I've been reading my own stories

[solo1]

I know the author and he thinks like I do so I thought that I needed a little inspiration.

I've already gotten inspired by my first successful voyage into the VA system this afternoon. I went to the Randalia Ft. Wayne campus and was treated with respect, courtesy, ans promptness, and came home with a wanted prescription that I could not get through my Civilian RX plan, it wasn't even on the formallary.  The costs was minimal from VA.

And then, reading a story written by this well known leftie (well known to me, that is) I built up my fire a bit.  Here is the Story (again)written in response to a great Daniel Meyer story awhile back



                                                      Where Do I Go From here


I just finished reading Daniel Meyer's story "There I Go"  As usual it was an excellent read..

Also as usual, it was a thought provoking arrangement of words.   

I sat back in my chair and thought, maybe a little too much.   It seemed to me that what might be only an exercise in "gee this could happen to me"  by our younger generation might be closer to home to the ones approaching the next life.  Sometimes, it doesn't pay to turn on a fertile mind and start thinking "If"

As we begin to stack up the years, we also begin to stack up life's experiences in regards to general health..  I have been very lucky in that I've had reasonably good health so I don't have as many 'forgettable' but NOT forgettable health experiences.  Even aside from that thought, I do know that ,just like an old car, it takes much more warming up to get the body started in the morning. It is also an inescapable fact that as we age, our body becomes more fragile. Evidence of this is in the fact that we bruise easily because of our parchment like skin on our arms. coupled with capillaries that have tissue thin walls.  Overall stiffness of the whole body doesn't lend itself very well to confidence in  riding a motorcycle at 9/10's or even lower.  Some will find that reaction to emergency situations is much declined.  We all have seen the results of that in seniors in cages, timid driving, unexpected turns without signaling, wandering in lanes, etc.  However, come to think of that, the same could apply to teenagers while texting. So that doesn't count in my list of morbid thoughts.

These thoughts, in various degrees, are with me now in my senior years.  In my supposedly mature thinking and experience I believe that all of us will be faced with these thoughts in the future.

So, How do we overcome these thoughts?  After all, they are a deterrent to our ability to enjoy the wind.

HELL, I don't know!!!   I'm going for a ride. Maybe not today but soon.

Wayne, solo1

[Daniel Meyer]

 

[R J]

Way to go old timer, you done did good.

[mike72903]

Nicely written.  I only have to look at my arms with a hard stare to make them bruise or bleed. 

[Felonious Thump]

He'll ya.

[Michvalk]

You are probably a safer driver than folks half your age. You are aware of your shortcomings and ride accordingly. The only problem is the other guy. I would stay in an area where there is less traffic to deal with, and ride to my hearts content. (Just so we're clear, this is what I do) I have sold my Valk because I can't hold it up if it tips at all, and am looking for something smaller that I can handle. I feel for you , and hope you can come up with something to keep on the road some.

[solo1]

hope you can come up with something to keep on the road some. cooldude
quote by Michvalk

I do have a Vstrom 1000 which does work for me and is 250 pounds lighter than the Valkyrie.  It is willing to put me in the wind whenever I'm ready (and 90 horses with 6 speed tranny makes it interesting too)

[..]

You are probably a safer driver than folks half your age. You are aware of your shortcomings and ride accordingly. The only problem is the other guy. I would stay in an area where there is less traffic to deal with, and ride to my hearts content. (Just so we're clear, this is what I do) I have sold my Valk because I can't hold it up if it tips at all, and am looking for something smaller that I can handle. I feel for you , and hope you can come up with something to keep on the road some.

I'm not making fun.

650cc scooter. Like a Bergman.

They are quick. Nice low center of grvity. Storage space.

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/suzuki/2014-suzuki-burgman-650-ar160837.html

[solo1]

Paul, I had given that some thought too. I only sat on a Silver Wing scoot but found it too cramped.  It seemed like the handlebars were too close. I've not been on a Burgman, they are really scarce around here. Unfortunately,  I also associate two wheel fun (four wheeled fun too) with shifting gears. I enjoy my Mazda Six but I REALLY enjoyed my Mazda Miata.

I must admit the 650 Suzuki is no slouch for acceleration, the same for the Silver Wing.

I've also considered going back to another KLR650, I did like the one I had. 

[Michvalk]

Wayne, I knew you have a bike that works for you. I was thinking about the desire. I too have some challenges to keep motivated to get out there and do it. Maybe volunteering, Hang with some of the younger generation, or find some like minded folks to hang with. My problem is spending too much time alone to think

[Jess from VA]

Hot showers, and hot tubs do wonders for stiffness of the body and soul. 

My only problem is hot water dries out my already dry parchment skin. 

My dermatologist said grease up boy.... but that is a PITA, and you have to walk around naked until it all soaks in (and avoid all mirrors).    

[solo1]

Hot showers I can do but the apartment owners won't let me install a half ton Budgit hoist to haul my sad arse out of the tub after a good soak.

Please don't visualize that although I know that you will.