Just Thinking...

[DDT (12)]

I didn't get far at all... I decided to look back through my photo stash and do a bit of reminiscing, and right away a curious memory was evoked... Since those recent routine doctor visits turned out to be anything but, I haven't had a spiritually trouble-free ride or even any worry-free moments... This new reality has me sailing uncharted waters, so to pass the time between worrisome events, I'm resorting to nostalgia and recollections to occupy my thoughts... and there we were...

A short time ago Allan, Punisher, and I had been hanging out at his place over-eating daily, laughing constantly, and him working on his ride yet still finding time to 'detail' our girl. Yep, she looked almost like new once he'd stepped back to examine his handicraft! Some folks just like doing that sort of thing, I reckon... Takes all kinds for sure...

As for myself, I much prefer to get them dirty and funky looking then admire the mess while fondly recalling all it took to get them looking that way... my version of a customized look! To yours truly, dust, mud, and bug-spatter residue on a bike are like campaign ribbons on a soldier's chest... To be worn with pride and dignity and never with embarrassment, disdain or disgust.

Allan seemingly enjoying himself...



Departure day finally arrived, so Allan and his latest partner with a now amazing looking ride headed towards Robbinsville, NC, and the annual Fall Color Ride. We'd deliberately decided to make this an easy two ride instead of the much longer one day ride necessary to economize on time and expense. Fort Payne, AL, positioned us for the easy jaunt to ground zero and all the merriment sure to be awaiting us... but first...

WOW! Didn't see that coming...



While standing around admiring our girls and small-talking, a gal I'd noticed struggling with her bags at the motel next door finally backed out of her parking space and pulled away... and right up to us... "May I pray for you?" she earnestly inquired... Of course, we replied in unison, so she stopped her car right where it was and got out... After prayer, we chatted for a while and posed for a couple of snaps.

It turns out she is originally from the Fort Payne area and is visiting the folks for a few days. She is actually the pastor of a church in California nowadays, and she felt being drawn to pray for us, so there she was and we were... A delightful albeit brief conversation ended rather soon, and she was off again on her 'mission'... leaving Allan and this smiling rider to ponder the meaning of all of that...

Back roads all the way, and what via super slab would have been merely a couple of hours turned into an all-day ride... and very much worth the extra time invested to do so! We arrived, as planned, two days before the actual event was to begin. A few folks like to do that so they can get in some local riding in a more spirited fashion than what usually goes with larger group rides... It also gave us time to try out previously unknown eateries... like this one in Andrews, NC.

Happiness is...


A message on the wall whose deeper meaning was yet to be revealed...


Following a rather leisurely and pleasant ride and beer-run, my latest good riding pal and I returned to the motel to see what might follow... We met a couple of Harley riders from Pennsylvania who were planning to depart the following morning on their own vacation coddiewomple... They ended up staying another night then being forced to move to a nearby motel for yet another evening spent mingling and socializing with their new cluster of riding friends! Really nice folks, and I strongly suspect we have not seen the last of them...

A couple of momentary strangers...


An amazing trip with tons of surprises and hidden blessings liberally stumbled across. It happened a couple of months ago, of course, but it's almost as much fun now reliving the recollections as it was making those memories at the time. That trip down memory lane and this resultant post are offered to all, but more than anything, they are another installment of 'spiritual maintenance'... as many of you have probably already guessed...

DDT

[Farside]

  Nice read Bruce and I bet it is yet another good memory to pull from your files. 

[Valker]

Thanks, Bruce. Visiting with you on those rare occasions is one of my treasured memories.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Nothing better than reading a "spiritual maintainence" post on a Sunday morning ! 

[hubcapsc]

I love reminiscing, through pictures, all the previous rides  ...



I don't remember who was standing on the side of the road taking pictures
of us, but they definitely show who is the coolest looking dude among us:



... and who looks like the biggest spode  ...



-Mike

[Rams]

A wonderful story, thanks for sharing

Rams

[f6gal]

You have definitely earned your handle, you ol' bug killer! 

[f6gal]

... and who looks like the biggest spode  ...

-Mike

What's a spode?

[John Schmidt]

Spode? Yeah that one got me also cuz in the original it refers to fine ceramic stuff. I don't see the connection unless it's "slanguage" of some sort. 

[DDT (12)]

refers to fine ceramic stuff


Yep, I get it... fine ceramic stuff indeed! An 'earthen' vessel glazed by the elements and fired by the sun, worn through time and the rigors of life's journey, yet still a sound repository of all things that make a person worth knowing... Yes indeed, that would be my friend for sure...

DDT

[RNFWP]

 ...so to pass the time between worrisome events, I'm resorting to nostalgia and recollections to occupy my thoughts...

Wisdom Bruce, caused me to recall... who by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Nothing better than reading a "spiritual maintainence" post on a Sunday morning ! 

+1 Enjoyed it too... more thankfulness, than food, left over from Thanksgiving this year.

... and who looks like the biggest spode  ...

-Mike

What's a spode?

LOL

refers to fine ceramic stuff


Yep, I get it... fine ceramic stuff indeed! An 'earthen' vessel glazed by the elements and fired by the sun, worn through time and the rigors of life's journey, yet still a sound repository of all things that make a person worth knowing... Yes indeed, that would be my friend for sure...

DDT

I'd agree with this eloquent description of Mike?

Spode? Yeah that one got me also cuz in the original it refers to fine ceramic stuff. I don't see the connection unless it's "slanguage" of some sort. 

I originally read it as "slanguage"... but will default to Hupcap, as the original author, as to whatever he meant 

[Jess from VA]

The word "Spode" is a common insult used in ridicule of a motocross rider who is severely lacking in the skills department.   Spodes are often easily found before they even get on the track.  People who ride in street bike helmets while on a dirtbike are also spodes.

I never heard of it either.  

It doesn't sound like a compliment.  

In other usage.....  I spode to pick up some milk on the way home, but I disremembered to.

[hubcapsc]

Yeah, it's an old motocross thing... I could sit with my legs up
like that for 500 miles, and that space helmet... just looks
dorky spodey... 

-Mike

[Thunderbolt]

Now would you just look at that.....Finally after all the suggestions to take pictures Bruce you find a use for them in retrospect.  They bring out some good stories which your mind serves back up when you go back through them.  Keep on keepin on my friend.
I remember a day in Lake City Fl when we met you at Ken's BBQ I think it was on a Sunday maybe come to find out they didn't open 'til Monday. 

[Detn8er]

[/quote]
KAREN and Earl.... They were a nice couple of folks and we were well met. When I told her my handle was Detn8er and that I was like Tigger the most wonderfulest thing about me was that I was the only one....
She showed me her tattoo of tigger.... It required her to unzip her pants as it was near the "zone"....
While having a good laugh about it Earl came around the corner and said "Honey are you showing people your cat again?" Good Times Indeed.... 

[DDT (12)]

Nice read Bruce and I bet it is yet another good memory to pull from your files.  

Keith,

You betcha! Got many of those... many, alas, with no pics though... Like the time Sweet Cheeks and I showed up at your house and met you for the first time... You and I stood around getting acquainted while she 'test rode' her 'new' and your 'old' VTX around your neighborhood... More to that story, naturally, but that's all I'm going to divulge here... LOL!

DDT

Thanks, Bruce. Visiting with you on those rare occasions is one of my treasured memories.

Eric,

Likewise, my friend! Always enjoy passing time with you... and your son too. Looking forward to the next time...

DDT

Nothing better than reading a "spiritual maintainence" post on a Sunday morning !  

Rob,

Thanks! I figured as much, more or less on faith. I didn't really know I'd enjoy those recollections as much as it turned out I did. I may have a game-plan now for the next several weeks! Buckle-up!

DDT




Mike,

Yeah, he does look mighty cool gliding along! A really nice guy masquerading as a bad-ass, super-cool biker dude... he does a good job at it, too...

DDT

A wonderful story, thanks for sharing

Rams

Ron,

Thanks, old friend! Yep, I've got no complaints about the life fate has given me... Hope to go make some more memories before the ones I have run out! We'll see...

DDT

You have definitely earned your handle, you ol' bug killer!  

Connie,

I reckon so... There is actually a story behind how I came by that moniker, too... another time, perhaps... Thanks for your comment... Thanks more than anything for all you do on our behalf! You've stood the test of time and led us to become such a wonderful group on this fabulous electronic clubhouse. THANKS!!!

DDT

Spode? Yeah that one got me also cuz in the original it refers to fine ceramic stuff. I don't see the connection unless it's "slanguage" of some sort.  

John,

Slanguage or no, I'm glad to see you're still reading and commenting on the contents of my posts. You've shared some timely and most helpful insights about your own experience with my current issue, for example, and they have made a positive difference... Thank you very much, my friend!

DDT

...so to pass the time between worrisome events, I'm resorting to nostalgia and recollections to occupy my thoughts...

Wisdom Bruce, caused me to recall... who by worrying can add a single hour to his life?






RNFWP,

You are so right! Worry is useless for sure... but it just seems to come so naturally! I'm much better at managing that wasteful exercise nowadays, but I still have quite a ways to go... I appreciate your thoughtful comments!

DDT

The word "Spode" is a common insult used in ridicule of a motocross rider who is severely lacking in the skills department.   Spodes are often easily found before they even get on the track.  People who ride in street bike helmets while on a dirtbike are also spodes.

I never heard of it either.  

It doesn't sound like a compliment.  

In other usage.....  I spode to pick up some milk on the way home, but I disremembered to.

Jess,

Again your keen eye and sharp wit have cut to the chase! You do have a unique way of seeing from oblique angles things most of the rest of us miss! Thanks for your always interesting observations and comments... I do enjoy reading your take on things!

DDT

Yeah, it's an old motocross thing... I could sit with my legs up
like that for 500 miles, and that space helmet... just looks
dorky spodey...  

-Mike

Mike,

Dorky/spodey? Some might say so, but I'm not one of them... You're just you being you, and nobody who really knows you would want to change anything about you... Thanks for chiming-in...

DDT

Now would you just look at that.....Finally after all the suggestions to take pictures Bruce you find a use for them in retrospect.  They bring out some good stories which your mind serves back up when you go back through them.  Keep on keepin on my friend.
I remember a day in Lake City Fl when we met you at Ken's BBQ I think it was on a Sunday maybe come to find out they didn't open 'til Monday.  

Terry,

Nice recollections. We did have some good rides and great 'Q' back in the day! You, Iris, and I were sometimes the only ones to show up for those early on, yet those always turned out to be well worth the time and effort to make those 'meal gatherings'... The 'Q', after all, was just a pretext, an excuse, to gather... hanging out with such good folks was always the real reason, so open or closed was really just an insignificant detail...

DDT





Mark (Detn8er)

I'd forgotten about the 'cat tat' and it's location! They were a fun couple for sure, and they really seemed to enjoy our group. I do expect to see them again sometime... perhaps next October at the Phillips Motel... Thanks for taking time away from waxing Boomer to contribute here!

DDT