Dead Corn

I was riding a favorite backroad of mine a while ago when I noticed the dead corn.  Something said stop and take a picture.  I wasn't in a hurry, so I did.  I guess you could say I was in one of my "fall moods" that day, enjoying my ride, yet thinking there won't be too many more before the snow comes.

There was something about that dead corn that made me think of winter's onset even more than all the falling leaves.  I rode by this corn row many times in the spring and summer, watching it grow tall and green.  Seems like a long time ago.

I noticed much on this solo ride.  It's amazing how different it is when you're alone on the road, especially since I'm used to riding in a pack most of the time.

I go by these spots almost every day, but for some reason they were more worthy of my attention this time.  An old barbed wire fence, once probably important to keep people out and maybe animals in.  Now it's food for rust, and maybe in this case, a little food for thought.

This old tree's been guarding that fence line since before I was even thought of, and it will likely still be there long after I'm dust.  Is it a maple or an oak maybe?  I'm not much for Dendrology.

Of all the things that made me pull over that day, this is probably my favorite.  An old cornerstone by a crumbling rock wall.  Makes me think of the Frost poem Mending Wall.  Was it the cornerstone for an old barn, long since fallen and rotted?  Or, does it simply mark the end of the wall and maybe the corner of the property?  There was nobody around to ask...but I bet that old tree knows.

This is a beautiful spot in the early dawn, or on a clear night at dusk, and I've seen deer out by the tree line.  On a spring day under a bright sun this place appears vibrant, full of promise, but on the day I recently stood here it seemed very lonely.  Who built the wall I wondered?  What was here so long ago, and why isn''t the land used now?  Lots of questions.  No answers.  Much left to the imagination.

I rode away and cherished every minute of the rest of my fall day's journey.  You have to once the corn is dead. 

Christmas is For Kids Ride

Blackstone's 16th Annual Ride to Benefit the Attleboro Area Council For Children's "Christmas is For Kids."  Gary O. and Jackson:  Road Captains

I got to the North Attleboro Elks at a little after 9 yesterday morning to help set up tables and chairs for the meal after the ride.  Looking at my bike against the fall backdrop was another reminder that there won't be too many more rides after this one.  As much as I love doing this ride, it's bittersweet because it is always our last "big" ride of the season.

After getting set up at the Elks, we rode down to our sponsoring dealership, Precision Harley-Davidson, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to line up.

Santa arrives and greets members near the registration table.  To his right are Ed Blair, Krazy Karl, and his wife, Amy.

Krazy Karl is Wendy's "little" brother, and this is his ride, the 1950 Pan that belonged to their father. Karl has since changed a few things of course. It's hard to get a picture of this bike because every time he shows up on it, people just circle around it checking it out. I'm sure Big D will get some drool going over this!

                           
Funny story about this bike. A few years back Karl was up in Laconia, and of course it was raining like it almost always does every year up there. He had different pipes that had bigger, wider tips and still swept up the way you see them now. Some guy stops and stands behind the bike watching Karl trying to kick her over and Karl says, "I wouldn't stand there if I were you."
 

The guy looks at Karl and says, "Fuck you...I'll stand where I please."  Karl just smiles and says, "Ok, whatever," and kicks the bike over again.  When the bike started, a projectile line of black oil and water spew shot out of his pipes and covered the guy who was standing there.  According to Karl his face and shirt were soaked black and the guy was madder than a bobcat caught in a pissfire!  Oh, would I have LOVED to have been there to see that!

Santa at the head of the line up getting ready to go.  The lime green things you see are safety vests for all the Road Captains.  We start at the front of the ride because we have to block, and then we end up in the back.

From the Attleboro Sun-Chronicle.  Santa, aka Howard Bristow, leading the ride down South Main Street in Attleboro.  For the online article, click HERE.

The parking lot at the Elks after the ride.  I know it's hard to tell from the picture, but we had a total of 205 bikes for this run, and decent weather to boot.

Inside the Elks hall where riders enjoyed a hot pasta dinner with bread and salad for a donation of $10 or an unwrapped toy.  We collected 12 big bags full of toys and made a donation in the amount of $1,400.00 for the kids.

Santa greets riders as they head to the bar for a cold one.

Wendy and Jackson enjoying a few beers after lunch.

This guy's shirt says it all.  I know I put a lot up here about us down at the Boneyard horsing around, drinking, etc, but there's more to what we do than that.

I've been part of runs to benefit breast cancer, muscular dystrophy, disabled American veterans, and a host of other worthy causes in the 2+ years I've been riding with Blackstone.  But this ride is the most important one in my opinion because it helps local kids that have very little.  I know there may be a few jackasses out there waiting to fire "Yeah, well what about YOUR OWN kids," at me.  Some people seem to think because things didn't work out between my wife and I that I don't care about my kids, and that's crap.  I provide daycare for them every day so she can keep her job.  I help them with their homework.  I always hug them and remind them I love them and will always be there for them.  They will have a great Christmas this year.

But these kids we helped on this ride have very little or nothing, whether it's a divorce, low income, or who knows what.  The point is that on this day 205 bikers came together and did what they could to make sure that these kids have something to open on Christmas morning.

Susan and I were proud to be two of them.

"Always a Good Time With Blackstone"

Happy Birthday Wendy...or..."Kiss the Girls"

Friday nights are all Blackstone at the Boneyard. 

Just like Norm and Cliff from "Cheers," we have our own "corner" of the bar, which they reserve for us.  It is rare for our entourage to number less than a dozen, and on this night we had over 20 friends on hand for a combo birthday-going away party.  Wendy was 39 again, and Tracy is finally making the big move over to Martha's Vineyard to live with her fiancé Fred.  Fred and Tracy got engaged over the 4th of July weekend while we were up in Maine.  They plan to exchange vows when we return again next year, which will surely make the weekend even more exciting.

Linda was on duty behind the bar, her smile always welcoming, and her libations tasty.  For those of you who wonder whatever happened to Tina, she's on days.









Now, I don't know for sure if it was the shots that got Amy and Reba feeling extra frisky on this night, but something got these two going...

Whoa!  First it's these two....then it's....

...these two....and then....

...would anyone care to try for three??

No doubt you regular readers will find it shocking that Jackson would encourage such displays...












Yes, there was definitely something in the air - or in the booze.

These wimmins just couldn't keep their hands (among other things) off of each other!

Now, my girlfriend Susan is sort of new to all of this craziness, so while all this was going on in front of her, I had to wonder what she was thinking...



But, before I could find out, Wendy was making her move...

Wendy just loves a shy and demure type...

Of course I'm standing there cheering Wendy on... (don't worry Ed, she'll come back to you!)

...but Susan's pretty much all set with kissing other women, so for now....

A nice little hug will have to do!  When I did get that chance to ask Susan what was wrong with a little tongue among friends, I can't say I was surprised at the response I got...

Er....ah....well, I guess I won't be bringing that up anymore!  LOL!!!

It should be mentioned that in between the girls kissing each other, the rest of us still managed to have a good time too.

It's impossible for me to take pictures in the bar without Jackson giving me the finger at least once.

My "brother" Fred is usually good for one too...but "the love eagle" is in fact a sign of affection and brotherhood between bikers who know each other.  When people start being nice something is wrong!

A couple of bearded clams in their natural habitat...

Yes, you know there were shots....how can you do a proper toast without them?

I don't mind if Wendy hugs her...but I think I'd rather do it myself!

Is that really necessary???  If he's good for a middle finger, he's good for some tongue.

Fred and Dave...here to prove that there actually are benign, non-sexual moments among us.

Tina (we already nick-named her Halle Berry) and Wingman, getting to know each other.  Unfortunately, Keely has since went the way of the buffalo.

Joker?  Oh hell yes, I can tell you some stories honey...one time Jackson and he...

They did NOT!!!.........Yeah, they did!

It wouldn't be a true night out for Wendy's birthday without her taking a walk up on the bar.

Believe it or not, Wendy is on a VERY short list of women who are allowed to do this, and even then only for a minute.

No Fred, you can't go up there with her....!!

When you get right down to it, Fred just takes the cake....

Happy Birthday Wendy!

Good luck Tracy!



"Always a Good Time With Blackstone...."

Promises, Promises...

Back in July I posted about Jackson's annual trip up to Maine for the 4th of July weekend. I also explained that due to a brain fart I brought everything with me but my camera, and promised pictures later. Well, I know it's a lot later, but I promised I'd do a slide show, so here it is. Even though it was a mostly soggy weekend, when we get together it's all about a good time and the weather be damned. It was the first weekend Susan and I went away together, so the trip will always be special for that alone, and no amount of rain could've dampened our spirits.

I want to thank Tracy and Michele for letting me use their pictures. There were so many that for the first time I had to use two songs in the slideshow. The first part is us hanging around the cabin, and in the second we give the rain the finger and hit the road. Now that the '09 season is rapidly coming to a close here in Boston, I think it's a nice look back. I hope you do too.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Susan

It was an amazing summer babe. This is for you...

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com