Man in the Mirror
A lot more reflections when the sun is out. And a welcome break from the gray, cold weather of late. One of the first things reflected, aside from me in the mirror, is the filth and dirt on the scooter from the most recent sloppy ride.
Reflecting on the Season
Reflecting on the weather — it’s been a long winter. What’s strange is that it has been pretty mild as winters go around here. No extended sub-zero weather, no long periods of snow cover. A pretty wimpy winter by all normal measurements. But personally, for a lot of reasons, it was hard.
So with the temperature at 50F today with the sun shining bright it was a fine day for a little ride. By late morning I ended up in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania to spend some time with my journal at Cool Beans Coffee and Tea.
Observation, Cogitation, Rumination
A lot of people don’t like having their picture taken. Some won’t look in a mirror. When I hear someone tell me that I’m surprised. Both the camera and the mirror offer a wealth of insight to those who look. At the very least, it’s a slap in the face to move you from who you want to be into the sober reality of who you are. Or a start in that direction.
Looking past the cosmetic details of a physical self, I begin to see myself as an actor on the grand stage of life. And the subsequent thinking is at times helpful in deciding what the next step might be.
Just saying.
Riding Away from Winter
The local groundhog weatherman predicted six more weeks of winter. I’m so ready to be done with it. The warm weather has me believing that winter is done. I probably should take another look in the mirror and ask about that…
Weather can play tricks; Saturday February 18 here in Southern Ontario was equivalent to your 50F, thermometer at 12 C on my back deck in the shade. The warmth is melting what snow exists; tomorrow February 19, a wee bit cooler and then a drop to more seasonable readings, maybe. Your Vespa may well be in need of a bath no less and no more than my own vehicle.
Often wonder how dirty two Belgian sheepdogs can make themselves in this weather;
and after their morning romp do they have their paws cleaned and their costs dried before entering your domicile
?
As to your thoughts of winter, the season is alway too long; in your case having made the decision to retire you are perhaps secretly wishing to hurry the process.
Ain’t going to happen; no how, no way. Enjoy the interlude, your time shall arrive.
The dogs have turned our woodland landscape into a muddy mess. They can create a real cleaning challenge indoors as they bring copious quantities of soil, sand, gravel and pine needles into the house multiple times daily.
Retirement seems a long way off…
Such warmer weather indeed….
As to having one’s picture taken, you know I would much rather be the one taking the picture than being in the picture! 🙂
I am fine being on either side of the camera.
I read that Punxsutawney Phil’s weather predictions have been right approximately 50% of the time. So if he calls for six more weeks of winter weather, or an early spring, either way he’s got a 50-50 chance of being right!
Amazing to me we even discuss a rodent predicting the weather or giving it credence at all.
Interesting approach to a reflection in your first pic, Steve–most would take it from the other side (I like it, and I plan to thieve the idea 😉 ).
Do thoughts of retirement have you considering a move out of Pennsylvania, to a milder climate?
Feel free to photograph the backside of mirrors all you want!
Kim and I have thought about moving after I retire but it was always north to Maine. Never to a milder climate. But for a lot of reasons I think we’ll live out our lives here in Pennsylvania.
Man, that last sentence was scary to write.
Cool Beans – I love that place. Rode down there a couple of times this month when the temp was around 30. Makes a nice winter ride by way of Spring Creek, short and slow, so no wind blast.
I know the route well. A fine little ride!
Every so often I look in the mirror and wonder why my Father is staring back at me. It’s pretty unnerving.
Isn’t that the truth. And for me, my voice reminds me of him as well as some of my speech patterns.
Great reflections, both in words and pictures. 🙂
We have had a mild winter as well, but still haven’t gotten our bikes cleaned…maybe today!
I didn’t think bike cleaning started until May 1. Actually, I hosed off a ton of dirt and gravel from my floorboard over the weekend.
Haha, sometimes our GSs don’t get cleaned for entire seasons…we still haven’t gotten to it!
A GS always looks better dirty.