Hunkered Down...

[DDT (12)]

Sadly, Hunkered Down…

 

Yeah, I'm bored and needing a change of venue! We arrived in Montgomery earlier this week for yet another doctor visit... That went well, BTW, but... Rain has closed in around us and stopped us cold in our tracks. Not so much right here, although we have had plenty, but throughout the surrounding area so that no matter which way we might try to escape... Oh well, this is part of the life I've chosen, too...

 

We may not get out of here for another day or two either. As usual, the clearing will approach us from the west. Well, since we figure to head southeast from here... A thought has occurred to this navigationally challenged rider that sometimes one might need to go west to get east. Yep, we may just scoot over into Mississippi Saturday, then do a loop-ty-loop and double back east on Sunday or Monday... or Tuesday...

 

Not efficient at all, but it would have us being mobile and enjoying the wind in our face… assuming the rain doesn’t continue! My brother-in-law, landlord, and new riding partner is hankering for a little road trip, and I'd sure like to see him get one... especially one that includes us! We'll likely end up meeting somewhere along a line between where we'll be and where he is now in central Florida.

 

I'm not all that eager to return to the house anyway, only to head out again and back-track. Besides, it does sound sort of cool to head from Alabama to Florida by way of Mississippi... right? My BIL has done just enough solo riding to figure out it's pretty good, so he isn't at all deterred by that prospect. Nope, we'll just agree on a meet-up place, then see if we both can find it! And, then there is that other thing...

 

I got a phone call this morning and was informed by a good friend that he and his wife both now have COVID. Dang! I've been so very fortunate so far to have avoided that treacherous ailment, but who knows how long that run of good luck might play out? Not a pleasant experience to be all by oneself on the road and come down with some illness or other. I do have some experience with that...

 

When things get politicized to an extreme, politicians make the most of the situation and have a field-day (Never let a crisis go to waste!), but the ordinary folks like us are left with no good answers or even direction! Dang the double-tongues anyhow! Both of my friends have been vaxxed, but neither has had a booster. I've been vaxxed and had a booster. Several of my friends have not been vaxxed at all, and they seem to be doing just fine. Others, vaxxed and not have become very ill, a couple even have died! Is there an answer?

 

More to the point, what should we do in response to the reality of our circumstance? Should we self-quarantine and isolate/insulate ourselves from 'normal' interactions? Should we double or triple mask, then get all the latest and greatest tests, vaccines, boosters, pills, antibodies and whatever else the 'professionals' are shouting is the long-awaited breakthrough? Can we afford to risk business as usual? Where is all that strong, bold leadership we were promised during the last presidential election campaign?

 

Futile gestures and busy-work activities combined with Draconian requirements designed more to show 'genuine' concern and earnest, 'decisive' effort but in the end do nothing to remedy the problem... lip-service without results… They can't manage the crisis itself, so they at best try to manage the perception of the crisis...



Well, politicians are great at making promises and guaranteeing solutions, then offering plausible, reasonable sounding explanations of why things didn't work out, and of course why failure is not their fault... Nope, those naughty rascals and nasty racists in the other party are to blame! "You must re-elect us so we can continue our good work for you... and to save democracy!" Lest we forget: Politicians don’t actually solve problems; they merely exploit them…

 

In the meantime, we are worried about sending our kids to school and exposing them to disease or keeping them home and dealing with all the serious problems associated with that unacceptable choice. Should we return to work? Should we travel? Should we even gamble on stepping outside our front door to pick up the morning newspaper? Is our paper delivery person masked and has he/she been vaxxed? Has the hysteria level reached a high enough level, or do we need to fan the flames some more? I surely wish I knew!!!

 

So, we're left on our own to face the dilemma of what to do... Our girl and her bewildered rider are going to continue to cruise for now and do what we do with as much reasonable caution as we can muster.  Neither of us have that much time left, so indefinite isolation is not a plausible alternative to us, but we certainly don't want to foolishly shorten our remaining time either.

 

We must continue to live, but we must face the challenges ahead with sober thought and determined resolve... all the while being completely unable to rely upon any of the non-answers from our so-called ‘experts’ and ‘leaders’. We'll keep you posted...

 

DDT



UPDATE: We'd originally planned to depart Montgomery last Wednesday morning. It's now Saturday morning and... it's raining again! Dang, and tomorrow's forecast is even worse! The good news is I have my good friend's car to use for getting around; the bad news is we're still hunkered down lamenting the absence of medicinal wind... Oh well, perhaps a pleasant surprise awaits us on Monday... My fingers are definitely crossed!!! Oh, and Happy New Year to you all...

 

[Bret SD]

Happy New Year Bruce!

Forget about all the BS and enjoy your 'privileged, first world problems' haha

[Valkorado]

So, we're left on our own to face the dilemma of what to do... Our girl and her bewildered rider are going to continue to cruise for now and do what we do with as much reasonable caution as we can muster.  Neither of us have that much time left, so indefinite isolation is not a plausible alternative to us, but we certainly don't want to foolishly shorten our remaining time either.

We must continue to live, but we must face the challenges ahead with sober thought and determined resolve... all the while being completely unable to rely upon any of the non-answers from our so-called ‘experts’ and ‘leaders’. We'll keep you posted...

Pretty much sums it up, Bruce.  One thing we all can count on is that we will keep on keeping on, until we don't.  Applies to every single one of us...

We can't bar the door on a virus or hide from life under a flat rock.  We trod on, but some precaution and renewed awareness to given situations may be called for from now on.  I promise I won't attempt to french kiss you when we meet again.  

I hope your friends fare well, as I hope for all of us.

Happy New Year.  Carry on!

Oh, yeah.  I think you'll relate to this.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b9024VFH8rQ

[Beardo]

Happy new year Bruce.  Happy to see you living your life while taking what precautions you can as an individual.

I’m hunkering down with the virus right now, symptoms haven’t been bad, whether that’s because I’m double vaxxed with a booster a couple weeks ago, or because I’m a generally heathy person who tries to exercise, eat right and live a healthy lifestyle with lots of time in the outdoors, I can’t know for sure.

My parents, in their mid-late 70’s are hunkered down on the farm, not because of getting the virus, but out of fear of it. They haven’t left the farm except for groceries or church since this started. He didn’t come hunting with me this fall. Didn’t get together with any of the family for Christmas or New Years. They call every day to keep in touch but how many memories have they missed out on in the last almost 2 years? How many more memories are they going to be blessed to have at their age?   I called them to wish them a happy new year this morning, that I hope this year is better…they said 2021 was fantastic…they’re simple people who enjoy tending their garden, cutting their grass, keeping the yard clear of snow, never been travellers or much for socializing, so I guess maybe this is an excuse to live how they like, not something being forced upon them. Who am I to say they’re wrong, I guess.

Glad you’re able to be out there Bruce. Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one.  Enjoy your todays.

Jason

[DDT (12)]

Happy New Year Bruce!

Forget about all the BS and enjoy your 'privileged, first world problems' haha

Bret,

Same to you! Haven't heard from you in a while... hope that means you managed to do some riding... If so, we need to hear about it! Yeah, I do feel privileged, but not the way the woke folks mean it!    Thanks for commenting!!!

DDT

So, we're left on our own to face the dilemma of what to do... Our girl and her bewildered rider are going to continue to cruise for now and do what we do with as much reasonable caution as we can muster.  Neither of us have that much time left, so indefinite isolation is not a plausible alternative to us, but we certainly don't want to foolishly shorten our remaining time either.

We must continue to live, but we must face the challenges ahead with sober thought and determined resolve... all the while being completely unable to rely upon any of the non-answers from our so-called ‘experts’ and ‘leaders’. We'll keep you posted...

Pretty much sums it up, Bruce.  One thing we all can count on is that we will keep on keeping on, until we don't.  Applies to every single one of us...

We can't bar the door on a virus or hide from life under a flat rock.  We trod on, but some precaution and renewed awareness to given situations may be called for from now on.  I promise I won't attempt to french kiss you when we meet again.  

I hope your friends fare well, as I hope for all of us.

Happy New Year.  Carry on!

Oh, yeah.  I think you'll relate to this.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b9024VFH8rQ

Seth,

Thanks for the no French-kiss pledge! No small relief right there!!! Yeah, life can and will go on, so the best we can do is hold on and think about what we're doing... Looking forward to our next ride together.

DDT

Happy new year Bruce.  Happy to see you living your life while taking what precautions you can as an individual.

I’m hunkering down with the virus right now, symptoms haven’t been bad, whether that’s because I’m double vaxxed with a booster a couple weeks ago, or because I’m a generally heathy person who tries to exercise, eat right and live a healthy lifestyle with lots of time in the outdoors, I can’t know for sure.

My parents, in their mid-late 70’s are hunkered down on the farm, not because of getting the virus, but out of fear of it. They haven’t left the farm except for groceries or church since this started. He didn’t come hunting with me this fall. Didn’t get together with any of the family for Christmas or New Years. They call every day to keep in touch but how many memories have they missed out on in the last almost 2 years? How many more memories are they going to be blessed to have at their age?   I called them to wish them a happy new year this morning, that I hope this year is better…they said 2021 was fantastic…they’re simple people who enjoy tending their garden, cutting their grass, keeping the yard clear of snow, never been travellers or much for socializing, so I guess maybe this is an excuse to live how they like, not something being forced upon them. Who am I to say they’re wrong, I guess.

Glad you’re able to be out there Bruce. Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one.  Enjoy your todays.

Jason

Jason,

Cause/effect, coincidence/happenstance...? Who can know on any given matter...? My guess is most of your life choices are paying off handsomely for you, though, so good on ya for all that! Really good to hear from you... I surely hope your mild case of COVID gets no worse!

I've considered the approach your parents have chosen, but for this wandering butterfly, that just holds no appeal at all! It's good that they find pleasure in the things they do, however, so at least there is that... I'd say the odds of them surviving long after this cautious risk-taker are pretty good! Still, we must all find our groove and live as best we can...

Looking forward to the time our borders are as easy to cross again for us as they are the illegals on our southern flank, and we can share some time together! No fooling, I miss all my Canadian buds!!!

DDT

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
I hope that it works out that you and your BIL get together soon for a nice motorcycle ride.  If he enjoys coddiewomple rides even half as much as I do, his wife might find him missing from home a lot in the near future!

With all of the “noise” and posturing over Covid, it does seem impossible to understand what is real or fiction.  I decided early on that I would take some precautions but not let fear keep me from enjoying life.  I don’t interfere with anybody else’s thinking or actions concerning this virus because it has become such a quagmire of misinformation.  My approach to it might be wrong.  In the end, everybody’s approach to it might be wrong.  It will be years before we can know what might have been the best approach. 

Beyond some reasonable precautions, I choose to enjoy life and not let fear paralyze me.  I believe that you have a slightly different but similar approach.

Bigwolf

[Rams]

Beyond some reasonable precautions, I choose to enjoy life and not let fear paralyze me.  I believe that you have a slightly different but similar approach.

Bigwolf

We both know I think you're crazy but, that's another topic that's not necessarily related to anything COVID.   Having said that, I agree.   Other than reasonable precautions, I'm enjoying life as much as possible.   

I have often envied Bruce and his lifestyle but, not everyone can do that.   I've promised myself (and Bruce) that eventually, we're gonna take that ride to somewhere and how we get there is unknown.

Not sure about that French Kiss thing mentioned previously but then, I'm probably better off not knowing. 

Rams

[Valker]

Happy New Year, Bruce. My wife is at home now, so I am a full time caregiver. I'll be catching my therapy as I can when breaks appear. ALWAYS pleasant to read your wordsmithing.

[Sweet Cheeks]

I got back home today.  If you just want something to do, head that little red bug toward Roanoke and come spend the day with us.  It’s about a 2 hour drive each way.  I think there is some bacon in the freezer!

[Bronxboy]

Happy New Year Bruce!!
U know why the Amish have no cases of covid?
They don't watch TV 
Hope to see u On the Road Again, like my friend Willy says ....Peace

[DDT (12)]

Jerry,

Yeah, not much in your replies that I can ever not find easy agreement! My BIL is having a tougher than usual winter, so his aches and pains have kept him close... His tendency to overdo things of the household-work-project variety also exacerbates all of that, too, so he hasn't felt much like hitting the road for any major trek campaigns.

Another thing too which overarches all of that: He's never done a long or extended ride, let alone a coddiewomple type of adventure. Like you, I'm certain he'll fall in love with it, but until I can change the mere uncertain concept of such to actual experience and first-hand knowledge... you know...

Happy New Year to you and CB! Looking forward to our next time together... Guess what...? I have another gift card for Longhorn Steakhouse! Reckon we might can find a use for it...?

DDT

Beyond some reasonable precautions, I choose to enjoy life and not let fear paralyze me.  I believe that you have a slightly different but similar approach.

Bigwolf

We both know I think you're crazy but, that's another topic that's not necessarily related to anything COVID.   Having said that, I agree.   Other than reasonable precautions, I'm enjoying life as much as possible.   

I have often envied Bruce and his lifestyle but, not everyone can do that.   I've promised myself (and Bruce) that eventually, we're gonna take that ride to somewhere and how we get there is unknown.

Not sure about that French Kiss thing mentioned previously but then, I'm probably better off not knowing. 

Rams

Ron,

Apparently, you know things I do not... Aside from a few eccentric behaviors, I've observed nothing that would lead me to think he might be crazy.  Of course, to some folks riding around the continent with this questionably sane coddiewompler might be some measure of proof in itself! I do have confidence in your astute observations, however, so I'll be keeping an eye out.

I'm looking forward to the time we can actually do some road tripping together... I completely agree with you on the 'reasonable precautions' thing, so I too eschew French-Kissing for the most part these days... Let not your heart be troubled...

DDT

Happy New Year, Bruce. My wife is at home now, so I am a full time caregiver. I'll be catching my therapy as I can when breaks appear. ALWAYS pleasant to read your wordsmithing.

Eric,

I do hope that is good news about your wife being home now! Not always the case, but I'm assuming there has been some progress for her... I certainly hope so! Yeah, fate gives us all challenges to face, and you have definitely been given a demanding one... My best wishes to ya, and I hope things go well for you and your entire family.

I know you will be catching therapy when you can!!! Reading of your rides and range has greatly impressed this wannabe, so I tip my hat to ya! I also know of the relief to be found 'behind bars', so I wish you many happy miles ahead... Good luck to you, my friend... We're all pulling for you!

DDT

I got back home today.  If you just want something to do, head that little red bug toward Roanoke and come spend the day with us.  It’s about a 2 hour drive each way.  I think there is some bacon in the freezer!

Janice,

You do take chances! I was sorely tempted to take you up on your offer... especially when you included the inducement of bacon!!! The weather finally broke and the cold eased enough for this tenderfoot to head back to Florida... where I am now. No plans, of course, but... I don't expect to be stationary for long! I do have to head back to Montgomery again Friday of next week for an appointment on the following Monday, but after that... I'm feeling that ol' familiar urge...

DDT

Happy New Year Bruce!!
U know why the Amish have no cases of covid?
They don't watch TV 
Hope to see u On the Road Again, like my friend Willy says ....Peace

Nick,

Happy New Year to your too, my friend! I did not know that about the Amish, but the explanation does appear quite logical to this disliker of 'news' and most other TV programming! As for peace, well, I have been in pursuit off that very thing for many years, and I've come about as close in recent years as I likely ever will... Nice thought, that!!! Hope to cross paths with you again in the not-too-distant future...

DDT

[Rams]

Ron,

Apparently, you know things I do not... Aside from a few eccentric behaviors, I've observed nothing that would lead me to think he might be crazy.  Of course, to some folks riding around the continent with this questionably sane coddiewompler might be some measure of proof in itself! I do have confidence in your astute observations, however, so I'll be keeping an eye out.

I'm looking forward to the time we can actually do some road tripping together... I completely agree with you on the 'reasonable precautions' thing, so I too eschew French-Kissing for the most part these days... Let not your heart be troubled...

DDT

Bruce,
Reference the first paragraph, I'm sworn to secrecy and my lips are sealed.
Reference the second paragraph, looking forward to the opportunity and my lips are still seals. 

Rams