A Vespa Christmas
Christmas Day has come and is nearly gone. Family has gathered, presents opened, friends encountered and the house is once again quiet. A fine time for reflections on Christmas.
Before wandering off I want to extend to each of you hopes for a Merry Christmas and some wonderful times leading up to the new year.
As darkness came I made this photograph of the Vespa amidst the colored lights. A fine way to end its day.
Riding on Christmas Morning
Tradition has me out on the Vespa on Christmas morning. The kids are grown and have their own lives now with our gatherings taking place on Christmas eve. That leaves the morning open for riding and visiting. The churches down the street are quiet this morning after Christmas eve services.
The weather outside was fine for riding. Clear, dry roads at 31F. Unlike some other years.
Snow on Christmas 2017
One of my traditions is to stop by my friends Howard and Claudine. Last year there was snow on the ground but this year the roads were completely dry with only a smattering of gravel.
Uneventful riding.
When I arrived a fire was burning in the fireplace and provided a cozy environment for hot tea and croissants.
It’s good to have friends.
State College, Pennsylvania on Christmas Day
A loop through town to see if anything was happening. Or if any of the cafes or restaurants were open. All I found was a ghost town with one or two people walking dogs.
Scooter of Christmas Past
Back in 2012 I was still hauling Christmas trees on the scooter. A naked scooter I might add without heated grips, muffs, apron or snow tires. I was hardier, or more foolhardy back then in terms of winter riding.
Each year I collect more holiday memories but I must admit, nothing is like those recollections of Christmas as a child. They were simply magic.
Season’s Greetings to All
It’s been a fine holiday with so much for which to be grateful. Problems and concerns fade away in the light of the holidays. I pray I can maintain this spirit for the entire year.
Best wishes to all of you for health, happiness and acceptance for what lies ahead.
[optin-cat id=”8800″]
A most Merry Christmas to you, Steve!!
Christmas here had a bit in common with yours: Dry roads (although Melody stayed put in the driveway), quiet streets in our part of town (we took a little walk…good exercise for Ann’s left knee, seven weeks post-surgery), but this Christmas we were blissfully on our own – between Thanksgiving and her Birthday (quiet dinner out on her actual Birthday, with an all-the-stops-pulled-out affair with family & friends four days later), let’s just say there’ve been a lot of people crossing our doorstep, so it was sweet to just unplug, make a nice dinner at home, watch a movie (Will You Be My Neighbor, highly recommended if you didn’t;t catch it yet), and, now, with Ann asleep, I’m easing into some jazz in front of the fire with the cat. And seriously counting my blessings. And I’ll definitely be taking a ride tomorrow while the weather is still nice…at leas for December.
It’s nice to unplug for a time. And it feels especially good after walking away from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Hopefully you’ll find a little space to take Melody for a spin. The weather has been pretty mild so far.
Hope your wife’s recovery goes well. Surgical recovery is always more challenging than the medical community leads people to believe. At least that’s what I’ve come to believe.
The movie you’re referring to — is it the Mr. Rogers documentary by Morgan Neville?
Best wishes for the New Year!
Yep, that’s the flick. Learned a few things about Fred Rogers I didn’t know, laughed a lot, cried more than a little. Ann is recovering quite nicely, other than her grousing about wishing the process would go faster (it is much faster than last time…they don’t even cut into muscle anymore during the procedure, that’s how quickly things have advanced) And, speaking of all this recovery stuff, how the heck is Kim?
Happy New Year to you!
I’ll have to watch the Fred Rogers documentary. Put it on my watchlist. Right now I’ve started DCI Banks, a BBC crime drama.
Kim is slowly on the mend. I’m getting worse though. Someday we’ll both be well!
The two major holidays of the year squeezed into a very few days.
It has always been as such. We anticipate the period called Christmas (although I tend to
have a different celebration at the change of season from autumn to winter).
This winter thus far has been dull, overcast and damp.
And ridable for those who venture on two wheels or perchance three.
Of Christmas rides of the past in your situation Steve, well illustrated as expected.
All that remains is surplus food of sorts and the thoughts of those who
visited and those who did not.
May the the next year be fruitful and positive for your family, Steve.
Happy Holiday(s)
Bryce Lee
Hello Bryce,
Things have been dull, overcast and damp here for most of the holiday season. The sun has peaked out for an hour or so from time to time but mostly there’s been a apocalyptic look to things. Take into account I’ve written that comment from amidst a nagging cold and feel extra gloomy.
Despite the weather, and the illness (so far) I’ve been able to do a little riding. That’s a plus.
Our surplus holiday food is gone but piles of sugar linger. And there are still people to visit. But there’s time.
Thank you for your kind wishes for the holidays and I extend the same to you!
Happy New Year.
Joyeux Noël à toi aussi Steve et à l’année prochaine !!!
Laurent.
Merci Laurent. Et j’espère que vous avez passé un joyeux Noël. Meilleurs voeux pour une bonne nouvelle année!
Merry Christmas, Steve! Your 2012 photo of the Vespa hauling your Christmas tree brought a smile to my face this morning. Not only does that look like fun, the photograph itself is a work of art and would make a perfect holiday card. It seems to me that your creativity and intrepid sense of humor also shine through here by attempting such an adventure. Saint Nick would be proud.
The closest I’ve come to that feat is hauling some firewood on the rear rack.
The “nakedness” of the scooter also caught my attention, as that has been my situation having only been riding for a little over 2 years now. Slowly that is changing, as I’ve begun adding some new gear to my repertoire, including the Termoscud apron that you inspired me to buy and a full faced helmet. I think those handlebar muffs might be next.
I’d love to take another ride with you soon. In the meantime, I’m experimenting to see how long I can stay out in the cold. Happy Holidays to you and Kim and your family!
Hello Andy. Hope you and your family had a fine Christmas and are on course for a great New Year.
I started hauling Christmas trees home back in 2006 on my LX150.
It was fun experimenting with the scooter in that regard. The only reason I stopped was when we quit putting up a tree. I’ve thought about making a card from that photo but just never got around to it. Yet.
I like the naked look of the Vespa but use and need brought a variety of “refinements” that mess with those clean lines. I was closer to your age back then and was a little more able to put up with being cold. Now I want all the protection I can find. You’ll find the same magical change with those handlebar muffs that you did with the apron. Amazing how big a difference comes from warding off the air blasts.
I’m up for another ride Andy. At least once this cold passes. I should probably post the story about our last ride first!
A Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your family.
You too Karl!
Merry Christmas to you and Kim and best wishes for the new year.
Thanks David. Hope you and your family have a great new year!
Merry Christmas to you and yours Steve, and thanks for the gifts of your posts throughout the year. They are very much appreciated and…you do more good for people through the year than I think you allow yourself credit for.
Which is how it should be. You give of yourself without thinking of it.
In those times when you question the “open hours” and “what am I doing”, allow yourself to consider that.
Although you most likely won’t. You are a pretty cool guy, Steve.
And that photo of the Vespa with the Christmas lights hitting it, that’s pretty damn sweet.
Fred G.
Thank you for your kind words of support Fred — for me and for the things I share. It is nice to know someone finds use in it.
The latest image of the Vespa with the projected Christmas lights was a result of my laziness this year in not planning for something unique. So at the last minute I pushed the scooter out into the lights and presto! Worked better than I thought it would.
Have a great New Year!
Steve – best wishes for the holidays from California. I enjoy seeing your photos and musings about scooters & life in general. Am always inspired by the weather you ride in, we tend to get pretty spoiled out here!
After all these years of riding the Vespa I still seem to find myself musing about something. As long as I do I suppose I’ll keep posting. The weather is, well, more and more of a challenge as I get old. I suppose sometime down the road there will be a picture of me frozen on the scooter!
Happy New Year!
The Best to You and Yours in the coming year.I think its time for a Grandkid/dog pic.Peace and Safety from NH.
It’s weird — I’ve shown no interest of late in taking pictures of my granddaughter or the dogs. Not sure if I just want to spend time with them and don’t want to bother with the camera. Maybe that will change. Junior is 8 inches away from the keyboard now. So I have reminders!
All the best to you for a Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas! And best wishes for the coming new year. Not much snow yet but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Though it does tend to cover up all of the junk in everyone’s yard.
Oh yeah, I have been missing the Christmas tree on the back of the scooter posts…
Any new pictures of trees on scooters will have to wait until we start putting one up again. Came close this year.
Besides, I have work to do thats ALL YOUR FAULT. You suggested studded tires and now I’m sitting here with a hundred dollars worth of tungsten carbide Grip Studs wondering if installing them is a good idea or a bad idea…
Hope you and your family had a fine Christmas and are on course for a Happy New Year Richard.
Very little snow here yet. You’re right about the “cleaning effect” of a blanket of snow. Same works here.
Have a wonderful Christmas Season Steve, and please keep writing your blog! Love it!
Thanks for the kind wishes and words Kat. I’ll keep writing until something changes in me or the world…
All the best for a great New Year!
Never mind Christmas. It’s too cold for sensible people. I will be checking in on your Christmas spirit in July or August maybe. You can check mine too and see who has held up the best Xmas spirit through summer.
I had to get out my copy of “The 2019 Universal Compendium of Sensible People” and sure enough, neither of us are included. So I guess it’s safe for me to continue riding in the cold of Christmas and you can continue to make plans to ride ungodly distances in crazily short periods of time.
Look forward to celebrating with you again in warm weather. Best wishes for a happy, safe and exciting New Year!
Hello Steve,
A few days late!
but Merry Christmas.
I hope your enjoying family time and all the season as to offer.
Please pass my regards to Kim.
Been reading for many years now….way back from the LX150 days!
Have a lovely 2019.
p.s does your daughter still ride a scooter??
do i have this right??
I’m sure I remember a post whereby you was taking it out for a run?
regards
all the best
LEN@RE-GLAZE-IT Derby UK
No worries Len. It still feels like Christmas. Hope you and yours are having a great holiday season.
Kim and I are both adrift in the crud of virus and respiratory infection. It certainly has colored the holidays a bit. But we still are grateful for family and friends.
It feels as if I’ve been riding the Vespa forever now even though its only been 13 years or so. With so many miles now on the GTS I can’t imagine riding the LX150. The little extra speed and power changes you.
My youngest daughter is still riding her Yamaha Vino 125. She and I haven’t ridden together in a long time though. Perhaps we need to address that. She rides for transportation while I’m riding for “adventure.” Not a good match. I did ride it to the Yamaha dealer a month or so ago to have some service done on it for her. It’s a neat little machine. Made me think I need a second scooter. Something small. Like a Honda Ruckus!
Blessed with a light dusting for Christmas morning and though I did get out for a wee motor last week I suspect the team will now nap until Spring. Sounds like you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Steve and aride the day of seems a blessing. Thanks so much for the post. Happy New Year to All.
It’s been a great Christmas for us. In spite of the illness currently at hand.
Hope the winter passes quickly so all of us who ride can do so in more moderate circumstance. For me, until then, I’ll try to brave the cold a bit longer…
Happy New Year!