Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.

Grin and Keep Moving

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Toddler responding to photographer asking her to say "cheese".Say “Cheese”

The cheese face.  My granddaughter has a great smile — until you utter, “say cheese” and get the “cheese face.”  As I looked at the photo this evening I realized I’m feeling the way she looks — ugh, give me a break.  I don’t want to grin and bear it.  Just want a little time to unwind.

With that in mind I’ll roll the Vespa scooter out of the garage and go for a ride.  As soon as it stops raining. Maybe Wednesday will be nice.  Some time on the road should fix what ails me.

Until then I’ll grin and keep moving.

Fighting Misinformation

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Toddler named Emma standing in front of a treeHearts and Minds

Misinformation.  It’s everywhere.  And the only defense is education.  If you want to take the easy way out and just consume information without determining the veracity of the source and the information uttered, then you’re setting yourself up to be used and manipulated.  It doesn’t matter whether it’s me writing about riding my Vespa in the snow or the President of the United States branding media outlets as fake news. Do the work and educate yourself.

I think about the world my granddaughter Emma will inherit and wonder if the same things I believe to be true today will be when she is my age.  I have no crystal ball.  What I can do is teach her to be an independent thinker and be skeptical of purveyors of the truth.  Especially anyone who wants to date her when she’s older. Or politicians.

Especially politicians.

Having worked on a number of political campaigns I know how self-serving the process is.  Truth has little to do with it.

Emma — don’t fall in with the manipulated masses — liberal or conservative, radical or pacifist, they all have an agenda.  Make sure you know what line of bullshit they’re peddling.

Laughing toddler standing in front of a treeFree and Easy

Emma posed for a couple pictures in front of a tree in her yard.  She likes that tree.  And she offered up her “cheese face” —  the look you get when you ask her to smile for the camera.  As she nears her second birthday she shouldn’t have a care in the world save for experiencing things for the first time, having fun and celebrating life.  It’s a free and easy existence that I sometimes think we all secretly long for again.

Misinformation hampers that freedom.  A lot of it is intended to generate fear and anxiety and drive power struggles.  Misinformation seeks to tell me I’m in danger from terrorists even though my brain reminds me that my vehicle, diet or lightning is more likely to harm me.  So watch what information you eat Emma.  If it’s coming from the mouth of an elected official don’t trust it until you’ve verified.  If you see two people on television debating vaccines — one an actor who has a kid they don’t want to vaccinate, and the other a physician and researcher who has spend most of their life studying vaccines — remember they’re opinions aren’t equivalent just because they’re on the same stage.

Misinformation Emma.  It’s everywhere.  And education and the willingness to pursue the truth regardless where it leads is the antidote.

But don’t get me started…

2017 Brave, Bold Blogger Challenge

This post is part of a month long writing prompt challenge conceived by Kathy at Toadmama.com.

Riding Choices

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Many riding choices are simple — obvious and mechanical; apply the brakes now, activate the turn signal, avoid the car door opening ahead.

Some choices involve more experience to properly evaluate like making decisions to ride when the weather isn’t ideal or determining how many miles a backside can actually endure before discomfort interferes with technique.  And then there are the grand choices that affect lives and relationships, the riding choices that directly influence how much time you a rider lives on two wheels.

Motorcycles and Vespa at the Pump Station in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania
A phone call led me to the Pump Station Cafe to see my daughter and granddaughter. Coincidentally members of the Boalsburg Moto Hang were gathered for a weekend ride to member Brian Moroni’s place – H&H Cycle Shop in Osceola Mills. I’m told he has all kinds of vintage dirt bikes and there’s always an interesting collection of vintage riders who hang out and tell stories of the glory days of central Pennsylvania motocross. Brian is a talented fabricator and would probably have a few of his works on display. I could go on that ride or I could see my granddaughter.

Emma, if someday in the future you’re reading this — make note I chose to hang out with you even though you drool and don’t say too much.  But you are pretty damn precious.  And if at some point you become a rider you’ll appreciate the painful process to balance riding with everything else.

Hannah and Emma at Pump Station in Boalsburg
Everything else. I wish I could say I have it under control, all figured out but I’m no closer now than I was scribbling complaints in my journal at 17. I’ve wondered if I’m genetically programmed to warm to disorganization and chaos.

Regardless, choices must be made and for most part I’m comfortable with the ones I’ve made. And I’m excited about the ones that lie ahead. Whatever they may be.

Perhaps Emma will provide some clues — she seems pretty thoughtful.

Boalsburg Moto Hang riders at the Pump Station in Boalsburg, PennsylvaniaThe Boalsburg Moto Hang gang were making plans for the morning ride and discussing group riding rules and stuff.  No scooter riders were represented save for those harboring a secret desire to abandon their motorcycles for the bliss of twist and go.

Motorcycles lined up at the Pump Station Cafe in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania

Off they went.  Hannah took an increasingly sleepy Emma home for a nap and I got on the Vespa to engage in some dog walking business with Junior and Lily.  Everyone has a task, everyone has a choice.

As far as riding choices go, right now I find myself dividing them into three simple categories; when, how and how long.   Simple is good.

Scrutinizing Vespa Riding

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Emma has her eye on me.

baby in strollerGranddaughter Emma had a watchful eye on me today.  Not sure if it was my striking good looks, the bumblebee colored riding jacket, or interest in scrutinizing Vespa riding that had her attention.  The steady, thoughtful gaze had me wondering what was so special.

Vespa scooter parked in townFirst idea to come to mind was the difference between riding for pleasure and riding as general transportation.  Both are possible with a scooter or a motorcycle and the difference is really the choices made by the rider.  There are lots of pleasure riders in the world.  Perhaps the majority of riders fall into this category.

Riders who use their machines as transportation are common but in my opinion a decidedly smaller group.  I see few motorcycles in the grocery store parking lot or at the dry cleaners.  And I have to admit I don’t understand why.  A ride across town to pick up a loaf of bread at the bakery is just as satisfying as a ride across the valley to breakfast.  I’ve found extensive pleasure and solace riding to work or using the Vespa for errands and chores.

Pre de Provence Argan Body ButterOne stop allowed me to surprise Kim by picking up some PRE de PROVENCE Argan Body Butter — one of the preferred massage creams in our house.  It’s just the sort of thoughtful gesture riders make for their significant others.  The common misconception is that we are singularly and selfishly obsessed with riding at the exclusion of all other concerns and needs.

That’s a riding myth.

Vespa GTS scooter in Boalsburg, PennsylvaniaThe surprise was on me when I got home — Kim already had a supply of Argan Body Butter.  Riders are likely familiar with the welcome thrill of hearing they’ll have to mount up and head out into the world again to properly complete a task.

Back at Bella di Vita in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania I corrected the situation and acquired another spousal favorite.

150808_vespa006The correct choice in this case was a jar of Cote Bastide Fleurs D’Oranger Body Cream — an alternative and slightly more lavish choice.  But since it easily fits in the topcase of the scooter I figured what the heck.  Just another pleasant experience of riding.

Thinking back to my granddaughter Emma this is probably exactly the kind of thing she was thinking about when she was carefully scrutinizing Vespa riding.