Much To Digest…
So many inputs to digest lately, it's a wonder I haven't had to deal with a roaring case of indigestion! Including inputs of the food sort, of course, and lots of that... and that indiscretion, by the way, will require some modest near fasting soon to compensate... See, for this intemperate diner an important lesson in life has been that it is easier for this rider to keep weight off than it is to later take it off. So, moderation has become a rather inflexible necessity, but a little backsliding can be tolerated now and then if it is balanced with lessened intake soon afterward. So far that has worked...
Those caloric inputs are by far not the greatest 'new thing' taken in with which to contemplate, however. Nope, lessons from the sheer joy of simply gliding along the less traveled roads of our fantastic land, savoring all the sights, smells, sounds, and sudden unexpected happenings. There is not one thing that has ever come upon us so far in our decades long Vision Quest that compares with the simple joy of a leisurely paced scoot through 'fly-over country', stopping whenever it suits us or some curiosity piques our interest... or whatever. These marvelous delights continue each and every time the kickstand is placed in the ‘up’ position.
On rare occasions nowadays but more often in earlier times, we'll stop at some old cemetery and stroll among the monuments to lives long since departed. Soon we begin to discover interesting facts about the locals like: Periods of likely epidemics; the very real hazards of childbirth for both the mother and the infant; the perils of hard labor for earlier farmers and settlers. Most of those remembered there had died at younger ages than this aging rider, which serves as a stark reminder that he is indeed most blessed!
Stops at out of the way businesses also can prove interesting... Gas stations, restaurants, general stores, almost anywhere that is off the beaten path frequented by tourists and passersby. Folks there are always interesting, and they’re usually delighted to share their own stories. Likewise, they typically display much curiosity about our own story. Some take momentary vicarious rides of their own, others marvel at the freedom to be able to actually do something like that… a few will simply think this homeless gypsy must be stark-raving mad! Always, though, those turn out to be fascinating and enjoyable interludes…
Each one of us inhabits a different world than all others that merely overlap in time and space. Most things appear the same to all of us, naturally, because they are. Whenever conclusions, opinions, interpretations, or beliefs are required, however, our worlds take on very different properties! Each one of us is the cumulative result of widely differing inputs: Genes; experiences; education; reactions to interactions with others; our own emotions; and more than anything else, how we see ourselves in any given set of circumstances. No two of us, therefore, can possibly be exactly the same or hold the precise same perspective. How we come to regard those differences and more importantly how we react to differences make all the difference in what comes next!
Along our different journeys we unavoidably cross paths with strangers… people different from ourselves physically, but just as importantly intellectually, as well as emotionally, developmentally, and attitudinally. We can disagree, argue, seek to ‘enlighten and/or convert’ the other, or we can listen and gain an entirely different perspective upon what we’ve seen and/or experienced along our own life’s travels.
Doing the latter is like being able to glimpse the world, indeed life itself, through another set of eyes, thereby freeing our thoughts from the severe limitations of only our own observations. Naturally this requires more than simple acknowledgement of a different conclusion, it must accompany consideration of the inputs that led to the different point of view. In this way, though, we unavoidably expand, alter, and fine-tune our own perspectives. I guarantee you the world, ‘our own unique world’, will become a very different place for any of us when we follow that course!!!
I’ve also just finished a book unexpectedly sent to me by a very dear friend, Punisher. That book was written by another biker gypsy who has quite literally lived full time on the road riding around North and Central America on his old Harley the last twenty-five years. The book, however, is not about that journey, per se. Instead it is a work of fiction expressing lessons he’s absorbed about life and the quest to become a complete and good person. I have thoroughly enjoyed that addition to my own food stores for contemplation!
Still being on a rather short leash due to doctor doings, we’ve been unable lately to stray too far from Montgomery, AL. The curvaceous but most enjoyable road recently led us to the lair of Big Wolf and CB, as it has on many previous occasions. Yes, we dined quite well, as we always do, so therein lies some of my near-term ‘digestion challenge’ and the urgent need for coming restraint!
Jerry informed me MitchO and Laura would be riding over to lead us on a ride to Tompkinsville, KY, for among other things, a ‘deep fried’ hamburger. Having long been a connoisseur of such delicacies, I was as eager as a horny young adult buck! They arrived and small talk ensued… Among the topics discussed were heated handlebar grips for a Valkyrie… Jerry had some already, so I was curious and all ears. Then it was announced that another of the reasons for this newest couple to our gabfest being there was that Mitch was going to assist Jerry in installing a set on our girl that they'd purchased for a gift to us! I was blown away!
First, however, it was decided the burger ride should occur with the installation to come afterward. We mounted up and headed out… Over hill, over dell, down no dusty trail, as we avoided any unpaved roads, but we did enjoy some fairly smooth curvy two-laned roads the sixty miles or so to… ‘Dovie’s’… in downtown Tompkinsville, KY. Not much like it exactly, of course, but it definitely still reminded me of CF Penn’s in Decatur, AL.
Their claim to fame and main attraction is their hamburger fried submerged in cooking oil on the spot to order right in the center of the horseshoe shaped ‘fixin’ area’ and served either ‘unsqueezed’ or ‘squeezed’. That is, with the juices still in the burger or after they had been removed. Our handy-dandy helper lady informed us unsqueezed was by far the best way… According to her, “It ain’t near as good unless you got grease drippin’ down yer chin!” Her recommendation sounded logical to me and proved to be grand advice!
Laura took our pics, so she isn’t in them… The latest culinary goldmine…
Another shot on the way in…
‘Unsqueezed’ all around if you please!
Dovie’s is by no means a typical or chain type of eatery! It is instead one of those unique local attractions that’s stood the test of time (they opened in 1940) because it offers good food at fair prices in a somewhat quirky atmosphere… and the ladies working there are certifiable characters! It’s definitely the sort of place I very much look forward to visiting again…
Different twisty roads back to Jerry’s place, then on to the next phase of this mission… the installation of those heated grips… a special gift from two very special friends!
‘Some assembly required…’ Prep work began…
A team effort…
I took the pics this time, so… here is Laura patiently waiting…
I can’t say enough about how surprised and delighted I was with this latest development! I’m certain I’ll be even more grateful in a few months when that gift becomes necessary… From reading that book, I’ve already received huge benefit! Receiving a practical gift is always appreciated… However, receiving such generous gifts for no special reason from good and dear friends is priceless! Yep, I am indeed basking in the warm glow of a full tummy and a gratified soul!!!
DDT
