Scooter in the Sticks

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

Official Geezerdom

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Dogs offering birthday greetingsHappy Birthday Daddy

The dogs greeted me with reminders of the big day — geezerdom and eligibility for Social Security all coming together in a cosmic event.  There’s a full moon in the sky as I write.  I still remember throwing rocks at plastic soldiers dug into a road bank after school. Shooting photo assignments for the Daily Collegian at Penn State seem like they happened yesterday.  And now suddenly, without warning or explanation, I’m 62 years old.

The dogs think it’s just another day.  You have to love them for that.

There are no Vespa photographs in this post.  I rode to work today but didn’t feel the urge to make any photographs of the scooter.  It’s a holiday.

Shadows of the dog and I on a late day walk in the parkIt’s Late in the Day

Long shadows indicate the end of the day.  I see a metaphor for the position I occupy on the course of my life.  A birthday offers an opportunity to think about what’s ahead.  Lily and I walk in the park, a chance for me to exercise and her how to walk on a leash.  I’m averaging 12 thousand steps a day.  She’s not doing so well on the leash.

Progress not perfection.

Sunset and Mount NittanyWatching the Sunset

Late in the day Junior and I take a walk to the top of the hill to watch the sun go down over Mount Nittany.  Behind me a full moon rises to later illuminate the night.  Kim bought me a Nikon DSLR camera and two lenses for my birthday.  After years of lugging big, heavy professional cameras I’m looking forward to a smaller, lighter version — the D3300.  I’m excited to entertain the next steps in my photographic journey.  Personal and reflective.  No art directors or clients.

Just me and the world.

So far, it’s been quite a party.

 

Dog of My Dreams

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Two Belgian SheepdogsHeart Thieves and Robbers

I have two Belgian Sheepdogs; Junior (left), Sandevel’s Get Out of Town Now, and Lily, Kennaree’s Lily the Hammer. Each has a large, expansive role in my consciousness and commands measures of love and attention most people only dream about.

So it is with the power of the canine.

Only one is the dog of my dreams.

Belgian Sheepdog outside on a winter dayJunior Comes to Town

Junior was 13 months old when he was spirited away from his canine mother and siblings to join our clan. The memories of that day, the look in his eyes, when I put him on a leash and walked him out the door to travel 600 miles to a new life. On a good day I tell myself he has a great life. On other days I feel like a kidnapper.

It’s a dog’s life.

Belgian Sheepdog covered in snowPart of the Family

Junior bonded to me immediately and can make me feel more important and special than I have right to feel. Thick as thieves, we wander life together. In winter, summer, spring and fall, man and dog together, part of the family, part of the world.

Junior loves the snow.  I used to.

Male and female Belgian SheepdogsTouching Roots

Nine months ago Lily the Hammer came to visit. Permanently. I’m not sure Junior realizes the connection to his roots. Lily is his niece, daughter of his sister Chloe, granddaughter of McKenna and Bing – Junior’s mother and father. Dogs work on you, slowly, consistently, inching their way into your life and then your heart, setting you up for catastrophic pain and anguish. The price of admission to the world of dogs

Each time I pay I swear the price is too dear. But in the cold, hard light of day – worth ever penny to have the dog of my dreams.

Belgian Sheepdog portraitHandsome Man

Junior has a special presence.  He knows things.  He sees things.  It’s the kind of stuff every dog owner says about their dog.

In this case, it’s true.

Really.  Junior is the dog of my dreams.

And Lily plays the same role in Kim’s dreams…

Women in My Life

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hands forming a heart on a treeValentine’s Day 2016

Youngest daughter Aleta formed a heart with her hands, and appropriate picture to lead a brief nod to the women I love on Valentine’s Day.

Kim Dionis on Ogunquit BeachKim

Photographing on Ogunquit Beach in Maine.  We’ve spent a lot of time there detaching from the noise of the world.  She’s shown me how to slow down, watch and listen.  Had she not been a patient teacher there would be no Scooter in the Sticks. I probably wouldn’t have a Vespa scooter.  I know I wouldn’t be as good a photographer.

I still hope to someday see her riding her own scooter.

Aleta De veauAleta

The only other person in the immediate family with a motorcycle license.  When the warm weather returns perhaps we can go for a ride.  Until then our adventures will be at the grocery store or cafe.

Hannah and Emma at Pump Station in BoalsburgHannah and Emma

Daughter and granddaughter.  I’ve given up on getting Hannah on two motorized wheels.  But I’ll start planting the idea early with Emma.  That and don’t trust boys.

Lily the Hammer, Belgian SheepdogLily the Hammer

The only female canine in the house, our one year old Belgian Sheepdog of the Groenendael persuasion.  She comes by the name Hammer honestly.  She pounds her Uncle Junior relentlessly even though he’s almost 30 pounds heavier.  She’s a little battering ram.

And I love her. (And you too Junior) And Kim, Aleta, Hannah and Emma.

And not just on Valentine’s Day.

Second Chance

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I’m thankful for a second chance.

Vespa GTS scooter at nightRiding Appreciation

One of the first things I thought about after my heart attack was whether I could ride again.  I worried about my wife and kids, the dogs, friends, work and all the things that make up a life.  In regard to riding I was worried about myself.  Riding the Vespa is not a hobby or recreational outlet.  It’s a critical aspect of maintaining sanity in a crazy world.

I get irritable if I don’t find road time with the scooter.  If pressed, I consider it a spiritual act.  I’m thankful that I have a second chance.

Braved the cold this evening for a Vespa ride to see the new Triumph Bonneville Street Twin motorcycle. Kissell Motorsports, Purple Lizard Maps and Rothrock Coffee sponsored the event.  All I had to do was show up.

Triumph Bonneville Street Twin motorcycleGrowing Gratitude

Watching a father and son (I assume) looking at the bike I thought about how fortunate I am to be standing here witnessing everything going on around me.  I started thinking of all the things I have to be grateful for.

Carolina wrens were singing as I walked through the snow with Junior and Lily in the morning.  It’s a privilege to listen to such fine song.  Having two fine canine companions is a gift.  Being able to walk is a joy.  Looking around at my life I have so much to be thankful for that it’s easy to neglect things — big and small.

My wife Kim continues to shine a light on paths I would not otherwise know.  Friend and family enrich the trip just by being themselves.  I have a roof over my head.  Hell, there are chocolate chip cookies in the cupboard right now.

Waiting.

Infant graddaughter

Who Are You?

My infant granddaughter promises challenge, excitement and joy.  I’m already planning her riding safety training.  Her mother just laughed.

The night draws to a close and I feel my body leaning toward temporary oblivion.  And as the last thoughts fade, surely one of those thoughts will acknowledge the gratitude I feel for the life I’ve been given.