Cold Weather
A year ago I was riding. Snow, sleet, ice — none of it seemed to interfere with me venturing out on the Vespa scooter. But now, well, I find myself completely disinterested in the cold or cold weather riding.
Winter Scenery
Being laid low by a virus and subsequent infection for nearly a month is a perfect formula for disinterest and sloth. Along with the departure of energy and physical stamina went interest in riding, writing, blogging or pretty much anything.
The dogs were patient, as if they understood how I felt and didn’t pressure much to do more than I could handle. Short walks were the rare exception. Mostly they were on their own in a fenced in garden.
Waiting. Wondering when the old me would emerge again.
Quiet Time
Sitting among my wife’s canvases and other art supplies while I explored my reflection in the giant mirror in the living room was a sign of a growing amount of energy and a return to the possibility of normal life. During the past few weeks I’ve compiled a long list of tasks — some necessary, some dreams, and some just unpleasant. I’ve rebuilt the dishwasher and embarked on electrical projects. New shop lights and circuits in the basement, plumbing repairs using PEX pipe, and a lot of time in the darkroom processing film and making prints.
I looked at the scooter in the garage earlier today. It’s ready to ride as it sits quietly sipping current from a Battery Tender. The winter tires are mounted on an extra set of rims purchased on eBay. And a package of GripStuds awaits a decision as to whether they’ll be installed.
Mostly though, I’m content at the moment to abandon the scooter in favor of my view camera and photography projects. I also realize my feelings can change in an instant.
And that’s the way things are at the moment.
Whew…glad to hear you’re still breathing there, Steve! Sounds like the stuff that gripped you is taking its time releasing said grip but you’re getting there, at least based on your indoor exploits.
The lack of snow/ice over this way has encouraged me to ride slightly more than the last two winters, but it’s still largely utility-riding, which of course makes the “utility” part the much more fun.
Glad to hear about the film-related work; I just (finally!) wrapped up scanning the files I took in Europe a little over a year ago, and very excited at a lot of what I took. I’ll be planning on printing before too long, via the wife’s large Epson printer. (She not only doesn’t mind, but encourages this, if for no other reason than to keep the thing’s nozzles active and unclogged.)
Keep on healin’, kiddo. Spring really isn’t that far off.
I feel like I’m out of the woods physically but it took a toll mentally. It’s as if a reset button was pushed and I have to reacquire motivation and interest on many levels. It’s been interesting to see what’s emerged.
We’ve had some clear days that I could have ridden but there has been a lot of left over ice around — the thick, rough kind that is not easy to negotiate on two wheels. And this morning it’s snowing again and the roads are covered. So the Vespa will remain hidden for awhile longer.
I’m going to revive my Three Prints Project. I considered buying another Leica M6 but sticker shock sent me a different direction. I have a Nikon F3 HP in hand and will convince myself this path isn’t temporary before entertaining something like the M6.
Good luck with your printing. It’s a nice state of being when you can find it!
Hey Steve, hopefully soon you will be on the mend. Sorry to hear it is holding you down from all your past posts you’re a tough cookie. Best Danny South Africa.
I’m physically ok. The mind is lagging though. But I’ll get back to something resembling normal. Soon I hope.
I admit to occasionally missing central PA winter. Get well enough soon to enjoy the winter weeks that lie ahead. Here in northern Alabama people are emptying the grocery shelves with a forecast of 1-2″ tomorrow night! Steve
I keep telling people I now understand why people move to warmer climates when they get older. Winter has been a drag the past couple years. Our dogs notice a decline in winter action. I find myself sitting closer to heat sources.
One to two inches of snow in Alabama must be an emergency. You’ll be one of the few who knows how to drive in snow. Have fun.
Good to hear from you Steve.
I’m finally getting over a horrible cough and cold and subsequent infection that hung around for weeks. Starting to feel up to walking around more. Looking forward to more photos with or without a scooter.
Sounds as if we were on the same road of illness. Walking around for exercise is just now surfacing as an option. I’ll definitely be shooting and posting non-scooter pictures before I get back on the road. Snowing again now after I just shoveled the driveway. Even though it was light, I am tired of it. And it’s still January!
The opening of your blog summed my last summer up. It was hot and humid & it kept me from wanting to do anything outside air conditioned comfort, or anything at all. Glad to hear your world looks like it might be getting back on its axis.
Weather extremes are rough. Was listening to a story about the brutal heat wave in Australia. Can’t imagine dealing with temperatures over 120F.
Yes, here in Oz it is hot! The extreme temperatures are mainly in the arid inland regions. In Australia, most of the population clings to the coast. Where I live in South East Queensland, most days now are over 30 degrees Celsius, which is around 90 degrees F. However, with my riding jacket, which I always wear, it’s simply too hot to ride unless you go out very very early in the morning. I noticed that in parts of the world where there is snow and ice they put salt on the roads. That must be so bad for creating rust! I would love to have one cold day there with you Steve, as we are sweating it out and there’s no rain in sight!
Hope the heat dissipates so that you can embrace life beyond the early mornings or night. High heat is as much as a drag on the soul as cold. At least for me.
The salt on the roads here in winter take a toll on vehicles of all kinds. And my dog’s feet when we go for walks. My cars have done ok and the scooter went 10 years before I had to take some action to stop, or at least slow down the rust. But there’s not much you can do about it other than park the Vespa for the winter. I never wanted to do that. Old age may intervene though. Every winter it has become more and more difficult for me to face the cold.
We have plenty of rain here. The ground is a muddy mess. Wish I could send some your way.
Sorry Steve that you have not been feeling well for at least a month. That’s how it has been for me and my wife. It’s flu season even down here in the south in NC. So, take your medicine, lots of vitamin C, get extra sleep and patiently watch and wait it out. You will be up and out sooner than you know.
I think I’m completely recovered physically. But the long illness did something negative to my outlook and motivation in daily living. That’s improving too. Shoveled the driveway today twice. That has to mean something right?
Illness, particularly what you have endured can be either rejuvenating or it can slay you physically, emotionally and many other ways. Friends who never are ill in the cold months have been laid low for as short a time as four weeks and for much longer. Sounds as if you are a good example, sadly.
Am going to step away and make off-hand comment. You’ve been going pretty well non-stop since retirement. That noted maybe something is telling you to step back and think, of your future and beyond. Life is not “just”
riding a Vespa and recording the passing scene. It is far more than that; your photography proves this.
Reviving the Three Prints means concentration; splashing in a wet darkroom is so much more satisfying than a dry equivalent. Dry is all electronic technology, no fun in that. You have the field camera, so start using it when you’re feeling up to it. Maybe start with that old church you’ve driven past and photographed; photograph from a different angle, print on sepia tone paper whatever.
And as noted “home” projects have been completed, if for no other reason you are not physically able to venture outside, Kim does the shopping. Returning to whatever “normal” is for you will take much time. Take it!
In my case I was slayed. Down for a month and more. OK now but geez, what a ride.
Well, regarding my non-stop pace. It may seem that way, but trust me, I am not over doing anything. Quite the contrary. I’m accomplishing so little that I’m reading a book titled, “Solving the Procrastination Puzzle.”
Photography has superseded my interest in riding. At least now in the cold weather. Photography was a passion long before riding entered the picture and I suspect will always be at the top of my list. I’m working in the darkroom regularly now and slowly ironing out the bumps in process and mechanics. It’s fun to be in the dark again.
Normal is here again though my disdain for winter is with me still.
Steve,
You may be entering into what I’ve come to think of as “the transition”. I’m sure you can think of times where you’ve had thoughts like “boy old Joe or old Fred has sure slowed down these last couple of years”. Well, maybe “old Steve” has slowed down. Old Jim (me) slowed down when I turned 70. I’m 72 now and am just now working through the mental transition. I rode motorcycles all my life and my scooter this last year, but now pick and choose my days. I’ve always like the term “re-inventing” oneself. I don’t think that needs to be anything radical……….maybe just restructuring what your already doing. Reading between the lines, I can see that happening already for you. For me it finally came with starting woodworking again, but with an emphasis on working more with hand tools in the older tradition. Simple, relaxing, and rewarding. It’s nice to be once again embracing the future, instead of lamenting losing the desire to do things as I’ve always done them (along with the associated guilt).
Anyway Steve, welcome to the club. You’re not alone in this journey.
Jim
Aside from the illness, I’ve not slowed down, at least physically. Doing different things than before. Perhaps that transition is stimulating something.
Your focus on simple, relaxing and rewarding strikes a chord with me. I’m drawn to that. At the same time I want to accomplish more. Hard to bring those two things together. And everything is oddly colored for me by winter. I’m certain that the cold weather has a greater impact now than ever before. But as is the case with most things — it will pass.
Glad to be in the club. Life is an exciting adventure, whatever it turns out to be.
This is, after all, the Bleak Midwinter.
Exactly!
I wish you well which is about all I can say. I’m happy to be alive which makes it a bit awkward I suppose when you are feeling so blue. Layne says I can get another ride when I can walk properly so I’m out there every day at the gym and walking Rusty trying to get a proper gait back! You need some similar motivator I guess.
Warmer weather will be my biggest motivator, at least where riding is concerned. Photography is a huge motivator that isn’t so weather dependent. Embraced both this morning. It was 37F when I left the house on the Vespa. Foggy and a damp cold. But was good to be on the road again, if only for a short ride.
Still need to post the story of your visit. I am so far, far behind on all things blog related. Good luck on your walking. You’ll get there before you know it.