Scooter in the Sticks

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

Living Without a Scooter

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Belgian Sheepdog meditating in gardenDaily Meditation

My dog Junior models the contemplative life for me — moments of quiet reflection coupled with simple acts of focus and pleasure; tennis balls, Milkbones, naps and walks.  As I squirm with desire to be riding he reminds me that peace is a construct of the mind and I can create my own reality.

Even if means scooterless living while waiting for my Vespa GTS to emerge from repair world.

hydrandgea climbing up a postThe Vespa Maintenance List

Each morning I wander through our garden with the dogs, stepping slowly into the day.  The garden has maintenance needs, just like the Vespa scooter.  As a living system I’ll never fully meet its demands or achieve all the things Kim or I would like to accomplish. The hydrangea in the photo will so reach the limits of the locust post its growing on.  Plans are in the works to build a much taller structure for it.

The Vespa is completely different.  It’s usually a fixed list.  Currently a long one.  For those of you wondering what you might have to do with a scooter at 32 thousand miles here’s the list:

  • Voltage regulator
  • Clutch and driven/drive pulley assemblies
  • CVT drive belt, rollers and related parts
  • New Heidenau K61 tires, mounting balancing, etc.
  • Engine and transmission fluid and filter replacement

I had neither the time or inclination to take on the work.  And I trust the technicians at Kissell Motorsports.

dog running through wooded gardenRemain in Motion

Over time we’ve created pathways and trails through our woodland landscape.  After my heart attack last year it was strongly suggested I change my exercise habits including healthy doses of walking.  Led by the dogs I can easily walk a half mile before breakfast doing a four or five circuits around the garden.

Beyond exercise I want to keep my mind in motion.  Riding the Vespa helps as does writing and photography in not abandoning life to the easy chair and television.

In (temporary) scooterless living an easy walk is a blessing.

Two Belgian Sheepdogs in garden

Why Didn’t You Buy a New Vespa?

More than a couple people have focused their attention my way in terms of buying a new scooter.  I refused to believe Junior and Lily are wondering the same thing. But many question the expense of maintenance on a ten year old machine, especially when the expense may reach to more than half its value.

With plenty of evidence of the Vespa engine’s lifespan I’m comfortable I’ll be riding many more miles.  And certainly for less money that buying a new scooter.

Until I get the scooter back I’ll be focused on other things.  Garden renovation, construction or maybe another foray into my darkroom.  The opportunities for non-riding adventures are limitless.

Stupid, Weird or Silly

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Man lying on the roadPlodding Along

My friend Paul stretching his back during a ride some years ago…

This is my day today.

Life can plod along, quietly stacking one day among the next in a relentless engine of eternity. Like an airline pilot describing the job as long periods of boredom interrupted by occasional moments of terror, so life seems today – the boring part.

Aside for a few minutes while shaving this morning I didn’t see anything stupid, weird or silly. Haven’t heard a joke, didn’t see anything slide along on the morning ice, the dogs didn’t do anything cute.

What does it mean?

man and dog at cafeExistential Boredom

I’m not living on the bleeding edge of life. No UFOs, lottery ticket winnings or coincidental run ins with Vespa riding celebrities (there are some). Just the drudgery fueled by too many long, cold sunshine free days. Sitting in a waiting room the headline under a magnificently chaotic graphic announces, “Multiple Tornadoes Hit Gulf Coast”.

That would be weird.

Choices have dwindled to a struggle to not pierce my eardrums to avoid the agonizing drone of a programmed music assault from the overhead speakers or closing my eyes and trying to sleep in a chair without drooling or falling on the floor.

That would be stupid.

Watching people exit from the medical cavern behind a smokey glass door the first thing they do is reach into their bags and pockets for their smartphones to record, announce or schedule another moment in medical paradise. I try to be grateful for having the opportunity to be here, to have a little plastic card giving me admittance to a privileged world of medical magic and chicanery. I consider announcing to the bored throngs how wonderful it is to be here.

That would be silly.

portrait of steve williams with portrait of steve williamsEpic Failure

In a world of consumption and personal goals and achievements I have failed, utterly, to live the good life. Instead I pound the keyboard and surrender my mind and soul to Calmly Writer. I’m on the boring train, traveling to Boredomtown, wishing something would happen but content to accept the comfortable embrace of absolutely nothing of interest happening – just a patient wait for stupid, weird or silly to come my way.

That would be life.

Thanks and Gratitude

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An empty road through a quiet forest engenders thanks and gratitudeFor each person reading these words, for every bot and robot that crawls these pages, for each breath I take as I type this note — thank you.  In remembrance of Thanksgiving Day, some moments of reflection on blessings require from me some thanks and gratitude.  Those words, thanks and gratitude, are simple yet difficult destinations due to neglect or resistance.  Sometimes a forced, mechanical effort in their name help brighten the world and give meaning to the road ahead.

This morning I went for a short ride on a winding road in Rothrock State Forest.  The road goes nowhere and everywhere — the choice is mine and resides between my ears as part of the swirling thoughts, ideas and expectations that make up each moment.

With the Vespa parked along side the road and my wandering thoughts fading I see the road ahead.  I don’t know where I’m going, what I might see around the bend, or how long the ride will be.  All I know right now is I give thanks and gratitude for being on this road.

I’m reminded of a quote by G.K. Chesterton:

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”

Perhaps there is a destination toward which I can travel.

For each of you today, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and that you find yourselves in a place of thanks and gratitude.