Motorcycle Utility
On this day it was the Kawasaki W650‘s turn for a ride. With five machines in the garage I have had to set up a rotation to keep them all working, the fuel fresh, and the moisture driven out of the oil. Fifteen to twenty miles is usually enough to do the trick. And it helps me keep my head on straight.
Paying property taxes is an annual August event. Pay the total by the end of the month and you save a few dollars. So that’s what I do. Any excuse to go for a ride at the end of summer.
End of Summer Sweet Corn
After paying taxes I needed to make a sweeping loop out through Penns Valley to chalk up the requisite mileage on my Kawasaki W650 motorcycle. Just like hearing the music from the ice cream truck in the neighborhood on weekends, it’s pleasant to see a sign offering sweet corn.
I love sweet corn. Had some last night. More today. The best kind is fresh picked, only a few hours from corn stalk to table.
The Honor System
It’s common to see self-service farm stands in this part of Pennsylvania. Some kind of cash box next to the wares. Sometimes just a jar full of cash. A system requiring honesty that still seems kind of magical to me. Especially in a world of security tags and surveillance systems.
I bought two dollars worth of sweet corn as part of my end of summer riding experience and packed them in my Long Ride tail bag.
Repetitive Behavior
If someone were tracking me the would likely predict a high probability of stopping at the Pump Station at the end of a ride. A look at my EveryDollar app will show a considerable, ongoing expense marked “Pump Station.” It’s a pleasure I willingly pay for. Among others.
No matter where I go or what I’m doing, I always relish the opportunity to just sit down with a cup of tea and something sweet to munch and just watch the world and think. It’s more important that I would have ever thought.
Life is Good at the End of Summer
Late summer has brought some challenge into my life. My wife is now recovering from a complex spine reconstruction surgery. She needs me now in ways that normally she doesn’t. When health challenges enter life it tests my ability to accept, adapt, and change. I believe riding has helped enormously in this regard. A topic for an upcoming video.
Until then, I hope you find your own end of summer riding enjoyable and enlightening.
Ah, sweet corn! We’ve had several ears from the Amish. Right now I’m going to ride to the Pump Station to try their new apple, turkey, Gouda sandwich .
Rode a little through Penns Valley today. Didn’t see any sweet corn signs. Luckily I have a few ears still in the kitchen to enjoy this evening.
That bike iz UJM perfection!! 0r very nearly. Several food placez, over time, have banned CASH!! 👿🤬👿 trailer\truck. bakery. Ice cream. Etcetera… seemingly picked up visavis COVID. DNK Y tho
It’s a fine machine. I expect it will take me to many fine eating establishments. I’ve not run into one yet that won’t take cash. Or any establishment for that matter. I’ve heard stories but my experience hasn’t lined up with them.
COVID…. Still here. Endemic now. Like the flu. Hopefully it will continue to mutate into a less and less dangerous variant. But I suspect the world will see some other virus emerge that will reek havoc on our willingness or ability to combat it. Politics have made us less trusting of the people we should seek guidance from. Full flounder ahead I guess.
Ah, sweet corn! We’ve had many from the Amish. BTW I’m going to ride to the Pump Station right now to try their new apple, turkey, gouda sandwich. You’ve awakened my hunger.
Sorry about the double posting. I didn’t think the first one registered.
No problems Robert.
I’ve seen the poster for that sandwich but so far haven’t veered away from the Cruisin’ Club sandwich. Maybe it’s time!
I’ve been eating sweet corn since the end of July. I stopped on Labor Day, as I believe I had had my fill. Sign of the times – my favorite stand is also a self-serve stand with a cash box, but the owner also accepts Venmo payment. That came in handy one day when I did not have exact change!
I sympathize with you on your wife’s issues. My wife had reconstructive ankle surgery in December of 2022, and her mobility has been affected ever since. Recently her orthopedist found a small stress fracture in the area, so she’s back in a short walking boot for the next few months. It bring relief from the constant pain, but clumping around in a walking boot is not much fun. I wish your wife the best in her recovery.
I’ve not seen a stand here using Venmo. Wouldn’t help me though since I don’t have that on my phone.
As we get older I guess physical ailments become more common. Just need to keep moving forward in some productive manner I guess.
Hello Steve,
Great post as always, ahh sweet corn on the honor system. My friend told me he was in a phone store in Waco,Texas and u pay a 3 dollar up charge for paying in cash. He also asked me about venmo, I replied had that once , a shot of penicillin cured it right up.. Keep posting and speedy recovery for Mrs.
An upcharge for paying in cash? That must be a Texas tradition. Here in Boalsburg, the the pizza shop, you get a discount for paying in cash! Same thing at the Vet office.
Venmo… penicillin… HAH!
Late Summer into early Autumn just an awesome and favourite time to ride. I think my CT is as enthusiastic as I and has become the go to Sweet Corn Gopher. We too have had health issues constrain our riding this season but it appears we have a bit of a window now and plan to take full advantage of the opportunity. I think I hear the CT calling so off in search of corn we go. Thanks for the post Steve, timely as usual👌
I hope your health issues resolve in a positive way and you can manage some riding before the weather sidelines you until spring.
It’s beautiful here now and autumn colors aren’t far off. The corn may finish but bring on the Halloween candy!
Here’s to a glorious and prolonged Autumn. Enjoy🥂
Yes sir!
My end of Summer special was a visit from my brother, Bill, and his wife from Rochester. He came down to do a large motorcycle event in Kingston with me. He showed up with a new acquisition on his trailer, a 1984 Honda V65 Sabre. It has 1100cc V-4, 120 horsepower engine and was his Summer project. A carb clean and hydraulic fixes later it shook the Earth at idle. We rode each day for the next three days piling 233 miles on our odometers. It’s been several decades since we that many together and his annual visits have been epic. Our wives smile knowingly when come in after each ride. It made end if Summer special.
The V65 Sabre is a sweet motorcycle. Very angular look.
Sounds like you and your brother had a good time riding together. And a fine way to end the summer!
My wife had a spinal fusion last month, so I’m right there with you Steve in terms of being her home health care nurse for her recovery. Thank goodness for FMLA so I could be absent for the required weeks from my full time job. I wish your wife no complications and a speedy recovery.
I’m retired so I don’t have the added stress of having to balance work and care. So far the recovery is going as expected. The surgeons said a year or more for full recovery. We’re grateful though for their abilities. And for health insurance!
Steve,
Been a long while since I commented but still a faithful reader. Very best wishes for your wife’s speedy and full recovery.
Thanks for all your good work. You’re doing my riding for me at this point. And doing a swell job of it.
I just wonder about the tea drinking….but to each their own.
Best,
FNG
Thank you for commenting. And reading the things I post here. It’s always nice to know I’m not screaming in the dark.
I really wish I liked coffee. I LOVE the aroma of fresh ground coffee beans. But the taste just seems awful to me. And tea, well I can’t say it tastes great. I think I am more attracted by the heat and the ritual of drinking it.
Funny, I love coffee in the mornings and tea in the afternoon. Gotta love our simple vices that make life richer.
Sorry for the long delay in responding to your comment. Yes, our simple vices, or rituals as I call them, certainly do make life richer.