What Next...?

[DDT (12)]

Now what? There we were… all dressed-up but nowhere to go. I’d just received a greatly improved smile thanks to my dentist… Therefore, the ladies were bound to love me again. However, advancing age combined with surgery the previous year had toppled the name of this lover-wannabe from near the top of the list of available super-studs to somewhere lower on the totem pole… Who needs intimacy anyway, right?
 
My latest riding partner had already departed to go face the post-ride fallout from his chief intimidator; my local buds were all steadfastly stuck in their own routines; on the other hand, a hurricane had abruptly halted any near-term prospects for a dry ride northwest or due west. Worse yet… all of that moist mess would soon be spreading eastward, so no good options after a day or two in any direction existed either. I was already tired of staying put in any one place… Yep, this serious rider was for sure restless, but… no appealing realistic prospects seemed available.
 
Obviously, not having any ride partners is no problem at all for this normally solitary trekker… No urgent, compelling need at the moment to seek snuggle-bunnies either thereby influencing my choices that way. On the other hand, constant rain off and on every day is more than a bit of a turnoff, and that would definitely diminish the positive effects of wind therapy!

It was record-setting hot everywhere that was not stuck in a persistent rain pattern; fires were beginning to crank-up and blossom in earnest out west; Canada was completely unavailable; besides, winter would soon be coming to that wonderful land plus the very northern reaches of our nation… So, predictably, despair was beginning to creep-up on this huge devotee of the coddiewomple. What’s with this strange weather anyway? Or have I simply become such a total tenderfoot?
 
If only Al Gore had won back then, doggonit, we’d all be on easy street by now… Choosing to do far less, unfortunately, doesn’t seem to be working out all that well, either… What we desperately need is lots more misinformation from both pro and con advocates on possible climate change, so we can then finally make some appropriate decisions! (Yep, my tongue is in my cheek again… and that is proof positive of growing despair!)
 
Oh woe was me… spiritual claustrophobia can be such a burden sometimes! Maybe we should just bite the bullet and go sit things out for a little while…? Heck, ‘home base’ wasn’t but a day’s ride from there, and that would easily beat just sitting around multiple days in a motel room, so… My landlady probably wouldn’t even require me to wear a PC facemask all the time either…
 
There is this serious worldwide health threat, you see, so we must ‘take action’… and even meaningless gestures are still ‘action’ after all… Overkill for virtue-signaling or political statement making just doesn’t strike me as necessary and certainly not effective. Masks have a critical function, of course, I’m just not strongly inclined towards hollow gestures, myself… Heck, I’ve never ridden a unicorn or jousted with a windmill either. Does that make me a ‘phobe’ or an ‘ist’ of some sort? (I appear to be slipping fast…!)
 
There had previously sort of been a date set for a visitation with an old girlfriend… Napper, a truly great partner indeed! Barbara, Napper’s mentor and BFF from work, had recently retired, bought a pick-up and large fifth wheel camper… and the two of them had gone to the Florida panhandle for a ‘camping excursion’ during the same time I’d just happened to have wandered down to Montgomery. Accordingly it had been arranged we’d stop by their ‘mobile, temporary domicile’ on our way from wherever we were… to wherever we might be going.  
 
Our girl and her passenger arrived at the town nearest the designated campground, and a call for further directions was made. An apparent miscommunication, a very common occurrence anytime women and this ardent practitioner of solo riding attempt to ‘communicate’, had resulted in them being at the beach that day thinking their potential visitor wouldn’t arrive until the following day. I gave them the benefit of the doubt and assumed that was not an intentional, ‘convenient’ oversight… One can never be completely sure, though, when dealing with womenfolk. Oh well… next time, perhaps… So…
 
Now we were even closer to my landlady’s place, while none of our other prospects had begun to appear even the slightest bit better at all… Heck, let’s just scoot on over to this not-far-away motel I know about near Marianna with a Po’ Folks Restaurant close by and a pretty good Sonny’s BBQ place just up the road… A solid plan for sure it was quickly concluded, plus this choice would also allow plenty of time to ponder and reconsider options. Alas, no coconut pie there either… a sad but recurring theme it was turning out to be…
 
I wondered if perhaps the pandemic might be responsible for this tragic nationwide dessert-treat famine I kept encountering; or, if maybe it was those sinister, conniving Russians making mischief again… (I hope that doesn’t make me sound racist!) Is a remedy for that grave shortfall something that could be included in the next stimulus bill? Does Nancy know about this blight on our nation? Maybe I should check with her hairdresser and make sure she knows…
 
I longingly reflected upon… Yes, I curiously found myself fondly recalling those heady days back when Trout Dude, MitchO, and the ole bug slayer himself had stopped at the Jubilee Restaurant in Kickapoo, IL… The very time and place where Dennis and this huge fan of that particular sweet treat had devoured some of their truly great pie for the very first time! (Mitch is definitely not a fan!) I’d later even stopped by there a couple of other times without my pals just so… Yep, I really did…
 
Determined to get to the bottom of this calamity and knowing they can always be counted on for the straight skinny, I imagined a call to CNN for an unquestionably penetrating and scrupulously accurate assessment. I was informed it was due entirely to another glaring failure of leadership by the current POTUS… However, polling indicated I could expect improvement after November 3rd, when the challenger could begin implementing his ‘bold plan’ (no specifics available of course)! Those ‘facts’ had been carefully verified and fact-checked, I was assured, by running this important matter by a focus group composed of ‘unbiased’ Bernie Backers… (Despair, ergo sarcasm, must be growing even more rapidly than I’d realized!)
 
It will likely take rather large government intervention to fix this obvious failing of capitalism, according to my socialist pals… Making the ‘rich’ pay for it, too, seems only fair and just to them… As for myself, I’m just hoping everybody gets on board with the vitally important ‘BLM’ movement… Bruce’s Lust Matters…! Heck, it even seems to this often confused but never truly lost wanderer that coconut pie might just be a potent solution for diplomatic perplexities, too.
 
Imagine for a moment if planeloads of Marie Callender’s finest had been sent to the mullahs in Iran instead of merely crass cash…? And, what if Putin had been presented with a beautiful pie with lots of froth on top instead of being so thoroughly intimidated by the prospects of that ominous big red ‘Reset Button’…? What might happen, I wondered, if DJT showed up in North Korea with…? I’ll just bet Kim Jung Dung would be like putty in POTUS’ hands! See what I mean? The possibilities are simply endless! “Piece in our time!!!”, could at long last become a reality!
 
Oh well… my quandary and associated thoughts were interrupted when I took the unusual but potentially quite risky step of actually answering my smart phone when it began ringing. I crossed my fingers and took a deep breath hoping that it was not another ‘opportunity to strongly register my concerns’ by making a political campaign donation… I knew who was ‘likely’ calling, though, thanks to caller ID. (Hey, I actually got a call from ‘myself’ one time, so we can never be totally certain!)
 
It was indeed my landlady, mercifully, and she was just checking to see what we might be up to… I posited the possibility of our returning to ‘base’ for a while, and she seemed quite receptive… She did request that we ‘give her one more day’, though, before showing up… Hmmmm… No explanation was offered at the time, but no problem either as none was necessary…
 
The next morning we scooted on down to Chiefland, FL, and got a room at the Quality Inn… a very respectable place where I’ve stayed before. That quite comfortable motel coincidentally also just so happens to be merely two blocks from BBQ Bill’s, another favorite restaurant of mine! A pork plate meal was selected for a late lunch, but I also ordered a jumbo pork sandwich on garlic toast to-go for later… Talk about planning ahead! Again, no coconut pie, though! This was approaching a crisis stage!!!
 
Among the several appealing aspects of this arrangement was the fact it would have us positioned less than one hundred miles from base the following day, even with a slight detour… Only a little jog just a wee bit out of the way, but one quite worthwhile nonetheless… Yep, it would involve a very simple navigational maneuver to take a modest longcut from there through Newberry, FL, which, of course, would include a stop at the Woodyard Grill… my most favorite of all BBQ restaurants! I could even say ‘Hi!’ to Rocky… Alas, it turned out he didn’t have any coconut pie either…
 
Hey, this decision to return home was turning out to be not such a bad idea after all!!! It would have been even better, though, if only I could have found some coconut pie somewhere along the way… sigh… Reckon Tractor Supply might carry that? I’m trying really hard to keep despair at bay… BBQ is definitely helping, but some coconut pie would sure go a long way towards aiding in my eventual success…
 
DDT

[hubcapsc]

Po’ Folks Restaurant

There's still such a thing somewhere? Big mason jars of Tea?

In college my Yankee friend Don couldn't bring himself to say " Po' ",
he always called it "Poor Folks"...

-Mike "Poe-Fokes"

[The emperor has no clothes]

Most excellent story ! I think Biden would be wise to hire you as a campaign consultant.

BIDEN 2020 - A COCONUT PIE IN EVERY POT

[Thunderbolt]

'nother good one Bruce.  I can't even remember half of what goes through my pea brain much less write any of it down.  I was telling Iris about my previous night's dream the other morning in such detail that it even surprised me.  I made no sense to either of us as it seems that the previous day's activities dictate the subject matter as well as whatever I might have had for supper.  I did however wait until after breakfast as we all know that unless we do things in the correct order those things may come to pass from that nocturnal occurrence.   

[Ice]

Bruce, my friend, you had me in stitches "  I’m just hoping everybody gets on board with the vitally important ‘BLM’ movement… Bruce’s Lust Matters…! " LOVE IT.
As always thanks for sharing your pondering's and wandering's, enjoyed every word.
There will be coconut pie at the end of one of the rainbows for sure.
Ride on my friend, ride on.

[DDT (12)]

Po’ Folks Restaurant

There's still such a thing somewhere? Big mason jars of Tea?

In college my Yankee friend Don couldn't bring himself to say " Po' ",
he always called it "Poor Folks"...

-Mike "Poe-Fokes"

Mike,

Lest we forget, only us fortunate few born and raised in dear ole Dixie are blessed with accent-free speech... I don't see many of those eateries at all anymore, but one now and then will pop-up and bring a smile to my face. Sort of like the same sensation I get whenever spying a Piggly Wiggly grocery store along the way. When those appear, I know without a doubt home ain't far away!!! I also know sweet tea will be available, and I'll be able to easily understand what fokes are sayin'...

DDT

Most excellent story ! I think Biden would be wise to hire you as a campaign consultant.

BIDEN 2020 - A COCONUT PIE IN EVERY POT

Rob,

Thanks for the compliment. Nope, no political campaigns in my future... I ain't willing to tell whoppers on sufficient scale to attract any interest from either party... Still, the idea of universal availability would be a solid one... The problem with politicians promising anything, however, is they never intend to deliver... They just tell us what we want to hear, then blame the other side when they don't come through... Many also are preoccupied with 'pubic' service rather than public service...

DDT

'nother good one Bruce.  I can't even remember half of what goes through my pea brain much less write any of it down.  I was telling Iris about my previous night's dream the other morning in such detail that it even surprised me.  I made no sense to either of us as it seems that the previous day's activities dictate the subject matter as well as whatever I might have had for supper.  I did however wait until after breakfast as we all know that unless we do things in the correct order those things may come to pass from that nocturnal occurrence.  

Terry,

Thanks, my friend. Yeah, those dreams... My landlady once asked me if I dreamt at night, and if so in color... "Yep," I'd responded, "They're like in-flight movies to me..." You are so correct, too, in that food recently eaten, anxiety, lots of things can effect the feature attraction, though... As for sequencing activities according to routine... well, there are some things that absolutely must be done in proper order! As usual, in my view you're right on target with your observations. Thanks again!

DDT

Bruce, my friend, you had me in stitches "  I’m just hoping everybody gets on board with the vitally important ‘BLM’ movement… Bruce’s Lust Matters…! " LOVE IT.
As always thanks for sharing your pondering's and wandering's, enjoyed every word.
There will be coconut pie at the end of one of the rainbows for sure.
Ride on my friend, ride on.

Yuri,

Yep, my lust is vitally important... at least to this holder of many... Oh well, I'll just continue seeking gratification where ever our girl takes us... Life can be tragic, wonderful, funny and/or sad... mostly it can be whatever we choose it to be... As for this humble gypsy, I intend to continue wandering and wondering... and looking for coconut pie in all the wrong places! Feel sorry for me yet?

DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

Rob,

Thanks for the compliment. Nope, no political campaigns in my future... I ain't willing to tell whoppers on sufficient scale to attract any interest from either party... Still, the idea of universal availability would be a solid one... The problem with politicians promising anything, however, is they never intend to deliver... They just tell us what we want to hear, then blame the other side when they don't come through... Many also are preoccupied with 'pubic' service rather than public service...

DDT

"pubic" service ?    (the idea of limitless coconut pie sure is appealing though)

[DDT (12)]

Rob,

Funny about that... When a young man, had I known there was so much sex and money associated with 'public service' - that is TV preachin' & politicin' - I might have given those callings serious consideration... Alas, I couldn't have actually gone either of those routes, though, as I was unwilling to undergo the requisite surgery... an 'integrity bypass' operation. Oh well, at least we have the satisfaction of knowing we have the very best politicians money can buy...

DDT

[Farside]

  Another great story for folks like me to follow you around. To bad you didn't rendezvous with your camper friends.  Looking for too much Coconut Pie maybe. I do know that Po Folks in Marianna and been there a few times when making a run to Tallahassee and back. I'm guessing that is the one you visited  ??? there are a couple in the pan-handle. Next trip thru try Skins & Bubba's in Chipley. They do have some good pies too but I haven't been since before the COVID experience.  You do love BBQ and glad you got to your Favorite one close to home.
  Looks like you stayed out of Sally's way, well ahead of her wrath; good thing she was ugly.   Enjoy your time while here in FL. 

[Valkorado]

Bruce, I'm sure your lust matters, but I don't think I wanna go there! 

Your wanderlust, on the other hand, is on another level.  Roll on rolling stone.

[DDT (12)]

Keith,

Thanks for the comments. And, thanks a bunch for the Skins & Bubba's in Chipley recommendation! Sounds like my kind of place, so I'm making a note of that... Having a blast just being me, doing what I do... Probably going to the FCR in a couple of weeks... wanna ride up with me? I just happen to know the way, so less risk of us getting lost... No guarantees on that; however, whatever does happen, I can guarantee a good time!!! Give it some thought...

DDT



Seth,

Can't blame you one bit for the reluctance on general lust endorsements! I do have some most wouldn't want to... whatever... On the other hand, I already know how you are on the wanderlust thing! Hope to ride out your way again one of these days... maybe we can hookup for some riding and dining. Please say 'Hi!' to the boss for me...

DDT

[Bret SD]

Bruce,

Thanks for another great story, one question keeps nagging at me though re the coconut pie 'movement'.. 

If there's no pie, how can there be a pie 'movement'?   

[DDT (12)]

Bruce,

Thanks for another great story, one question keeps nagging at me though re the coconut pie 'movement'.. 

If there's no pie, how can there be a pie 'movement'?   

Bret,

Thanks for the reply... and for the deep thinking you obviously do... You do make a valid point, and it is a mystery how 'movements' can result from a lack of 'inputs'... Perhaps Willow can add some insight to this conundrum... In the meantime, the search continues...

DDT

[Farside]

Keith,

 Probably going to the FCR in a couple of weeks... wanna ride up with me? I just happen to know the way, so less risk of us getting lost... No guarantees on that; however, whatever does happen, I can guarantee a good time!!! Give it some thought...

DDT



Gezzz, timing is everything right ??? I'm headed out this Thursday 24th for Tulsa, OK. Gil is coming up from S. FL and we are riding together until we get to Bob's. Then he is going to catch up with friends further west and make some memories out that way before returning home. I'll have Stinger but don't think I'll be able to do FCR but it is on my to do list especially as I get closer to retirement. It ought to be great and I thank you for the invite. If something changes I'll let you know.  

[h13man]

I thoroughly enjoy your non bias way of writing with some of the best candor I've read in a long time. A lot of effort is being put in making sure the "Life will never be same again" instead of returning back to life again. We have several local restaurants that serve homemade pies and pastries. Being type 2 kinda limits my carb intake but I do like CCP and will make valiant effort to check them out locally as soon as my wife gets back from Houston and yes she LOVE'S Houston.  Again thank you.

[DDT (12)]

Keith,

The Valk experience is so much more than just riding an amazing scooter, as awesome as that truly is! The FCR is one of those very special events that simply shouldn't be missed.  The locale is part of the story, but that is really little more than a backdrop for all the intangibles that abound... Sitting around the fires in the evening, for example, is a social gathering like no other and one of those main features that can't be described nor can they be duplicated either...

There used to be a couple more like that, but... time has a way of... Others have arisen to take their place, and those are becoming prominent and important features on our calendar, too, however... There is only one FCR, and none of us know how much longer they might continue, so... Best not to wait too long!!! Trust me here, you really, really need to go...

DDT



h13man,

Thanks so much for your comments and feedback! I appreciate your kind words... I usually ride through Indiana every year going someplace else... It is, after all, a crossroads of sorts. Knowing of some great restaurants in the out of the way places would be a huge plus, so thanks also for mentioning the possibility of scouting some of those for us! If type 2 poses a risk for you, try just taking pictures and dining on a salad! In any event, I hope to meet-up with you one of these days for some serious dining advice!!! Thanks again for joining this thread...

DDT

[Hook#3287]

BLM’ movement… Bruce’s Lust Matters…!

 

[h13man]

Keith,

The Valk experience is so much more than just riding an amazing scooter, as awesome as that truly is! The FCR is one of those very special events that simply shouldn't be missed.  The locale is part of the story, but that is really little more than a backdrop for all the intangibles that abound... Sitting around the fires in the evening, for example, is a social gathering like no other and one of those main features that can't be described nor can they be duplicated either...

There used to be a couple more like that, but... time has a way of... Others have arisen to take their place, and those are becoming prominent and important features on our calendar, too, however... There is only one FCR, and none of us know how much longer they might continue, so... Best not to wait too long!!! Trust me here, you really, really need to go...

DDT



h13man,

Thanks so much for your comments and feedback! I appreciate your kind words... I usually ride through Indiana every year going someplace else... It is, after all, a crossroads of sorts. Knowing of some great restaurants in the out of the way places would be a huge plus, so thanks also for mentioning the possibility of scouting some of those for us! If type 2 poses a risk for you, try just taking pictures and dining on a salad! In any event, I hope to meet-up with you one of these days for some serious dining advice!!! Thanks again for joining this thread...

DDT

You're most welcome. I live 20 mins. north of I 65 and the Purdue campus @ MM #178. A 3 turn journey so to speak. And yes they allow Fat Lady's within the region in predominantly HD region but they do respect the Fat Gurls here.  As most Hoooosiers' know, we love our breaded pork tenderloins but being a Boilermaker by grace of our Lord,  ;)this area is pretty mellow and friendly even in the inner cities as I speak despite present going on's.

I went to the city (eastside) yesterday for supplies imperative to my life, (med's and carbs  ) I was unawaringly being stalked @ our local Meijer store parking lot by a Chicago FIP (guess  ) as he commutes between Indy and Chi Town and often stops frequently due to the convenient access to I 65 and was the 1st. super store he encountered long before Chi town would allow any. This ended up being a half hour Valkyrie/big bike conversation. A wonderful encounter with a very respectful youngin' in his late 30's as most aren't  from that region and yes I can say that personally from 3 mos. spent there trying to carry on my career at that time but that is a story in it's own. He pointed out that his fiance family were predominantly Harley only family so he wanted Triumph Rocket III for his own ride (pre approved by fiance) and a HD for him and his future wife's touring machine and all the time he was drooling over the Valk. I shared info with him a little telling how affordable these gurl's are to purchase and to work on when needed. I reminded him how slowwww Triumph parts are to get here if needed. I was very surprised to encounter somebody who could out converse me which my better behalf pointedly reminded that's a rarity. Kinda hard to defend myself too much as she in the "lovely" city of Houston.  That there revenge enough I guess. 

So the journey went on to another part of the city and aroma of Texas Roadhouse summoned me to their bar for some ice tea and a $10 sirloin tip meal with a double portions as I mentioned to my wonderful server that I didn't receive my annual BDay appetizer this year. My server was a very conversant young lady as it was 4:30 pm and void of a crowd. Surprising she was very like minded lady in her late 20's. After a wonderful meal and company I stroll out to bike to load up, a another parking lot encounter started and went on for another 10 mins. from a late 50 ish former rider. The world as I view it still exist. Makes one happy to be in a moment time of genuine friendly interaction with strangers.

Yes I will snap some local culinary pic's as my newest 2 yr.old antique communication device (aka flip phone) takes excellent pic's! Not big fan of newer conversive devices as they are altering people to somewhat "brain deadness". Some day "Scotty" will beam up from all this calamity though not wanting to leave anytime soon but really, how many "Tribbles" are enough?