh4ZOEJVsr8auJoC1HORJky1I-bCThKyxHCY1UXp5A/s1600/DigCamOct14+283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-zMHTJ2Le4HJtc32BUVYBv2J15XqLgqHhq3BkTkBCmRxhjSWPJ6HyyejZ-xGYtGWZuMLhq9z5FAylWNgIBWflGcc_ywpptMWJdh4ZOEJVsr8auJoC1HORJky1I-bCThKyxHCY1UXp5A/s320/DigCamOct14+283.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh18W_Si4lfz8ympt3LytXn0Mvlnh482PiQgfVk6CC6o-yUj41h8ghHzq11Aq_lW90uWjzuiGjW58o5hQyWCLRhU2Gwtf0Lp8YtLR7lgcXvFU5OVB_Q0EWcN90dSaKac047PyGLBTmmWU/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh18W_Si4lfz8ympt3LytXn0Mvlnh482PiQgfVk6CC6o-yUj41h8ghHzq11Aq_lW90uWjzuiGjW58o5hQyWCLRhU2Gwtf0Lp8YtLR7lgcXvFU5OVB_Q0EWcN90dSaKac047PyGLBTmmWU/s320/004.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SOnjZk7TwY5pBWSsNRWHD6RmHS0AdbYfR0v6B6eU2Sx4TbDgbV9oZe6AF9j6O9R4SQSEdPRuL8AdwpHvFFRbSdVhN1Eid4B9hTpZGUyTri8vZBk54Avr1I9XLwY2C8AFXeRHfMfx7vY/s1600/DigCamOct14+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SOnjZk7TwY5pBWSsNRWHD6RmHS0AdbYfR0v6B6eU2Sx4TbDgbV9oZe6AF9j6O9R4SQSEdPRuL8AdwpHvFFRbSdVhN1Eid4B9hTpZGUyTri8vZBk54Avr1I9XLwY2C8AFXeRHfMfx7vY/s320/DigCamOct14+121.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
10 years! Who would have thought? Here's hoping for another 10…<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-70514057876444818312017-02-10T10:33:00.000-05:002017-02-10T10:39:26.873-05:00Happy Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2-0dn_KF7LarjE8WzWrslv3lk_m9P_ZaOHWfNq0uzYunN6df7Oztbzx9CXMR78V0fTGn2lCqpw7RzWARkC-tPR1Syz6-eyaZ01BIUZakB2_O5zsVveB1ZiANk0rGUHTl8ZYAAeugCFE/s1600/Abraham_Lincoln.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2-0dn_KF7LarjE8WzWrslv3lk_m9P_ZaOHWfNq0uzYunN6df7Oztbzx9CXMR78V0fTGn2lCqpw7RzWARkC-tPR1Syz6-eyaZ01BIUZakB2_O5zsVveB1ZiANk0rGUHTl8ZYAAeugCFE/s320/Abraham_Lincoln.jpg"></a></div><br />
Me and Abe in February. It's always been that way for me. He was born on the 12th, I was born on the 16th. He grew up in Kentucky, I grew up in Kentucky. We were children only miles apart in Hardin County, his boyhood home being less than an hour from mine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY6oquu_qmeMHCbNUbM47myJwbDSCCaOMHfcbdSlAmnm1ipk56rvPfjrufpeSbgk5pElaTxMs4SfjzuHon2sdOaEeDR9gKPCjbMEv96xCzEVQqCWeawEKEa6rDcp10nUntXfrW2OEM70/s1600/LincCabin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY6oquu_qmeMHCbNUbM47myJwbDSCCaOMHfcbdSlAmnm1ipk56rvPfjrufpeSbgk5pElaTxMs4SfjzuHon2sdOaEeDR9gKPCjbMEv96xCzEVQqCWeawEKEa6rDcp10nUntXfrW2OEM70/s320/LincCabin.jpg"></a></div><br />
His cabin still stands in the middle of a national historical park, though it is currently undergoing some renovation. You can read about this park here: <br />
<br />
http://www.nps.gov/abli/index.htm<br />
<br />
Abe and I met in school and then later in the "World Book Encyclopedia" set that my parents bought for me in the third grade. That is about the time that I set up my love for learning, a personality trait also displayed by my buddy Abe. <br />
<br />
I had a third grade teacher then, Mrs. Lila Cissell, who opened my eyes to history and it was all around me in central Kentucky. Hodgenville was right up the road and so the story of Abe, growing up in a simple log cabin and reading his lessons by firelight, came alive for me. <br />
<br />
I was an only child, shy and introverted, who found many friendships in fantasy and reading and Abe and I seemed kindred. He'd have his birthday and then I'd have mine four days later. George came along on the 22nd, but he was too late for our celebration. It was just me and Abe.<br />
<br />
As the years went on I found myself drawn more and more to the historical circumstances of Abe's life and eventually of his untimely death. It's like I knew him and grieved his loss like a brother or favorite uncle.<br />
<br />
I've visited Gettysburg and imagined him standing there on the battle field, saying those famous words, "Fourscore and seven years ago...".<br />
<br />
One time when I was a teenager, my horse riding girlfriends and I rode way out onto the most isolated part of the reservation that was owned by Fort Knox, where I grew up as an Army brat. <br />
<br />
We'd take these extended day rides and go out and explore wild areas with our picnic lunches and cameras and curious minds. <br />
<br />
Fort Knox had arisen as the "Home of Armor" in the early 20th century from the Federal confiscation of several county land areas in central Kentucky. In that process many small villages and townships were more or less consumed and erased from existence, leaving only a few graveyards, churches, and homesteads standing out in the wilderness. <br />
<br />
Here's some more on the history of Fort Knox, my home town: <br />
<br />
http://www.knox.army.mil/About/History.aspx<br />
<br />
On this one particular day we came upon a primitive pioneer cemetery hidden deep in some woods alongside a creek. We got off our horses, tied them up, and decided to explore the gravestones, many of which were so weathered to the point that they could not be easily deciphered. <br />
<br />
Among these gravestones we found numerous members of the Todd family, Mary Lincoln's ancestry. It was fascinating and we wondered if these folks might be close relatives to Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln.<br />
<br />
Of course in those days there was no ancestry.com or way to find out more about them. But I found it fascinating and one more link to Abe and his heritage in the area.<br />
<br />
So Abe and I, we celebrate our birthdays together in February. His is on Sunday, mine is this coming Thursday.<br />
<br />
It's a funny thing, this relationship that I have always had with Abe, but it's just part of who I am.<br />
<br />
Happy Belated Birthday, Abe! And Happy Birthday to me!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhv9LyhZGGDi55pei_0z83cOH2sJB0zxiQE2ZnGdOipL2YQ50EnaqMOCM5xCpIAxGutmiJ1PMDrn1FYSnFMffpJLzYpcmY286y5A-qZF7P4sLGZYUhKn0mrTfmlHOeCCsmN9lid84_XEw/s1600/IMG_0948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhv9LyhZGGDi55pei_0z83cOH2sJB0zxiQE2ZnGdOipL2YQ50EnaqMOCM5xCpIAxGutmiJ1PMDrn1FYSnFMffpJLzYpcmY286y5A-qZF7P4sLGZYUhKn0mrTfmlHOeCCsmN9lid84_XEw/s320/IMG_0948.jpg"></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-17485445870332340762016-12-12T10:52:00.000-05:002016-12-12T10:52:10.921-05:00Why Blog? I've Got Books In Me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYe3wyZatpqQcbrkOtgDK1OzzhDgzkJix9KNrF8I0ZIpxQbQqRUaw4Fn7sQ77vPGJxKq_pQsf1IitzajoLFbJSRl7ZwpAQlRs0ylBFGNVfjXsoj4_XJcvgyCoy8dLOvpkwIeYIs6fW23o/s1600/Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYe3wyZatpqQcbrkOtgDK1OzzhDgzkJix9KNrF8I0ZIpxQbQqRUaw4Fn7sQ77vPGJxKq_pQsf1IitzajoLFbJSRl7ZwpAQlRs0ylBFGNVfjXsoj4_XJcvgyCoy8dLOvpkwIeYIs6fW23o/s320/Tree.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Sometimes I don't blog for days, weeks, months at a time. I used to blog all the time. I would create "blog" moments after a scooter ride and post photos and write all about my experience. It was so much fun and so gratifying, that putting of thought and experience into words.<br />
<br />
Such is the nature of writing, for me anyway. There is a gratification and a joy in "saying it just so", conveying that emotion, describing that moment, person, or place.<br />
<br />
Who or what benefits from all this? Maybe a few people read it and enjoy it or become inspired or enlightened. Some I hear from, most I never know about.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed concocting it, but I did not get paid a dime for it. I read other's writings where I know they got paid for it and I think, "Geeze, that was crap!" And they got paid for this crap?<br />
<br />
"Getting paid" is not why I blog or write. If I got paid, that would be nice. But I don't go looking for it. Yet.<br />
<br />
I say "yet" because I have been told over and over "you oughta write about..." this or that time, this or that experience, this or that whatever in my life.<br />
<br />
Yeah, I "oughta". And I want to. I've got books in me and I know it and I am approaching a time when I will get up and spend my morning writing about "this or that". Books. <br />
<br />
The inevitable direction of all this is, yeah, I'd like them published somewhere and I would not mind at all being a "published author". Even if it's a "vanity press" or "Amazon" self-published book.<br />
<br />
I've thought of a "serial" novel where readers subscribe and pay to read installments. Thought of it. No idea how to make that happen on the web. None. No one to ask either. Guess I'd better get moving on the research on that too.<br />
<br />
Why all this rambling now? I just filed for my Social Security retirement last month and will get it in the spring. I will keep working part-time doing contract health care work a few hours a week and working my on-line collectibles store for a bit of money. Maybe delivering some flowers at holiday time.<br />
<br />
But I am in the process of really pondering how I want to spend my "retirement time". Not sure why I am pondering all this. Maybe it's a sense of mortality creeping up more and more. Don't want to miss anything, waste anytime. And now I will have much less financial stress to hinder my soul from pouring out profound thoughts on blogs or laptops or tablets or whatever.<br />
<br />
I've got books in me. Essays. Stories about country living, angels, living in Europe as a child, growing up an Army brat, working the back roads of Appalachia in health care, being a caregiver, living among the Amish, riding a scooter from here to there, frugal living, growing older in America, etc.<br />
<br />
Books in me.<br />
<br />
What to do, what to do?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnlfh756q80J7JbdAapXIuEHTQ8LfTHEfhj-gsMuah338U-6PgPNoCsfRkWbmNLBvOaCEZJu2t5NzVd1jYK3m1qsB2azSaynnz86xAKpUAiIC38feIisXYrtaPmp6BEeamcmVNhcoA9o/s1600/IMG_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnlfh756q80J7JbdAapXIuEHTQ8LfTHEfhj-gsMuah338U-6PgPNoCsfRkWbmNLBvOaCEZJu2t5NzVd1jYK3m1qsB2azSaynnz86xAKpUAiIC38feIisXYrtaPmp6BEeamcmVNhcoA9o/s320/IMG_0405.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-75186289849889434272016-11-23T08:40:00.000-05:002016-11-23T19:03:20.528-05:00Turkey ProtestThere's a lot to protest these days and the same ol' routine Thanksgiving dinner menu is one of them. So...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEpTVwCC8947_pPktdkpZkL_dVk1MPWFJQR1HiPsekt7EIBn33tyBoSqre66fxhPY2x83DG5eL3ylJEnilqjMjlaDIBWOrfNFKvgov4Sm3-xlUbnuq2jL0P6nlb6_T1TWWLhMzNlbiTw/s1600/Pot+Roast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEpTVwCC8947_pPktdkpZkL_dVk1MPWFJQR1HiPsekt7EIBn33tyBoSqre66fxhPY2x83DG5eL3ylJEnilqjMjlaDIBWOrfNFKvgov4Sm3-xlUbnuq2jL0P6nlb6_T1TWWLhMzNlbiTw/s320/Pot+Roast.jpg" width="320" height="213" /></a></div><i>Borrowed image</i><br />
<br />
<br />
...We are "going rogue" this year for Thanksgiving! <br />
<br />
I am putting together a pot roast tonight in the big ol' crock pot and will wake up to coffee, the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, and...<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Lazy and Cheap Crock Pot Pot Roast</b><br />
<br />
You’ll need:<br />
<br />
A pot roast<br />
Bag of celery hearts<br />
Bag of mini carrots<br />
About 10 red skin potatoes<br />
A medium yellow onion<br />
Salt and pepper<br />
1 tsp dried Rosemary<br />
1/2 tsp dried Thyme<br />
Salad seasoning mix<br />
2 bay leaves<br />
2 cans of beef broth<br />
<br />
This quantity is for a 5 quart crock pot. Use less for a smaller one.<br />
<br />
Chop up what needs chopping up and lay the veggies in the crock pot, to the level where you have about 3 inches depth left from the top. <br />
<br />
Sprinkle the rosemary and thyme, salt and pepper on the veggie layers. Place a bay leaf at either end.<br />
<br />
Lay the pot roast on the veggies and then drown it with the 2 cans of beef broth. I use a salad seasoning mix and sprinkle it over the meat along with salt and pepper. <br />
<br />
Cover and cook on low for 8 1/2 to 9 hours or until the meat falls apart and the veggies are soft.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
We will also have buttered sweet peas, tossed salad, Cranberry Celebration from Kroger, and Hawaiian dinner rolls.<br />
<br />
On top of this we will enjoy some Frische's pumpkin pie and Redi Whip for dessert!<br />
<br />
And don't forget the coffee!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiX6WOdbrH9h6KTo6cTxiKE9TJbBTURwROCIfWCxOAsgzaBEq780LglYUuiX0wjiMJX5aKxtFZ7f4OP5E1kJdQtyypBw-cSJlHGywWEsirK0Rz90n3JQD0Jpjk8-QxtS0VhK8Ma62Kpc/s1600/coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiX6WOdbrH9h6KTo6cTxiKE9TJbBTURwROCIfWCxOAsgzaBEq780LglYUuiX0wjiMJX5aKxtFZ7f4OP5E1kJdQtyypBw-cSJlHGywWEsirK0Rz90n3JQD0Jpjk8-QxtS0VhK8Ma62Kpc/s320/coffee.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><i>Borrowed image</i><br />
<br />
<b><i>HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!</i></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-56838736246634656062016-11-11T08:52:00.001-05:002016-11-11T08:52:28.162-05:00In Your Honor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYopHQtQFr5eAkOUWQOXk6BuB1YWtw0A0lTVyVWDH8X4GTTT1wEmlGW9ucIZl8Gt1uUU_BV4aZQo90DOhz1QGKsr9hBp_g3LqzZTxJ0ZIBDEdt08w6kKGhUixUmucHOFG-AApWZGRgTDY/s1600/VetDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYopHQtQFr5eAkOUWQOXk6BuB1YWtw0A0lTVyVWDH8X4GTTT1wEmlGW9ucIZl8Gt1uUU_BV4aZQo90DOhz1QGKsr9hBp_g3LqzZTxJ0ZIBDEdt08w6kKGhUixUmucHOFG-AApWZGRgTDY/s320/VetDay.jpg" width="252" height="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-52567146888817746812016-11-08T10:47:00.000-05:002016-11-08T10:47:26.071-05:00Vote!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-ICTwJionwgBBuFGCIDt4OasfXeHvBu6bD3FKrwDlbHytaRN9sgRq1C4HLu6o-Chg-qxmK3ytnTVo04ar-gFvwD8Paz-a6jb__XfEBxt14KdRImrTkQmku3B6V6GI2hPeBLEF0-CNzc/s1600/vote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-ICTwJionwgBBuFGCIDt4OasfXeHvBu6bD3FKrwDlbHytaRN9sgRq1C4HLu6o-Chg-qxmK3ytnTVo04ar-gFvwD8Paz-a6jb__XfEBxt14KdRImrTkQmku3B6V6GI2hPeBLEF0-CNzc/s320/vote.jpg" width="320" height="320" /></a></div>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-37528828844241841082016-10-17T23:49:00.001-04:002016-10-17T23:49:58.252-04:00Dam Ride!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBnPTcYXXdrYEAXRyYeHiVDYLjjyOf9OWQ9JvOogpk4I7UngC-mH0n-qpyD5dXOhx_Nef_4y0VWsxKNOVeyqgB4G28m_iit_ItPyt1e1kXxobUDqzkcWfHXuy-w9HJeSj0VJGNcoZFjY/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBnPTcYXXdrYEAXRyYeHiVDYLjjyOf9OWQ9JvOogpk4I7UngC-mH0n-qpyD5dXOhx_Nef_4y0VWsxKNOVeyqgB4G28m_iit_ItPyt1e1kXxobUDqzkcWfHXuy-w9HJeSj0VJGNcoZFjY/s320/014.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
On Sunday I spent a few hours riding out on Clermont County's back roads. Headed over to the dam at East Fork Lake.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNRnnErd4QkgCMep96V_1TSHLpOCgq1qPZHdKLkgEOuY2bOyjs19n8kSerfcUzf6LeM6ydE-4bcuTMs90bBhnA8l6CcqRPsePZn5i3CVal2OhoBvk5jdkzrKOQXgHBM6cZuMCYGuWYCg/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNRnnErd4QkgCMep96V_1TSHLpOCgq1qPZHdKLkgEOuY2bOyjs19n8kSerfcUzf6LeM6ydE-4bcuTMs90bBhnA8l6CcqRPsePZn5i3CVal2OhoBvk5jdkzrKOQXgHBM6cZuMCYGuWYCg/s320/019.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPkOBLxUR3f7jvstQEw_bPLHMKRjCwGpPFDS2wRXa7ttfmdPV5Vd9x8OaK9L-rpjCUkt6q7WlDLo1vGtZiwystZw8IiE04379_hG_hqTpEwJRCjWvE2Iw_Qd7jqXQwbsI733dAe1ikJI/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPkOBLxUR3f7jvstQEw_bPLHMKRjCwGpPFDS2wRXa7ttfmdPV5Vd9x8OaK9L-rpjCUkt6q7WlDLo1vGtZiwystZw8IiE04379_hG_hqTpEwJRCjWvE2Iw_Qd7jqXQwbsI733dAe1ikJI/s320/006.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqLnwhY3qj6jboUEvjytQe4CyJfx2LjzHYD7npwp_TRHdS8bJxr2yRLE19SpRx5d8aJrO4B5PK4WmEJ3bXsuj74XebNz1T2gJQ532MFfiVN7M8aE_VVHhNiGv7lmAaTeal8AWh3tFXUo/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqLnwhY3qj6jboUEvjytQe4CyJfx2LjzHYD7npwp_TRHdS8bJxr2yRLE19SpRx5d8aJrO4B5PK4WmEJ3bXsuj74XebNz1T2gJQ532MFfiVN7M8aE_VVHhNiGv7lmAaTeal8AWh3tFXUo/s320/004.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EnZjqI98BgBzD033CLscJFusNrjIdzbVEzeGLrmH4hD9PRCiJFhBnbCC9FTWb64uCGTKBWxGBSuILbfwDf4mgk-dGfIbZhWlIBjuJsfpCGOXbz1j8WqNC6KxcRG9J1PHAx4BDcmFVak/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EnZjqI98BgBzD033CLscJFusNrjIdzbVEzeGLrmH4hD9PRCiJFhBnbCC9FTWb64uCGTKBWxGBSuILbfwDf4mgk-dGfIbZhWlIBjuJsfpCGOXbz1j8WqNC6KxcRG9J1PHAx4BDcmFVak/s320/011.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zYgqPVSKSfKiXSaqRVBDEl3sR2NYQzAz_zlcH7Wjf4GQrji_Pt_eNREmYw7BHFo6RuzQer4V29P6NA_J6_Adz5NLs6U_zHzeUWC2iQ1uW4prEZ33arigIj83wXgd4CflBqsegmaq-gs/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zYgqPVSKSfKiXSaqRVBDEl3sR2NYQzAz_zlcH7Wjf4GQrji_Pt_eNREmYw7BHFo6RuzQer4V29P6NA_J6_Adz5NLs6U_zHzeUWC2iQ1uW4prEZ33arigIj83wXgd4CflBqsegmaq-gs/s320/007.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5y_fhnSNbYwj2chGKkyEJyoeg-0lcUmEIN4X6MSPd4K4Qh7YLNYhyphenhyphenryBxtw0CMujQgo5ZvVNGKx5fn3zWCef6bx34fuB44docnPuSI7qj3Gz6VQDwC9iVWEFydVRm7Y3jqdEkFVfVmY/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5y_fhnSNbYwj2chGKkyEJyoeg-0lcUmEIN4X6MSPd4K4Qh7YLNYhyphenhyphenryBxtw0CMujQgo5ZvVNGKx5fn3zWCef6bx34fuB44docnPuSI7qj3Gz6VQDwC9iVWEFydVRm7Y3jqdEkFVfVmY/s320/014.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfEOasdJZzZH9Y-l6GdYJQkYagBRy0m3DAGIVKQppHRqZNhd6nuUZp_ALO1uyaND8uy_J_IXU41FHgFzYoD6tzOPzgrti2ezwwft1wnuSQlGd-7bQ1K0nF5kH1O5qiC-jVEB6ANpyKJU/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfEOasdJZzZH9Y-l6GdYJQkYagBRy0m3DAGIVKQppHRqZNhd6nuUZp_ALO1uyaND8uy_J_IXU41FHgFzYoD6tzOPzgrti2ezwwft1wnuSQlGd-7bQ1K0nF5kH1O5qiC-jVEB6ANpyKJU/s320/012.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
My Realtree seat cover is from Cheeky Seats! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwzsptG5yNJUQ_pj3vmzBOu0hZ21mGWskYB0UIs8mto0o1Q9jioywaQBixYJxDOknsIQBX8lCqd4NnzHwn0VUCeicCuTxrvkSgNyXgz-1i42cLg-S8s4lWGbrCSuF-qEkhT5HAVqhP5I/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwzsptG5yNJUQ_pj3vmzBOu0hZ21mGWskYB0UIs8mto0o1Q9jioywaQBixYJxDOknsIQBX8lCqd4NnzHwn0VUCeicCuTxrvkSgNyXgz-1i42cLg-S8s4lWGbrCSuF-qEkhT5HAVqhP5I/s320/013.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_6TDmmQbmUqiHre0siV6Rum7ppN8Fftfd6qB9_Gukych7yvXvfyU54ELBwVB1Hg5f9bL2CTheJYrfqUWSgkG66AKO-7_3zmv8u9Gelj2Jfnbx4R7RnqJVafCrCbkW-sSj3xI5UlHJGQ/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_6TDmmQbmUqiHre0siV6Rum7ppN8Fftfd6qB9_Gukych7yvXvfyU54ELBwVB1Hg5f9bL2CTheJYrfqUWSgkG66AKO-7_3zmv8u9Gelj2Jfnbx4R7RnqJVafCrCbkW-sSj3xI5UlHJGQ/s320/015.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JbMuVI9iJDhsqC6AdDViRdCMyLDbcylUhEldZ_vBksmEFlkypk8WNoU6s1tPRV2mA0uJYac1U1yZS1cRCYkItSltuuwjaYkFVJgl1rGQYBERmYLCgqlwIsY56K9f5LRf4XUxqXd7KQw/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JbMuVI9iJDhsqC6AdDViRdCMyLDbcylUhEldZ_vBksmEFlkypk8WNoU6s1tPRV2mA0uJYac1U1yZS1cRCYkItSltuuwjaYkFVJgl1rGQYBERmYLCgqlwIsY56K9f5LRf4XUxqXd7KQw/s320/009.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uDvs5w0-FVf8pnyvhFNGa02loccI0CTXXyobXlcE6Vn4h7VCKBEN4LIJdAMo5qrgBkAlx8WKy-T9GmzunuZjcTZpXW3OealK4Hhyk66D3N1JmoCk9yUmdmGJ13j69BGnAprJ7xgZjYg/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uDvs5w0-FVf8pnyvhFNGa02loccI0CTXXyobXlcE6Vn4h7VCKBEN4LIJdAMo5qrgBkAlx8WKy-T9GmzunuZjcTZpXW3OealK4Hhyk66D3N1JmoCk9yUmdmGJ13j69BGnAprJ7xgZjYg/s320/008.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4Gvmal_3c1NgewFQHPVbWN-IAoEVI98pHlgtYQVFg7SlGz6o6H3Fs6JSVBMtnJxc_jhEUKb-1HH1iV4TY6469J-f7EelfLja8vB3c0UDcK_J6wX8Ph7sUSxe-S3NYx_FmVkUl8hf8VA/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4Gvmal_3c1NgewFQHPVbWN-IAoEVI98pHlgtYQVFg7SlGz6o6H3Fs6JSVBMtnJxc_jhEUKb-1HH1iV4TY6469J-f7EelfLja8vB3c0UDcK_J6wX8Ph7sUSxe-S3NYx_FmVkUl8hf8VA/s320/001.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEut299-u0HWJ6OaGkyiRniIzsc1xQCdnEXpeVD0WeOyOqaohRP4dZqUNlIoP0YmtLi1ilL8ujI07URA3H1Lj8wA4DP3mi35ninDQm0dP-6UES3FEHlE6DzLvEnxeMdNtlFFDPXOxMC7s/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEut299-u0HWJ6OaGkyiRniIzsc1xQCdnEXpeVD0WeOyOqaohRP4dZqUNlIoP0YmtLi1ilL8ujI07URA3H1Lj8wA4DP3mi35ninDQm0dP-6UES3FEHlE6DzLvEnxeMdNtlFFDPXOxMC7s/s320/002.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc84xMB1uzGAQyCc4WUQf2Zusl7VgFOfu2UEa858ZjAZgE4j7wbY-NPXadUY3QrDI0ymhG-89QAzPNYvTr8ElrpVFbkgp8ujHIRAIm4vuV7CRIyk83d-PLBIBTKC1L2fLBi9YOn7ulenk/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc84xMB1uzGAQyCc4WUQf2Zusl7VgFOfu2UEa858ZjAZgE4j7wbY-NPXadUY3QrDI0ymhG-89QAzPNYvTr8ElrpVFbkgp8ujHIRAIm4vuV7CRIyk83d-PLBIBTKC1L2fLBi9YOn7ulenk/s320/003.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA0zOHTkO9iaZX704ycNv3xbMzpzNqsXgHIIYef7nclvTfsOIiYZ-S6BUWhx45rj8x4IFN1sY6Fx-KBCwIfo8Y_3lguDEr_z1MpQzgxQKfOaZt1NQ1v2dxZG1S10gdQcOwvEOQ5FdYBI/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA0zOHTkO9iaZX704ycNv3xbMzpzNqsXgHIIYef7nclvTfsOIiYZ-S6BUWhx45rj8x4IFN1sY6Fx-KBCwIfo8Y_3lguDEr_z1MpQzgxQKfOaZt1NQ1v2dxZG1S10gdQcOwvEOQ5FdYBI/s320/005.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Enjoy your autumn adventures....safe rides!<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-9763751101300169572016-09-02T12:44:00.004-04:002016-09-02T12:50:24.974-04:00Cool Breeze Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGmPfckUf37Z4ESCsdU_q2RP5id7gZLYmrxnD5Dch0wSgfbGlBZSGRuvfKR-W70CR8eFWoXFi7Q4FRxlCCmQl6xTT1u0iJF7-9ejy0mlmyWUcu8NWnExNVMcxwU9n5UPnlGh4LujJAxE/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGmPfckUf37Z4ESCsdU_q2RP5id7gZLYmrxnD5Dch0wSgfbGlBZSGRuvfKR-W70CR8eFWoXFi7Q4FRxlCCmQl6xTT1u0iJF7-9ejy0mlmyWUcu8NWnExNVMcxwU9n5UPnlGh4LujJAxE/s320/008.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Yesterday I just spent the afternoon riding out on the back roads around my county. <br />
<br />
I didn't go very far, but I stayed out about 3 hours on the scooter.<br />
<br />
It was a perfect day: sunshine, low humidity, light breeze, 70s. Just perfect.<br />
<br />
I followed my usual "ride that refreshes" and spied my little donkey buddies alongside this road. <br />
<br />
I've been stopping and talking to them on scooter rides since I moved back here in 2012.<br />
<br />
I tried to get them to pose "just right", but they declined until just after I put my camera back in the handlebar pouch. <br />
<br />
Thanks guys!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUit6mL8qhMH_Dj6h0JqpHm4N8w1Vd6wVNrgAMCmThPaERw4d-uOmBjIrwUHTPvMljKVZTWBqGkcOoOYK9GoYwkEUN_ocQe0Kr27Lyoxzl6qoqPOD59zk7QhS4mQUzknAddouCUZgSHSo/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUit6mL8qhMH_Dj6h0JqpHm4N8w1Vd6wVNrgAMCmThPaERw4d-uOmBjIrwUHTPvMljKVZTWBqGkcOoOYK9GoYwkEUN_ocQe0Kr27Lyoxzl6qoqPOD59zk7QhS4mQUzknAddouCUZgSHSo/s320/003.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
I travel down this little one lane paved road alongside the creek. It is particularly beautiful in autumn. Not so far off.<br />
<br />
Some one decided to pose old bicycles alongside the fence line near their property by the creek. They caught my eye as I scooted.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4GmO5MQzMiLMuhx0kmM5QUFQ2ib9t3Ln5ZzJiYVp1o4rp1O039EXC61_ip0zEaclk8lqr7wx3VNMrZTNeGwK8FTruyYVdVez-idWIFIFQhKfJqwHFfyiKeGfmO3KkTgSS25DeUZKYdc/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4GmO5MQzMiLMuhx0kmM5QUFQ2ib9t3Ln5ZzJiYVp1o4rp1O039EXC61_ip0zEaclk8lqr7wx3VNMrZTNeGwK8FTruyYVdVez-idWIFIFQhKfJqwHFfyiKeGfmO3KkTgSS25DeUZKYdc/s320/004.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIVdXa5FBUlxyt6-JG8xX_LRd0lFCYDPN9SLw8AE16qIYPefMqdZIimfASOnX6XSqFN9oiIDNgPyRIIeDw4BZmhuZyST7DAxD4TkT_W2LiMZcHsfv9j4KJF2hd8mZntN8G7ttSAre_I8/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIVdXa5FBUlxyt6-JG8xX_LRd0lFCYDPN9SLw8AE16qIYPefMqdZIimfASOnX6XSqFN9oiIDNgPyRIIeDw4BZmhuZyST7DAxD4TkT_W2LiMZcHsfv9j4KJF2hd8mZntN8G7ttSAre_I8/s320/005.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
I rode on into the village of Batavia where I stopped at a UDF and got some cheese crackers and a Starbucks Frappucino blended cold carmel coffee. <br />
<br />
I was so relaxed due to the sunshine and pleasant breezes that I could hardly keep my eyes open!<br />
<br />
Scooted over to a favorite cemetery and sat under a shady oak and drank my java and phoned a friend in Kentucky.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYOlpzxrMkBL3oiEgxq83SRMccDqnX1VFdo7DEXdDHCNvzlzf2jURM-XKKt5NmBHW3U-oevrsfc7xGnhOTsF09ZgV-vexXOeYLK6Jpxo98nQGPGlldvNHp6FULpm_wtYRZHj00zYqBvI/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYOlpzxrMkBL3oiEgxq83SRMccDqnX1VFdo7DEXdDHCNvzlzf2jURM-XKKt5NmBHW3U-oevrsfc7xGnhOTsF09ZgV-vexXOeYLK6Jpxo98nQGPGlldvNHp6FULpm_wtYRZHj00zYqBvI/s320/001.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
After a while there I headed back home alongside my creek route and paused for a photo, mostly because my rear end needed a reprieve!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQYXFX64yaELFzFKKz9EbN5m253GaKzDWrr6pkaef2QZJ8wj_t8mou4N_BNAtlHZg0PJJVxIS_Jw7iUX3RD3xkzGJeKj6MbMMzpJFv8evD_KJ1lx6sFD_KwGB7QJdQHEp-CvhYfXAyzE/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQYXFX64yaELFzFKKz9EbN5m253GaKzDWrr6pkaef2QZJ8wj_t8mou4N_BNAtlHZg0PJJVxIS_Jw7iUX3RD3xkzGJeKj6MbMMzpJFv8evD_KJ1lx6sFD_KwGB7QJdQHEp-CvhYfXAyzE/s320/002.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Breezy crossed over 800 miles on her motor while on this ride and she is running smoothly and just purrs along, so glad to be out on the back roads.<br />
<br />
Safe Rides...Deb<br />
<br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-47973087987786209052016-08-30T08:58:00.001-04:002016-08-30T09:03:30.607-04:00My Little Met<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCd8jNhoV3AAS1KdiWfXZ9CnlDXH2zgl1Nqr2BiwIjxmEdLKSBsls2AvE9KESMyKJ9teyqKV69KLpWTUoMbcvmeGeC9hIojukNpKv3XrH9IOzK0YHmqBl6z5oaIVn0y86hbWie8JbVKAQ/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCd8jNhoV3AAS1KdiWfXZ9CnlDXH2zgl1Nqr2BiwIjxmEdLKSBsls2AvE9KESMyKJ9teyqKV69KLpWTUoMbcvmeGeC9hIojukNpKv3XrH9IOzK0YHmqBl6z5oaIVn0y86hbWie8JbVKAQ/s320/018.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
I took a little spin yesterday out in the country on my "new" little Honda Met. What a joy, what a gift! To ride again is sweet!<br />
<br />
Here she is last Tuesday, parked at Mt. Moriah Cemetery on the way home from the Honda dealership...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmen9wDXfH5p4elP4Jie4SyMF1GaAwXV6KzrAgJXiPQ_fVYQOwll9NBNHH7CYDBrPZXODdaRHBYhgw9_Tp_Sohk-ZAaZyjwirlV1A7_ZxkYgcVEFBzoMK4MJEOQ9q4-0_8mBH6kJ3R1A/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmen9wDXfH5p4elP4Jie4SyMF1GaAwXV6KzrAgJXiPQ_fVYQOwll9NBNHH7CYDBrPZXODdaRHBYhgw9_Tp_Sohk-ZAaZyjwirlV1A7_ZxkYgcVEFBzoMK4MJEOQ9q4-0_8mBH6kJ3R1A/s320/002.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
It's a pretty place with a lake, waterfall, fountain, and ducks. I saw a heron fly overhead as I pulled up beside the lake...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXI989kErKrZvMbN41-9jom5G_8mf_v6F_4BEbMCR0sOZVGoa7uyf8VJPr_fbN22qCvwkf3ZTgL6zCztKeDTr7q07rK-nB5uCDek0shNSNCGjy6RF9qJXUIZLj4NAioy8JmG1GUTq7D0/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXI989kErKrZvMbN41-9jom5G_8mf_v6F_4BEbMCR0sOZVGoa7uyf8VJPr_fbN22qCvwkf3ZTgL6zCztKeDTr7q07rK-nB5uCDek0shNSNCGjy6RF9qJXUIZLj4NAioy8JmG1GUTq7D0/s320/004.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Once I got her home I spent a good bit of time adding bling and so forth, of course. But then we had days of horrid, hot, humidity and then rain, rain, rain.<br />
<br />
So the first time I really got to ride her out into the back roads was yesterday on a favorite rural loop.<br />
<br />
Immediately I was eyed by curious by-standers, peeking through the fence at me...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnpv7pYl8cgu7Eww5tMORj_HtTjIm8_WxAORVhmSzCm5PLJP5r2hXCj94l0Xn6stxhCtDh0XJX_M0aO0qUTC23CpiaFsBSJT1PnRZL3qJbR7uzekPSVpz4umi90OBAoViUTXuatelTqw/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnpv7pYl8cgu7Eww5tMORj_HtTjIm8_WxAORVhmSzCm5PLJP5r2hXCj94l0Xn6stxhCtDh0XJX_M0aO0qUTC23CpiaFsBSJT1PnRZL3qJbR7uzekPSVpz4umi90OBAoViUTXuatelTqw/s320/005.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Not too far along I parked alongside a rushing creek and hit the kill switch and just sat and listened to the sound of the water bubbling over the rocks...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7qZ5ZlVbweLuuxUb4KfqA7M_xxkfIoBBhAlahO7N95VOqBqbFQLSR66Shyphenhyphenak_C5WFki3Oz_o3R0wT4ywjoa5XuOz-TIfWT5MLxGl7-VwWBT5q6RQnOrqX2Ag9XiWuTqrFZccYFuGRsg/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7qZ5ZlVbweLuuxUb4KfqA7M_xxkfIoBBhAlahO7N95VOqBqbFQLSR66Shyphenhyphenak_C5WFki3Oz_o3R0wT4ywjoa5XuOz-TIfWT5MLxGl7-VwWBT5q6RQnOrqX2Ag9XiWuTqrFZccYFuGRsg/s320/007.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
The road ahead. I believe in being seen, so Breezy sports a bicycle hi-viz reflective triangle on the back of her Saddlemen roll bag, with no apologies for geekiness...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09c-6bGFG0yxQK4H-k5j-sRzTpOypNR3fblsSYypxUiz7LGLU7g-prdSlxo2Ir50iIW6kJ7uVYhMJoqCVbAZt7LOZz-QthXtNgMFcdiotrBufH7-7VeHmiqdE5JfnNCNYCNiBt2ZehdM/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09c-6bGFG0yxQK4H-k5j-sRzTpOypNR3fblsSYypxUiz7LGLU7g-prdSlxo2Ir50iIW6kJ7uVYhMJoqCVbAZt7LOZz-QthXtNgMFcdiotrBufH7-7VeHmiqdE5JfnNCNYCNiBt2ZehdM/s320/008.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
From the front you can see my "Crazy Critters" marketing motif...my new pet sitting business. My little 2002 Denim Met is part of my business presence in the neighborhood surrounding these back roads...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpYNhhuZkvRm4hIWAXm6HWjPGTnlgjQOIOVMLWSaRiEgNc_8Z1EYYpYHpa6uHAbIVLf3FIvFnyfrG8Q9GZrkV4_mQ-IkMbowj2a9iyZ3phkEBxOcDMB2jqH3P5lk5HEacwsxiINDJvtA/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpYNhhuZkvRm4hIWAXm6HWjPGTnlgjQOIOVMLWSaRiEgNc_8Z1EYYpYHpa6uHAbIVLf3FIvFnyfrG8Q9GZrkV4_mQ-IkMbowj2a9iyZ3phkEBxOcDMB2jqH3P5lk5HEacwsxiINDJvtA/s320/009.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Up by the old cabin is a pond that today was algae covered. The cabin is on the right...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTY6RTKtx4F-J3BZOHPRKL3bueFKphZ6ocUBfrDUJ7EGhDVb4CcBiN9nHGf0NYLwFmCrdCwqPfljOKCLAWe5yO-b42O14ZsTDA05_EXA5hXR-i_JoqaNBNCIPwZS3oofNSlFt098edFA/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTY6RTKtx4F-J3BZOHPRKL3bueFKphZ6ocUBfrDUJ7EGhDVb4CcBiN9nHGf0NYLwFmCrdCwqPfljOKCLAWe5yO-b42O14ZsTDA05_EXA5hXR-i_JoqaNBNCIPwZS3oofNSlFt098edFA/s320/010.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNGlBqqaHlNr4hRjDMBBktVVH9l4EtzpJujSzD9vui8T-cRJnhZ7IqWsvf3d9iheMrKwszKV6nF60Q9ruD-cifTxZk3GUZd-s0UTtSJlBUrtIdltUhrvWXWhKSK6HlF-i_eR7hm-gS-4/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNGlBqqaHlNr4hRjDMBBktVVH9l4EtzpJujSzD9vui8T-cRJnhZ7IqWsvf3d9iheMrKwszKV6nF60Q9ruD-cifTxZk3GUZd-s0UTtSJlBUrtIdltUhrvWXWhKSK6HlF-i_eR7hm-gS-4/s320/011.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Looking back at Breezy, waiting to leave the pond and cabin area...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUX5h3NBqWnXO0OjX8kO4f-w1lzIIUzk557VeOpuxUJ5RKjja3WdUkcVBtRQOcT5nWzPxWWhAoztMaew0pNdSq0qyiEnWvnPBMQnBExl29vlTdJKkVuvOP7sqZWzW0Sbw4VCZauwHbr2c/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUX5h3NBqWnXO0OjX8kO4f-w1lzIIUzk557VeOpuxUJ5RKjja3WdUkcVBtRQOcT5nWzPxWWhAoztMaew0pNdSq0qyiEnWvnPBMQnBExl29vlTdJKkVuvOP7sqZWzW0Sbw4VCZauwHbr2c/s320/012.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
She is named for my sweet "Breezy", who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on June 29th...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJtmka07HEzoWIcUmJ12_sKy9g4S-KYUkkgCt2-nNupVNoh1PzwnsDMjZ4ei7OOPLrUZjdvjPsyuFlE2zHa86D2tOOXNx3hbpD9XtLlYTS8Aj0IUheylhNglkckNBxDlNNv-VavkIKsM/s1600/078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJtmka07HEzoWIcUmJ12_sKy9g4S-KYUkkgCt2-nNupVNoh1PzwnsDMjZ4ei7OOPLrUZjdvjPsyuFlE2zHa86D2tOOXNx3hbpD9XtLlYTS8Aj0IUheylhNglkckNBxDlNNv-VavkIKsM/s320/078.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
On to Veterans Park in Union Township. Here is a nice lake with a cheery fountain and LOTS of duck and geese friends...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQNBmMXuU5JjdUakuIOR3FRNwA3A62QbIO7ItBbzOJtlRRs3uK2QumKCKotqqTQvUnzCMwnoIsVXxWU63f35VRfo375EKFYq7Xaay_N6zYB9KknZcekZH9PChwvHj1PEGdS4wyc05I_0/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQNBmMXuU5JjdUakuIOR3FRNwA3A62QbIO7ItBbzOJtlRRs3uK2QumKCKotqqTQvUnzCMwnoIsVXxWU63f35VRfo375EKFYq7Xaay_N6zYB9KknZcekZH9PChwvHj1PEGdS4wyc05I_0/s320/013.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PI82st9YXJWaCkLoDniKR6Szi8yQd9-p9KeFP4jgMRtujsQKe1eZjiX9HVJ1wGkJjJdHdv5ARCKvfMAx4uEy5Cm6NH-mxXMaAIsqJNPNOy8b7L5M4xUiYMbpUuKOJo2j90jZL8lHCZQ/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PI82st9YXJWaCkLoDniKR6Szi8yQd9-p9KeFP4jgMRtujsQKe1eZjiX9HVJ1wGkJjJdHdv5ARCKvfMAx4uEy5Cm6NH-mxXMaAIsqJNPNOy8b7L5M4xUiYMbpUuKOJo2j90jZL8lHCZQ/s320/015.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMA7z_mJtf5Yew00a5xuVkIcHk9IsErKX7Da301Yo5zCiFdLN4UDwl54pfo3nXLW8Hlzfv7dLUrbhns8fIwTqtqA6Brpw8GjPqr7dXIUB65jawcBjVdJ9iF53MuFxD5G0eAw7jZrlY4sU/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMA7z_mJtf5Yew00a5xuVkIcHk9IsErKX7Da301Yo5zCiFdLN4UDwl54pfo3nXLW8Hlzfv7dLUrbhns8fIwTqtqA6Brpw8GjPqr7dXIUB65jawcBjVdJ9iF53MuFxD5G0eAw7jZrlY4sU/s320/014.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMoWtK6kaMzKwZRMBZOMwDO3NY5aXxfgfpAm4E4xAg73AG6mhNb84VffUNF75xszG0HtVTRD8JSp_KUc8_CaOmwH5xXQCHh0gWvMM1nx2RUmp8rRdVshGy6P5fgHyr4473Iktag08xso/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMoWtK6kaMzKwZRMBZOMwDO3NY5aXxfgfpAm4E4xAg73AG6mhNb84VffUNF75xszG0HtVTRD8JSp_KUc8_CaOmwH5xXQCHh0gWvMM1nx2RUmp8rRdVshGy6P5fgHyr4473Iktag08xso/s320/016.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_arlIhNWxM4s2sKJGhsLNf2RNRZioxkwpztrsnBmzayFWlmJQwT_vZRz4VWhSBcoMnwc3k6Cag4Qz2nNgfi4LzqAlvLIJNVnNfb7Fvi0Gt29jMYrz4X-J2woHM9k9uxrD2jifnMthUw/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_arlIhNWxM4s2sKJGhsLNf2RNRZioxkwpztrsnBmzayFWlmJQwT_vZRz4VWhSBcoMnwc3k6Cag4Qz2nNgfi4LzqAlvLIJNVnNfb7Fvi0Gt29jMYrz4X-J2woHM9k9uxrD2jifnMthUw/s320/017.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
Ready to head home. She came to me with 727 miles on her and we just added another 30 or so. <br />
<br />
Such a sweet ride and such a wonderful gift made possible by the generosity of a fellow blogger. Thank you, thank you, thank you!<br />
<br />
My little Met, Breezy. This scoot is LOVED!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEo9ekUejLIv3_kw95TRlxMXlWPuQMOU5KuwuD4nTurPSDHvURoiqXq86DkP8q0w2lrrp_ztKkBqJ_qK-9Kz0ErZ_Z9cKxFeHYQ3DCJbKgHhxcC3mZgomSYPLS7VOTNXdysVDxfDzMs2E/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEo9ekUejLIv3_kw95TRlxMXlWPuQMOU5KuwuD4nTurPSDHvURoiqXq86DkP8q0w2lrrp_ztKkBqJ_qK-9Kz0ErZ_Z9cKxFeHYQ3DCJbKgHhxcC3mZgomSYPLS7VOTNXdysVDxfDzMs2E/s320/019.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-11814893177922889042016-08-30T08:28:00.001-04:002017-02-10T10:33:42.846-05:00Big Joy! My Little Met<br />
I took a little spin yesterday out in the country on my "new" little Honda Met. What a joy, what a gift! To ride again is sweet!<br />
<br />
Here she is last Tuesday, parked at Mt. Moriah Cemetery on the way home from the Honda dealership...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-69348429025918083712016-08-17T23:03:00.000-04:002016-08-17T23:03:26.990-04:00With Gratitude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfTW7ZSItWgO6yg1p5DQluj4Wn0KRElS2d__OVUnVMJYlVcRx1L-ZqSbIwzzL-CZvPFVqs1zGQWGLxQxlSBxBpMZ12qLSibprpNgZTLKw84ZhhL1rqqCeDIqhfQQwr9Nbcb0n9CrkCKo/s1600/MaxiDog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfTW7ZSItWgO6yg1p5DQluj4Wn0KRElS2d__OVUnVMJYlVcRx1L-ZqSbIwzzL-CZvPFVqs1zGQWGLxQxlSBxBpMZ12qLSibprpNgZTLKw84ZhhL1rqqCeDIqhfQQwr9Nbcb0n9CrkCKo/s320/MaxiDog.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
A fellow blogger has generously come through to gift me with the money needed to get the little Metropolitan out of lay-away.<br />
<br />
I cannot express how this feels, to be in this frustrating position and then have someone help to resolve it almost immediately.<br />
<br />
I thank you, fellow blogger, from the bottom of my scootin' heart. <br />
<br />
Please know that you have brought joy to our household in a way that only a fellow rider of two wheels can understand.<br />
<br />
I hope to take my "first ride of the season" next week and I will post photos of the little Met and the sights along the route.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, safe rides...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPREYf1BaxVtr0BQx5L-o-EJLvfBwbUV9tt2ShYM0LA_haseipPLQrVS7klRniTPIeb-kZf57b918j2gCT5tu7eNKeUSo7mF2VpxZpop11VsudchoJ6xaGGXZBanflzQba5YkS1alBSg/s1600/Met+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPREYf1BaxVtr0BQx5L-o-EJLvfBwbUV9tt2ShYM0LA_haseipPLQrVS7klRniTPIeb-kZf57b918j2gCT5tu7eNKeUSo7mF2VpxZpop11VsudchoJ6xaGGXZBanflzQba5YkS1alBSg/s320/Met+030.JPG" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-11819986881780823072016-06-08T17:32:00.001-04:002016-07-05T14:19:28.895-04:00Not To Be<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0gcCuYIA1btL5JooalzIfQNpffd9eBb_Kr2xicgLanxDdvzjhPYp_7u0I0QyxX7kOYVgoNGM2_9QJFZD9CrKBo6_X95_0EpN2N80BA9KpUnoC1Bp3ofJVh9tiqjTYtJ8geEUS7gX_NY/s1600/th2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0gcCuYIA1btL5JooalzIfQNpffd9eBb_Kr2xicgLanxDdvzjhPYp_7u0I0QyxX7kOYVgoNGM2_9QJFZD9CrKBo6_X95_0EpN2N80BA9KpUnoC1Bp3ofJVh9tiqjTYtJ8geEUS7gX_NY/s320/th2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<i>Ain't gonna happen...</i><br />
<br />
So yeah, an update on this situation. One day I go down to the powersports store and find this little used Metropolitan scooter sitting there with only 714 miles on it and *BAM!!* that is it!<br />
<br />
I've swapped over my lay-away to the Met and the Ruck will have to wait awhile. Difference in price? Try $1500.<br />
<br />
Yep, Rucks have gone up in the price that's for sure.<br />
<br />
The Met is a 2002, no rust or damage, gone over by the shop, runs like a charm. Just like my 2009 that I woefully sold in 2013.<br />
<br />
"The Met is a Ruckus dressed up to go out" with some pluses that are good for around here: locking center stand, locking under seat compartment, rear rack capacity, front basket capacity (already bought and ready to install), and a windshield available for colder weather.<br />
<br />
The Met only gets up to 40 mph, is carburated, and has a MUCH more comfortable seat than the Ruckus.<br />
<br />
So, for now, on my limited budget, I am going for the Met.<br />
<br />
Updates to follow....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38BJ_bFVtoSTqjPBCMpsrh17HvjIEvKuUTxMb-g8rekhYe1hTxXeP5uBWgiQGrMwmkpTRqwGynUY1HD-WYDZeoQWNnRbdixaLYbDz1G2LPOp81i5pp7kycCpw2eMGugvCNVWRN_GCiXQ/s1600/th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38BJ_bFVtoSTqjPBCMpsrh17HvjIEvKuUTxMb-g8rekhYe1hTxXeP5uBWgiQGrMwmkpTRqwGynUY1HD-WYDZeoQWNnRbdixaLYbDz1G2LPOp81i5pp7kycCpw2eMGugvCNVWRN_GCiXQ/s320/th.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a></div><br />
<i>Not my photo, but this is what it looks like. Will try to post an actual pic later..</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-38595881542475009072016-06-05T12:00:00.002-04:002016-06-05T15:28:06.515-04:00Scooter Fever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_NeB96jxp6iSiuc0XazP4yGE9Wr8qY0yNEimkIOBBFIZpV811V_TIe04Ix0pLra7lxUrqwPm7I5s3ZUgxsNZ3DoMf956044-_n-YVqgNRSUy36ESczqFFY7OLWkUM65Rwx55wz4aR0k/s1600/ChilliPants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_NeB96jxp6iSiuc0XazP4yGE9Wr8qY0yNEimkIOBBFIZpV811V_TIe04Ix0pLra7lxUrqwPm7I5s3ZUgxsNZ3DoMf956044-_n-YVqgNRSUy36ESczqFFY7OLWkUM65Rwx55wz4aR0k/s320/ChilliPants.jpg" /></a></div><i>The relentless fever runs through my veins day and night...</i><br />
<br />
Well, since I don't currently OWN a scooter, I've spent a lot of time on-line researching which one will be my next.<br />
<br />
I've narrowed down a few features and preferences on my list of top choices. And that took considerable effort on my part because when it comes to scoots, I am like a "kid in a candy shop". I want them ALL! And RIGHT NOW! LOL<br />
<br />
But I am trying to be smart about this and since I've got just a tad bit of experience "under my belt", so to speak, I do know enough to know what I do not want in a scooter. Been there, done that on some of these issues.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTwa3jvGAQP-GNDHM2vO2n46Mk_FiANCiDfhQBumDxwWgoSM4Smg106THGyfOsiNcWJX_URHhAByXC0uhsb2pP62Lz4191xakw3U_8WqkmTY1EujyAGeZmJL6ik0X4YYGmnEAiUybplw/s1600/2011_Honda_PCX_Review_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTwa3jvGAQP-GNDHM2vO2n46Mk_FiANCiDfhQBumDxwWgoSM4Smg106THGyfOsiNcWJX_URHhAByXC0uhsb2pP62Lz4191xakw3U_8WqkmTY1EujyAGeZmJL6ik0X4YYGmnEAiUybplw/s320/2011_Honda_PCX_Review_02.jpg" /></a></div><i>"Meh"...</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsbu3t9Jw-hF27yNkTIowVSGR7H18lx70ZolAvETgJpj_ZdDaxnzebeVimo_NpDVcGiUqZbOVdk6V86NqzZfDi66lgQ1cyWlKUl17CfUyZlC5wd5WyehloCfiEF9HT3wIuIPsmrlllEs/s1600/Elite+80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsbu3t9Jw-hF27yNkTIowVSGR7H18lx70ZolAvETgJpj_ZdDaxnzebeVimo_NpDVcGiUqZbOVdk6V86NqzZfDi66lgQ1cyWlKUl17CfUyZlC5wd5WyehloCfiEF9HT3wIuIPsmrlllEs/s320/Elite+80.jpg" /></a></div><i>"Nope..."</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla8ogdZeivGxQz0Kk-S_5RRQjDx1O08P4BlnYdkHejurZhK1JDisyL2HW4qIpSlQWQBYR4JdB-PvKgGjZwj0jAnTalcZL8sjNdkID9PzapzrBRmTRLIPaV3qJcR6EZQc39_DiHpCu0wY/s1600/MadAss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla8ogdZeivGxQz0Kk-S_5RRQjDx1O08P4BlnYdkHejurZhK1JDisyL2HW4qIpSlQWQBYR4JdB-PvKgGjZwj0jAnTalcZL8sjNdkID9PzapzrBRmTRLIPaV3qJcR6EZQc39_DiHpCu0wY/s320/MadAss.jpg" /></a></div><i>"Er, no..."</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EmeOSXhnP_AbBk2MyMofW53Ssz_zL1qm3WRwcgyTexuc1TzFxt8OH47i4JDHszoIuBiXHYhid81OuFFlwEx4h9Kj4MiyhKyt6UnF5dA4225z_m_ZumFp3zlKn0-hFr-_iv6HRmAn0kQ/s1600/C3Cool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EmeOSXhnP_AbBk2MyMofW53Ssz_zL1qm3WRwcgyTexuc1TzFxt8OH47i4JDHszoIuBiXHYhid81OuFFlwEx4h9Kj4MiyhKyt6UnF5dA4225z_m_ZumFp3zlKn0-hFr-_iv6HRmAn0kQ/s320/C3Cool.jpg" /></a></div><i>Yamaha C3...sweet, but hated the lack of a rear rack.</i><br />
<br />
Ok, so yes. "scooter fever" is a painful thing and yet on-line scooter browsing helps to relieve it a bit. However, I actually did cross that browsing line last week and did a very brief visit to my local Honda/Yamaha power sports dealer. I was in a hurry, on my way to somewhere else, so I could not linger due to time constraints that day. <br />
<br />
But I saw enough to know that this shop will probably be where I purchase my next scoot. Why? Well first of all they carry Honda and Yamaha scooters. I am probably going to stick to one of those brands because there is dealer support network widely available for maintenance and repairs. <br />
<br />
When I move back out into the rural areas I can get what I need to keep my scoot going and going...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6dO89kowQRxhyphenhyphen_KPhN1CqBDteK6O0phsoAuDY9y90rmlB-W7WfSJQx0R3BIazXk2V1LtE3Cs2itcrFRrTrhzQT2m0qGyukBGn9JEO5zDHQ5iqRbTiIcJL_A5nmCTRAxIwtptPhKjVRo/s1600/IMG_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6dO89kowQRxhyphenhyphen_KPhN1CqBDteK6O0phsoAuDY9y90rmlB-W7WfSJQx0R3BIazXk2V1LtE3Cs2itcrFRrTrhzQT2m0qGyukBGn9JEO5zDHQ5iqRbTiIcJL_A5nmCTRAxIwtptPhKjVRo/s320/IMG_0405.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Secondly, these brands are bullet-proof reliable and have what I want in my next scooter. <br />
<br />
And thirdly, it is 5 miles from home and I can get a taxi ride up there! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2_pHvO2si9Cw2b4MX4a-0N-iQQABYNhWRIHl4KEHFVeUCNByuw1Xu26WyX5eG2UxooC_71Z9SaIe-NcoChFAnmgMFPYHzlIWvvsk8r6P5NoU8qPhxsYWrUHkAihKmiztrOsLUfMVZeo/s1600/checker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2_pHvO2si9Cw2b4MX4a-0N-iQQABYNhWRIHl4KEHFVeUCNByuw1Xu26WyX5eG2UxooC_71Z9SaIe-NcoChFAnmgMFPYHzlIWvvsk8r6P5NoU8qPhxsYWrUHkAihKmiztrOsLUfMVZeo/s320/checker.jpg" /></a></div><i>"At your service..."</i><br />
<br />
Now that is not to say that I haven't seen a few other scooters that fit my criteria in another brand's line-up. I have indeed. But the dealer network is few and far between. Plus once I move back out into the rural area they are going to be WAY too far away in case something major goes wrong with the scoot.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboDdL2TXuDqN6DJ2kKM54eojvMKFwMlsLRuhmBiLHvyYZqnVIOt3voXpvagRerBXS3_wBAbYBEy_BZqgd7c0hs10tpGX17Y4V2x500eTEiiM0sqEflwC6qEPtZzfNFkSo81DLiyNNZy4/s1600/Dirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboDdL2TXuDqN6DJ2kKM54eojvMKFwMlsLRuhmBiLHvyYZqnVIOt3voXpvagRerBXS3_wBAbYBEy_BZqgd7c0hs10tpGX17Y4V2x500eTEiiM0sqEflwC6qEPtZzfNFkSo81DLiyNNZy4/s320/Dirt.jpg" /></a></div><i>Dirt roads are fun, but not when you break down out there in a "cellular dead zone".</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvTI4Yw08WNz4BjfKEaa6H4to2joud6RxqkdbBO5abfxU0A4m8I2GjFkeZYSvUSkfO_XafMWQI9gV4DZa7XfIFVkJDxqXSKZi3_dYp_VbVgLEs3aD3tSTF2SFlSgpPClw7t3CBX0y8-Q/s1600/redroughhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvTI4Yw08WNz4BjfKEaa6H4to2joud6RxqkdbBO5abfxU0A4m8I2GjFkeZYSvUSkfO_XafMWQI9gV4DZa7XfIFVkJDxqXSKZi3_dYp_VbVgLEs3aD3tSTF2SFlSgpPClw7t3CBX0y8-Q/s320/redroughhouse.jpg" /></a></div><i>Genuine Roughhouse 50, high on the list...</i><br />
<br />
In sifting through the models available I had to get right down to what I like, what I don't like, what I want, what I don't want in my next scooter. Doing this assumes, in a way, that there is a "perfect" scooter out there. <br />
<br />
I don't believe that this is possible, at least for most of us, so that leaves a tiny bit of "scrooching room" to negotiate the gaps. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatyfZ2n2xcwn0uT8Yu7yjW1Gxcsc2cUYeyoz3JQbaMtMK_eHLldne0sG3A2a0ssZNAa7WnCcVR2mYFA_QJhogd_y53-MQ5mlcHixVn5-ut1bOb8LZ2t6jwSm-nDgS7PT01lDoec8kcFQ/s1600/Maxine+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatyfZ2n2xcwn0uT8Yu7yjW1Gxcsc2cUYeyoz3JQbaMtMK_eHLldne0sG3A2a0ssZNAa7WnCcVR2mYFA_QJhogd_y53-MQ5mlcHixVn5-ut1bOb8LZ2t6jwSm-nDgS7PT01lDoec8kcFQ/s320/Maxine+001.JPG" /></a></div><i>Honda's Ruckus...always a contender...and my roots!</i><br />
<br />
But when you are on a budget ya gotta just get right down to the basics in the here and now and leave the gaps by the wayside.<br />
<br />
For right now, my basic requirements for a scooter look like this: large enough to be visible in traffic, fat tires, locking under seat storage is preferable, rear rack potential, strong head lamps for night riding, a floor board, fuel injection is preferable but not mandatory, a fairly comfortable seat height and acceptable ergonomics, a top speed of at least 40mph, light weight and maneuverable for handling and storage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmXQ-6pgMJymm7_l9fJnS1388kEaw3gYRYFdiXrXGEv5P4KOvMvoTjOU219nF23xrKG5AQvdlB_3AiplmQj5PUjAaacZUGvA7iK5dBsdy8jdTjsaBdKlC4bimTvpmy66wVvliYEvG_xg/s1600/Yam50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmXQ-6pgMJymm7_l9fJnS1388kEaw3gYRYFdiXrXGEv5P4KOvMvoTjOU219nF23xrKG5AQvdlB_3AiplmQj5PUjAaacZUGvA7iK5dBsdy8jdTjsaBdKlC4bimTvpmy66wVvliYEvG_xg/s320/Yam50.jpg" /></a></div><i>Pullin' at my heart strings...Yamaha's Zuma 50F scoot.</i><br />
<br />
Right away, with this list, it becomes evident that I am more than happy with a 50cc scooter. This blog is not entitled "49ccscooterlife" for nothing!<br />
<br />
This is not to say that I wouldn't go for a 125-150cc scooter. I would. <br />
<br />
But for my riding style and intentions, 50cc would more than get me where I want to go. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMpiLseTCDWZlM8EAksiSLYNI1GoT6eeDTAiXFM3Sp6B-MDkYvtoIDAwRIPO_s_Wrwz-N9QL9cpQv7RoYPW4BeNi5eT7umSKrFjkdw36tRyvD1wzNHxwVZ7KmXUfxQl-R-7JlqoUemd4/s1600/Met+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMpiLseTCDWZlM8EAksiSLYNI1GoT6eeDTAiXFM3Sp6B-MDkYvtoIDAwRIPO_s_Wrwz-N9QL9cpQv7RoYPW4BeNi5eT7umSKrFjkdw36tRyvD1wzNHxwVZ7KmXUfxQl-R-7JlqoUemd4/s320/Met+016.JPG" /></a></div>"Mooove along, ladies..."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvhUXaTXB-6p_HRTTaALMB3dOg-c9ptuFY_GnptEvRRKVgiDfG1JnKu7Or9YxuypcFs-kWTS7DcIFBIb5q3EE4Hnhk0e4axxB-kNrEt0-32h7MoMYcPgTPttBhDWdYhHH41qZSTE-Hns/s1600/Met+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvhUXaTXB-6p_HRTTaALMB3dOg-c9ptuFY_GnptEvRRKVgiDfG1JnKu7Or9YxuypcFs-kWTS7DcIFBIb5q3EE4Hnhk0e4axxB-kNrEt0-32h7MoMYcPgTPttBhDWdYhHH41qZSTE-Hns/s320/Met+020.JPG" /></a></div><i>Lost along some random creek side road...</i><br />
<br />
Mostly where I want to go is out on the back roads, riding slowly and drinking in the scenery, OR running up to the store or other local attractions on 35-45mph roads. My focus is avoiding traffic as much as I can unless I absolutely have no other way to get from point A to point B. <br />
<br />
This is the way I started out riding and this is the way I will continue riding. It is the only way for me to enjoy scooting. <br />
<br />
I've got 3 scooters in mind that so far seem to fit most of my "wants and needs" categories. <br />
<br />
I have never sat on 2 of them or ridden them, but I hope to do so this week. <br />
<br />
If one of them is "the one" then it will be a while before I can get it because I will have to save up the cash for the purchase. I enjoy no credit of any kind after long-term under-employment. "It is what it is", as they say.<br />
<br />
However, there is always the possibility for a used one at a lower price to come along. Then I will be riding sooner!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGlEgbZlNH3qujtrs-jA6TlhQ-hl-UVauJfKAI-AJd5QZU3dFIXe15TjiO18Lr_XzMv_TZUDb9Rz0fthyxdxiZv-SgtMgHgSLG27KuLGJeURnS73MWYmGFB6bd_jKlXRkx6LOM1h80Qc/s1600/HarleyFund.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGlEgbZlNH3qujtrs-jA6TlhQ-hl-UVauJfKAI-AJd5QZU3dFIXe15TjiO18Lr_XzMv_TZUDb9Rz0fthyxdxiZv-SgtMgHgSLG27KuLGJeURnS73MWYmGFB6bd_jKlXRkx6LOM1h80Qc/s320/HarleyFund.jpg" /></a></div><i>I will name my scooter, "Harley" so that I can outfit her with all the gear and kit from the H-D shop up the street! LOL </i><br />
<br />
Now that I have a good job as of last week (another post coming) I am hoping to set up a "scooter fund" to start saving up for my next scooter. <br />
<br />
Anyway, my hope would be that by Labor Day weekend I might have my scooter which would give me about 2.5 months of decent riding season left to enjoy some back road exploration. It might come sooner than that, depending on my in-coming cash flow or the sudden appearance of a cheaper used one at this shop or on Craigslist. <br />
<br />
Meanwhile the delirious insanity of "scooter fever" keeps my brain in a twist and a constantly moving twirl of dreaming about sweet rides out among the fields, creeks, and hollers. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio80mzE_kziNVvBBgFyFqkQ1rXbiixmkCbuXfA8mpYNsw_Z90_1qf7uKuhVE9l1nlSkBGxRUjE7xD64P8LElv4HurNnKfUedbR4WcughODFq4hUUY9jYEExAvV7t-MibMBkhyXSUtfVWE/s1600/ChilliSun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio80mzE_kziNVvBBgFyFqkQ1rXbiixmkCbuXfA8mpYNsw_Z90_1qf7uKuhVE9l1nlSkBGxRUjE7xD64P8LElv4HurNnKfUedbR4WcughODFq4hUUY9jYEExAvV7t-MibMBkhyXSUtfVWE/s320/ChilliSun.jpg" /></a></div><br />
When I am ready to pick-up the new scooter I will reveal the model and make. <br />
<br />
Meanwhile, ride on and enjoy the summer, you lucky scooter-owning bastards!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWz9akRVADpTfd1gPIMf0BSaud2Az2LHoCWKEXD6k0AAV4UNK4QwC9XJBrwb080rx2idlok2pEJvrPMftPWY3UGcLmhnT25y2Rl0rTYzMyvSw9WxHvJLhFdDFrICv0SvqXArPMZlK7_U/s1600/GermanScoot3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWz9akRVADpTfd1gPIMf0BSaud2Az2LHoCWKEXD6k0AAV4UNK4QwC9XJBrwb080rx2idlok2pEJvrPMftPWY3UGcLmhnT25y2Rl0rTYzMyvSw9WxHvJLhFdDFrICv0SvqXArPMZlK7_U/s320/GermanScoot3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<i>NOTE: I "borrowed" a lot of photos for this post. They seemed to be free on-line. If you see one that is yours and you are pissed off, contact me and I will remove it immediately. Or take it as a compliment that I took the time to use it in my blog! Thank you, regardless.Scoot on!</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-51329662049722784712016-05-30T11:11:00.001-04:002016-05-30T21:09:21.459-04:00Simply Remember<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_yxISAkI6kdZoqfacRlZ4l9L6J2j95JQaVpqUx0PLaeoeZeT-SOfuSfNIIRIe13rAiPJ9GuwNg2iVmr9Fa8AtgGRnQ7S1nv66wUQmE1eNXB_tzgZd2PbpdOFl2kPorVE4Z0CvdpTz1w/s1600/MemDog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_yxISAkI6kdZoqfacRlZ4l9L6J2j95JQaVpqUx0PLaeoeZeT-SOfuSfNIIRIe13rAiPJ9GuwNg2iVmr9Fa8AtgGRnQ7S1nv66wUQmE1eNXB_tzgZd2PbpdOFl2kPorVE4Z0CvdpTz1w/s320/MemDog.jpg" /></a></div><i>Photo courtesy of The Dog Files.</i><br />
<br />
A day of remembering all who served and all who gave their lives so that we could continue to live ours in peace and safety.<br />
<br />
A day to remember our moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, and friends who have gone on before us.<br />
<br />
Think of them all today. Visit a cemetery if you can. Leave a flag or a flower or a thought or a prayer.<br />
<br />
Never take any of them for granted.<br />
<br />
Realize that someday YOU will be remembered for the good deeds you did,the love you gave, the memories you left behind for others.<br />
<br />
Simply remember, smile in your heart, and hold dear the memories of what once was. <br />
<br />
It's Memorial Day. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdIoA7_BU_urSohpWAOz1OpaCcFzu4punxjgWI8SH2m3xZINVeVX5oZt5bYeWcH7oFS2_RFKvGj81hqzWSaWLOEBr4IpIS7-hul4H2spQcrVHOQDWkHZkTotO83TRxlJIFCDTaI-rpr8/s1600/MadMikesMemDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdIoA7_BU_urSohpWAOz1OpaCcFzu4punxjgWI8SH2m3xZINVeVX5oZt5bYeWcH7oFS2_RFKvGj81hqzWSaWLOEBr4IpIS7-hul4H2spQcrVHOQDWkHZkTotO83TRxlJIFCDTaI-rpr8/s320/MadMikesMemDay.jpg" /></a></div><i>Photo courtesy of Mad Mikes Memorial Day.</i><br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-59820924399300959622016-05-10T11:12:00.002-04:002016-05-13T08:37:26.776-04:00ScooterLess-Ness Stinks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgszOeOwylidqgHOfnQSLIRRzgSLiCeK7R0vD6XLtQrmdB3-JMpOxB97Siouf9_5Xig0yS1l_VPgzbXQhPfyj1UFRPgpqvtN4f_Kpp0jKpW5-Gosrl189Ms4yTMIcf3-MqKOFSlKXylcA/s1600/Glaucoma1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgszOeOwylidqgHOfnQSLIRRzgSLiCeK7R0vD6XLtQrmdB3-JMpOxB97Siouf9_5Xig0yS1l_VPgzbXQhPfyj1UFRPgpqvtN4f_Kpp0jKpW5-Gosrl189Ms4yTMIcf3-MqKOFSlKXylcA/s320/Glaucoma1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
It seems sometimes that nothing is right with the world, even though God is surely in his or her heaven.<br />
<br />
Such it has been with scooterless-ness this spring.<br />
<br />
It is the first time since 2009 that I have not ventured out on the back roads as the daffodils burst forth and the greenery starts to be-speckle the road side bushes and trees. At least not on a scooter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JBZQMTR7Fk0EKWhRDlZPeAJRVY1zCzhM_Yb5-mj7lHUVVGlbLXd0FHfdw_pWkG1bq3gZiQpYG6W8jXIcq0ARq5q9yxyEg8kxhhJ_TGErfEMZlzs5PZ9c5KRUqJmL5WxvRMq8QMCXOl4/s1600/DigCamOct14+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JBZQMTR7Fk0EKWhRDlZPeAJRVY1zCzhM_Yb5-mj7lHUVVGlbLXd0FHfdw_pWkG1bq3gZiQpYG6W8jXIcq0ARq5q9yxyEg8kxhhJ_TGErfEMZlzs5PZ9c5KRUqJmL5WxvRMq8QMCXOl4/s320/DigCamOct14+120.JPG" /></a></div><br />
And oh how I miss it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEChlNTEd6CE-TAiMjl-koxwVFFK0i4H51wc_tFirRgKSSR9bA1X2gVJdgcppS1lH-7gfgaJIlwvtXkfTUsAykG34TkmLaeWb_nOcPcI2S8lmch8ktvocIQhwNq42vp_8WfoV27pewm90/s1600/DigCamOct14+123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEChlNTEd6CE-TAiMjl-koxwVFFK0i4H51wc_tFirRgKSSR9bA1X2gVJdgcppS1lH-7gfgaJIlwvtXkfTUsAykG34TkmLaeWb_nOcPcI2S8lmch8ktvocIQhwNq42vp_8WfoV27pewm90/s320/DigCamOct14+123.JPG" /></a></div><br />
In 2009 I was laid off along with 5 other clinicians and one RN from a rural mental health center because of Medicaid cuts at the state level. This was during the height of the "Great Recession" in Ohio and it was a really rough time. Like a panicky fool, I put my first scooter, my 2006 Ruckus, up on Craigslist and two guys from Akron bought it within days.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4C4hJWNRErwjnVOvVn-Dg2W6JcZoNkONRcu6lWLCZJ9rSpOdMkXDCOqfUlA-ezMhjmrxv0fI-aLuQGTSELXgbilh2OYL3GdhVTw999kiVmF4EnOE3rQN7khpouH54XPyk62YBU1Yp8U/s1600/maxruck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4C4hJWNRErwjnVOvVn-Dg2W6JcZoNkONRcu6lWLCZJ9rSpOdMkXDCOqfUlA-ezMhjmrxv0fI-aLuQGTSELXgbilh2OYL3GdhVTw999kiVmF4EnOE3rQN7khpouH54XPyk62YBU1Yp8U/s320/maxruck.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I remember watching their pick-up truck roll down my gravel drive, my Ruckus leaning over in the back, and tears rolling down my cheeks. I almost chased after them, crying "Stop! I can't do this!", but we needed the money just to keep surviving out there in the impoverished Appalachian woods.<br />
<br />
And so it left my life and my spring and summer of depression set in. <br />
<br />
One day months later I was browsing through Craigslist and saw an older Honda Elite 80 for sale about 3 hours away. And they only wanted $600! I called and asked if they'd hold it for me for a few weeks with a little deposit and they agreed. In October I borrowed a friend's old pick-up and drove the 3 hours to Lancaster, Ohio to pick it up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHmAeQYVMkfecyFNZF-BnFfIn2EwoEpMq4_GAQHgddZUmzFd8iKZrkh_BKwQzh1ZQGBCZ61nnCyWodruWMn6yr9pr0D10DnE-Q3HzAkEdGV9OmS1_sz4Dp2wrv811pMUIXnOHiYVfP_4/s1600/Elite+80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHmAeQYVMkfecyFNZF-BnFfIn2EwoEpMq4_GAQHgddZUmzFd8iKZrkh_BKwQzh1ZQGBCZ61nnCyWodruWMn6yr9pr0D10DnE-Q3HzAkEdGV9OmS1_sz4Dp2wrv811pMUIXnOHiYVfP_4/s320/Elite+80.jpg" /></a></div><br />
It wasn't a bad scooter. A 2001 black Honda Elite 80 in pretty good shape. I put a basket on the back and rode it all over the ridges and valleys out there until it got too cold to tolerate. It was a "crumb to a hungry dog" and it gave me some solace, but funny thing is I did not take a single photo of it. Not one. At least if I did I never found it or remember posting it.<br />
<br />
It was like that horrible person you dated after your break-up or divorce. Just not a fit, a "what the heck was I thinking?" sort of experience. I wound up selling it to a guy in the city and I bought my first Honda Elite 110 in April after I finally got a job that previous February.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignX3H5RlfTQIIjjx8xdwreTqBIQLbGOdCc4otK_SzBjMqiu9KlITQOmc298tvAyLkUWVV3GW8SstCfd13qTOawN8HB3CFaif26NhLf66yKu7NbT52BZsQZ7XlcIq0hcD_iL-1lXVO7do/s1600/schoolhouse+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignX3H5RlfTQIIjjx8xdwreTqBIQLbGOdCc4otK_SzBjMqiu9KlITQOmc298tvAyLkUWVV3GW8SstCfd13qTOawN8HB3CFaif26NhLf66yKu7NbT52BZsQZ7XlcIq0hcD_iL-1lXVO7do/s320/schoolhouse+003.JPG" /></a></div><br />
But nothing was ever the same after that and I swore no matter how poor I got I would NEVER sell my scooter. I would rather be poor and ride than be poor and walk. Life without a scooter was like life without an identity. At least for me. An empty, sad, lost feeling. <br />
<br />
A feeling that I've lived with here since February because that promise to myself got broken this past winter because I could not work outside the home due to my partner's illness. <br />
<br />
So we pretty much lost everything all over again and I lost both my scooters, both my bikes, and my "get by" job during the Winter of 2015-2016.<br />
<br />
But things are getting better. They really are. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBXUBic6SpR8_OmD6JePCvxr_ZaKiyzlItm5GAngm8sU-Cuezx4CVzEbYaM5wn9YezAdBYkxnWVntBEU4aQOu7v98zoU-piRuG7N361yz8diEakosdiahpHcHoR_pnc0LRPjuHYLQDaI/s1600/DigCamOct14+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBXUBic6SpR8_OmD6JePCvxr_ZaKiyzlItm5GAngm8sU-Cuezx4CVzEbYaM5wn9YezAdBYkxnWVntBEU4aQOu7v98zoU-piRuG7N361yz8diEakosdiahpHcHoR_pnc0LRPjuHYLQDaI/s320/DigCamOct14+016.JPG" /></a></div><br />
She is doing great in rehab and walking and can be alone now enough for me to work again and I have one part-time job at a florist (which I love) and I am interviewing for other part-time jobs.<br />
<br />
I have a bicycle on lay-away and I am already planning to do everything I can to get back on a scooter this summer too as soon as I can.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGTBhLVSxh4qD8AX2RBRXvJDIbeJ0dDUq1eWoGltdqFSAEnUsm7Ya6Ljgmdhn37hX2tngAeuO6yiSlOp76u7Mh4xwt1xfqTv30sDL9kjNRHauWt49PqSLkZFNnwNptto-XGbNHGf3PMM/s1600/Fuji2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGTBhLVSxh4qD8AX2RBRXvJDIbeJ0dDUq1eWoGltdqFSAEnUsm7Ya6Ljgmdhn37hX2tngAeuO6yiSlOp76u7Mh4xwt1xfqTv30sDL9kjNRHauWt49PqSLkZFNnwNptto-XGbNHGf3PMM/s320/Fuji2014.jpg" /></a></div><br />
ANY scooter to start. Even that old black Honda Elite 80 if one pops up for under $1000. <br />
<br />
I don't care what I am riding, just so I am riding a scooter of some kind again soon.<br />
<br />
And after this I will NEVER be scooter-less again no matter how bad things get because let me tell you, "scooterless-ness" stinks!<br />
<br />
There are only so many "riding years" left in this old girl and I hope to not waste any of them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-27699636946393255202016-01-10T11:51:00.001-05:002016-01-10T12:56:48.926-05:00First Snow and Bicycle Dreams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSQ7vX_5vAvx7wYZIECSKuXpykNz5be8VP7u9XsJiuFK_LWkVBt7syfLg-_yQsN0tgY7BzYKSxCjfEKQVO8wNfRpx4P6gm9TklE8UTV-HI5UigikH8XRe6WwJBrL-p0cHqIAn8hffSfg/s1600/IMG_0887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSQ7vX_5vAvx7wYZIECSKuXpykNz5be8VP7u9XsJiuFK_LWkVBt7syfLg-_yQsN0tgY7BzYKSxCjfEKQVO8wNfRpx4P6gm9TklE8UTV-HI5UigikH8XRe6WwJBrL-p0cHqIAn8hffSfg/s320/IMG_0887.jpg" /></a></div><i>Snow on the Little Miami Bike Trail last winter</i><br />
<br />
Today I awoke to a light snow fall outside my window. At first I said, "Oh, shit!" Then I found myself gazing quietly out at the lacy twigs and branches and the softly drifting snow flakes and I said, "Wow! It's beautiful!" And it was.<br />
<br />
Not predicted, not expected, but a gift of quiet and a much needed small joy nonetheless.<br />
<br />
I have been trying to rest yesterday and today. Just hang around the cottage, do some laundry, eat some good food, watch football and comedies, and hang out with my 4 girls. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMbLbgtd_NF3n9L0vr-Ct49LIbIAD4PYCn6YsOrWsHACKSkd1-iywp9nrq1UtkWzzC1a8rwwDQrKx0TvkS2Ih0NABZAhNPlWCJE5wz0itu-ev7rmJITyJjhs2zw5Nkpi6_2xyISt5Zhg/s1600/Jollster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMbLbgtd_NF3n9L0vr-Ct49LIbIAD4PYCn6YsOrWsHACKSkd1-iywp9nrq1UtkWzzC1a8rwwDQrKx0TvkS2Ih0NABZAhNPlWCJE5wz0itu-ev7rmJITyJjhs2zw5Nkpi6_2xyISt5Zhg/s320/Jollster.jpg" /></a></div><i>Jolly back on the farm...</i><br />
<br />
Martha has also been resting and we have talked on the phone every few hours. There is no therapy on the weekend, so she has had a reprieve. Tomorrow at 7am the ball starts rolling again for a full day of PT, OT, ST, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner for her. <br />
<br />
I think about spring and I long to walk along the local wooded rail trail pathways that run not far from here. Ohio has some of the most fantastic rail trails running north from the Ohio River area and all throughout the state. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdk5krzV0BtD_mhvGen8KwGOHOeqm0BdPqsjHqKZDjGXWPJE3LRDPcEgvbu26AtntQ5G5Er0eyZxakt26coYuurDgMWG765Pm3ouRQ2X6IK-0mcgwdQ1WHT07iJ6uqZsHBuzPOGxCAK_s/s1600/BikePath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdk5krzV0BtD_mhvGen8KwGOHOeqm0BdPqsjHqKZDjGXWPJE3LRDPcEgvbu26AtntQ5G5Er0eyZxakt26coYuurDgMWG765Pm3ouRQ2X6IK-0mcgwdQ1WHT07iJ6uqZsHBuzPOGxCAK_s/s320/BikePath.jpg" /></a></div><i>Borrowed image, Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail, WI, courtesy of aboutbikes.com</i><br />
<br />
The Ohio to Erie Trail and the Little Miami Bike Trail are the most notable in my area of southwestern Ohio.<br />
<br />
http://www.ohiotoerietrail.org/<br />
<br />
http://www.littlemiamibiketrail.com/<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNN7Cj2Qd-iPSDeeowAk6lj6tKYU6ZDYMTaf4SVvApoxrELkZdyTe7g95u1wrQivIptJNk0B4VcMU7y8UebE2egmlf0QZVwUp47VMphTFx4T1icE0bp8d02Wq_ChSL1JphbixEnW_njp0/s1600/IMG_0888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNN7Cj2Qd-iPSDeeowAk6lj6tKYU6ZDYMTaf4SVvApoxrELkZdyTe7g95u1wrQivIptJNk0B4VcMU7y8UebE2egmlf0QZVwUp47VMphTFx4T1icE0bp8d02Wq_ChSL1JphbixEnW_njp0/s320/IMG_0888.jpg" /></a></div><i>Kings Mills, Little Miami Bike Trail last winter...</i><br />
<br />
Before I moved out into the rural area in 2006 I was an avid bicyclist. I had a recumbent bike, a recumbent trike, a road bike, and a mountain bike. I had really gotten involved in cycling as my primary passion starting back in 2001.<br />
<br />
I was visiting the bike trails 3-4 times a week in those days and had built my fitness level up to where I was doing 50 mile round trips rides regularly. I loved it and became quite the "bikeaholic" as noted by the number of bikes I owned.<br />
<br />
Once we moved out to the farm house in the summer of 2006 I rarely visited my beloved trail system which was 50 miles west. I decided to try to ride out there on rural lanes and in the villages, but it was not the same for me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3u53qEIKTa-uABQ9VjiZRCG2z7dqCczo40ElDTxiUiNXSfQAO1yLn5O7X9HOiJRw0kiIims5cozJaEypHqiFAXA6_YIB1z4e1aqoer3G0Oevfs0ab-MllshsJ-zNDp_8ExV5ZIToId1Y/s1600/BikePath2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3u53qEIKTa-uABQ9VjiZRCG2z7dqCczo40ElDTxiUiNXSfQAO1yLn5O7X9HOiJRw0kiIims5cozJaEypHqiFAXA6_YIB1z4e1aqoer3G0Oevfs0ab-MllshsJ-zNDp_8ExV5ZIToId1Y/s320/BikePath2.jpg" /></a></div><i>Borrowed image courtesy of Wikepedia</i><br />
<br />
I longed for the quiet rides along the river on the bike paths where I did not have to deal with cars and all the tension and fumes and anxiety that comes from riding among them. So I more or less quit riding bikes. <br />
<br />
By 2007 I had purchased my first scooter, the Ruckus, and that became my "getaway tool" of choice. Eventually the bikes all got sold during the Great Recession amid lay-offs and sparse income. <br />
<br />
Once I got back here in 2012 near the bike paths I had the desire to ride again, but it never took hold. I was still on the scooter but working to obtain at least 2 bikes again, which I eventually did. They got sold this summer due to my inability to get hired in a decent paying job. It broke my heart to let them go, but times were hard.<br />
<br />
They still are, but I am once again dreaming of getting back on a bike on my beloved bike paths. I belong to the Rails-To-Trails Conservancy and see the awesome rides that members post on their Facebook page. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YFKj6g9K-uRvLblc3RF3VJ6is83JDCPc6wZLB5SFQh185QTh_ddyVkJVUj0TfvLmu6zngSyeJzo1DzyFGDdwzJ4rQtGDbMwMhShotTeLZAziwOqMbkxX-xeGRXvKHV7a52mykWzcVfI/s1600/logo-header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YFKj6g9K-uRvLblc3RF3VJ6is83JDCPc6wZLB5SFQh185QTh_ddyVkJVUj0TfvLmu6zngSyeJzo1DzyFGDdwzJ4rQtGDbMwMhShotTeLZAziwOqMbkxX-xeGRXvKHV7a52mykWzcVfI/s200/logo-header.png" /></a></div><i>http://www.railstotrails.org/</i><br />
<br />
I long to ride on those quiet rural routes away from cars and noise and pollution, to escape into nature as I always did on the scooter out in the country.<br />
<br />
But "cars and noise and pollution" are just about all that I experience riding my scooter while living in here and I am ready to give it up until I move back out in the country. That could be next year or the next, I do not know. I am no longer focused on that as I have a job here and Marty's health care providers are here. <br />
<br />
Anyway, that's right, I said give up scooter riding in here. It's no longer fun, it never felt safe, and I found myself doing it less and less. <br />
<br />
It also felt more and more lonely as I know no one who rides a scooter or motorcycle and I got tired of always being out alone on the back roads. <br />
<br />
It actually became boring and a chore that I avoided more and more.<br />
<br />
If I can ever get a bigger scooter (150cc+) then I might scoot out from here to the countryside that I love. But for now it is too far and too tedious to try to do that from this location and I am letting go and focusing on getting back on a bike. <br />
<br />
So my last scooter is up for sale and I have already picked out the bike I hope to replace it with, another Townie 21D in Matte Black. A stunningly beautiful beast!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeZBEgiX210pY0DcHdMHMRCcsMs-MA1x4QHCpHuvZthtzpAi7BP0-Nw0loIsPnqd2rWmJ92XLWYTojyt4-nVswtvH3dqEnM6a9V61mEIWn4LkPRAwqozl5WIM3FuDvp3Ts5ZXT1mafgE/s1600/Blackie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeZBEgiX210pY0DcHdMHMRCcsMs-MA1x4QHCpHuvZthtzpAi7BP0-Nw0loIsPnqd2rWmJ92XLWYTojyt4-nVswtvH3dqEnM6a9V61mEIWn4LkPRAwqozl5WIM3FuDvp3Ts5ZXT1mafgE/s320/Blackie.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Not only all of that, but I have lost SO MUCH fitness by riding the scooter alone. I want to get back on the bike to recover my legs and my lungs and ride like I used to do. <br />
<br />
I don't think it's too late because I have a very physical job and my body has been able to adapt to that kind of strenuous activity and I have gotten leaner and stronger just doing that labor. <br />
<br />
It has also sunk in my brain that I am THE caregiver for my little family. I know that every time I rode that scooter in this area that I took a risk of being hit by a car and injured to the point that I could have become disabled or worse. <br />
<br />
I was never actually afraid, but I always knew it was a risk. I am no longer willing to take that risk. It is just not worth it to me and the impact on my family would be devastating.<br />
<br />
Then there's this: the quiet ride of the bike, gears whirring, smells from the wooded trail, the sounds of birds over head, the peacefulness of riding a bike along where other riders pass you from time to time. Just the immersion in the experience and the community of fellow riders is something I long for and miss.<br />
<br />
I loved the feeling of working the lungs and muscles and heart, the joy of physicality in the pure simple pleasure of riding a bike. I need the work-out on so many levels.<br />
<br />
I miss it, I do. I want it back. I want to eye my bike in the living room over the winter and sneak in a ride on decent sunny days as the spring breaks through.<br />
<br />
Bicycle dreams, long dormant, are flowing through my brain like the run off from a long frozen mountain stream. Where or why I do not know, but it is happening.<br />
<br />
I am now watching Ebay with the anticipation of a scooter sale and the ride over to the bike shop to pick up my black beauty!<br />
<br />
Something new is emerging, joy is stirring around in my heart for the ride, I am having bicycle dreams and it feels really, really good!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5yAJWbI6ZE1_jGktmNg7h8O4x6dZmoF7VL51EGkNeLoGeDjrSDjwY8SU0W4drWrF0Rv2itmtbIBhEMc52KdgU-4MJrWAGKYHl0u9__IFblD8-s73WWynB8eKN3TVHVBsfbaw8fYIsvo/s1600/IMG_0990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5yAJWbI6ZE1_jGktmNg7h8O4x6dZmoF7VL51EGkNeLoGeDjrSDjwY8SU0W4drWrF0Rv2itmtbIBhEMc52KdgU-4MJrWAGKYHl0u9__IFblD8-s73WWynB8eKN3TVHVBsfbaw8fYIsvo/s320/IMG_0990.jpg" /></a></div><i>My long gone Liquid Silver Townie...</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2cEhDl2TcqWmEgGO_JzEmiMiqbb8-OQTvqOfoEeZmtbyspCfnUGN5ojsQCFwiepPNhlEjoSLBPuSZpgwR_Bse5F3tnjxdGy97wRIkjE40qHB0Kp5jLcDlS5DLzeP_q4PmYMjy-H3Jes/s1600/IMG_0299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2cEhDl2TcqWmEgGO_JzEmiMiqbb8-OQTvqOfoEeZmtbyspCfnUGN5ojsQCFwiepPNhlEjoSLBPuSZpgwR_Bse5F3tnjxdGy97wRIkjE40qHB0Kp5jLcDlS5DLzeP_q4PmYMjy-H3Jes/s320/IMG_0299.jpg" /></a></div><i>Fuji Saratoga grocery-getter and dog taxi on the farm...</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4448998326073079703.post-78700034488498137782015-12-13T14:08:00.000-05:002015-12-13T14:08:29.524-05:00Merry Christmas, Happy Wintertime!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_fc0XOv0iguwZUqJonA3ocvqiDPracBzF3OGqHulP5Noh7xtaJ60UwbxrG71ogk_DHvJPutjlTTiUbfsdKPGQl8xRbPdYAvBT9yQgumQ09B9RkRtn-tiUcuRkdZl8bnS_H4YFiqpvgI/s1600/christmas-graphic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_fc0XOv0iguwZUqJonA3ocvqiDPracBzF3OGqHulP5Noh7xtaJ60UwbxrG71ogk_DHvJPutjlTTiUbfsdKPGQl8xRbPdYAvBT9yQgumQ09B9RkRtn-tiUcuRkdZl8bnS_H4YFiqpvgI/s320/christmas-graphic2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Just posting a bit of an update since my last scooter ride post in October. My how time flies!<br />
<br />
I am no longer delivering flowers or looking for a house, at least until spring. We are cozily nested here at the "cottage by the mall" for another winter. <br />
<br />
I left the flower gig after Mother's Day and took the summer to find another line of work. It was a slow and frustrating process, but I finally am working full-time at the local grocery across the street. I wanted to do this for the convenience of being able to scoot or walk to work and because the people are just wonderful to work for and with. So I am enjoying it and learning quickly how physically out of shape I had become during the summer. <br />
<br />
I am also learning a lot about ham, turkey, cheese, cole slaw, apple salad, and slicing machines because right now I am on the deli team. It is fun, but hard work some days. Mostly fun and my co-workers make it that way. I never have to wonder what I am going to wear to work each day because the company supplies our uniforms, plus we get a discount on our groceries. So it is great for now and time will tell how long I stay there. <br />
<br />
Meanwhile, I am content and grateful to have this job so close to home.<br />
<br />
We have had unseasonably warm weather here, but Hoot went to the "scooter lair" a few days ago for a well-deserved rest for the winter. No more scooting to work for now. I hope to get a ride in here and there, weather permitting.<br />
<br />
So life is pretty mundane here and I am very busy working nights, so probably few blogs through the wintertime.<br />
<br />
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a happy, peaceful wintertime!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01379173150677488575noreply@blogger.com7