Hmmm...

[DDT (12)]

Hmmm...  
 
Well, it ain't the best of times, but neither is it the worst of times. We're grounded and beset with foul weather... However, we're not snowed-in or left without options either. It simply ain't ideal, is all... Then again, it almost always is a bit one way or the other off dead center perfect... this time just a little more off-center than usual...
 
Mostly I'm fretting about having a surprise 'follow-up doc visit' sprung on me Monday. Dang, I can't believe I didn't see that probability coming sooner, so I could have mentally prepared for it... Then again, just as my late landlady used to often say, "If you did that, you wouldn't be you..." For me, one of the very few tough things about our relationship was that annoying habit she had of being right nearly all of the time!
 
Uncharacteristically, I did take some 'precaution' Saturday! Well, truthfully it would more accurately be categorized as indulgence rather than good preemptive planning, but the outcome was about the same either way... It all started when Sam called that morning...
 
Sam was extending an invitation to this eccentric rider to join him and Barbara Jo, his spouse, for lunch in Prattville... a burb, more or less, of Montgomery. Cuz would also be joining us there... Heck yeah! It sounded mighty fine to this room-bound, cooped-up rider who much preferred to not be either of those 'bound' or 'up' things! Sam and Barb were also going to pick me up at the motel, too... What a deal!!!
 
Our target eatery turned out to be the Longhorn Steakhouse, and that was fine with me. Aside from a good meal, that place also triggered some fond memories that had begun with a visit next door a few years back, where a group of us Valkers had first met a gal and fellow rider who almost immediately became known to us as 'Sweet Cheeks'...  Small world sometimes it seems...
 
Sam ordered a 'spicy Bloody-Mary',  then I reluctantly but prudently settled for a 'Bloody-Mary Lite': like his, only mine had less spiciness! He can still handle all that hot stuff I used to try to keep up with, but I've had to give all that up long ago so I could go on, even sleep nights sometimes, without roaring heartburn! No wait… that’s what happens with raw onions… the spice thing only produces varying degrees of mild indigestion… depending upon what and how much… Anyway, I have given nearly all that up too.
 
A good meal was had, and great banter had been exchanged between dear friends. The weather was producing really cloudy skies and a noticeable drop in temperature while we were out, but the rain didn't actually arrive until around 1:30pm or so... I thought to myself how downright happy I was that we'd come on all the way there the day before after all! It started to sprinkle just as we were leaving the parking lot after dining... Yes, I did feel a twinge of smugness, but mostly I just felt mighty lucky!!!
 
I noticed a Krispy-Kreme bakery shop right across the street and made mention of it. Ever thoughtful Sam then asked if I'd like for him to pull through the drive thru... Well, alrighty! I purchased a dozen glazed, light & fluffy originals, and... the makings of several treat sessions was added to my imminent joy list! No fooling, I really would rather be lucky than good!
 
Jan’s Beach Grill was closed that evening due to a death in her family… and she was always closed on Sundays, so… I may not get to see her this time… Oh well, my loss, not her’s… That is, if we also don’t make it by there Monday evening… which is possible… Naturally, it’s really hard to say this far in advance.
 
Of course, I do expect to be reeling from the melancholy setback of having to return yet again so soon for that anticipated doggone inconvenient follow-up appointment, so… I may be needing to console myself by drowning my sorrows with the posse. I may even have to go pick-up another ‘precautionary’ dozen of… you know…
 
It stands to reason, though, that if I am successful in persuading the doc to not be bringing me back, then a suitable celebration will be in order! Nope, definitely not the best of times, but most certainly not the worst by any means, either!
 
DDT

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I've stayed at that Days Inn in Prattville several times now and still remember the first time when we met Sweet Cheeks. Mitch and I was there 12/26/21 and had supper at Longhorns on our way to The Keys. Another good read Bruce 

[John Schmidt]

"For me, one of the very few tough things about our relationship was that annoying habit she had of being right nearly all of the time!"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bruce, she and Rita must have been cut from the same mold. In our 30 yr. relationship we never fought, but that doesn't mean we always agreed. I can still recall her saying after I declined to follow through on something; "just keep in mind what I suggested."  Often it was right on target...I just never let on although she probably knew it. Another talent of hers was finding stuff...especially in the shop. When disassembling something, I would drop a piece or it would go flying across the garage. After much searching, I'd give up. That woman would ask for a description, then walk out to the shop and in less than a minute would ask "is this it?" I asked one time how she knew I was bothered by something, whereupon she told me "an open book is always easier to read!" She's sorely missed.

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
Dogonit man! Sometimes the hits just keep coming!  Well this too shall pass!

I am gonna go to the store and buy some beer, then come home and cook some bacon.  Then I am going to eat bacon and drink a beer in your honor and send up some wishful thoughts that the surprise Monday doctor visit is the last thing keeping you from a long and long overdue coddiewomple!

Hanging out with the posse isn’t such a bad thing though.  Great bunch of folks!

Bigwolf

[DDT (12)]

I've stayed at that Days Inn in Prattville several times now and still remember the first time when we met Sweet Cheeks. Mitch and I was there 12/26/21 and had supper at Longhorns on our way to The Keys. Another good read Bruce  

Joe,

Yeah, who knew that fateful evening when we all checked into that motel, that the pretty lady issuing our room keys to us would turn out to be quite literally one of us! She and I've shared many miles and smiles together since, as have you and many others with her, and our entire gaggle of riders has benefited from the outcome of that unexpected encounter long ago. I've also dined at that restaurant several times myself, but I always smile as I recall the unlikely events of that most memorable evening... Thanks for your kind comments, and as always thanks for the reply!

DDT



John,

Tille and Rita apparently did share many similar traits and character qualities... but they weren't identical by any means! Nope, Rita had an uncanny ability to find stuff, while my former dearly beloved had an uncanny ability to lose stuff!!! Particularly her phone, purse, and keys... I mean, it was absolutely comical and predictable how an important part of any going out preparations we made included a period of full 'life suspension' while one or all of those items were sought... I still smile when I recall those now wonderful memories that were at the time a bit frustrating... Yeah, Tille is sorely missed, as well...

DDT



Jerry,

I sincerely appreciate the sympathetic thought and inclination to afford this bundle of contradictions and puzzlements some abstract solace. Well, things have veered off in yet another unanticipated direction, and the immediate future does appear totally different than it did even twenty-four hours ago... Of course, I'm going to write a story about it, so I don't want to give the plot away here, so... For now, let me just thank you again for your kind words and offer of vicarious relief... those are always appropriate no matter how events twist and turn, zig and zag... and dramatically alter our even unplanned activities!

DDT

[t-man403]

Bruce, every time I hear the name Sam, instant flashback!
Cardinals, lizards, a nice cold beer on the deck along with a back yard so big I took the dog for a walk and couldn’t see the house from the end, so many trees.
He may not remember me but please say hi for me anyway.
So, I’m guessing Tabasco is out of the question. 

[Sweet Cheeks]

Quite fond memories indeed!  I definitely could never have imagined how that one chance encounter would alter my life. Not only did I gain a ton of brothers (and sisters), but I was introduced to the idea of “coddlewampling” (or something like that

[Jess from VA]

Careful, coddlewampling is still illegal in several States.   

[DDT (12)]

Bruce, every time I hear the name Sam, instant flashback!
Cardinals, lizards, a nice cold beer on the deck along with a back yard so big I took the dog for a walk and couldn’t see the house from the end, so many trees.
He may not remember me but please say hi for me anyway.
So, I’m guessing Tabasco is out of the question.  

Terry,

Sam and I joined Cuz for breakfast this morning, and I relayed your message... They do remember you, and they said HEY! back at you. Yeah, funny how seemingly at the time insignificant or minor events can blossom into life enriching and even life altering experiences! My meeting you was not unlike that in regard to the chance meeting with Sweet Cheeks, but the outcome of both has been huge for all concerned!!! Looking forward to more of that, too...

As for the Tabasco question: Nope, I don't do that anymore... Of course, I never did it more than a couple of times before either. Truth be told, I've never been much of a fan of any of the hot sauce choices... Not that I didn't consider them or even try them on a few occasions... Nope, I recall distinctly once upon a time, for example, trying to fantasize and imagine what it must have been like when I observed a certain Canadian liberally apply Tabasco to an order of grits! I just couldn't get there even with my own wild imagination, however, so I've never actually tried that particular application... Funny about that...

While I wasn't inspired to take that 'unusual' plunge, that Canadian did find some somehow, so on a subsequent visit to his home in Calgary, he actually provided grits for breakfast! Good news really does travel fast! I have no recollection, though, if he'd applied any Tabasco to his serving that interesting morning, but if I were to hazard a guess... Oh yeah!!!

DDT

Quite fond memories indeed!  I definitely could never have imagined how that one chance encounter would alter my life. Not only did I gain a ton of brothers (and sisters), but I was introduced to the idea of “coddlewampling” (or something like that

Janice,

Oh yeah! The history of this club is rich in unusual but wonderful stories of how people have come into contact, genuine and lasting friendships have been formed, and lives have been positively impacted! Certainly, one of the most amazing decisions I've ever made was the chance decision to buy one of those awesome machines as a second bike, not knowing at the time if I'd even want to keep it... WOW!

As for the coddiewomple thing, many of us had little more than a fantasy in mind when we first stumbled upon that prospect... but for some it has proven to represent an entire new line of thought and life aspiration! You seem to be a natural at it yourself... You apparently were a budding prospect none of us realized when you encountered the Cool Kids that fateful evening... However, in a relatively short time you have found your own Utopia, and you seem to be flourishing in that new to you direction. Congrats on finding your way, and welcome!!!

DDT

Careful, coddlewampling is still illegal in several States.  

Jess,

Whoa! There is a newsflash that has certainly caught my eye! I hope you were only making a veiled hint at humor due to her spelling of the word... However, you being a legal scholar and on intimate terms with juris prudence and all that, it did get my attention... even produced some trembling here at this keyboard! Would you please elaborate further?

DDT

[Jess from VA]

Bruce, it was pure (funny word) humor, as the laughing emoji shows.  (Not veiled at all)

Insert image of what coddlewampling actually is.     (but don't piss Carl off now)

[DDT (12)]

Jess,

Thanks for the explanation... It is a huge relief! Sorry for my not catching that in the first place... Nobody ever accused this dullard of being the sharpest knife in the drawer!

DDT

[Rams]

Enlightenment is usually a joy (until it hurts). 

Rams