A Slap in the Face
This past year has seen the world struggle. No amount of riding could free me from concern for myself, my family, and those I love. As much as I want to believe that today, the start of a new year, will be different, it’s merely turning the page in the middle of a long novel. There is no magic today, no sudden cleansing of the world. What was bearing down yesterday remains today.
I have faith that the future will be bright, that suffering will ease and those things that provided pleasure and joy will return. But not today. The same struggle goes on for some time to come.
When I looked at the photograph of my Vespa in the forest just two months ago, I’m reminded of how exciting it is to peer into the unknown. Not knowing what lays ahead. Not sure what I’ll encounter. I have that same feeling now as I embrace the start of 2021.
I pray each of you reading these words will find hope and solace amidst whatever challenges you face.
Thank you very much indeed for your kind words. Good heath and good luck for 2021 from Scotland.
Ah Scotland. I’m watching “The Crown” on Netflix and the Queen Mother is looking at a castle in Scotland. I hope to someday make a visit to your lovely country.
And good health and luck to you this year!
Thank you Steve for your thoughtful words. I wish you and yours a healthy and positive 2021. May today mark the beginning of positive changes world-wide.
Amen to that Mike.
And may the scriptures pen in a fabulous year, may you always have enough, Steve. From South Africa
Thank you Danny. May the same blessings come to you.
Despite the fear and uncertainty ,2021 is going to be a great year. If it’s not, don’t blame me. I am being as positive as I can. Now, if I can just get my fire started.
With ice and rain falling heavily here a fire is out of the question. I’m indoors with brownies baking in the oven.
Happy as we can be I guess to start out this new year….Found happiness yesterday in the form of a bunny rabbit..I held a Flemish Giant rabbit a little girl got for Christmas.Next to my kids and holding my two grandsons for the first time,think this bunny that can grow to 20 lbs.was one of the sweetest creatures I have ever held …Whats this have to do with riding a scooter you say???Nothing… Happiness comes in all forms it seems hope we all can find some this year in whatever form it may appear …Thank you Steve as always for Scooter in the Sticks always happy when you send a post our way …Peace and Happy Trails to you
Thank you for the reminder of the different forms of happiness Don. While there are no Flemish Giants at hand, we do have two Belgian Shepherds who love attention.
And thank you for your kind words about the posts. I hope the coming year affords some space for riding pleasures.
Thank you Steve! Happy New Year! Best wishes from the Netherlands.
De beste wensen voor een fijn nieuw jaar.
Yes-hope reigns supreme; all manner of things shall be well…
Best wishes from Chris (Lincoln UK)
Thank you Chris. Hope does have power.
A colleague of mine calls today December 32nd. He may have answered too many 911 calls in 2020. As have I, probably. I find the flip of a calendar not terribly impressive when faced with the disasters that were natural and human encouraged for the last twelve months of recorded time. Nevertheless Happy New Hogmanay! Ho ho Ho! (Mixing my tropical holiday metaphors with aplomb).
Signed
The Masked Dispatcher
The Masked Dispatcher. I think you and your kindred colleagues around the world qualify for superhero status. All of us owe a debt of gratitude to those who answer the calls for help whether on the street or in a hospital. Best wishes and good health to you this year!
Great analogy of just turning the page in the middle of a long novel, Steve. My only hope is that more people would make a New Year’s resolution to do more safety measure to mitigate the spread of this dreadful disease. People got us into this dire situation and people have the ability to get us out of it.
I confess some level of sadness in the response of people in the face of the threat of COVID-19. I’ve listened to people rationalize their behavior but despite what I hear I see the death toll mount. Perhaps life isn’t as precious to everyone as I thought.
I hope that we do find a way to pluck ourselves from this plight. Again, hope has great power.
2020 has turned 21, old enough to drink so watch out.
I sure hope 2021 isn’t a drunken orgy…
Happy New Year Steve. My best to you and your family for health, happiness, and more sweet riding experiences in 2021.
The same wishes to you and yours Rusty!
According to the latest reports it could be years until everyone in the world gets vaccinated. That will mean some measure of masks and caution for a while. As you said earlier on it was wise to temper riding lest we end up in a hospital with contagious individuals. I and most riders followed that until August when local events began to occur again. I then did a half dozen events and a trio of bike nights. People wore masks, attempted to maintain distance and had a good deal of fun. Hopefully the coming year will be filled with rides and safe gatherings.
Turning a page can reveal a new plot line. With vaccinations and improved treatments 2021 won’t be as dower as 2020.
Ride safe and stay healthy Steve.
I agree — masks and caution will be our companions for the foreseeable future. And as you say, once you start wearing a mask and get used to social distancing, it’s not so bad. Different, but there are still a lot of possibilities. Sadly though, there are some things that just will remain difficult if not impossible. Those will be sad to lose.
Be well Jim!
Turning the page in a novel can also reveal a new chapter. That is what I sense – a new chapter in this long novel. I am already relieved that this new chapter does not contain the word “Trump” as much as the past few chapters have. My hope, however, does not rely as much on any improvement in human behavior as it does on the slow and methodical persistence of nature to evolve, change, and continue. Your pictures always bring that to life for me. Easy scooter rides through the natural landscape always put me at peace with this reality. Be well; stay safe; ride on.
A new chapter. I hope it’s a good one. Waiting for nature to change is a slow process. I have to believe a change in human behavior at some level is possible. Perhaps we don’t change until we’re on the brink of catastrophe. And for many, despite nearly 350 thousand deaths in the country, it’s not a catastrophe. Hard to square that sort of thinking with reality but there it is.
It’s pouring ice onto the earth here right now. No scooter riding today. But I can dream. And the brownies just came out of the oven. Happy New Year!
Thank you for your perspective. I do feel we are still in the same story. There are many possible endings, some predicted and some not but the fact is we just don’t know and just like venturing on the scooter, that is what makes it exciting. We live for the future not the past therefor, heads up high, deep breath and forge ahead. There is no end and no edge to fall off of but likely a circle to come back around. Thank for your thought provoking words, It makes me wonder a bit more than I would normally.
Gilles
Since I wrote the post, and since your comment, the world and the United States have continued to be troubled. I hope brighter days are ahead but it will take work, faith, and sacrifice. Three things that seem in short supply.
I appreciate your comments Gilles and the effort required to share them. Best wishes to you for good days ahead.
Happy New Year to you and yours Steve….I have some hope for better conditions but given some/most of humanity’s somewhat regular ability to disappoint it might take a bit longer.
The past couple of days have provided more than enough disappointment Dom. I hope things begin to settle.
Happy new Year, Steve. Your words and photos have been an inspiration to me for several years now. Thank you for continuously providing ideas, thoughts and perspective in your posts.
With the ever so slow vaccination process I might get my shot some time 2022. Chances are that I’ll get C19 at some point and all I can do is hope for a mild case. However, this won’t stop me from dreaming, and learning, and smiling, and enjoying life. Cheers from Germany, SonjaM
I hope you find the vaccination before 2022. Doesn’t seem possible that it will take that long in a country like Germany. My doctor thinks I’ll have access in late spring.
I don’t expect to get COVID19 but I suppose anything is possible. Someone I know just got out of the hospital with a serious case. But not before her mother and grandmother died during the same period. Few things we’ve faced can ravage like that save for plane or car crashes. I pray this does not become the new normal, if not from COVID19 but some new virus emerging.