Family Rant

[GreenLantern57]

Well, had the family in for the holiday. Damn, I enjoyed having the grandson around. Got 2 pieces of information that put a dark lining in the future.

Was informed by the d-i-l that I am NOT to encourage Connor to ride the motorcycle. He is NEVER to be given a ride.
Then the other bit,,,, d-i-l chimed in that Terrell is not going to get a bike either.

Then they both started all the statistics about deaths, crazy drivers, etc..... damn female dogs!

I know they both talk and text on the cell while driving.  Just hope Connor is not with his mom when she has a wreck. She is not an attentive driver and it is not a matter of IF but, WHEN since they drive in Houston area.


Already miss Connor! SIGH!

[flamingobabe #44]

Grandkids are GREAT...if I had known how wonderful they were...I would of had them 1st.....but my daughter moved my grandson age 6 from Houston area to Wichita, ks for 5 years then on to Seattle, Wa for the last 8 years and now he, the grandson is at Bosie State...if we are lucky we get to see him 2 or 3 times a year...we talk to him often so that's good....be happy the grandkids are within 7 hours......

[RainMaker]

Well, had the family in for the holiday. Damn, I enjoyed having the grandson around. Got 2 pieces of information that put a dark lining in the future.

Was informed by the d-i-l that I am NOT to encourage Connor to ride the motorcycle. He is NEVER to be given a ride.
Then the other bit,,,, d-i-l chimed in that Terrell is not going to get a bike either.

Then they both started all the statistics about deaths, crazy drivers, etc..... damn female dogs!

I know they both talk and text on the cell while driving.  Just hope Connor is not with his mom when she has a wreck. She is not an attentive driver and it is not a matter of IF but, WHEN since they drive in Houston area.


Already miss Connor! SIGH!

The d-i-l thinks she is doing the best for her kids, momma-grizzly style.  But the more forbidden something is, the more attractive it becomes, so she is setting herself up for two motorcycle riding boys in the future.  But they will sneak around at first, riding with their friends who don't have the experience or skills you have developed over the years.  They will have to learn how to ride safely the hard way versus learning good riding habits and safety skills from watching and learning from Grandpa.  

So while her attitude is understandable, it is ultimately self-defeating.

How do I know?  Guess what my mom tried to do....

RainMaker

[wizard -vrccds#125]

Other than 1800 miles away, I can't complain. I had him riding at  2 !                     

[GreenLantern57]

Sorry I got someone confused, I was not clear that Terrell is my younger son. Connor is James' son!  Before Terrell got married, his future wife said she loved riding! And people wondered why I didn't trust her.

Congrats Wizard, good looking boy! Glad to see the gear. Looks like a great place to ride. I bet this was a posed pic cause I am guessing he can't get the bike out without the helmet.

Thanks for the release, I was beside myself when both the d-i-l cut me! I could respect Connor's mom if she had requested me not to get Connor started on bikes, but the WAY I was told showed me no respect.

[RainMaker]

About that showing you no respect, female dogs tend to be braver and bolder in packs.

Sorry I misunderstood the family tree.  I'm guessing that if Terrell is cut from the same cloth as you, the decision on owning a motorcycle or not is in his hands, not the d-i-l's.

The hard part is biting your tongue until the day that Terrell and Connor are riding based on their own choice.

Until then, enjoy the wind and don't burn the bridges that allow both to visit with you.

[Disco]

Let me preface the following by saying my Grandfather bought me my first real, kick-start, 3-speed, auto-clutch motorcycle.  OK, motorcycle might be a stretch - we brought it home in the trunk - but it was a significant upgrade to the Tecumseh 3hp mini-bike I was riding, but could not start on my own.  On the way home he gave me "the speech" based on his personal experience.  "You have to be careful all the time and respect the fact that they can and will buck you, throw you, roll on you, get back up, and lay on you."  The basis for the speech was quite a story, but I'll save that for another time.  My point is that that was almost 40 years ago and I was not quite 11, but it stuck.   

Where do your sons stand on this subject?  Do they support their wives' points of view?  If so, you're probably fubared.  Or, could you be useful to your sons' desire to introduce responsible motorcycling to your grandsons while insulating your sons from the fallout?  I know there are some battles not worth waging, but you are the boys' Grandfather.  That's a special relationship that might enable you to do something more effectively than the boys' parents can and that's to impart knowledge and wisdom and have it resonate.  It's also a relationship that might outlast your relationship with your DsIL.

Rainmaker is absolutely right.  Taboo = Attraction  My $0.02 say remove the taboo with reasoned justification and be the Grandfather you want to be.

[GreenLantern57]

Well, you know I will be riding down to Houston a couple of times a summer. I can't control what Connor might find cool! 

James is not a rider, but I do not see him as a problem.  With another partner, he might throw his leg over a bike.

Terrell and I have already shared some riding times. Taught him to ride after he was 20 and have talked estensively about the dangers and what to look for while riding. He actually has his MC endorsement. I think that he will buy a bike when he can afford one. His little wife is going to find out he may cater to her needs, but he is his own man.  Plus, he told me later that he will have a bike.

Need to understand bought my first bike at 15yo in 72 and I traded my last bike in for a family car back in 82. James was small and we needed reliable transportation. James barely remembers the bike and Terrell wasn't born then. So the kids did not grow up around them, my fault not my wifes.
Fast forward to 2001 and I came across an 1983 V65 Magna at a great deal. That summer, I used it for my main transportation for my 120 mile commute. God willing, I will never be without a bike again, until I am no longer safe to others. I hope that is 20 or more years off.

[RainMaker]

Need to understand bought my first bike at 15yo in 72 and I traded my last bike in for a family car back in 82.

I bought my first bike, my orange and silver Honda CL70, when I was 15 in 1970.  (After sneaking around riding my buddie's Trail 70 and CL100 for about a year.).  Sold that to buy my first car.  After 2 years, got a basket case CL350 and haven't been without a bike since. My mother, now 78, HATES motorcycles.  But she took me in the car to the dealer to buy that first one, so I'm fortunate to have such a person in my life.

Both my boys have been pillion riders from the age of 4.  I had to strap my oldest one in because he wanted to ride, but would fall asleep back there on the gOld Wing.  Took my youngest to school for a few years on the 'Wing and the Valk (he thought it was neat to arrive in his uniform on back of a motorcycle).  The he turned 12 and it wasn't neat to ride with your Dad anymore.

The oldest one has a '98 Valk Tourer (his second bike) and the youngest still isn't ready to ride on his own, but he's 21 and will make up his own mind.  He says he wants to one day, but not yet. 

When and if grandkids come along and I'm still riding safely, I am hopeful that I will be able to take them for rides, too!

Hang in there - water seeks it's own level and the same will be true for your son and grandkids.

RM

[RainMaker]

When did your son get neutered?

DW

Is there any particular reason you are asking such a question?

GreenLantern's son hasn't been neutered, but if he did want to have that done, could you let us know where you went for neutering, since they seem to have done a good job.

[Houdini]

Deep breath RM, We don't want to start calling him an @$$hole.

DOH!

[Duckwheat]

Whoa Rainman.

It seemed like a legitimate question. All I read was what the DIL had to say and thought. Just checking to make sure Jr. still has a set.

DW

[RainMaker]

Whoa Rainman.

It seemed like a legitimate question. All I read was what the DIL had to say and thought. Just checking to make sure Jr. still has a set.

DW

No, it was not a legitimate question.  It was an insult to GreenLantern and that was it's only intent.  As is the statement "just checking to see if" is.  Nothing constructive there. 

Just because you think something doesn't mean it has to be transmitted. 

I hear you, Houdini.

DW, I hope your family had a nice Thanksgiving and will have a nice Christmas as well.

[Duckwheat]

Rainman you sound like a high school girl with her shorts in a bunch. Are you the defender of all in TX or just when I comment on something. GL can probably stick up for himself, without your overly emotional attempt.

I also don't have to explain myself to you. Perhps GL is smart enough to get the meaning behind my original comment without your interpretation.

Rain on buddy.

DW

[GreenLantern57]

When did your son get neutered?

DW

I haven't even met you yet and you already sound like my best friend! 

Relax guys, I believe I took it in the 'elbow in the ribs' kidding meaning. After all, I was born a Texan!

[Duckwheat]

Absolutely!



Born in Wichita Falls myself.


DW