The Bug...

[DDT (12)]

The Bug...
 
Yep, I got the bug, all right. Happens more often than not whenever I visit Montgomery, AL. See, I have these friends in that town and environs, folks I've known for a long time now, some even twenty years and more. One in particular is one of the best friends I've ever had in my entire life, and no visit there is ever undertaken without contacting him and arranging at least a meal visit during my time there.
 
I'd lived at Sam's house (I rented a room from him) for the better part of a year once upon a time when he was between marriages. Towards the end of my stay there, I was considering moving to Texas or North Carolina and buying a house... One day while returning from breakfast in a nearby small hamlet, I stopped at a new subdivision to look over whatever the market seemed to be considering hot and/or essential at the time... plus to get an idea of what I might have to pay for certain size homes, etc.
 
A real estate lady found me and one thing led to another... and I wound up buying a house right there in the Montgomery area about six miles from Sam's house after all! Yeah, it's a very long story, and one whose telling is better left for another time, so...  Funny, though, how many times we decide upon a certain course of action and/or a specific destination, only to soon find ourselves in entirely different unanticipated circumstances!
 
Anyway, due to the approximately eight total years I lived around there, I do have ties to that community, some of its residents, and many meaningful memories in the area. I also have my healthcare providers there... as I never changed when I relocated my 'residence' to Florida five or so years ago... Yet another long story for another time...
 
Bottomline is, I return there anytime I have occasion to visit the dentist, dermatologist, family physician, or urologist, plus other specialty needs. I had a routine follow-up with my urologist again, so there I was back for that... Heck, there is even another long story regarding that particular appointment, too... Life can surely be rather complicated, it seems...
 
Well, weather in these parts is unpredictable and rapidly changing, while appointments tend to be rather inflexible, particularly where certain time-sensitive treatments are involved… like this time. What had been the long-range forecast to be clear sailing and easily doable aboard our girl had evolved over time to be downright soggy and not recommended for two-wheeled travel! My friend Sam has a solution…
 
Sam and his current wife Barbara Jo have three cars… one of which is a VW Beetle… Sam claims I’m doing him a big favor by driving ‘The Bug’, because it otherwise just sits in the garage… It surely works out great for this sissy scooterizer who prefers ideal conditions for riding anyway, so rain is typically not a problem while I visit there… Arrival and departure timing, on the other hand, can become rather complex and challenging issues…
 
If I were an ordinary guy living a more or less typical life, I’d own a car again myself, and I’d find healthcare folks near my stationary home, just like I’d done while living in that area… I’d thereby avoid some of the logistical issues now having to be addressed… An example…
 
The upcoming Tuesday morning I had a follow-up urologist visit scheduled… Including the ‘specimen’ rendering and the ‘shot’ to be given, along with the actual conversation with my urologist, the entire visit would last no more than an hour or so. My stay in the motel associated with this appointment, however, lasted an entire week it turned out!
 
Yes, lots of overkill on this one, for sure… much of it necessary, however, due to rain predicted to be in abundance throughout much of the stay… Of course, wanting to arrive early the Friday before so I could watch college football with my friends also factored into all of this by adding a couple of extra days onto the front-end of the visit, as well…
 
Now it needs to be said that the VW bug was not the only ‘bug’ in play at the time. We also had the coddiewomple bug tugging not so gently at us to go forth and seek adventure out yonder… There wasn’t another doctor visit of any kind scheduled until October 28th, so roughly three weeks were available for… the more usual bug experience.
 
I did need to scoot by Troutdude’s place when I left there for a new front tire, though, and… My daughter had seemed to be laying a foundation that I might want to return to Florida for a visit… I didn’t commit to that, however, until Thanksgiving, so… we’ll just have to see what comes of that… so far I remain on parole. In the meantime, none of that is actually 'bugging' me… We’re just proud to be out 'n about doing what our girl and her rider do…!!!
 
DDT

[..]

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egMWlD3fLJ8

And these lyrics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UaJAnnipkY

[Sweet Cheeks]

In the meantime, none of that is actually 'bugging' me… We’re just proud to be out 'n about doing what our girl and her rider do…!!!
 
DDT

Let me be the first to say …. You ain’t no prouder to be “out ‘n about” than we are to see you out ‘n about!

I totally enjoyed sharing some wind therapy with you.
Love you dude!

[Thunderbolt]

Sounds like several hidden adventures might just spring from this one.  Another good one.

[Rams]

There always be clouds just over the horizon but, somehow, Bruce seems to avoid the majority of them.
Some folks are lucky to find their niche in life, many never do.   Bruce is one of the lucky ones.   

Rams

[DDT (12)]

Paul,

Thanks for those! I really enjoyed listening to those old tunes that still rouse me and make my throttle hand twitch! Many of us, you especially included, totally identify with such salutes to the magic of the open road... the allure of distant undetermined locales somewhere down the road... and the wind in our faces. Thanks again! I appreciate ya, my friend...

DDT



Janice,

Thanks, my good friend! I appreciate all you have come to mean to our tribe, and to this gypsy in particular. From subtly changing my mind about attending the FCR, to sharing the wind with Punisher and me, to the loan of your insulated drinking cup... you've managed to totally redirect my trajectory! Most of all, however, I appreciate the genuine friendship and kindred spirit you bring to the table and share so freely... Looking forward to the next time!

DDT



Terry,

Thanks my friend. You've been to enough of our Valk gatherings to know there are always multiple stories unfolding all around us; many that make us scratch our heads, some that make us blush, and a great many that warm our hearts! We had them all, as you would expect... Wish you and Iris could have joined us...

Now that you're an 'elder statesman', you could amaze the rest of us with some of your own tales and just add to the good feelings everywhere... just like you did at all the Florida gatherings y'all attended. In case y'all do come, please remind Iris to bring an extra sweatshirt for you-know-who... just in case...   

DDT



Ron,

Yeah, I agree... I'd really like to take credit for all of this, too, however... So many other folks and so much downright good fortune have figured into my journey that my conscience simply wouldn't allow it. Some may disagree, but I think there has been no small amount of Devine intervention at work there, also. There are no 'self-made' people... everyone of us is the product of countless influences that swept us along and made us into who we became. Sure, our own personal choices figured prominently at every turn, but no one thing determined the outcome... we're each a unique composite of all factors.

Among those happy developments is the finding of my niche, as you said... I completely agree with you there, my friend! I am most fortunate indeed to have stumbled upon a path forward that produces the most harmony and joy I've ever known! Landing amongst the Valkyrie community members has amplified that enormously, and the wonderful real friendships that have evolved have combined to make this a story so incredible that it's even hard sometimes for yours truly to believe... and I was actually there for the entire thing!!!

DDT