Showing posts with label motorcycles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motorcycles. Show all posts

Friday, May 20, 2016

From Pain To Gain

Ziggy

Something wonderful has happened. The crippling pain in my hands, and subsequently my wrists, seems to be subsiding. But let me back up a bit. Last  April 22nd, I dutifully visited the Orthopedic doctor to address this problem. He listened to the ailments. Then after many more questions, and hmmm’s and uh huh’s, Doc diagnosed the pain as “Lesion of left ulnar nerve with trigger finger”. Fancy words, huh? This resulted in two very freakin' painful cortisone shots in the palm of said left hand though! Which resulted in me whimpering quietly out of the office with both wrists encased in large black braces, trying to act like an adult and therefore keep what’s left of my dignity intact. Also, on the advice of a former blogging colleague who is a retired Nurse, I’ve also began taking an over-the-counter vitamin called Turmeric (i.e. Saffron pills). Well, it’s taken several weeks of rest but I think there’s a breakthrough. I’m actually typing this missive without having to stop and hold the left wrist in agony. And that includes using this goofy laptop with the broken “s” key that slows me down to a crawl. Who knew so many words have an “s” in them?! Oy.

Hey, look, there's a cute elf weeding
in the garden so I don't have to!

Thanks to seasonal rains, the vegetable garden and the flower areas are prospering. So far we’ve already enjoyed many meals of Yellow Squash, Zucchini, Bell Peppers and Red Potatoes. The Tomatoes are a disappointment, but, I can live with it. Oh, and we now have a herb garden consisting of Basil, Cilantro, Dill, and Rosemary. I didn't realize that fresh herbs truly are a tasty accompaniment to a meal. We’re not financially rich but, doggone it, we sure eat good.
(Doesn't this little guy look like our Sam III?)

There’s a lot of birthdays in our small circle of friends and family in May. Today is my 60th. Our plans this year are to stay home and have a cookout. Hubby plans to grill juicy Rib Eyes from the local IGA topped with cooked buttered mushrooms. We will also dine on baked Idaho potatoes (gotta smother them in butter and sour cream, don’t ya know) and eat more of those scrumptious fresh squash. He’s also baking a homemade apple pie. *picture me dreamy eyed and drooling* Oh yeah … that’s one of my favorite sweets! I’ll share the loot gifts next post.


Speaking of dogs, the Boys, the Jack Russell Terriorists Jack and Sam III, are both healthy. They’re still actively ‘protecting’ the property from those nefarious bushy tailed intruders. I feel so safe now. *giggle* That first year I thought I'd got run away from home trying to discipline those two cuties but now they've finally turned into two really fine dogs.

For Wrent

Hubby has started making Blue Bird houses. He’s given some away to fellow Sunday School attendees. The nest boxes have become so popular, he’s having a hard time keeping up with requests. I think he’s on a one man quest to reestablish this lovely bird back into our area. Works for me. (As long as he doesn't start tilting at windmills, I won't worry.) They’re one of my favorite local winged creatures, alongside the Carolina Wren (their song sounds so sweet to me). We have several nesting on the property every year. I see God in nature, don’t you?

Preparing for the 200 mile ride to
Valdosta and back.

Now that my wrists have improved, I’m even back to riding more often. The F.A.I.T.H. Riders sponsored a local ride over to the Smoke ‘N Pig again. Their BBQ is worth the trip folks. Afterwards, I was so physically drained, that the whole next day all I wanted to do was rest, but, gosh, it felt good to be back in the saddle.


God is indeed good to honor me with so much answered prayer. He answers ALL prayers, of course, but being able to ride and type again is especially sweet. Anyway, even if the pain returns making surgery necessary, I know He loves me and cares. All He wants in return is our FAITH. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

I’m truly blessed all around. It is indeed good to be back on-line! Whole hearted thank yous for the prayers, kind words, and patiently waiting for my return. May the LORD bless and keep you too.


Mount up! LET'S RIDE!

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Delta Breeze Was My Need

The day started gray, cold and still. After a near sleepless night, fraught with worry about real or imagined medical concerns*, the sky fit my frame of mind.


Irregardless of the physical circumstances, it was time to feel Delta wind on my knees. After a quick rundown of all the mechanical essentials to ensure safety the metal steed was ready.

We had made arrangements to meet up with a new friend 'Nemo' for a lunch feast from the Honda CB1100 Forum that my husband participates in. 
Redbirds (Hubby) and Nemo

Of course, the first words out of my mouth at the restaurant parking lot was "Did I find Nemo?" Being the great guy he is, Nemo chuckled warmly and, on that happy note, we all enjoyed a scrumptious hot meal at the Steffens Restaurant in Kingsland, Georgia.
Satilla River
near Folkston, Georgia

After the noon repast, induced by a picture perfect sky my state of being improved.
Yours Truly with my
2012 Suzuki V-Strom DL 650

After 150 miles of twisty piney flats, abandoned farm houses, flowing rivers and swamp overlooks, I was beginning to show signs of fatigue. I parted ways with my companions and headed back to the stable to enjoy hot tea and snacks.

By the end of the day, we had an orange tinged sunset with thin streaks of gray set against a stunning azure blue sky. What a magical way to close the day.
*By the by, I am happy to note that the Duavee is working splendidly!
Thank you everyone for your prayers, concern and encouragement.
You are appreciated more than words can express. xx

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Baptist Village Event

Today, Hubby, I and several other motorcyclists from local Christian biker clubs, donned riding gear and sloshed our way in the pouring Autumn rain to Baptist Village in Waycross, Georgia. The event was a miniature Bike Show for the elderly that reside there. They lined up inside a pavilion while we rode by to the hail of cheers and applause. Afterwards, the residents that could brave the rain, came out and looked at the various wheels represented there.


This was a rare moment of sunshine. I am chatting with a new "biker" Brenda. She did really well for being on a cruiser.

That's my set of wheels on the left in a sea of Hardly-Goes-At-Alls. *grin*

I had so much fun adding a little sunshine to someone else's day. I hope we can do this more often.

And, just in passing, my husband snapped the above photo on Wednesday. One of our farm neighbors decorated their field for Halloween with a Minion from the cartoon "Despicable Me". Isn't that adorable? Now I want one. Guess it's time to get out the scarecrow's, pumpkins, and Fall wreath's. We're having homemade chicken chili sprinkled with cheese for lunch, then homemade pizza for supper. I love this time of year!

Hope your day is blessed too.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Mid-August Musing

The day started out cool and clear for mid-August Southeast Georgia. After the blessing of seasonal rains, it rendered the once terrifying one mile of sandy lane ride able. 

The road beckoned. 

Mindful of the approaching heat, I hurriedly donned summer riding gear. The sleeping motor roared to life, then I eased the purring “Vee” down the grassy driveway.

“I wonder what the peasants are doing today?”, I jest to myself. For I truly feel like Royalty sometimes, one of the fortunate few who love where they live and can still do what is enjoyable. I will try to always treasure that privilege as the daylight lasts so that when God calls me to the Big Garage in the sky, I can say again “Thank you”. Not only for the eternal salvation He so graciously offers to all mankind, but thank you for allowing me to be happy while still inhabiting this earthly cage.

God truly is good.



Monday, June 1, 2015

My Tail Is Dragon

Hallelujah, we both have our laptop computers back and they seem in tiptop order. It was so unusual to have both our computers crash at the same time. Thankfully, I didn't miss the internet too much until it was time to pay the bills. Then it became a bit of a bother. It seems our Computer Guy did a bang up job, as always.

I have finally returned from the four day excursion to that foreign land known as western North Carolina. Not being a mountain person I get homesick real quick. My preference is to enjoy them from a distance. That said, though, the enjoyment level was high this time. We stayed at the San Ran Motel in Robbinsville, NC. The photos make it look cleaner than it is. [cough] It must have been built in the 1950s. Upon closer inspection it's obvious the owners never spent a dime on renovations or extensive cleaning. The town has bupkis by way of entertainment or eating establishments and Graham county is "dry". Next time we'll stay in Franklin or perhaps Cherokee where all the grownups are. Much more to do there.

My husband is a member of an on-line forum for CB-1100 owners. One day, these fine specimens of human kind all decided it would be grand to meet at The Dragon and hang out together for a few days. That's what brought us to the area.


Yep, that's me in the forefront! On May 28th I rode the Tail Of The Dragon At Deals Gap and lived to talk about it. My 2012 Suzuki V-Strom DL650 carried me many treacherous, nail-biting, butt puckerin' miles last week. Steve, of course, was on his red 2013 Honda CB-1100. The photo on the left shows Steve (yellow helmet) keeping an eye on my performance. After the grueling 11 miles which turned into 30 minutes or so traversing repeated switchbacks, blind curves and slow Harley's, our group stopped at a now forgotten rest area to compare notes. Steve stated that I rode like a champ. Thankfully, he didn't see the hard save I did about 10 minutes into the journey where I came perilously close to going over the edge with a sheer drop. The Dragon almost claimed another victim! I'm just thankful I wear clean underwear after that little "moment".

The link to all the vacation photos above have just been uploaded. It may take me several days to label them all. But for now, enjoy! I'll be around to visit everyone's blogs soon.

I hope you have a fantastic week.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Throwback Thursday: 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan 750 #tbt #motorcycle


This week I'm featuring my old 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan 750.

04 June 2005
GA Highway 94
Columbia County, Florida

These where the Cruiser Years in the Sparky household. That was before I discovered Adventure or Dual Purpose Bikes. My husband calls cruisers Butt Jewelry. Men! *lol* He's right, though, because it's similar to changing from riding ponies to race horses. Adventure Bikes are a whole new ball game.

I was "bikeless" (horrors!) for the many years we lived in the Big City. I bought this cruiser style motorcycle shortly after moving to the Georgia countryside. It was easy to ride in a straight line, but it was a bear in the corners. The advanced fork rake made it hard to handle and it always felt like it was going to tip over. At least I had strong arms back then. Anyway, I thought it looked cool. I kept this little gem until it was traded for the 2006 Kawasaki 900 Vulcan LT Classic. 

Ride Safe,

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

It's Been A Draining Day

Oil, that is ... Black gold ... Texas tea ...

*lol*

While we sit on the sidelines, awaiting to see which way Tropical Storm Arthur heads, we decided that this would be a good day to perform all the necessary oil changes here at the Red Bird Acres residence. Seems like, everything came due at the same time anyway. Might as well bite the bullet and get 'er dun!

The (almost) all house 16K generator is purring like a kitten again ...


My Suzuki V-Strom anxiously awaits me for another ride ...


... and, of course, Hubby's pretty new Honda after over 2,800 miles, finally needed an oil change.


So, thanks to my husband's perseverance, expert knowledge and my handing out lots of ice tea, we're good for another 3,000 or so miles. A well maintained bike is a happy bike. It's a good feeling having so many projects completed in such a short period of time.

Now, we can play!


Ride Safe,

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Throwback Thursday: 1973 BMW R75/5 #tbt #motorcycle


I'm going to be lazy today (feeling a little bit down and exhausted) so have asked my husband to post about his beloved 1973 BMW for Throwback Thursday. He has such enjoyable memories of his first street legal motorcycle.


1973 BMW R75/5

In the spring of 1973, I got my first big street bike, a BMW R75/5. Before, I had ridden dirt bikes mostly and my regular commuter was a Honda 350. The BMW was a real step up. I now owned a bike that I could jump on and ride to California, if so inclined. It was a beautiful green with hand painted pin stripes on the tank and fenders. The tank sported a large chrome panel that looked somewhat like a common kitchen appliance and earned the name "Toaster Tank" by motorcycle enthusiasts. I had the dealer install a Vetter fairing and later, a larger 6 gallon tank for more range. It had a shaft drive like a car rather than a chain, a rarity 40 years ago.


A "mom & pop" store in Western North Carolina
That's the owner of the store (now deceased) in the photo.

A few months later I sold my car and the BMW became my only source of transportation. I commuted to work, grocery shopped, dated and vacation traveled on the bike. I became expert at dealing with adverse weather conditions from torrential rain to sub freezing cold. It was my trustworthy traveling companion and, if it was possible to love a machine, I fell hard for this one. I never tired of finding a reason to ride and at work's end on Friday would often leave for the weekend with no particular destination in mind and nothing but my tent, sleeping bag and a change of clothes strapped to the back of the seat. These travels most often ranged to the mountains of Georgia or North Carolina where the cooler weather, lovely scenery and challenging roads made riding such a joy. My "Bimmer" never let me down and was totally reliable for all the years I owned it; never needing anything other than routine maintenance. 

In a moment of lust for new scuba diving gear, I sold the bike. Watching the new owner ride away filled me with regret as though I had betrayed a friend. 

Many bikes have come and gone since but none have ever left a mark like the "Bimmer" did.

Ride Safe,

Saturday, May 31, 2014

BMW R 1200 GS Short Rider

You've gotta see this.


Isn't that cool? I'm not confidant enough to pull this stunt on my V-Strom.

Not yet, anyway. *smile*

Ride Safe,

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Sweet Smell Of Undress

Caught ya lookin' ... *giggle*

This morning, the unseasonably cool temperatures where calling. It was a siren song of the South of "Come outside and play."

As if I needed a good excuse to exercise the metal steed, I told myself I was dearly in need of more No Natz Bug Repellent from Thompsons in Baxley.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
This is what happens when one
puts the camera and the iced
Peanut Butter Energy Balls in the same tank bag.
Guilty! :))

Appling county really needs to
consider bringing back road side tables.

After the ride, I noticed my usually white riding jacket was a dingy grey. Hubby's was so dirty it looked completely black. We took the time to hand wash the jackets. Then I gently pulled all the liners from the helmets to be cleaned. Hubby washed down the outside of the helmets.

Remember this Dial soap commercial from the mid to late 1970s?
It's a woman is riding her bike and the lyrics are
"then Dial has enough to bring you home again,
still refreshed, feeling fine ... aren't you glad you use Dial?"

So we're smelling sweet now! And it's definitely Chef Leftover night.

Ride Safe,

Saturday, May 17, 2014

A Two Wheeled Journey In The Country

It was one of those days that brought so much beauty to the table of life that it begged to be eaten with a spoon like fresh, homemade ice cream. Light, cool breezes. Azure blue skies. While the light lasts smiling wild flowers in full regalia gazing up at the sun. Oh yeah, I must put some time in the saddle!

My husband agreed that I needed to celebrate my 58th birthday all weekend and said we should toil not. (I suspect an ulterior motive here ...) That's OK. I'm a willing participant. "Throw me in that brier patch ...!" *smile*

For this Day Trip we stayed mostly in Ware County, Georgia. Riding from our home to Waycross, we proceeded north on Highway 82 (Corridor Z) to the unincorporated community of Millwood. From Millwood, turn on the Manor to Millwood Road and travel all the way to Manor. (Pronounced "Mainor". So named after the pioneering family of that area.) That part of the trip was especially enjoyable. The road is in dire need of resurfacing but if one pays attention to that, it's quite fun. In Manor, crossing Highway 84, it becomes Suwannee Chapel Road. Stay on it until it dead ends into Swamp Road. Hang a left on Swamp Road and stay on it all the way back to Waycross.

Abandoned train tracks.
Millwood, Georgia

 We took time to reflect
on how this community
once was a bustling little town.

Yellow planted Daisy's and a red Honda
go good together.

Trains are the arteries
that connect our communities
to the outside world.

Busted!
Enjoying an ice cream sandwich.
I hadn't enjoyed one literally in years
and Sweetie tempted me.
I caved.
(That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. lol)

All in all our trip was a little over 100 miles. One can view Blueberry farms, vegetable farms, small cattle ranches, piney woods, swamp, abandoned homes and train related items, and other interesting features.  It was truly a nice day. And we got to see a lot of what is our ever vanishing Georgia before it is lost to history.

Ride Safe,

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Two Wheeled Musing

The weather was perfect for two wheels: slight wind, hazy enough to tone down the bright sunshine, and 70 degree temperatures. Can life be any more perfect? Me thinks not!

First to Baxley to lunch at Captain Joe's Seafood.

After a scrumptious meal of fish sandwich and a turkey burger, the trusty steeds carried us to a drug store to purchase a birthday card for our brother-in-law. Cards always brighten my day, so, I assume it's a joy for others. I hope so.  

After insuring aforesaid birthday greetings was safely winging it's way to beloved brother-in-law, we took the long way around the barn home through the Bacon County countryside. Bacon county has some of the most interesting motorcycle roads in southeast Georgia. We had so much fun that we put more than 120 miles on the bikes.

It was truly a good day.

What was your day like?

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Throwback Thursday: My 1979 Kawasaki KZ650


Welcome to my first attempt at Throwback Thursday.


Above is a photo of my sweet Hubby and me from the early 1980's. I was only 24 and Hubby was 32. I wish I was still that skinny! This is my first street legal motorcycle. It was a 1979 Kawasaki KZ 650 set up for touring with a Vetter Fairing, Bates Box, and King and Queen seats. It even had a homemade cruise control, of sorts. Since we both liked to ride, and neither cared to be a passenger, we would take turns up front. Because female riders where a rarity in the '80s, we sure got some amazed looks!

We had a lot of adventures on this bike. "They" say hindsight's 20/20 but I wish I could have kept it. I sold the bike when we bought our first house in October 1981.

This photo was snapped somewhere between Titusville and Jacksonville, Florida, along the I-95 corridor. We where freshly married and had been down to visit my Dad and step-mother in Titusville for the day. It is about a two hour trip one way, so, about half way back we had stopped at one of the rest areas to refresh ourselves. A kindly by-stander, now long forgotten, took the picture for us. I'm forever grateful to that man. Because of his kindness we still have a very happy memory memorialized forever on film.