It's not just a job...

There are just some things, one shouldn't mention or talk about at the dinner table.  Right?

Likewise, there are at least three things that should never be discussed at work.  Am I correct?

And along this random line of thinking, can anyone tell me or define, what "mixed company" means?


This 'work week' has come to a close for me.  Later today I will venture home.  It will be a quiet ride home for me, one spent reflecting and thinking.  Just one of the benefits of riding a steelhorse... there are only two individuals one can talk to on the road.  One just has to be open and willing to listen to what the other has to say.

I will filter, screen, edit, and censor what I say and tell about my experiences this week.  Anything spoken, will be appropriate for a dinner conversation.  And, I will not mention the 'unmentionables,' in the presence of mixed company.

It will not appear here.

There's a catch phrase out there...

It's an adventure!

Merry Christmas!

I had a few things I had to do last Wednesday early in the day.  Which of course took longer than I had planned.  So I began my ride to Yuma late in the afternoon... 4:00pm to be exact!  I figured three hours, be there a little after 7:00pm.  What I failed to do was account for the temperature drop in the outlying areas!

By the time I got to Gila Bend for my fuel stop, it was getting chilly.  Already down into the low 50's, now add the wind effect of traveling at highway speeds and the "feels like" temp is in the upper 30's.  So I decided to put on my chaps and venture on.  I little to the West of town, as the sun was setting, I started to feel the cold.  And it was only going to get colder over the next two hours.

Winter has finally arrived in Arizona!

So I made the decision to turn around and head back to Gila Bend, get a hotel for the night, and hit the road around 10:00am the next day to continue on to Yuma.  When I got settled in the hotel, I checked the weather forecast and saw the freeze warning till 10:00am on Thursday morning for the entire WSW corner of the State.  Needless to say, I slept-in a little longer, layered-up, broke out the winter riding gloves, and hit the road around 11:00am.

As I loaded up my bike, it was still feeling a little crisp.  Yet once I geared up and got on the road, even with the wind effect, it was a comfortable ride.  Actually got a little warm as I neared Yuma and opened the vents on my helmet and jacket.

So this morning, marks the halfway point on this trip to Yuma.  I will be working the next three nights as well, meaning I will be here through the day after Christmas. This is my third trip to Yuma on this contract, yet I will have effectively worked five out of the thirteen weeks!  Eight more weeks to work... which means only four more trips.  The elegant beauty of a "super-weekend" schedule... work a week (6 days), take a week off (8 days)!

I don't mind working Christmas... in fact, I think I will volunteer to work every Christmas, wherever I happen to find myself in the future.  It is my gift to others!

So to everyone, please be assured.  There are Medical, Pre-Hospital, Public Safety, and most importantly, members of our Military... that are on-Duty, standing-by, responding, and actively making a difference in these coming days.

I wish everyone, a very, Merry Christmas! 

Sort of...

About six months ago, across the way, there was an Agave that sent up a stalk.  The plant bloomed, has since died, and been replaced... sort of...

I grabbed one of the fallen blooms.  I literally reached over a three foot fence, admittedly crossing a property line, and picked up a sprig of a plant, that only had two leaves on it.  Now as this plant was dying, it sent up something that would improve it's chances of carrying on.  As the plant shed it's blooms, the landscape was raked, cleaned up, and always looked nice.  It was early in the morning that I did this.

I let the bloom dry out a bit.  Took a knife and scored it.  Then placed it in a cup of water.  When the first hint of a root showed itself, I planted it in a pot of soil.

Around the same time, I bought a pineapple.  Enjoyed the fruit, and thought to myself, grow a pineapple!  Took the top off, allowed it to season, and now I have a bromeliad that is thriving! 

I entrusted them to family when I first left a few months ago.  Today, they were brought back to me.  I was amazed at how both the Agave and pineapple has grown!

So that is my story.

Someday, I will plant that Agave, right where it came from...  

Happy Birthday!

I got to celebrate my niece's birthday the other day with family.  The adults sat around and talked, the birthday girl, off to play with her cousin.  Only saw her for presents and treats!  Yet I still smiled...

I recalled some of my birthday parties... wondering who all the adults were, yet was happy to go off and play!

Phoenix had some stormy weather over the weekend.  When I left the festivities, I was once again questioned by family regarding safety gear.. I smiled again!

A body, hugging a machine, traveling at 65, 70, maybe 75 mph or more... my leather jacket, chaps, even a helmet... it will make no difference.

I rode that night.  I rode home.  I rode on the freeways at speeds greater than 65 mph.  I just rode...

Watched my windscreen get wet, saw the rain in my headlight, saw the dark patches on the streets.  I never got wet! 

It wasn't until I got on the streets, that I experienced the rain.  And when I did...

I smiled again!

Happy Birthday Emma!

Thank you for your Service!

Last night, I had the privilege of caring for three Americans that risked everything for their Country.  One was a WWII Veteran, another a Korean War Veteran, another a Vietnam War Veteran.

I had, and took, the opportunity to just sit and talk with each of them, listening to the stories and things that they shared.  I am amazed at how much one can learn by just listening.  Create the proper conditions, a focused attention, and knowledge is passed.

These were conversations.  Three generations, all from different times.  I also shared with them a few things that my Grandfather, a WWII Veteran himself, told me.  A heartfelt exchange occurred.  I thanked each and every one of them for their Service.

Only a few will understand.  

I now, do as well.

A micro-community developed last night, as I asked permission to introduce all around, was granted, and four generations came together.  It was an awesome experience to be a part of.  The oldest of our circle, was 96, the youngest was me.

Eventually, I had to attend to other matters... these three continued... and I smiled.

A ride into the sunset...

This was for you my friend!

Thank you for taking it with me.

Hummers...

And no!

I refilled my hummingbird feeder, and was greeted by two females almost immediately!

On the left, plain brown/grey... a female hummingbird...

Another...

Yet another female... one of two that is allowed...

And then a male!

Bad lighting... but a very colorful bird!  Red, green and some white...

This male is well known... he lives in the Palo Verde tree across the way.  He has challenged me often!  I only wish the picture showed his 'true colors!'  Less than two feet away... he watched me as I got close to take this picture!  Yet he did not fly away...

Trust.

A tad over 40... not quite to 50... yet counting!

Actually, I am not counting...

Age is a relative thing.  Some people feel older than they are, some people feel younger.  Me?  I am just about right, although I admit I do feel older than I am... 

The feelings come from my experiences. 

I spent this evening with family.  A full 4 1/2 hours!  Dinner, conversation, and communion.

So thank you for dinner!  It was a blessing and awesome time!

I have no regrets.  And that is a very powerful statement!


Peace be to all, family, friends, and acquaintances!