The past few days the mornings began with the Vespa. If I were patient I could describe the mental transition that takes place when the decision is made to ride to work, or anywhere for that matter. A slow, insistent unfurling of the mental log jam between my ears starts to melt and give way to a brighter outlook.
I can swear to that. Rain or shine.
Untwisting the noise allows room for new ideas. For me those ideas often appear as little visions, like a kid seeing Snoopy in a cloud. I saw a turtle during a momentary romantic meander with Kim.
She calls them tertels.
The most insidious aspect of allowing a brain to become distorted and disturbed is becoming callous and hardened an a way that prevents recognition of the little gifts right in front of you everyday.
I miss watching sunsets.
And there are all the little things that spark wonder or a smile. The soft complexity of the male strobili on pinus strobus. Or your wife mesmerized by the bark on a tree.
And I can’t help but appreciate the mechanical marvel of Bruce Babcock’s vintage Royal Enfield at the Boalsburg Moto Hang.
Or the fabriction wonders of Harry Tarzian’s hand built sidecar rig based on a BMW K1100 with a front end fashioned from Corvette suspension pieces. And a lot more ingenious engineering.
Wandering into town, sharing space with a Kawasaki Ninja, and taking in the quiet energy of the State College, Pennsylvania sidewalks on a Thursday evening is almost as relaxing as the ride into town.
Almost.
Home again, home again jiggety-jig. I didn’t buy a fat hog though. The garden is becoming a jungle though thankfully one without a bear this week. A fragrance of skunk has filled the night a few times and I hope the dog is smart enough to give one a wide berth. Skunks don’t look like tennis balls after all.
At first glance I thought it was a turtle as well!
Much like your description of how a ride awakens your brain and spirit, your thoughtful blog posts often give me pause for a few moments. I can re-calibrate and sharpen my focus on being happy and alive.
Whether I comment or not, you never fail to give me something to think about. Thanks!
Just finished getting a motorcycle of mine back on the road after far too many years at the back of the shed. Hope to ride down from Boston to catch a pistons and pints event at some point.