A Goofy Obamanation

"Gawrsh! Destroying America is EASY! Hyuk-yuk-yuk-yuk!"

The Primaries are getting intense, aren't they? Mitt or Newt or Santorum ... not much too choose from. Thank goodness there's Dr. Ron Paul speaking the truth and staying the course or I would stay home that day.

I'm getting tired of hearing the "anyone but Obama" thought. It's almost become a chant from the Republicans. That is NOT the right attitude to have! As depressingly awful as Obama is, I'm still not sold on this mentality and I'm hearing it from the strangest corners. Look at the history of George W. Bush. Despite some conservative leanings and ultimately forced to pick some good SCOTUS justices, he was a big-government progressive who expanded government greatly then chipped away at our constitutional freedoms. GW was not as bad as Hussein but sure set us up for the current Progressive Messiah. Just imagine what an even more progressive, big-government Romney/Gingrich/Santorum will set the stage for. Once one of those neo-con's are done, the reincarnated Josef Stalin could be elected President as a Democrat because he will seem a "reasonable" alternative as pushed (and unvetted) by the socialist media. Think it can't happen? Before 2008, who thought Obama could happen? We should be trying to learn from history here. Why are we rushing to repeat it just because some say Ron Paul "is unelectable". I say B.S.!! So out of desperation we are to replace Obama with anything?! Kinda short-sighted, don't ya think?

Cafe Racer Project Bike

Our New Cafe Racer
by Hubby and Sparky

For quite some time now, we have had a hankerin' to build or restore our own motorcycle. So early in 2011, we traveled to Destination Honda in a far off land called South Carolina. There for a mere pitance we purchased a nice little Suzuki cruiser. It is a 2002 S40 Savage with about 18,000 original miles on the clock.

Let's go home guys!
We've got work to do!
This ugly duckling was to be the beginning of a metamorphosis from frumpy cruiser to a dashing cafe racer. The cafe racer style bike was an English idea that took root in the Sixties era. Performance bike enthusiasts would strip away everything on their bikes that added weight without function. They would mount the latest high performance tires, brakes and exhaust in order to get as much speed as possible out of their rides. Groups of these riders would meet in London area hangouts, like the Ace Cafe, where they would argue over whose ride was the best and settle the disputes with impromptu races starting from one cafe and ending there or at another.

Our project is something we have been wanting to do for a long time but felt that without a shop equipped with a welder and other metal working tools, would be beyond our limitations. Enter Ryca Motors of California and their Cafe Racer kit made expressly for the Suzuki Savage. With this kit you get everything needed to build a cafe racer with little more than a set of wrenches and an angle grinder (30 bucks at Lowes).

After getting the Suzuki I spent some time riding it on the local roads just to be sure there were no mechanical issues that needed to be addressed. The only "issue" found was a small oil leak at the shift shaft seal but other than that the bike seemed quite sound.

Does anyone else feel a draft?
Next came stripping the bike down to the frame. This meant removing the seat, fenders, gas tank, battery box, air box and the wiring loom. It looked a bit naked now with everything stripped off the frame except the motor and wheels. While the bike was thus "undressed" was a good time to fix the oil leak and clean the road grime from the frame and motor. With this done, I contacted Ryca and ordered our kit. They would later contact us when they were ready for us to send them the gas tank and rear wheel hub for modifications that they perform as part of the kit price. The mods included cutting and welding the gas tank to change it to a more "sporting" shape and fitting a new 18" rear wheel to the wheel hub so that a proper sport type tire could be mounted, the tire also being part of the kit.

It's still drafty in here ...
After a while we received our kit with the modified tank and were ready to start the build. I had requested that the painted parts be prepared with just a primer coat as we had already contacted a local custom painter to give our project some added bling. Our painter, Eddie Bedgood of Alma, Georgia, was recommended to us by a local bike shop. He is a true artist. One can find him on Facebook if interested. Eddie discussed various paint themes and colors with us based upon the ideas we had decided on. We settled on a bright metal flake Yellow with a Black racing stripe and outlined with White pin stripes.

Look! Up in the sky!
Is it a bird? A plane? Nah it's just Superbike.
Eddie finished the tank with a hand air brushed Suzuki "S" on each side, beautiful. As can be seen from the pictures, Eddie does great work and I would highly recommend him to anyone wanting custom paint work.

After receiving the painted parts from Eddie it was simply a matter of installing the parts from the kit using the video directions provided at YouTube by Ryca. They're very through. Since my shoulder disability, the most difficult job was modifying the front forks. It takes amazing strength to hold them down and then turn so they'll stay in place. It required me and two friends from church to hold the springs down and install the fork caps. The rest of the build was simple, reinstall the modified wiring loom, install the new battery box, new seat and modified tank and the clip-on bars with controls.

After completion, the bike was rolled out of the workshop and we crossed our fingers that the bike would start and run after so many weeks of sitting up and all the modifications to the wiring. Tank petcock was turned on, choke set, push the starter button and within a few seconds after the float bowl filled it fired up then settled into a nice idle. What a relief! Now for the fun part: a test ride. The clip-on bars and racing crouch posture took some getting used to and this bike is not for long distance rides unless you're a contortionist but it is fun, fast and handles great, just like a proper cafe racer.

I look pretty cool now, huh?!
At least I don't feel a draft anymore ...
There are many more photos of the project at this link. Be sure to click on the photos above to view full size.

What A World: South Carolina Primary Results

% Reporting: 99
Gingrich: 40.4
Romney: 27.9
Santorum: 17
Paul: 13

Live results pages: SC Election Comm., Politico, Google, Associated Press.
h/t: Legal Insurrection

My comment? South Carolina Conservatives pull the lever for Obama. Neo-con's will help be the further death of this country. Whether 'tis Mitt or Newt or Santorum or some other neo-Con, it'll be the same 'ol, same 'ol with big government, undeclared wars, higher taxes, less liberty. I guess people really do enjoy their tyranny, as my husband delights in sharing.

Funny Friday ~ SMBC Cartoon

I guess everyone has heard that Obamanation denied the Keystone pipeline approval? That flushing sound you hear is our country going down the toilet with the Obamanation at the helm. Well, I think Americans should start building the pipeline WITHOUT the Federal government's "approval". Our POTUS obviously hates America, hates us, and hates prosperity! So, I say let's tell the Fed's to go screw themselves and let's also DRILL HERE, DRILL NOW!

House Architecture Style Question

For all my wonderful followers out there, I have a quick question please. Does anyone recognize this diamond style? Most of the decoration had deteriorated and disappeared. It appears that it was used to decorate all around the house. Just curious as to what it's called.



The abandoned farm house is located in Bacon County, Georgia. Very unusual looking, I thought. It's quite old.

I hope everyone is having a good Sunday.

Thanks! :))

Happy New Year Fellow Travelers

For Senior Travel
I also did not know this ...

When you drink vodka over ice, it can give you kidney failure.
When you drink rum over ice, it can give you liver failure.
When you drink whiskey over ice, it can give you heart problems.
When you drink gin over ice, it can give you brain problems.

Apparently, ice is really bad for you.

Warn all your friends.

---

And one more from the blog Hope And Change Cartoons:


Oh, yeah, I'd love to stick that on a certain black bus too ...

Christmas Day Doings

Hark! There's A Sparky In The Kitchen
This year we where suppose to be in south Florida staying with family but the trip was suddenly cancelled because Hubby is laid up with a bad back. Poor man! At least I did get to attend Christmas Eve service but without Hubby along it wasn't as much fun. This afternoon, thanks to so many prayers, bed rest, and proper medication he is now much improved.

It's been literally years since I've had to cook Christmas dinner. Usually Hubby does all the food preparations. I customarily decorate the cave and clean up any messes made. So Hubby very kindly gave specific directions as to how to prepare the chickens in the new electric smoker. This is my first time using the smoker but it was so easy. The chickens were cooked to perfection. I also cooked fresh spinach in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with melted Parmesan cheese on top. Oh, and I enjoyed my glass of Sutter Home White Zinfandel wine with the meal, of course. It was all wonderfully delicious and homey. Earlier in the day I prepared the desert: Sugar Free - Fat Free Jell-O Instant Chocolate Pudding. I use deluded Half & Half instead of milk. Makes it richer. After a good long chill, we put real whipped cream on top and it's so yummy. We'll have that later this evening when the hunger pains start again.

After the meal we opened the presents from friends [since we had earlier gifted each other], and lo and behold, looky what my good friend Marydon at Blushing Rose sent:


A drinking glass from Flying Dog Breweries. She knows how much I enjoy their beer. Way cool! Can't wait to have a beer in it Marydon. [drool] Thank you!


She also gave us a specially hand painted ornament for the tree. Isn't it the most loveliest thing you ever saw? I can tell it so delicate. I will rewrap it oh so very carefully and keep it in a special place to adorn our tree every year. What a sweet friend I have.


It has a cute little bee on it too. Thank you Marydon and family! You are so generous and kind! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I know this lovely ornament will grace our tree for years to come.

Also, thank you everyone who sent cards and other well wishes. Believe me, I can feel the love. I appreciate y'alls friendship so very much. You are all always in my prayers.

I hope everyone had a very Merry CHRISTmas with loads of loving family, good friends and delectable food. Onward together we will fight for our freedoms in the New Year. May the Lord have mercy on us that good will prevail that our Nation be restored once more to it's former glory in His name.

God bless and,

Merry Christmas!

Even though many of us are seperated by hundreds of miles, and sometimes cultures or ideals, I feel like we are all friends. I know I consider you my friend! Thank you for following my blog. I appreciate you all VERY much.

Here's hoping that you and yours have a very safe and happy holiday season.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.

Merry CHRISTmas Y'all!

A Brief Poll-aday Comment

I am SO happy to hear this:
Paul Moves Into Lead in Iowa Forecast

Every day I pray most fervently, "Please Lord Jesus ... may it please You that Dr. Ron Paul be our next President and other good people be elected to office too. We sure don't deserve Your mercy but our country needs help!" Dr. Paul is a true Libertarian. There have been a lot of lies and half-truths said about the man. Please take the time to learn all the facts. He professes the Lord Jesus Christ and practices good Constitutional values. He will help de-fund the EPA, the Fed, and other unconstitutional creations that are dragging our country into total devastation. He seems to be a very principled man.

Dr. Paul, with the help of (hopefully) RIGHT minded Congressmen and Senators, will help set this country back on the RIGHT path again.

I know everyone on this blog prays for our country daily too. That is such a comforting, uplifting thought. Thank you for that. :)

Santa Baby

I mailed my letter to Santa and doggone if he didn't fill my stocking early! He took the Kawasaki KLX250SF (I dubed it "the peanut") and the old golf cart, then traded it for a 2012 Kawasaki 650 Mule. He was so kind that he even had a roof and windshield installed.

Santa is such a doll! :)


Sparky and the Mule
Can you tell I like it!? (Duh) Got any ideas what would be a good nickname for my new toy?

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

The tree is up, it's decorated, everything is ordered on-line and I don't have to do another blasted thing. So, I'm ready!!

Whew. My work is done for the day. :)

In case y'all are wondering: I plan to be back to talking about politics again real soon. I'm only on a brief hiatus. So to the gummit I say, "keep honking, I'm reloading" ...

Happy Thanksgiving

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!


Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

PS: I'm hoping that folks will also stay out of the stores on Thanksgiving day. Let the stores know that it is not appropriate that they are making employees work on a day when we should all be together as a family. There is plenty of time to shop and spend money before Christmas. A few hours isn't going to amount to a hill of beans in the scheme of things. And that's My Thoughts Exactly.

Our New Garden Center

I used to really enjoy gardening. I love the smell & feel of the earth, watching things grow, even pulling weeds I found enjoyable. It was such fun to be outside and enjoy nature. But for a couple of years now, I was rendered physically unable from neck surgery to do what, after motorcycling, I treasured the most.

Plus, with the economy quickly tanking, I thought it would be a good idea to get back into growing edible foods and tasty animals. Being half Scottish, I detest spending money anyway and certainly do not trust our failure government to "take care of us". Growing our own food is going to be part of my own small way of practicing Atlas Shrugged: no taxes! I have many, many other ideas about how to legally escape the tax man that I could share later. Let me know if y’all have any ideas on how to avoid buying things that are taxed. It’s time to starve the Monster by trading and buying used products. One idea I have is to only purchase older vehicles from individuals and renovate them to make them look new. I didn't realize how easy it was to do this until our recent Project Bike, but more on that later.

Anyway, I told my husband that I would like to try container gardening. But I didn't have the shelf areas in the sun to hold the containers at waist level. We tossed ideas back and to until we came up with this sketch on paper:


Kinda hard to picture the finished project, isn’t it?

I thought, it would be cheap and easy. Thankfully, it was! The project is made almost entirely from 1 1/2 inch PVC. Another way we saved money, is by using old decking material that we still had sitting in our woodpile.


First prepare the flat,
clean area for gluing the PVC together.
You'll be so glad you've done this first!


Using a power saw saved a lot of time with
cutting the pieces to their proper lengths.


Placing the pieced areas together was fairly quick.


It was finally taking shape.
The only thing left to add was the used decking
for holding the containers and the pots themselves.
Note To Self: Containers with soil are VERY heavy.
Add water and that can be a problem
if not done properly.
Be sure to place lots of supports underneath.


Ta Da! Plants are fertilized and in their containers.
This Garden Center was suppose to be moveable,
at it is, BUT because of the weight of the
plants the only way to
move it without damage is to unload it first.

There is a complete list of photos here I snapped as we build the Garden Center.

I don't know about you, but I'm getting hungry. Now I need to learn how to raise chickens, turkeys and goats.

Christmas Cards At Shutterfly

Ok, call me a 'shill' but I want to share a neat new way of designing Christmas cards.

We've been blessed with many, many friends. Almost every year, I would hand make and print Christmas cards on the home computer. Well, this is getting to be a bit of a chore what with having over 50 friends I like to send a card too! Ink alone is a budget buster. This year I thought I'd try the Shutterfly site where I'm storing our on-line photos. After designing my card and figuring out the price (now with 40% off) it's a whole lot cheaper than doing it myself.

So, here's the 'custom' Christmas card I've chosen and designed. Whadday'all think? I know, I went ahead and put a picture of Sammy on there. I still can't believe the little guy is gone. (Our black mini-schnauzer died June 10th from renal failure.) He drove me crazy sometimes, but I miss him.

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

At least I don't have to do the newsletter anymore since we all have e-mail, facebook and other social media. Information is so instantaneous there are no secrets here. :)

Oh, by the way, my hip is completely healed and I'm feelin' fine. I should be walking two miles again soon and hopefully riding again in a day or two. I can hardly wait!!!

Happy Hallowe'en Y'all

This is absolutely my FAVORITE time of year! Fall! Summers in Southeast Georgia can be just too brutal to enjoy and this year was no exception. I have been sidelined for several weeks suffering from severe hip pain. And now I am happily recovering from hip surgery, but I wanted to take the time to share a quick:





A HALLOWEEN CARD
for all my friends

By the way, stay tuned. My husband and I have been working on a project bike that I can't wait to share! We're converting a 2002 Suzuki 650 Savage into an English style cafe racer. It's just too cool for school! Here's a little teaser for those who can't wait: photos of project bike. The fun part will be getting it custom painted.

Well, more later ...

Funny Friday ~ In The Can

It will be a good day indeed
when OWEbama is in the can!