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Author Topic: To Wound A Sparrow...  (Read 1461 times)
DDT (12)
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Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« on: November 03, 2021, 08:03:30 AM »

To Wound A Sparrow...
 
Say what?! Talk about catchy titles... No, I have no subconscious desire to harm small critters, although I have had to come to terms with the inevitable slaughter of insects and the occasional other critter that goes with bike riding. There is a story behind the selection of that particular title, though, as you no doubt suspect, but first... I had other birds with which to deal...
 
Yep, for example I had some crow to eat at the FCR, as I'd known I would. I'd gone to some length explaining to several of my dearest friends why I was not going to be there this year. All of that stemming from the recent and sudden passing of my landlady. I'd actually decided to forego all group activities for the foreseeable future...
 
I'd just figured I was going to want to spend much time in the saddle alone to collect my thoughts, place things in proper context, and arrive at a place where I could continue on as before. The suddenness and finality of it all had caught me largely flat-footed, so time was needed, I'd reasoned, for... all that follows such tragedies...
 
I'd travelled some distance, too, in my aimless wanderings while undergoing some rather intense wind therapy. I smiled as I unexpectedly wandered into a smallish village in upstate South Carolina and realized where we were when I spotted a certain sign... Good timing for a break, I'd thought to myself, and there was an unmistakable photo op as well...
 
You see, we have a redneck fellow Valk rider who is from very near there... just a teensy bit west of there, in fact...
 

 
Anyway, all that wandering around solo riding had cleared most of the cobwebs from my thinker muscle cavity, and my coming to terms with recent events had progressed much faster and smoother than I'd feared they might. So, I was in a favorable posture already when Sweet Cheeks happened upon the scene and planted the seed...
 
Admittedly I wasn't a very tough sell... The FCR is one of the premiere Valk events of all, and SmokinJoe has consistently done a fabulous job of orchestrating a most enjoyable weekend for all who attend. It also happens to be attended by many, many folks I've come to know quite well over the years, and with whom I always look forward to spending some time.
 
What finally turned me around, though, were the comments of some of y’all. Janice had posted something on Facebook about our encounter, and there were some mighty nice replies made to that entry. She showed me what others had said, and that’s when the scale tipped and I swung completely around… All of a sudden, I felt an overpowering urge to go amongst such fine folks, so arrangements were quickly made…
 
Following the FCR… now this may come as a bit of a shock to some of you, so grab a hold of something solid if you’re going to read on… I had no plans whatsoever! Nope, I had not a clue which way we might go next. Big Wolf interceded once again, as he has many times before… “You could always drop by the house for a few days…” Well, our girl just happened to be due for an oil & filter change, so… that became a plan… As is typical, a couple of other things ended up being addressed, as well…
 
The port-side fork had been seeping a wee dram of fork oil now and then, as it had several times before. Jerry has one of those handy tools for sliding under the fork seal and cleaning away ‘gradoo’ and such, so that simple task was undertaken. After around a thousand miles later, though, still no fork oil seepage! Thanks Jerry, good job!!!
 
The oil & filter were changed without incident or boo-boo (not always the case with this non-mechanic involved), and then it was decided to replace the spark plugs. Again, no problems or issues arose! We were on a roll! Our girl does start now like she has throughout most of her life, so apparently I’d been neglectful lately yet again…
 
It was time to hit the road again, so with the usual mixed feelings I said farewell to my hosts and pointed our girl in some random direction. I had no idea how or where we might spend the following week or so killing time and scrapping miles off as we meandered generally towards Montgomery and my annual appointment for a physical. Perhaps we could go west? Or east? North? Or south? Yes, we did…
 
Lots of smiles as our route continually changed throughout each day! No set route, just zigging and zagging hither and yon, mostly dodging forecasted rain… It turned into a delightful ride that brought us to a suitable locale for a lay-over and much needed day of rest… Monroeville, AL.
 
Some of you may know that as the home of Harper Lee and Truman Capote… She is the author who penned the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, which was later made into a movie starring among others Gregory Peck. Well, I’d been unable to figure out how she might have come up with that title… so I asked some locals…
 
Everybody asked was familiar with that story, but nobody had a clue how that title had been selected. I seriously pondered on it myself. Later, a very nice lady suggested that maybe Harper and Truman had collaborated on that choice… which might explain it, I suppose. However, I finally decided that great authors can come up with just about anything, even if having nothing at all to do with the story itself, and hang it on there just for attention-getting. The prerogative of the masters, so to speak…
 
Naturally, I have no inclination to include myself in the same conversation as the masters, and nothing I’ve ever jotted down would be in their league by even the longest of shots; however… I do aspire to be far better than I am now. So, it struck me that maybe by adopting some of their quirks and style points I just might could bolster the standing of my own stuff… To Wound A Sparrow... now does that sound catchy to any of y’all…? It works just fine for me…
 
DDT

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John Schmidt
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a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike

De Pere, WI (Green Bay)


« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2021, 09:21:08 AM »

Sounds great to me. As a kid in grade school I had to write about my favorite pet...which happened to be a stray dog I later named Skippy. The teacher said we had to make it at least one page long and have a title, so I scrawled a few lines and named it "Scratching My Flees" which was quickly pointed out I had spelled "fleas" wrong. I argued it was fine since it proved she, the teacher, had read it.  Wink
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Serk
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Rowlett, TX


« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2021, 09:35:45 AM »

There's a birds of prey show at the Renaissance festival that I frequent, with hunting examples and in general exposure to these magnificent birds.

After the show the birds are placed on perches and audience members are allowed to come up and get a closer look.

I took advantage of this, went to the first bird and was making silly faces at it, saying "Nyah nyah nyah!", blowing razzberries at it, etc.

The master falconer came over and asked me what in the ()@(!# was I doing?!?!?!

I told him I was practicing for a new one man play I'd been working on.

...To Mock a Killing Bird.

...I'm not welcome at that show any longer.
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Ice
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Whatever it is, it's better in the wind.

On a road less traveled.


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« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2021, 11:39:48 AM »

Bruce,
You had me laughing at the end, Thanks for sharing, you had me on every word just waiting to see what happened to that poor Sparrow...  2funny

Very much enjoyed your newest edition.
As always looking forward to the next edition...
Enjoy the therapy and remember the door is open, the grill hot and the beverages are cold...unless you want coffee.  Cheesy
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Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005
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American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God.

Beautiful east Tennessee ( GOD'S Country )


« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2021, 11:43:19 AM »

Another good read Bruce  cooldude

Glad you made The Fall Color Ride it was good seeing you again.
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I've seen alot of people that thought they were cool , but then again Lord I've seen alot of fools.
Jess from VA
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No VA


« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2021, 12:16:12 PM »

One of my favorite movies, and old Boo Radley was Robert Duvall's first film.



After the injustice of the wrongly convicted black man being killed while escaping, that old cracker redneck that tried to kill Scout (Peck's little girl) ended up dead meat by a knife wound.

And the Sheriff's proclamation that that old bastard fell on his own knife was very poetic justice.

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Sweet Cheeks
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Alabama / Colorado


« Reply #6 on: November 03, 2021, 12:40:57 PM »

Great story Bruce.  I hate I missed you in Montgomery. When you are back this way, please give me a shout.  Otherwise I hope to see you at Joe’s Run for the Sun ride in December.

Safe travels.
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Rams
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So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out

Covington, TN


« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2021, 05:26:36 PM »

Excellent read.   
No problem with the sparrow thing, they keep crapping on my truck so as that band from KS sang: carry on my wayward son...  Wink

Rams
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DIGGER
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« Reply #8 on: November 03, 2021, 05:51:24 PM »

There's a birds of prey show at the Renaissance festival that I frequent, with hunting examples and in general exposure to these magnificent birds.

After the show the birds are placed on perches and audience members are allowed to come up and get a closer look.

I took advantage of this, went to the first bird and was making silly faces at it, saying "Nyah nyah nyah!", blowing razzberries at it, etc.

The master falconer came over and asked me what in the ()@(!# was I doing?!?!?!

I told him I was practicing for a new one man play I'd been working on.

...To Mock a Killing Bird.

...I'm not welcome at that show any longer.


Haha……that theres funny!
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RNFWP
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"What color blue is that?"

Greenville, SC


« Reply #9 on: November 03, 2021, 08:22:23 PM »

Did a double take on the photo... you've got to be kidding me, DDT in Pelzer. I hope you weren't lost... Grin

To kill a mocking bird, well, they are ar55h@les but not sure they deserve to die.
To wound a sparrow... must have been an accident.
To eat crow... if it makes for a good story... might be worth it  Tongue

If you ever need help (or company) finding good BBQ in my neck of the woods, I'd be more than happy to oblige.

Glad you made the FCR. Enjoyed chatting with you and Big Wolf and being introduced to Sweet Cheeks.
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Bigwolf
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Cookeville, TN


« Reply #10 on: November 04, 2021, 08:20:22 AM »

Bruce,
When I read that title, I thought this was going to be a story about cleaning sparrow feathers off of your helmet!  But it seems no small winged animals were harmed in the writing of that story.  And a good story it is!

It’s interesting, and a large part of the appeal of “coddiewomple”, that a chance remark of a local, or an unexpected phone call or chance encounter with a friend, can so completely change the direction of the ride and the resulting pleasure of having made that ride.  I am glad that you did attend the FCR and I am glad that I did too!


Bigwolf
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Charlie McCready
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Gray, Tennessee


« Reply #11 on: November 06, 2021, 09:44:11 AM »

"To Mock a Killing Bird."    Serk, I love it !!
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f6gal
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Surprise, AZ


« Reply #12 on: November 06, 2021, 12:50:01 PM »

To Kill a Mockingbird is a story of innocence destroyed by evil. The mockingbird represents innocence.  Thus, to kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2021, 02:45:37 PM by f6gal » Logged



You can't do much about the length of your life, so focus on the width.
f6gal
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Surprise, AZ


« Reply #13 on: November 06, 2021, 04:38:39 PM »

To Kill a Mockingbird is a story of innocence destroyed by evil. The mockingbird represents innocence.  Thus, to kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence.
I liked your first explanation better.  Smiley

I thought of it in more simple ways when I was young and saw the movie. The world is filled with evil. Even people who would kill a mockingbird.

I looked at the number of views and thought no one had looked yet.  I re-read and it sounded kinda' hokey... maybe I was being too self-critical.
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You can't do much about the length of your life, so focus on the width.
DDT (12)
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Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« Reply #14 on: November 08, 2021, 04:36:50 AM »

Hokey is ok. It was a good analogy. I wonder if Bruce feels like a wounded sparrow ?


Rob,

Well, sorta... Connie's excellent explanation is so spot-on, that perhaps the wounding of a sparrow can be thought of as a metaphor for the exposure of shallowness! Now we're getting to the essence of my coddiewomple... Dissatisfied with my own 'shallowness' and ignorance of deeper thoughts and meanings, I search for a way to remedy those shortcomings... I can always come here for a little help from my friends!!!

DDT
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Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!

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DDT (12)
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Posts: 4112


Sometimes ya just gotta go...

Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...


« Reply #15 on: November 08, 2021, 02:26:02 PM »

Rob,

Thanks for those words! Fact is, I'm most definitely a 'work-in-progress', but thanks to a lot of understanding folks, you among them, I feel like I'm making some progress in the right direction...

Sweet Cheeks actually figured a way to add that avatar for me! The pic itself was a selfie I took on my way to meet you and Brenda in '17... Now that was an amazing coddiewomple!!!

DDT
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Don't just dream it... LIVE IT!

See ya down the road...
f6gal
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Surprise, AZ


« Reply #16 on: November 08, 2021, 08:24:34 PM »

Hokey is ok. It was a good analogy. I wonder if Bruce feels like a wounded sparrow ?


Rob,

Well, sorta... Connie's excellent explanation is so spot-on, that perhaps the wounding of a sparrow can be thought of as a metaphor for the exposure of shallowness! Now we're getting to the essence of my coddiewomple... Dissatisfied with my own 'shallowness' and ignorance of deeper thoughts and meanings, I search for a way to remedy those shortcomings... I can always come here for a little help from my friends!!!

DDT
My friend, if there is one thing I know of you, it is not shallowness or ignorance.

I don’t remember the exact words Connie used in her first post that she edited. But I will paraphrase as best I can. Her analogy went sort of like this ; To kill a mockingbird represents the loss of innocence to evilness in the world. As she wrote the term “to wound a sparrow” represents the struggle and fortitude of  one to continue on in the presence of a loss.

(I like your new avatar)  cooldude

Ok, ok.  I guess more people saw it than I realized.  I'll try to remember...

To Kill a Mockingbird is a story of innocence destroyed by evil. The mockingbird represents innocence.  Thus, to kill a mockingbird is to destroy innocence.

To Wound a Sparrow is a story of grief and moving on.  The Sparrow (our wandering commentator), while still grieved, finds the strength to alter his path.  Thus, the sparrow is merely wounded and not destroyed.  

Well, something like that.  I like your interpretation Rob.  Next time I get all philosophical, I'll fight the urge to take it down.  LOL.
Love ya' Bruce!  smitten
« Last Edit: November 08, 2021, 08:26:38 PM by f6gal » Logged



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Farside
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Let's get going!

Milton,FL


« Reply #17 on: November 09, 2021, 06:34:18 AM »

 cooldude Great title and write Bruce. I lead a small group about 2 weeks ago to Monroeville for our Sat. RTE. AJ's Cafe for breakfast I highly recommend. Great little town, as I have visited the Hospital there for many years with my work. I'm very familiar with the Iconic "To Kill a Mockingbird". The wife and I made a visit a few years ago to the Museum located in the middle of town. The Museum / courthouse is set up like in the movie.  cooldude
  To get to Monroeville did you come down 41 or go up 41 north to Camden while in the area? That is about as close to a mountain ride for us Pan-handlers that we can get. It's about 40 miles of fun that we hit after breakfast. Of course if you take it South you're in Brewton which I believe you've done on the way to my house with Sweet Cheeks. I'm glad you're getting your wind therapy as I look forward to when we meet up somewhere. Stay safe and head clear my friend.  coolsmiley
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Farside
DirtyDan
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Kingman Arizona, from NJ


« Reply #18 on: November 10, 2021, 08:41:22 PM »

There's a birds of prey show at the Renaissance festival that I frequent, with hunting examples and in general exposure to these magnificent birds.

After the show the birds are placed on perches and audience members are allowed to come up and get a closer look.

I took advantage of this, went to the first bird and was making silly faces at it, saying "Nyah nyah nyah!", blowing razzberries at it, etc.

The master falconer came over and asked me what in the ()@(!# was I doing?!?!?!

I told him I was practicing for a new one man play I'd been working on.

...To Mock a Killing Bird.

...I'm not welcome at that show any longer.


……. cooldude

FUNNY!!!

Dan
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Do it while you can. I did.... it my way
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