While I don't consider myself particularly sentimental or nostalgic,
the end of October signals the beginning of my "reflective" season,
what with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day on the horizon
and all...
Life's been pretty good this last year. I've managed to avoid the ER
(so far), no major health issues in the immediate family, on the other
hand, my parents are in their mid 80s and having some health issues.
Karen's business has had some ups and downs but survived the dour
economy (so far) by shifting some resources from local trucking to
international freight. We had to lay off a couple of drivers and hire
two more office geeks.
Our son, Chris, is doing well at school in Florida (UCF), working
towards a degree in Sports Management. He was able to quit his day job
and is now working full time for Karen, doing online data verification
for our largest import customer. His girlfriend of two years moved
from Boise to Orlando this summer, also attending UCF. We think we
have a most excellent candidate for future daughter-in-law. She
(Amanda) lived with Karen and me for a month between the time her apt
lease ran out and her move to FLA. We both absolutely fell in love
with her; it was more difficult seeing her leave than when Chris
left...
I got my 09 200 last January, _best one yet_, I love it! Riding has
been pretty good this year, although the normal pattern, which had
evolved over the past 8 years, is history. As many of you know, Murray
and I have been almost inseparable since we started riding together
after the 2001 SpodeFest. Last Thanksgiving, I made the mistake of
leaving him alone too long when I took a 12 day trip to FLA to see
family. I'd left him alone by himself a few times before without him
getting into much mischief, but usually for only a week at a time. I
return home thinking "business as usual", only it ain't that way no
mo...
I'll go quite a bit out of my way and do almost anything to keep a
good riding partner happy, and Murray fit that description. We ride at
close (enough) to the same pace, like the same type of terrain, have
about the same level of endurance/ride length, he was always ready to
ride, neither of us had to "have our way", whoever came up with a
location/loop/plan, the other said, "Okay, sounds good, let's go..."
Basically, MurMan was much like I am, no real life outside dirt
biking, a perfect couple...
Notice above I said, "...do almost anything", but I must draw the line
at sleeping with him, it just ain't on my list. I came home from FLA
to find Murray had hooked up with a local gal who rides. She works
normal weekdays, Murray has Sun/Mon off, leaving only Sunday for them
to ride together, so there went our standing date for Single Track
Sunday. We did have a few Motorized Mondays, and a Man Day or two here
and there, but not like it had been for so long.
Don't get me wrong, I'm really glad my best friend is happy and that
he has found a companion. He had put his fishing line in the water a
few times over the past few years but never came up with a good catch,
he reeled in a keeper this time. It's just, from a selfish point of
view, I liked him a lot better before he got a real life. <G>
Enough whining and on to the reflective part.
Today I celebrate an anniversary of the day I entered this world on
10/27/49. Yes, simple math shows the last day of my 50's was
yesterday, today I'm 60. Aarrgghh...
A few days ago I found three cards in my mailbox with no return
addresses on them, but the postmark gave me a good idea from where
they came: My favorite (and only) adoptive/adopted family. In spring
of 2006, when I sold my 05 KTM200 to this family, suddenly I became
"Uncle David" to a fine young man. Although I'm not sure if I adopted
him or he adopted me, I couldn't ask for a better meld. Not only did I
get a new nephew, but also a beautiful niece and a couple of codgy old
adults in the new brother/sister role and even a cool, ball-chasing
doggie that I don't have feed or clean up after.
I opened the cards this morning and had a good giggle. If you haven't
guessed by now, the cards came from the Harrell Clan. One from Scott,
one from the whole family and even one from little Ms. Sandy.
Side note: a few years back, Sandy left one of her precious tennis
balls at a SpodeFest. I made up a doggy letter, in woof-woof-bark-bark
speak (w/human interpretation) and mailed it and the ball back to her.
I forget exactly how it went, but it was pretty funny. Maybe Theresa
can come up with it. The B-day card from Sandy included a bit of doggy
treat. Sorry Sandy, at my age, I prefer the soft treats, what with
only three and a half teeth left... <G>
Scan of Scott's card, right on the money:
http://spodefest.net/images/bday_card.jpg
All this set me off to thinking about how I came to meet such good
folk as the Harrells. I owe it all to RMD and more specifically, the
SpodeFests. I haven't really kept track, but I'm pretty sure I've met
well over 100 RMDers in person. I've come away with many great,
lasting friendships. Someday I'd like to take a couple of months and
hopscotch across/around the country, visiting all the Spodes I've met.
Thanks go out to all ya'll, I've learned a lot from you guys/gals and
had many memorable rides.
While I haven't participated much in the last couple of years, I do
lurk from time to time. I see rumblings about a 2010 Idaho SpodeFest,
true? Can I come?
Dean, leave a little extra room in the truck and don't forget to stop
by and pick up Scrape. Accept no excuses!
I don't much miss all the organizing/arranging, but I do miss seeing
and riding with all you SpodeFesters. Let me know when and where, I'll
be there and I'll see if Murray can get his balls back from Kathryn
for a few days. <VBG>
IdaOldSpode
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> hopscotch across/around the country, visiting all the Spodes I've met.