Scratching Sound…
We heard it loud and clear... perhaps some of you did too. It wasn't as loud as it soon will be, but we did begin the long-overdue easing of that itch... the one that overtakes us so quickly and always compels us to venture forth and do what we do... This time things will be quite a bit different in many ways, but they most certainly do hold much promise!
My SIL, Pam, knew right from the git-go… As HTJ (Hot Tub Johnny) and I pulled into the ‘home’ garage following a safe return from the Spring Fling climax to our recent mini-coddiewomple, among her first words of greeting were, “How long do you think you might be staying this time?” She had that usual broad, wonderful smile that displayed her genuineness but also indicated her full knowledge of the usual answer… “I have no idea, sweetie…”
Departure wouldn’t be right away, however, as there were a few chores to attend, plus some commitments made that would need to be honored… My daughter had invited us down for Easter day activities, and I’d accepted. OK, that extended our stay, but it also sort of put an outer ‘limit’ safety valve on how long we’d be compelled to remain stationary. There was also that boo-boo recovery thing for our girl that really should be addressed…
The delivery person walking up the driveway with a package in his hand was viewed by this ‘homesick for the road’ wanderer as a potentially important milestone of sorts… Was it…? YES! It was indeed! Inside was the spotlight housing sent to us by Josh, Darksider, to replace the one smashed-up in the wind-driven tip over in Alabama a week or two before… HTJ, among his many other useful attributes and skills, is also rather handy with a wrench, so he made short work of the replacement. None the worse for wear at all, and all lights now function properly!
Da Prez had also advised us that he’d sent a ‘Valkyrie Viagra’ to us, but unfortunately that hadn’t arrived by KSU time, so… I reckon we’ll just have to wait to see what that might be all about… I’m thinking it must be something to keep our scoots ‘upright’ during serious ‘blows’… A good idea, especially for ‘challenged’ riders like yours truly, so I am looking forward to exploring the possibilities, and even more to reaping the benefits!
This will not be a pure coddiewomple by any means, but it still is a wander-fest sure to excite and gratify at many levels. First, there was that visit to another of my several homes… my daughter’s place. I truly enjoy visiting the family down there… the near kin as well as all the extended kin continually being increased. My granddaughter has a fiancé who brings with him an entire cadre of his own kin that is absolutely enhancing our already terrific, blended gaggle of in-laws, outlaws, rascals, and solid citizens!!! The Easter meal would actually be at the GD’s house, although we’d be staying… well, at home, so to speak…
Only for a night or two, however, depending upon weather and the forecast. I’d wanted to wander up into eastern North Carolina, then double back to Greenville, SC, for the following weekend. RNFWP, Ross, has been telling me about local BBQ for some time now, so with this opportunity popping up, it just seems right to try it out. Greg Moreland will be joining us, and hopefully Hubcap Mike, perhaps even Stanley Steamer will be able to join us, as well.
A few days later, I have yet another doctor appointment in Montgomery, so I’ll head over there once my Q appetite has been sated. I’m hoping to tempt Greg into joining me for that and what will follow… There is another Valk Gathering planned for Slade, KY, the first weekend in May, so I figure to wander around sort of in the general direction of eastern Kentucky after the doctor doings, then arrive on time and on target for the Dragon Wyr Ride. Greg hasn’t made one of these yet, so time he got introduced!
After that, yet another visit to Montgomery, this time to see the dentist… Talk about a treadmill! Events over the last couple of years have thrown all of my careful scheduling of those necessary things into complete disarray! Now it seems that every time I start to visualize distant horizons, my pesky calendar seems to say, “Whoa! Not so fast there, big boy…” There is even another ‘can’t miss or reschedule’ appointment with my urologist, the ‘overall quarterback’ with all of my prostate care, on June 14th… Those last two mentioned will put the kibosh on my desire to make either the Hillbilly Ride or InZane this year… (Hold on a minute, while I wipe a tear…)
And so it is that with all of the planning, scheduling, and coordinating needing to be undertaken this time out, there simply is no way for us to consider this a coddiewomple in any regard or at any level. Yeah, there will be a very modest amount of freelance riding sprinkled in, but… For the most part this will be a more traditional type of ride. Not my first choice, of course, but by no means a bad choice! Plus it has the distinct advantage of offering a much-needed scratch opportunity for all the sitting around we’ve been engaged in recently!!!
Lest anyone think I might be bellyaching here, let me assure you I am most happy to be here living this life just the way it is! Even when things don’t seem to be going my way, I know it is only a temporary situation… That as long as I’m still on the sunny side of the sod, better days surely await. I often think of departed friends who no longer have those to look forward to, and it always reminds me to be thankful for what I do have! As I wrote this last paragraph, I recalled one of those good friends… Jackie, Punisher’s late special lady friend, and a good friend to all who knew her. She is missed!
DDT
