Emerging from the Flu
After eight days of the flu the world is coming back into view. A walk in the garden this evening with the dogs, noticing the forsythia blossoms in the shady deer den — a private place where Kim and I can sit with journals and tea. Until today I could only slog through the space solely in duty to canine companions. Still coughing and feeling a lack of energy it’s heartening to notice there are beautiful things in the world.
Triumph Dreams
Forced to bed, drifting between delirium and reality, I spent some time thinking about motorcycles — the Triumph Street Twin specifically and how it might fit into my Vespa riding world. In an email exchange with moto-journalist Frank Melling he shared an illuminating comment:
You can ride a Street Twin coast to coast, and risk your license all the way, and the bike would eat up the miles. Equally, it is as a docile as your Vespa and will amble around in third gear at 30mph without a complaint.
I’m pictured those words for days and wonder what the future holds…
Imploring Action
Junior showed remarkable patience with my lack of attention during the past week. He’s also attuned to my recovery and senses a change which can only mean more action and activity. Good for him. Good for me.
Wrenching Coming in to View
It’s time. In the short term I need to repaint the muffler, change the engine and hub oil and filters, new sparkplug, and check the other fluid levels. And a couple months out I’ll need two new tires, belt and roller change, steering adjustment and a flush of the coolant. Not sure at the moment what I’ll do and what I’ll leave to the professionals.
Tapping Into Young Energy
With just 14 months under her paws, Lily the Hammer is bristling with energy and a cheerleader striving to keep me moving. That youthful energy is contagious sometimes — for me and her Uncle Junior. She doesn’t want anyone slowing down.
Things are coming back into view — we’ll see what a new day brings…