Author: christiangrandmabiker

Vigilant: alertly watchful especially to avoid danger

If you’ve ever driven anything or even been a passenger in anyone’s vehicle you know how important it is to be vigilant at all times. Bikers know this can be life saving and that we all need to do our part in order to avoid danger. Things can change in a split second if we let our guards down.

I’ll admit my awareness and my thoughts when I’ve been riding recently are not thoughts I ever would have dreamed thanks to the appearance of this crazy virus/pandemic. This also means we must be vigilant in every aspect of our lives. Being outside and getting exercise following the social distancing guidelines is allowed and for that I’m thankful. I prefer to be outside rather than inside for sure, it’s how I was raised. I have noticed over the past week or so when I’ve been riding that traffic is definitely lighter than normal, as it should be with a “stay at home” order in place. Saturday, specifically, when I went for an afternoon ride after some outdoor work at home, I saw more vehicles than I expected to see on the main highway, but still much less than the normal for a Saturday afternoon. Once I was on the country roads I rode approximately an hour seeing only 3 cars, 1 of which was a mail lady.

I will admit it was quite refreshing to have the road and scenery to myself. I can assure you the farmers are still hard at work as was very apparent by the pungent aroma of turkey/chicken manure that had been spread on many fields along my countryside adventure. There was however the sweet smell of wisteria as well. The first time I noticed smelling it was a few days ago when hubby and I went riding together and it’s still emitting that wonderful scent. It smells and looks like Spring here in the south. By the looks of some of the lush green fields, the first hay cutting will be underway soon. I hear the songbirds rejoicing each day with their unique sounds making a chorus that can’t be beat as I get ready to head out to ride.

On another ride earlier this week I as usual had no destination in mind and found myself on a wonderful country road that again reminded me of home, where I grew up, 1000 miles away. I’ve lived here going on 31 years and am still discovering new roads. I was meandering through the country on a familiar road when I realized someone wanted to tailgate me. That’s the last thing I can enjoy when riding so I turned on this unfamiliar road in a effort to get away from them. They too turned, but soon turned again and were gone from my rear view mirror thankfully. Now it was just me and my bike once again, social distancing at its finest.

Along the way I passed through what appeared to be a large family farm. It reminded me so much of a farm that belonged to friends of ours, the only difference was this was a beef farm, not a dairy farm. The rolling hills and green pastures, the large barn (where I envisioned myself walking through them barefoot as I’ve written about previously), smaller sheds, the farm house, silos, and all of the equipment needed by farmers today. It was a reminder of simpler times and a way of life that will always be needed as long as there are people to be fed.

Throughout these recent therapeutic excursions I’ve noticed something else. Homes that typically looked like nobody was home with what appeared to be decorative rocking chairs on porches are now being used. Families and couples are now gathered on those porches rocking. Older couples are now sitting in lawn chairs out on the driveway watching vehicles pass by and offering a wave. Parents are taking their children to a now empty parking lot at a church or fire department and watching them ride a bike or a tricycle. All of these occurrences are a welcome site to see. We as a society are being forced to slow down and enjoy the little things that used to be common.

I purposely avoid watching/reading the news for the most part. I refuse to listen to the slighted gloom and doom they want to provide. I understand the severity of the problem, but I also know that many good people are stepping up and helping neighbors and other people they don’t even know. Many people are recovering from this awful virus and their stories are mostly ignored. I’ve thought while I rode about the comments I have seen and heard that many can’t wait for things to get back to the way they were. I’ve pondered quite a bit about that as I’m cruising along and honestly I hope we never return to “the way things were.”

We’ve learned we don’t “need” to focus on the athletic venues, concerts, and other highly paid “entertainers.” We don’t need big houses, fancy cars and expensive non-essentials. Our kids don’t have to be on the go all of the time with pressures for ball games, gymnastics, dancing, ballet, and the hundreds of other things competing for their time. What they really need is quality time together as a family, not running a million different directions. Family conversation, eating meals together, learning to garden, and cook and do things together as a family. Those are the important things in life. Those other additions can have their place indeed, but should not come at the expense of losing quality family time and learning important life skills. Look around your own community, who are now considered the essential workers? That alone should speak volumes to us as a society.

Travelling around on my bike I’ve also taken notice of churches and church signs. I’ve seen little country churches that have stood the test of time and are absolutely simple but very beautiful. They most likely don’t have expensive sound systems, stages, or screens for power point projections during their services and yet many souls have been saved there I’m sure. I’ve seen some large modern churches that most likely have all of those things. Now that gathering to worship is against the social distancing and stay at home orders, does the church building and it’s set up truly matter?

Many pastors are now going to YouTube and live Facebook feeds to preach the gospel, their audience can be thousands, it can be shared and it can be viewed again and again from your own home. The message is still being delivered minus the “entertaining” aspect many have come to use to try to attract more people that they say might otherwise not come to church. I guess time will tell if that’s truly the case now, or if maybe that’s just another non-essential part we’ve become accustomed to. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against singing and instruments in the worship service. My point is that the message preached, God’s word, should be the focal point of the service. Church signs are now more than ever promoting Jesus and sharing encouraging words, not promoting upcoming “entertainment” opportunities. The focus is now on feeding the hungry, both physically and spiritually.

As I close out now I’d like to share with you some of the lyrics to a song by 4Him titled, The Basics of Life” :

The weather seems to have broken the past couple of weeks with an increase in sunshine and warmer temperatures which means more riding and potentially more rambling! Due to this turn in the weather I’ve tried to follow the direction of the CDC by avoiding crowds and taking in lots of fresh air by riding, you don’t have to tell me twice.😃

In the midst of all the fear and panic the media and government are trying to create, I choose faith and common sense. While riding common sense is always important and I have come to realize in day to day life, that although it’s important, it is lacking for many people sadly.

I can’t imagine facing the current virus issue or any of life’s storms without faith. It’s what’s gotten me through some of the darkest days of my life. Every time I set out to ride, I say a prayer and put my faith and trust in the one who created me. I also use common sense knowing that it can be more dangerous on 2 wheels than 3 or more. Common sense and experience tell me that if I see an object in the road I want to avoid, I need to look where I want to go, not at the object I want to miss. It also tells me if I’m going around a corner/curve, I need to slow before I get to it, be in the middle of the lane or to my right of the lane, and speed up half way through it. If I am close to the yellow line with my tire, that means my handlebar and mirror are going to be across the yellow line and I could be clipped by an oncoming vehicle. The entire ride requires common sense and a defensive mind set in order to remain aware and safe.

The more I’ve ridden the past couple of weeks especially, the more I have thought about the simpler times and the simple pleasures of life. I’ve thought about the social distancing, the handwashing, and the idea of always being prepared in case we need to not leave our homes. We have become, for the most part, a society of constant face to face connection dependent on others for our needs and desires and totally cosumed with the need for entertainment of some kind. This has not always been the case as history shows us, just as it shows us this is not the first pandemic to cross the globe. We are now learning it’s truly not necessary or healthy to live that way.

As bikers, most of us do the 2 finger wave to each other which is a connection without touching yet is just as meaningful to me as many “touching ” ways of communicating. It’s an unspoken acknowledgment of respect and commoraderie between riders.

We can show that same type of communication with others as well without touching. We can send notes of encouragement and verbally appreciate each other. We can provide acts of kindness that aren’t publicly made known. We can spend time with our families that we are now “quarantined ” with and really connect. In this day of cell phones and tablets and computers, the family has become so disconnected in my opinion.

I’ve seen and heard such grumbling about kids being out of school due to the coronavirus. Whether we agree with the decision or not, this is an opportunity to really get to know our kids and help them to learn life is about more than socializing, sports, dance, and being on the go all the time as well as how to become more self sufficient.

I am very grateful that my parents taught me how to garden and hunt and that my brother taught me to fish. I’m blessed to have had a family that came together to eat dinner as a family and to have been able to talk openly with both of my parents about day to day events and concerns.

I am so thankful I was at home with my boys when they were little. Yes there were days that were stressful but I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. They did not have access to a cell phone until my oldest was 16 years old, and then it was one phone they shared only on the weekend when they were at their dads so we could communicate if we needed to by a phone call. They learned about gardening and played with things that required imagination like Legos, Lincoln logs, and a sand box. They built forts in the woods out of sticks and logs, leaves and mud. They rode bikes and skateboards, learned to swim and went on nature hikes to a nearby creek. Those were simpler days and honestly in light of the state this world is now in, it’s what children today also need to be doing, in my opinion.

They can learn that the real heroes are not sports figures or musicians or actors as all of those events are currently canceled. The heroes instead are the adults in their lives who invest in them and their future and take time to truly listen and have open and meaningful conversations with them. They are the truckers, farmers, and grocery store workers that we all now need.

As social distancing has become necessary, it’s the perfect time to again teach the younger generation to appreciate and enjoy the simple things. My granddaughters absolutely love playing outside in the sandbox at our house, playing with bubbles and chalk, and going for walks looking for bunnies. I’m thankful to see that my oldest and youngest boys (now men) appreciate the every day blessings in life that many take for granted; God, family, and the beauty that surrounds us every day.

Riding the past 2 days especially I’ve personally noticed such amazing signs of Spring and new life. I’ve seen the delicate faces of daffodils, elegant looking tulips, wonderful yellow forsythia, vibrant red buds and dogwoods, as well as stunningly beautiful azaleas in pink, coral, white and deep reds. I’ve seen teenagers skate boarding rather than engrossed in their phones, many adults riding motorcycles and biked and masses of boats out on the water. Many people seem to be enjoying the simpler pleasures of life instead of being constantly plugged in to the TV and other technology that is unfortunately abundantly available. If you aren’t engrossed in the media and internet everything looks normal. Granted these are serious times and we need to be aware of the dangers, but we do not need to allow it to consume us.

If I hadn’t been making time for these multiple rides, I would have missed so much beauty and lacked so much peace. I had one brief time since all of this started where I had a minor “meltdown ” but it soon passed after talking about it and praying. This was truly brief, a matter of only an hour or so, and I had been watching the media, which I rarely do. We were not made to be fearful, we learn that reaction. Look at babies and toddlers, most of them have no real concept of fear.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

We need to have faith over fear, embrace each other in prayer and focus on the simple beauties in life. Panic and fear serve no purpose. Enjoy every day to its fullest and take noone for granted. Our lives should reflect our beliefs and values and bring us closer to God and each other.

Be safe and be careful, but don’t be consumed.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Let me start by telling you this winter has been tough so far for several reasons. The reason I’m going to discuss now is the inability to ride as often as I’m used to and would like to. The weather has been incredibly uncooperative; wet and windy! I’m thankful we’re not in a drought or having fires, earthquakes, locust infestations, or any of the other crazy things happening elsewhere in the world but I so long to be able to ride regularly. Even on dry days I’m often not able to ride due to the entrance to my building being so muddy/wet. Many days it’s just so wet that I can’t safely maneuver it out to get onto the driveway. I’ve decided I’m going to have to do some work on that once it finally dries up enough, so going forward maybe that won’t be an issue. I’m not exactly sure how to remedy it, but where there’s a will there’s a way, I am sure of that! Recently, the remedy was to put down a piece of carpet my hubby had given me which allowed me enough traction to be able to carefully get out of the building and onto the driveway. My poor bike needs a serious bath, but at least I could ride!

With that being said, it’s reminded me of how hard and frustrating waiting can be, yet how much we can learn during those times. It seems like a large part of our life is spent waiting, but if we are willing we can learn some valuable lessons while we wait. We too often want instant gratification, but in reality when we have that, we miss out on important life lessons.

I’m sure most of us have heard about, or personally known, people who have been given things all of their lives and seem to lack true appreciation for them. The harder we have to work for something, the more we appreciate it, even though it may take longer to do it on our own. My parents thankfully didn’t believe in giving us things we wanted, but instead encouraged us to work for them. Of course we had everything we truly needed when we were kids, but it was up to us once we were old enough to work to earn what we wanted; a job, a car, our own place to live, etc. From my personal experience and observations, the people I’ve seen who have been “handed” those things don’t truly grasp the idea of hard work, sweat equity, and gratitude. There may be those who do, but in my experience that’s just not been the case.

The harder I have to work for something, the more rewarding it is to finally reach that goal. I’m not talking about just material things either. Relationships are the same way, if they’re going to be meaningful and important to us, they require work. When things get tough for us personally, we need to work that much harder and not give up. Giving up is easy, enduring and striving for better is harder but much more rewarding.

My most recent rides definitely made me appreciate several things more. As I rode, I either completely avoided, or paid much closer attention, on many of my favorite roads due to a recent tornado in the little community I live in. I didn’t want to chance possibly running over any debris that could be on the roads that would be detrimental to my bike tires and therefore my own safety.

As I surveyed the damage that was done during the tornado, I couldn’t help notice the amount of destruction caused in such a short period of time. Magnificent old trees were completely uprooted and others were broken off like they were toothpicks. Rooftops were missing and replaced with tarps, some homes were crushed, another was literally moved off it’s foundation, walls crumbled, and debris hung in trees like decorations. Fields upon fields are still littered with debris yet miraculously, there were no deaths or serious injuries reported. God protected human life in the midst of the storm as he promised. Yes I do believe He was ever present during the tornado and protecting those in its path. If He wasn’t the outcome would have been very different in regards to lives saved.

I’m sure the wait for the winds to stop and now for the rebuilding was/is scary, frustrating, and overwhelming for many. It’s been just over a month now since the tornado came through and folks are still waiting on insurance settlements and repairs to be done. I’ve read and heard countless stories of neighbors and strangers coming together to help those affected by the tornado. Sometimes destruction brings blessings and friendships we never knew we needed.

I got thinking more and more about that storm and other storms in our lives and realized that just as the tornado caused serious damage in a very short period of time, our tongues can do the same. Rebuilding or replacing a home is easier than rebuilding or replacing a friendship or relationship of any kind that has been damaged, although both can take quite a bit of time. Sometimes we pray and wait for an apology we never receive. It’s then up to us to decide if we can just forgive and move on. If we don’t, we allow it to steal our joy, whether we realize it at the time or not. Other times we pray and wait and in time we do receive that apology and again we decide how to move on. It’s during all of the wait times that we have to decide how we will handle each situation case by case and if we are going to use that time to learn what He may be trying to teach us, or just exist.

Waiting to be able to ride regularly has been tough I’m not gonna lie, but in the waiting I’m learning patience and also learning other ways to keep that close connection with God and with my own thoughts without allowing other distractions to interfere. I’ve written pieces of this over the past few weeks as I’ve been able to get out to ride, even as recently as today, and finally think I’ve said all He wants me to say for now. If you’re currently in a season of waiting, have faith and believe that better days are coming. There may be more storms to weather along the way, but just as my riding days will soon be more numerous, blessings are often numerous as well and closer than we think.

James 1:2-3

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

It’s been a while since I’ve rambled and this rambling is one that’s been coming together over a period of a few weeks, so it’s a little different. It’s not simply thoughts from a single ride, but is instead from several rides.

The more I ride the more I relate it to life in general. To start with we pick out the bike that’s right for us, which is different for everyone. Some like sport bikes, some cruisers, some touring bikes, and others prefer trikes. Sometimes what we look for in a bike changes over time. I started out with a small bike while I was learning, then moved up to a Sportster 1200 but didn’t care for it, and moved on to the Gunner I now have and love. Nobody else can pick the bike that’s just right for us any more than they can pick the spouse/soulmate that’s right for us. It’s a personal decision that we each need to make for ourselves based on what we want and/or need.

This can compare to our jobs as well. We may start out doing one thing then move on, maybe multiple times, until we find the job we finally stick with. Some may never actually get that “dream job”, but I can say I’m blessed to have a job I’m content with and feel like what I do helps make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

The roads we ride are also related to our daily lives. As I ride along I have to choose my next turn. Do I want to travel a possibly higher traffic road where I can just cruise along at a good speed or do I want to adventure on a side road with twists and turns that may offer a more scenic view? The same holds true in life, do we want to just cruise along doing what’s easy and comfortable or do we want to take chances and possibly venture into new things that we may or may not succeed at?

Life and riding in my opinion should be about living, taking some chances, learning new things, and enjoying the views along the way. If I hadn’t taken the chance and learned to ride my own motorcyle, I know for a fact I would not be the same person I am now, just as I wouldn’t be the same person if I hadn’t married my hubby, if I hadn’t accepted the job I currently have, and more importantly if I hadn’t accepted Jesus. All of these decisions have taught me so much! I’ve learned new ways of looking at life, more patience, less worry and stress, and to appreciate even the little things more.

As I’m riding along on the more scenic routes I need to look ahead for safety reasons but I also am blessed to see views I wouldn’t see on the main roads. I find that I am on the lookout for sharp turns, wildlife, things in the road like grass, leaves, and gravel and any number of other possible hazards. Remaining focused is important, but I don’t want to be so focused that I miss out on the beauty surrounding me. I’ve seen gorgeous sunsets, beautiful flowers, amazing wildlife, and the list goes on. In life we should also be sure we’re not so focused on any one thing that it causes us to miss out on the other things that surround us every day. We need to set our eyes on the now, but also need to anticipate and look ahead to what’s next on our journeys.

Unfortunately there have been many days recently when riding has not been possible due to uncooperative weather and illness. This too is just like life, our plans are not always His plans and things can happen to change what we thought we were going to do. After what seemed like an eternity, only a couple of weeks in reality, I was finally able to get in a short ride and it was amazing! It was very short but was oh so worth it. The entrance to my building was finally dry enough to get my bike out, my chest crud had finally broken up enough I could breathe even in the cooler temperatures without being wheezy and coughing, and for an added bonus the sun was actually shining. The winds were blowing a bit but definitely not as bad as winds I’ve ridden in before. I felt very fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to get in some much needed wind therapy. Upon my return I told hubby I felt 1000% better. My mind, body, and soul were in need of that ride, even if it wasn’t as long as usual. After that ride it felt as though the cobwebs and craziness in my mind and soul literally had blown away with the wind. I’m sure many of you reading this who also ride can relate. There’s just something about it that can’t be completely explained or understood unless you’ve experienced it.

Then sadly we got more rain and I had to wait before I could ride again. As soon as my building entrance was dry enough once more, a ride was exactly what the Dr. ordered.😀 As I rode along in the beautiful sunshine I was mesmerized by the beauty that surrounded me and felt like I was in another world briefly. Sometimes when we anticipate something we find that once it’s here, it may not be all we had hoped for, yet that is one area where riding and life are very different. Every ride is a good one, even if there are anxious moments due to road conditions, traffic, other drivers, etc.

My latest ride was full of gratification. On occasion if it’s been a little while between rides I will just take a leisurely trip on familiar territory that isn’t challenging at all and soak in the sun and the Lord’s artistry in a laid back way. Although it had been a while again, I decided I was going to go ahead and tackle some specific routes that I knew would require paying extra attention to, areas that at one time caused some hesitance on my part. I now look forward to the challenges and approach them with experience and knowledge that I have acquired over time and miles and a sort of confidence from within. Many times the road less traveled is my preference, both on the bike and in life. I guess I’m most content when I “march to the beat of a different drum.”

Looking back as I’ve been riding and reminiscing I can see that when there was the most turmoil in my life, was when I was doing what I thought was expected by others, not truly what I felt in my heart and mind was right for me. This too is true with riding. We must each ride our own ride within our own limits and not feel pressured to go faster or on roads we are not personally comfortable with. If we allow others to influence our ride, we may take risks we’re just not prepared for. If we allow others to “direct” our lives the same may happen.

To be successful and happy within we must reach deep down into our souls and be totally honest with Him and ourselves. We need to have that connection He longs to have with us and be as one, just like we need to be one with the bike. If we fight against the bike on turns and curves there’s a good chance we will lose our balance. If we fight against what we know He wants from us, our lives will be out of balance. As I write this there are things in life I still want to see and do, but I can’t right now, so I wait.

I also realize that riding is part of what has kept me balanced the past few years, and not being able to ride the usual amount for the past couple of months has caused me to lose some of that balance. It’s when I ride that I take the “me time” I need in order to then be able to give appropriately to others. As I was reading in a book by Priscilla Shirer entitled Awaken, I read the following excerpts; “Quiet time is not an excuse to be lazy but a wise investment for the diligent…By prioritizing rest for ourselves and those we love, we may just rediscover the joy we thought had been lost forever. ”

Again I’m desperately wanting to ride, but the wind gusts are just too strong to do so safely, so I wait. Waiting is not something I’m always very good at, but I must say I’m better at it now than just a few years ago. While I wait, I’m thankful for the beautiful sunshine and wind that will help to dry up some of the mud so that maybe tomorrow I can ride before the next batch of rain arrives. There’s always something to be grateful for.

Today I’m thankful I was able to get my bike out of my building for another ride. Thank you Lord for the drying that took place due to some recent sun and wind! I was enjoying the ride so much I missed turns I was going to make on 3 separate occasions! I eventually found another turn and took a new road that I assumed would eventually get me back headed the right direction. It’s a good thing I do have a pretty decent sense of direction or I might have been totally lost. The new road presented itself with more solar farms than the ones I’d recently shared pictures of and indeed took me back to a familiar area. Detours in life can be revealing as well, if we’re not afraid to take them. Sometimes they can unveil beauty we didn’t know existed.

An added bonus was included today as well. When I got back home my hubby was headed out on the bike for a short trip and invited me along. It doesn’t get any better than that! I am blessed indeed.

I believe I’ve shared my original riding buddy with you before but I’ve been searching for another for quite some time. I finally found it a few weeks ago, got a onesie for it to wear, and my son’s girlfriend printed my requested acronym on it for me: F.R.O.G

So in addition to my little lamb that watches behind me, my FROG travels along on the seat behind me now and had it’s debut ride today. 😀.

For those of you who would like to follow along but aren’t comfortable using your email to do so, I’m looking at starting a Facebook page that will be linked to this blog so it can be read and shared there as well, without you having to sign up through this site. I’ll let you know when I successfully get it up and running, hopefully by the next rambling.

Until next time, I challenge you to reach deep within, take the detour, get some rest, remain balanced and just live every day as if it’s your last, we are not guaranteed tomorrow!! Make the most of each new dawn. Every sunrise is a new beginning.

The past few weeks have been filled with ups and downs. Holidays can be exciting, tiring, and depressing all at the same time for many. Family gatherings, shopping, and day to day tasks can make some feel the same way.

I got the opportunity to ride the day after Thanksgiving with a “sister ” who recently got a trike. I had never seen one of those up close and had to stop and check it out at one point along the ride. If the time comes that I can’t ride 2 wheels, there will definitely be 3 wheels in my future! I’ve never ridden with anyone other than my hubby before and it was a pretty cool feeling. We aren’t able to talk to each other while we rode, but the unspoken love for wind therapy and that quiet time alone yet together with God was powerful. We agreed we will be doing it again.

On that ride, and on rides since, I’ve continually thought about the tragedies in life that can bring people closer together. When something tragic happens we are often forced to think about and face things a little bit differently. I, like many of you I’m sure, have lost loved ones to various reasons and also had to watch loved ones with serious health issues. I’ve had overwhelming emotions, sometimes for no reason and sometimes around various holidays, related to missing those loved ones that are no longer here.

How many of you know someone who was murdered? We hear about it happening every single day, but until it happens to someone you know it may not seem real. Even if it isn’t someone you’re close to, it will change how you see things. Just before Thanksgiving my stepson’s stepson was murdered and his killer is still out there. No family should ever have to experience the pain of losing a child so senselessly. One minute he was a 19 year old living life, the next minute he was fighting for his life. Ultimately he lost his life, but through organ donation he gave life to 3 other people. For those 3 families he will always be a part of them. For his own family left behind, he will always be missed. His short life affected so many more than just his immediate family. As stories emerge and people share memories, one sentiment is shared over and over, Nate was a giver and a true friend who would literally give others the shirt off his back. I saw how he interacted with his stepbrother and stepsister when they entered his life and he was so loving, caring and playful with them. He genuinely loved them both. How does anyone explain how to now deal with the loss of their brother, gone too soon for reasons unknown?

We have no definitive answers to questions like that. Life goes on, but it goes on differently. Nothing will ever be the same for his friends and family. Things like this should make us all stop and think more about family and those we love. There are some situations we can’t change, but we can pray more about them and maybe one day, if those involved are willing, and if it’s God’s will, the situation will change.

We can appreciate those around us more and let other things bother us less. That slow driver in front of us may actually be there to force us to slow down and maybe avoid something that could have happened if we weren’t being held back. That Dr. who kept you waiting for your scheduled appt. may have been running behind because they had to give someone bad news from tests they’d had done. That coworker who got angry with you may have things going on in their personal life you know nothing about, and they took it out on you unintentionally due to stresses outside of work. You may never know the battles others are facing on a daily basis, so we need to just be kind.

Appreciate your family that’s still here and never waste an opportunity to tell them you love them, you may not get another chance. Go to that family gathering or event your loved ones are interested in now while you still can. On Sunday when our family gathered to celebrate my mother in law’s birthday, my oldest granddaughter asked to go home with us. It was pretty out and I’d thought about an afternoon ride, but when she asked that, the ride could wait, she came first. Cherish the ones you have while they’re still here, we are not promised another day.

Don’t let work become your driving force, your employer will replace you when you’re gone. Don’t let material things take precedence over quality time with loved ones. Memories made are far more important than money made. Our families want our time, not our inheritance. When I think of loved ones I miss it’s about things that were said and done, not things that were bought.

As Christmas now approaches, remember it’s about who is around the tree not what’s under it that matters most. Most of us remember feelings and stories much more than material gifts. Focus on what really matters, make memories and take pictures, they may be all you have left one day, and you will cherish them forever. They will bring comfort when nothing else can. And if you can also make memories riding with family and friends, you’ve got the best of both worlds!

Fall has officially arrived! The good part of that is cooler temperatures, the bad part is the clocks went back 1 hour so now it will get dark even earlier. I wish they would leave the time alone, there aren’t enough daylight hours for riding as it is without messing with the clocks!

It’s also that time of year when I never quite know how to dress for riding. I know I need to wear my leathers to block the wind most days, but sometimes I end up sweating before I even begin to ride by the time I get ready 🤣.

One ride recently I realized soon after I started that I chose the wrong gloves. I found a church parking lot on a country road where I was able to safely pull over and switch them out. I carry all of my gloves at all times because temperatures can change quickly, this time of year especially. Now my hands weren’t feeling the cool wind, but I soon realized these gloves were a bit too tight. I’ve worn them before many times but think they may have shrunk a little by getting wet too often maybe. None of these issues were going to stop my ride but it did get me thinking about “too.”

On this ride and many since, that’s the word that keeps popping in my mind. Often when riders talk about going riding I hear/see the mention of too windy, too hot, too cold, too wet, too fast, too slow, too dark, too bumpy, too….whatever it may be. For me if it’s not pouring down rain or pitch black dark, everything else can be handled. Here in the country where there’s no street lights and many nighttime wildlife wanderers I just don’t ride at night. Hubby and I both used to, but ever since he had a deer nail him in the ribs on a ride home, we both tend to avoid that now. I’ve ridden in the rain many times, not by choice really, it just happens sometimes.

Life seems to hold many “toos” as well. We hear too broke, too loud, too quiet, too busy, too lazy, too ill, too much, too little, too stressed, too carefree, too religious, too tired, too expensive, too complicated, too controversial, too outspoken, too strict, too lenient, too early, too hard, too passionate and the list goes on! I’ve thought often while riding the past few weeks about all of this and there are a few “too” ideas that keep repeating over and over in my rambling mind like “too early.”

I’ve been seeing Christmas decorations for a while now and have heard people saying it’s too early for all of that. I’ll admit there was a time when I would have agreed, but really why is it too early? I’ve been listening to Christmas music for several weeks now, since October actually, and I’ve already watched Frosty the Snowman several times. My granddaughters and I have also watched The Star multiple times. Why do we think of it as too early? Granted Thanksgiving hasn’t arrived yet, but so what? We really should be more thankful every day, not just on Thanksgiving, and we should celebrate the true meaning of Christmas daily as well. The commercialism of Christmas is I believe why the “too early” comments come into play. Too often there is too much focus on the material gifts, not the one true gift.

I’m sure as I’m writing this, some are going to think I’m too religious and speak of things that are too controversial. That’s the beauty of freedom of speech and having my own blog, I can share what’s in my mind and heart as I ride, and if someone doesn’t like what I share they have the choice to just scroll on by. The title of my site alone should be sufficient enough proof that I’m not ashamed of my beliefs and there’s a good chance I’m going to share them at some point in my rambling. I will not apologize for that nor will I “tone it down” so as not to offend someone because I am too outspoken. I’ve had some comments from others recently about just that but…I’m not too ashamed to continue on.

The true meaning of Christmas warrants us to celebrate it all year. If it wasn’t for Jesus being born in a manger all those years ago, for us, then what are we truly here for? It’s never too early to share Him with others, but it can definitely be too late. I love hearing my granddaughter singing Jesus Loves me and sometimes saying the blessing before eating. Even if she doesn’t say the blessing herself, she always says Amen at the end and yesterday her little sister bowed her head and also said a loud Amen at the end, they are only 2 and a half and 17 months. No it’s never too early!

I also often hear and read about it being too late for some because they made too many mistakes that can’t be changed. While it may he too late to change the past, there is still time to make changes to improve the future. The choice is our own. I recently found myself being “ill” as it was put with someone I love and realized I was allowing myself to become too focused and too stressed about things I had no control over. A good ride and uninterrupted conversation with Him, was just what I needed to get refocused and out of my “too ill” mindset.

There’s nothing for me that can compare to the feeling of riding down the road in however much gear is required to stay warm and appreciating the beautiful countryside He created for us to enjoy. Life is too short to take it too seriously. Take the time to get in those rides every chance you get. If you’re new to riding, don’t let fear, worry, other drivers or riders intimidate you. Ride your ride and enjoy it! Too much time in life is wasted out of fear and worry. Give it to Him and together it will all work out. It’s not always the way we want it to, but I’ve learned over the years His way is so much better than mine, when I’m not too stubborn to listen.

What is your “too?” Is it different day to day or is there one particular one that stops you time and again? Will getting in a good ride or whatever your outlet is help? Don’t be too afraid or worried to do it. He will be right there with you if you only ask and allow Him in. He rides with me I know, because He has saved me on more than one occasion and brought me and my bike home safely every single time. Nothing is too anything for Him and it’s never too late or too early as long as you’re still breathing.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Psalms 56:3-4

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Proverbs 16:3

Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.

Hebrews 13:15

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

I can remember as kids, when we would travel to see family that lived about 4 hours away we would pass the time playing games. One such game was the first person to see a Volkswagen Beetle would yell punch bug and punch the others in the shoulder/arm. Needless to say, we stayed alert looking for the next one so we were the puncher, not the punchee 😅. Being the youngest, I sat in the middle of my brother and sister which tended to mean I often had 2 sore arms. We did get just a little carried away with those punches on occasion, LOL.

Riding along this weekend I saw a VW Beetle and those memories came flooding back. I realized that to this day I am very in tune to looking for those cute little cars. As I thought more about that, I decided that I’m going to start a similar game with my granddaughters any time I take them somewhere. I think I won’t include the punching part though and I will have them watch for motorcycles, not Beetles. Maybe they will then be more likely to watch for motorcycles when they’re old enough to drive. So many times we hear of accidents and the response is simply, “I didn’t see him/her.” Anything we can do to raise awareness is a good thing.

We live in a world where often it’s believed bigger is better and that’s where the focus tends to be. Have you ever heard someone say they didn’t see a tractor trailer? I haven’t. Personally as I get older, I’m learning to appreciate those little things more. I’ve enjoyed the beauty of sunsets so much more since I’ve been riding as well as the every day scenery like I recently shared with you all in my last rambling.

Sunday I had considered going on a long afternoon ride but someone little changed that. When my granddaughter said she wanted to come home with grandma there was no better reason to change my plans. Hearing her say, “I want you”, or “Love you” means more than anything to this grandma! It may seem like something little to some, but it’s huge to me and nothing else compares.

I did get in a short ride after she went home and it was just icing on the cake. The weather was perfect, the foliage was beautiful, and the sunset was amazing. The trees were dressed in yellows, reds and a bit of orange. The sunset was different shades of yellow, red and orange as well as some clouds that added even more beauty mixed in with the blue skies and other colors. Days like this are what life’s all about. God, family and enjoying His beautiful artwork while I ride. When all the little pieces of life fall in place it’s absolutely amazing and words cannot truly describe it effectively. It was almost a perfect weekend I must admit.

Have you ever noticed how sometimes it’s something small that can push us over the edge, yet also something small that can turn everything around? More proof that the littlest things can make a tremendous difference. That being said, it also means we can make a difference in someone’s day by just the little things, like a simple smile, a biker wave, or allowing someone out into traffic.

As we begin a new week, let’s all try to say a kind word to one another and smile, those 2 small gestures alone can make the world a better place. You never really know what someone else is going through or how something that seems small can create a big reaction or make a positive impact.

James 3:4-5
Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

Sometimes we just need to be quiet and enjoy the beauty around us. Instead of sharing my recent riding thoughts, I thought I’d share some recent pictures. For every picture I was able to safely stop and take, there were many more I wished I could have taken but was unable to safely do so, including a recently harvested field with about 30 wild turkeys enjoying the leftovers. As crazy as it seems, there are people in 30 or more different countries that have seen these ramblings so far so I thought I would share some of what I see in my part of the world. I hope these pictures help show the beauty that surrounds us every day, but we may sometimes take for granted. I know I do too often. Hope you enjoy-

Natural area decorated for passersby to enjoy.

Almost full moon

Sunrise shining on Fall foliage

Sunrise beauty

Listening and hearing are not the same. Listening is much more than simply hearing. We hear lots of sounds all day long, but are we truly listening? Before riding this weekend I sat and listened to the wonderful sights and sounds of nature while drinking my morning coffee. I saw and heard a large number of cardinals, doves, wrens, chickadees, hummingbirds and other birds in our front yard enjoying the now year round bird feeders and bird baths.

The ground, feeders, baths and trees were alive. I watched while they were drinking and eating and chasing each other around which was very entertaining, especially when a little hummingbird chased off a much larger bird, but mostly I listened. I listened to their chirps and tweets, the sounds of their wings as they flew in and out, as they scratched and rolled around in the mulch and the splashing sounds from the bird bath. I enjoyed the first flock of geese flying over the house in their typical v shape pattern and their wonderful sounds in flight as they communicated with each other. I listened as birds were cracking seeds open to eat and some seemed to actually “scold ” others to get out of their way. At this sound I realized that some of the feeders needed refilling as did the bird baths. As I went about doing that, I could still listen to them in the surrounding trees. I’m not sure if they were thanking me or telling me to hurry up and get out of their way but I enjoyed listening regardless.

It’s amazing the different sounds you can hear if you truly listen. As I headed out to ride, I removed the zip out piece of my helmet that covers my ears so it would be cooler and so I could hear the wind blowing by. It allowed me to hear the sounds of my bike better, listening to the engine to hear when it’s time to shift and the noise of my guardian bells jingling as I crossed railroad tracks and went over bumps. I also heard the roar of other bikes’ engines, as well as some playing music, as they approached from the opposite direction. The more I listened the more I considered the fact that listening doesn’t always require simply hearing.

Sometimes we are listening to our own thoughts in our head or things we’ve heard previously. As I rode down one of my favorite routes for this time of year, I noticed a single bike ahead that was in the grass on the side of the road. The rider’s helmet and gear were on the ground and he was looking over the bike, I assume checking for possible damage. Traveling alone as a woman I listened in my mind to past conversations about this type of situation. For personal safety in the crazy world we now live in I knew I shouldn’t stop, he was up walking around and appeared to be ok. Just as I started to feel slightly guilty about that decision, even though I knew it was the right one for me, I saw a group of 4-5 bikes headed towards me from the other direction. As I passed the bike beside the road, I looked in my rear view mirror to see the group had put on their brakes and blinkers to pull over so I knew they would assist him if needed. The Lord provided 🙌.

Sometimes listening means hearing words but still having to figure out what’s being said, or what’s really meant. I was reminiscing as I rode through an area that looked like home, where I grew up, and got to thinking about my dad. When I was young, being a daddy’s girl, I listened to his advice and to things he wanted to teach us about hunting and about life. As I got older I listened to his stories about when he was growing up and about things he’d learned and done. Later on listening took on new challenges. If you’ve ever been around someone who has suffered a stroke you may be able to relate. My dad had several strokes and they caused problems with his communication. There were many times he knew what he wanted to say, yet the words that came out were not what he meant. This required us to listen not only to the words but to his feelings, what we knew about him, and what was going on, in order to put all the pieces together and figure out what he really was saying.

The same is true with our granddaughters, our 2 1/2 year old talks very well and is pretty good at communicating her wants and needs, but our 15 month old requires more involved listening as her vocabulary is of course not as developed.

“Listening is the ability to accurately receive and interpret messages in the communication process. Without the ability to listen effectively, messages are essily misunderstood.”

Have you ever been talking to someone and you know they heard what you said, but you also know they were not really listening? It can be very frustrating and make you feel like what you’re saying doesn’t matter to them. It can also lead to a lack of communication going forward as you may not see the point in trying to further discuss things with them. I’ve encountered this at work as well as in past relationships and it can take a toll on how and if you choose to communicate.

Today it seems that because people now have the ability to contact others 24/7 through not only phone calls but texts and messaging thru various social media, miscommunication actually seems to be even more prevalent. Now if we don’t respond immediately, it can be perceived as we’re not listening. I’m here to tell you that I’m finding myself not having my phone on me at all times and it’s not because I’m not listening, it’s because I AM listening. I’m listening to my mind and body and the importance for “down time.” When I ride I have my phone with me so that my hubby can see on GPS where I am and so that if I have an emergency I can call for help. I do not have it with me so I can communicate with anyone other than those 2 reasons and I do not wear a bluetooth earpiece to hear if someone is trying to reach me. I know there are others that can handle situations without me if necessary until I return, shouldit become necessary. Knowing that I can do that while I ride has also allowed me to not feel guilty about doing it at other times as well. If we’re not careful we can become prisoners to these devices and miss out on conversations and quality time with others. I grew up in a time long before cell phones and we all survived just fine. The older I get, the less “on demand” I want to be.

Some of my additional favorite things to listen to:

Day to day; laughter and “love you” from my hubby, children, and granddaughters.

At the beach; the seagulls hollering at beach goers to share their food, the pelicans as they swoop down and splash into the water in hopes of catching a fish, and the waves as they crash on the shore.

In the mountains; leaves blowing with the gentle breeze, squirrels chattering, hawks and owls communicating with their mates and the trickling noise of a stream as it cascades over the rocks.

Last but certainly not least, listening to “the still small voice ” of God as He speaks to me, not in an audible voice but in my heart and mind, especially while I ride.

Building 429 has a song titled “Listen to the Sound”. There is a part in there that says,

“You’ll never know what Faith is
Till you don’t understand
Sometimes it takes the silence
To finally hear His plans”

I don’t want to miss out on hearing His plans, because I’m too consumed with listening to everything and everyone else.

Romans 10:17

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Revelation 3:20

“Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to dine with him, and he with Me.”

It’s important to take time to listen to learn and understand, not to reply.

Have you ever asked yourself this question or responded to help from someone else by saying you’ll do it yourself? My guess is you answered yes to both.

These thoughts kept repeating themselves over and over on my ride(s), and they often do at other times as well. This is my 2 and a half year old granddaughter’s favorite question. I remember my boys asking, “What’s that?” and “Why?” but I don’t recall them repeatedly asking what happened. She wants to know details and I love it. She also wants to do things herself quite often, and if you ask if you can help she’s quick to point out she wants to do it herself, even if it’s frustrating her. She wants to learn and experience things herself.

I set off to ride like any other day but wanted to try some new roads. As usual I had no real plan but did soon find myself in unfamiliar territory. It amazes me that I’ve lived here for 30 years and there are still roads I’ve yet to travel. One such road had some totally unexpected scenery. I’ve seen a few small areas with solar panels on it before, but nothing like this! There were acres upon acres of solar panels. It was interesting yet a little freaky to see. It reminded me of something out of a movie or story where the government does weird experiments or something. I guess maybe part of it was just the magnitude of it, and part of it was the offical signs out front naming each area.

I considered pulling over to look at my phone and get an idea of where to go next but decided to just see where the road went and do it myself, no aids from electronics. I had decided earlier that I was going to do something I rarely do and have a “me” day. If I checked location on my phone, there was always the possibility I might have a message requiring a response and I didn’t want to chance it, as selfish as that may sound. I just wanted uninterrupted alone time with God and my bike in the beautiful countryside He created. Checking also meant I might choose a different route and might miss something I’d see by just doing it myself as I felt lead. I knew anything that might come up could either wait or be handled by someone else. I had a sense of peace about that I don’t always have.

John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

A short time after going through the solar panel fields , I was again on another unfamiliar road. This time a large truck that was raised up high on big wheels was behind me. I’ll admit it gave me an uneasy feeling. I purposely slowed to just a little under the speed limit a couple of times as passing zones approached in hopes they would go by me. For what seemed like an eternity they didn’t, but lo and behold finally they did. I’m sure my imagination was just in overdrive after the solar fields, but it was a little spooky. I think I’ve seen too many bits and pieces of movies/videos with hubby that I need to avoid in the future. 🙄

As I continued on, I fortunately have a pretty good sense of direction. I knew the general area I was in and knew I needed a left hand turn to head the direction I wanted to go. After seeing 3 such turns and noticing all had big orange “loose gravel ahead ” signs posted, I finally came to an intersection that provided the change in direction I wanted and no signs of construction. This was a 2 lane state highway, but again was still not a section I recall ever being on. After several miles I saw another big orange sign ahead. This time it said, “Detour, road closed ahead.” So again I changed my route.

Along the ride (s), as I mentioned earlier, I kept thinking about my granddaughters favorite question in regards to a lot of things. What happened-

What happened to a very odd but large house I’ve watched being built over the years? I’ve passed it many times and always thought they were possibly building sections at a time as they could afford it. Now it’s for sale and the grass and weeds seem to have taken over. It’s always reminded me of a house like you’d see in a commune or where maybe several generations of a family would live, or maybe just one family with 8 or 9 kids. So what happened to whoever was building it and why does it appear abandoned? Was it because they wanted to do it themselves but no longer could or something else? It’s a mystery to me and I don’t know what happened.

I thought about the state our country is in with all of the constant negativity and crazy ideologies out there now. This is not the same country I grew up in or even my boys grew up in. What happened? How did we get to this point? It makes me stop and think not only what happened already, but what will happen next.

The more time I spend riding, the more I want to ride. It’s a time of reflection and reminiscing about the past, soul searching and pondering the future, but mostly enjoying the present.

It’s about feeling the cooler air flowing across my face and arms as Fall approaches, experiencing the earlier sunsets; which I don’t particularly care for as it limits riding time more, and enjoying the leaf colors that are just now starting to change. It’s the yellow daisies along the roadside, the yellowing of the soybean leaves as they get closer to harvest time, and the fields left with short stalks where the corn has already been gathered and processed. It’s seeing a flock of turkeys enjoying the bits of corn left behind during that process. It’s also seeing the Fall/Winter flowers being planted in gardens and flower pots to decorate homes and yards. It’s a time to be able to completely enjoy all of these things without worldly distractions of a phone or TV.

In between rides also lead to an “I’ll do it” moment with my bike. My saddle bags are not hard sided and I’ve noticed some cracks forming around the bolts that hold them on in a few places. Hubby did a great job installing them for me a couple years ago but I decided I wanted to do the repair work myself. I’d picked up a few things earlier in the week that I thought would work and decided to give it a shot once the bike was cooled down. Long story short, with my sweet German Shepherd laying at my feet, my daddy’s tools, and determination like my granddaughter, I got it done! Of course I had to go for 1 more ride to make sure it held, which it did.

I know I’ll continue to wonder and question often about what happened or will happen and I’ll continue to have moments where I just want to do things myself. I’ll continue to ride and try to figure it all out, but mostly I’ll continue to ride to feel alive and to enjoy the sense of peace and healing it brings! There’s beauty all around just waiting to be experienced and appreciated.

Job 12:7-10