THINGS-FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW

                                                                 

WELL, WINTER GAVE US A LITTLE SLAP DURING THE WEEK BUT NOTHING TOO BAD..TOOK A COUPLE OF SHOTS FOR YOU POOR PEOPLE WHO DON’T GET TO ENJOY SNOW LIKE US FOLKS IN THE NORTHEAST..

HAD A ANTIQUE SHOW (OF SORTS) TO GO TO IN HARTFORD SUNDAY THE 26^TH.. I NOTICED THAT THE USUAL FLOW OF TRAFFIC WAS RATHER LACKING..AFTER TALKING TO ONE OF MY FRIENDS, WHO HAD A DISPLAY AND SOME ARTICLES FOR SALE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW AROUND THE CORNER AT THE CONVENTION CENTER..

AFTER THAT TASTE OF WINTER IT WAS KIND OF COOL TO STOP IN AND SEE WHAT SPRING WAS ALL ABOUT ONCE AGAIN..I’M NOT MUCH OF A FLOWER TYPE OF GUY, I LIKE ROLLING GREEN MEADOWS, ELEGANT OLD TALL TREES AND FORESTS..THAT MUCH BEING SAID, I DO APPRECIATE THE DELICATE BEAUTY OF FLOWERS..TO ME THEY ARE JUST ANOTHER MIRACLE OF NATURE THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED..PUT A COUPLE OF SEEDS IN THE GROUND AND SOME FORCE THAT LIVES IN THOSE TINY SEEDS WORKS IT’S MAGIC WITH THAT DIRT AND PULLS  A THING OF BEAUTY OUT OF THE GROUND AND INTO THE SUNLIGHT, WHETHER IT’S A FLOWER, A TOMATO, AN APPLE, A CUCUMBER, A PEACH, OR A GIANT SEQUOIA TREE..REALLY VERY COOL..I’VE ALWAYS WONDERED ABOUT THAT MAGIC-AND SOME SAY THERE IS NO CREATOR!!

ANYWAY, AFTER I LEFT THE ANTIQUE SHOW I MADE MY WAY TO THE FLOWER AND GARDEN DISPLAY..I THOUGHT I’D ONLY STAY A SHORT WHILE, I’M VERY UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE CITY..KIND OF MAKES ME FEEL LIKE A WOLF THAT HAS WANDERED INTO LION TERRITORY..THERE WAS REALLY A BIT OF EVERYTHING FOR SALE THERE.. HATS, SHIRTS, PAINTINGS, AROMATHERAPY OILS, CANDLES, TOWELS AND MUCH-MUCH MORE..AND OF COURSE—PLANTS AND FLOWERS..

LOADED UP A FEW PHOTOS FOR YOU TO CHECK OUT..SOME OF THE DISPLAYS MADE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WERE OUTSIDE IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER WITH BLOOMS AND BUTTERFLIES FLOATING AROUND.. REALLY KIND OF COOL-A CHANGE OF ROUTINE..AND IF YOU’VE GOT THE MONEY TO SPEND AND THE INCLINATION TO DO SO--‘YOUR YARD CAN LOOK JUST LIKE THIS.’


IN RESPONSE TO THE MANY E-MAILS -YES, I DID HEAR FROM ELENA. SHE NEVER DID GET TO READ THE POST "VINTAGE SHOP-AND OLD MEMORIES" WHERE I MENTIONED HER..BUT THANKS TO HER BROTHER WE DID HAVE A NICE PHONE CONVERSATION..I'LL LEAVE THINGS AT THAT..I WAS MORE THAN HAPPY TO HEAR FROM HER..

I REALLY WOULDN'T MIND HAVING A HOOK UP LIKE THIS IN MY YARD BUT IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE IT WOULD CUT A BIG CHUNK OUT OF THE FISHING AND MOTORCYCLE TIME..IMAGINE ALL THE WEEDING, FERTILISER, TRIMMING ETC.? AND MY PRIORITIES HAVE TO COME FIRST..GOTTA KEEP MY MIND RIGHT YOU KNOW..


AS I WRITE THIS POST IT IS SNOWING AGAIN..CAN'T REALLY COMPLAIN, SO FAR THIS WINTER I HAVE  STARTED UP THE SNOW BLOWER ONLY THREE TIMES..HERE IT IS FEB 29TH (LEAP YEAR!) AND WITH SPRING LESS THAN ONE MONTH AWAY MOST OF THE CHORES I SAID I WAS GOING TO ATTACK ARE STILL WAITING TO BE ATTACKED..MAN, SOMETIMES I DON'T KNOW HOW MY OTHER HALF PUTS UP WITH ME. SHE'S A GOOD WOMAN OR MAYBE JUST A LITTLE CRAZY-MAYBE BOTH..HERE SHE IS HANDLING MY COUSIN'S PYTHON OR BOA-NOT REALLY SURE WHICH..

BELOW IS A PICTURE FROM THIS TIME LAST YEAR--YEA, THAT'S ME WONDERING IF I'M GOING TO END UP FACE FIRST IN A SNOW BANK BY THE END OF WINTER

WELL--TILL NEXT WEEK-HOPE ALL IS WELL AND STAYS WELL WITH YOU AND YOURS
***************************************JIM**************************************

PLACES--HERVE'S FARM--AND HIS WORDS OF WISDOM

TEMP WAS GOOD (WELL, FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR)…HEMET-FACE SOCK-LONG JOHNS—FIRE UP THE BIKE—SAFETY CHECK—A QUICK APPEAL FOR DIVINE PROTECTION---I WAS GONE…IN THE WIND…RIDING HIGH…SOMETHING ABOUT THE HELMET STIFLES THE EXPERIENCE FOR ME A LITTLE, BUT IT’S STILL RIGHT UP THERE AMONG THE LIST OF THINGS THAT MAKE LIFE EXHILARATING…SIMPLE MAN-SIMPLE PLEASURES…BEEN RUNNING A NEGATIVE WAVE THESE LAST FEW WEEKS…WITHOUT GETTING INTO SPECIFICS IT SEEMS LIKE ONE DISAPPOINTMENT FOLLOWS RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER LATELY…GOING THROUGH A PHASE WHERE I WONDER IF MY BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH AT WHATEVER IT IS I TRY TO ACCOMPLISH..

AS FAR AS THE BLOG GOES I’M REALLY HAVING TROUBLE PUTTING STUFF TOGETHER TO WRITE ABOUT- A TRICKY TIME OF YEAR, NOT MUCH GOING ON..OH, AND IN RESPONSE TO THE MANY E-MAILS ASKING IF I HEARD ANYTHING FROM ELENA (THE VINTAGE SHOP POST FROM THREE WEEKS AGO) NO I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HER, NOR HAVE I HEARD FROM JOHN AND TERESA (LAST WEEKS POST)…SEE WHAT I MEAN ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENTS?? SOMEONE ASKED IF THE WATERBURY CLOCK COMPANY PUT AN INDIAN FACE ON THEIR CLOCKS—SO FAR AS I’VE BEEN ABLE TO LEARN, NO THEY DIDN’T..BUT I DO THINK THAT THEY WERE THE FIRST COMPANY TO PUT MICKEY MOUSE ON A WATCH..

ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOVIES WAS ‘BLADE RUNNER’ BASED ON THE BOOK ‘DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP.’ ONE OF THE VERY FEW MOVIES THAT I THOUGHT WAS BETTER THAN THE BOOK..AS I WATCHED THE MOVIE AND DEVELOPED AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ULTIMATE GOALS OF THE ‘BAD GUYS’ (CALLED REPLICANTS) I BEGAN TO SYMPATHIZE FOR THEM…AS THE BLADE RUNNER (HARRISON FORD) EXPLAINED TOWARDS THE END OF THE MOVIE—NOT AN EXACT QUOTE, BUT CLOSE ENOUGH FOR THE ESSENCE TO COME THROUGH.. ‘ALL THEY WANTED WAS ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS WE ALL ASK..WHERE DO I COME FROM?? WHERE AM I GOING?? HOW LONG DO I HAVE??’

 

A RATHER DRAMATIC PART TOWARDS THE END OF THE MOVIE HAS A REPLICANT WATCHING THE BLADE RUNNER AS HE IS STRUGGLING FOR HIS LIFE, TRYING TO MAINTAIN A GRIP ON A BEAM THAT JUTS OUT BEYOND THE ROOF OF A TALL OLD BUILDING..JUST AS HIS GRIP FAILS HIM, THE REPLICANT SNATCHES HIS WRIST AND LIFTS HIM ONTO THE ROOF, THEN TOSSES HIM TO SAFETY..THE NEXT WORDS THE REPLICANT SPEAKS HAVE ALWAYS STUCK WITH ME FOR SOME REASON… “I----HAVE SEEN THINGS THAT YOU PEOPLE WOULD NOT BELIEVE.” HE DESCRIBES A FEW VISIONS. THEN, AS A STEADY RAIN IS FALLING, HE CONTINUES---“THOSE MOMENTS, VISIONS WILL BE LOST IN TIME—LIKE TEAR DROPS IN THE RAIN.”

 

I, LIKE THE REPLICANT, HAVE SEEN---‘THINGS’..(WE ALL HAVE).. SOME OF THESE---‘THINGS’ I HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT EVER SHARE WITH OTHERS..THEY WILL BE 'LOST IN TIME, LIKE TEAR DROPS IN THE RAIN.’ OTHERS I HAVE WANTED TO SHARE, BUT NEVER DID..I GUESS THIS BLOG AND SOME OF THE STORIES AND PICTURES ARE MY WAY OF SHARING SOME OF THE ‘MOMENTS, VISIONS’ THAT HAVE COME MY WAY..SOME HAPPY—SOME NOT SO HAPPY…MOST OF A RATHER SIMPLE NATURE…AGAIN I SHARE…



MEET 'OREO' ONE OF THE FARM WORKERS THAT KEEPS AN EYE ON THINGS.
LOOKS SERIOUS BUT HE'S PLAYFUL AS A PUPPY



BACK IN THE EARLY SEVENTIES I WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM THE MARINES..BEFORE I EVEN MADE IT HOME I WAS ALREADY A HURT-ANGRY-CONFUSED INDIVIDUAL..MY HIGH-SCHOOL SWEETHEART BECAME SOMEONE I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW (EVEN BEFORE I GRADUATED BOOT-CAMP)..ON MY FIRST VISIT HOME SHE TOLD ME SHE WOULD STAY WITH ME IF I RAN OFF WITH HER TO CANADA…I REMEMBER BEING PROUD OF MY UNIFORM AND I WOULD NOT ALLOW MYSELF TO CRY IN FRONT OF HER (EVEN IF I HEAR FROM HER I WON’T MENTION IT SO DON’T YOU READERS ASK)..DURING MY LEAVE TIMES, MY FRIENDS WOULD USUALLY HAVE ‘THINGS TO DO.’ BEING A SOLDIER IN THE LATE SIXTIES AND EARLY SEVENTIES WAS NOT AN EASY THING, WALKING THROUGH AN AIRPORT IN UNIFORM WAS SOMETIMES AN UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE..



THIS IS 'SARGE' ANOTHER WORKER THAT KEEPS THE COWS WHERE THEY BELONG
SHOWING OFF HIS GOOD SIDE ON CAMERA



‘I—HAVE SEEN THINGS.’ ONE EARLY MORNING A BIT OF COMMOTION WOKE ME..A GROUP OF MARINES STOOD IN A CLUSTER AROUND ONE OF THE MAIN POSTS OF OUR PLATOON TENT..IN THE CENTER OF THIS CLUSTER, CLINGING TO THE POST WAS A YOUNG MARINE WHO HAD LOST HIS GRIP ON REALITY..HIS FACE WAS CONTORTED WITH FEAR AND HIS GRIP ON THE POLE WAS ALMOST SUPER-HUMAN..HE WAS MY FRIEND ‘JESSIE,’ THE VERY ONE WHO INTRODUCED ME TO MY LIFELONG LOVE AFFAIR WITH MOTORCYCLES..A HELICOPTER TOOK HIM AWAY LATER THAT MORNING AND AS I WATCHED IT DISAPPEAR INTO THE DISTANCE I FELT PART OF ME SHRIVELING UP AND BLOWING AWAY LIKE DUST..I NEVER LEARNED WHAT BECAME OF JESSIE—HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH HIM NOW..

THE NEW BRIDGE IN RIVERTON CT..

BACK HOME, MY OLD FOREMAN PULLED ME AWAY FROM MY VISIT WITH MY OLD CO-WORKERS AND HUSTLED ME INTO HIS OFFICE.. “I’VE GOT TO GIVE YOU YOUR JOB BACK, THAT’S THE LAW.” HE THEN POINTED OUT TO THE FLOOR AND SAID, “I’VE GOT TO LET ONE OF THESE GUYS GO SO YOU CAN COME BACK. YOU TELL ME WHICH ONE.” I NEVER SET FOOT IN THE PLACE AGAIN..THINGS WENT KIND OF HAYWIRE FOR A COUPLE YEARS..WANTED TO GO BACK IN THE MARINES BUT WAS TOLD THEY WERE DOWNSIZING..WANTED TO JOIN THE V.F.W. BUT VIETNAM ERA VETS WERE KIND OF LOOKED DOWN ON.. “NOT A REAL WAR”…THE VETERAN’S ADMINISTRATION LANDED ME SOME PRETTY GOOD JOBS..I LOST NINE OF THEM IN ONE YEAR AND SEVEN THE FOLLOWING YEAR..I COULD GO ON AND ON AND MAYBE I WILL, BUT NOT IN THIS POST..

SOMEHOW, ONE DAY ALONG THE WAY I MET HERVE..A SMALL TOUGH MAN WHO WAS MADE OF WIRE AND CABLE..HE HAD A FARM (SON NOW RUNS IT) AND AS IT TURNS OUT, AS THE YEARS ROLLED BY, THE HOUSE I EVENTUALLY BOUGHT HAS A LARGE BACK YARD WHICH ABUTS HIS FARM LAND..I LOVED TALKING WITH HIM..HE LISTENED AND EXPLAINED WITH A COMMON SENSE THAT WAS REFRESHINGLY UNIQUE..I TOLD HIM OF MY ANGER, MY DISAPPOINTMENTS, MY FRUSTRATIONS..SOMETIMES WE WOULD SIT ON BALES OF HAY, OTHER TIMES ON A FENCE..HE SPOKE ABOUT THE RESPECTABILITY OF LABOR, ANY LABOR THAT WAS HONEST WAS RESPECTABLE IN HIS EYES..HE SPOKE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CLARITY OF MIND AND THOUGHT..A LITTLE WHISKEY AND BEER IS GOOD FOR YOU—TOO MUCH WILL DESTROY YOUR DIGNITY, WILL INJURE THE ESTEEM IN WHICH YOUR LOVED ONES (AND OTHERS) HOLD YOU..MONEY IS GOOD, SAVE A FEW DOLLARS ALONG THE WAY..OWN A FEW THINGS BUT NEVER LET THOSE THINGS OR THE MONEY OWN YOU..BE EASY TO PLEASE-AND YOU WILL STILL BE DISAPPOINTED FROM TIME TO TIME---EXPECT TOO MUCH FROM LIFE, OR PEOPLE, AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MISERABLE..A GOOD WOMAN DOESN’T HAVE TO BE BEAUTIFUL—A DECEPTIVE WOMAN CAN BE BEAUTIFUL BUT ONLY FOR A SMALL WHILE—SHE WILL CRUSH YOUR SELF RESPECT AND BECOME UGLY IN YOUR HEART--ONLY TWO THINGS A GOOD MAN WILL BEG FOR, A CHANCE TO PROVE HIMSELF AND FORGIVENESS..THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE WORDS OF WISDOM HERVE SPOKE TO ME..


COLD STARTED TO SINK THROUGH ON TO ME-STOPPED TO WARM UP
AND THOUGHT THIS WAS A PRETTY NICE VIEW OF THE FARMINGTON RIVER



HERVE PASSED AWAY A FEW YEARS BACK..IT WAS A COLD BLUSTERY DAY, I WAS AT THE CEMETERY TO SAY A FINAL GOOD-BY TO MY OLD FRIEND..I REMEMBERED ONE OF OUR LAST CONVERSATIONS..WE WERE SITTING ON A CEMENT WALL AND THE SUN WAS GOING DOWN..IT WAS EASY TALK, NOTHING THAT I CAN REMEMBER ABOUT IT..I THINK HE WAS PLEASED WITH THE TEXTURE OF OUR DISCUSSION..GONE WAS THE ANGRY YOUNG MAN HE ONCE KNEW..HERVE CHANGED MY OUTLOOK ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT ARENAS IN LIFE……HE’S GONE NOW…..AND I’VE SHARED SOME OF HERVE’S THOUGHTS WITH YOU…..I GUESS I JUST DIDN’T WANT HIS KIND AND INTELLIGENT WORDS “THOSE MOMENTS, THOSE VISIONS, TO BE LOST IN TIME, LIKE TEAR DROPS IN THE RAIN.”    THANKS HERVE-THANKS A LOT.   



SATURDAY UP IN BARKHAMSTED--IF THERE IS A 'BIKER HEAVEN' IT MUST HAVE  ROADS
LIKE THIS ONE -- MINUS THE CARS

 WELL, HERE WE ARE.. DEEP INTO THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY AND STILL NO PILES OF SNOW ALL OVER THE PLACE..DAYS ARE ALREADY GETTING NOTICEABLY LONGER AND WE'RE DEFINITELY GETTING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF WINTER AS WELL AS THE RIGHT SIDE OF SUMMER..ONLY SAW THREE BIKES OUT ON SATURDAY BUT IT WON'T BE TOO LONG BEFORE THEY WILL COME OUT OF THE GARAGES, GET CLEANED-UP

 WAXED DOWN, CHROME POLISHED NICE AND SHINY AND READY TO ROLL..YOU WOULD THINK SOME GUYS BUY A MOTORCYCLE JUST SO THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO CLEAN INSTEAD OF RIDE--
I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER FOR NEXT WEEK..HELP ME OUT A LITTLE--SEND IN A PHOTO OR TWO OF YOUR MOTORCYCLES YOUR FAVORITE PLACES--I WOULD BE GLAD TO POST THEM..

***********************************TILL NEXT WEEK******************************
                                                                                JIM
P.S.==TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO CHECK OUT THIS AWESOME VIDEO THAT A READER SENT TO ME--I LIKE SKYDIVING BUT THESE GUYS ARE REALLY INSANE..STARTS OFF A LITTLE SLOW, BUT THEN-WOW!!

http://player.vimeo.com/video/31481531?autoplay=1

PEOPLE--JOHN AND TERESA--TWO I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE OF MEETING




ANOTHER COLD JANUARY MOON



FIRST OFF, I RECEIVED A LOT OF E-MAILS REGARDING LAST WEEKS POST..AS IT TURNS OUT IT SEEMS THAT A LOT OF YOU READERS OUT THERE LIKE OLD CLOCKS..WELL, I WAS UP IN WINDSOR CT. AGAIN TO WRAP UP A DEAL THAT HAS BEEN THREE OR FOUR WEEKS IN THE WORKS..I RETURNED TO THE ‘VINTAGE SHOP’ TO ZERO IN ON A COUPLE MORE CLOCKS FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO E-MAILED ME ABOUT YOUR OWN COLLECTIONS..SO, FOR YOU CLOCK COLLECTORS AND ADMIRERS (ESPECIALLY ‘ROSE FROM OZ’ WAY OVER IN AUSTRALIA) I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE PHOTOS AND THE SMALL BITS OF INFO ABOUT THE PIECES..MUST BE SOMETHING ABOUT HANGING AROUND ALL THOSE CLOCKS THAT PUSHES MY MIND BACK IN TIME..THAT MUCH BEING SAID—MY NEXT STORY GOES BACK TO A TIME WHEN I WAS A FAR DIFFERENT PERSON THAN I AM TODAY..



THIS PIECE WAS MADE IN ENGLAND BETWEEN 1834-1837



IN MY VERY FIRST POST I HAD MENTIONED THAT I WOULD INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME OF THE PEOPLE I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING AS WELL AS SOME THAT I HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF MEETING WHILE I ROAMED ON MY TRUSTY IRON HORSE..IN NOVEMBER I DID A STORY ABOUT THREE I HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF MEETING (IF YOUR NEW HERE CHECK IT OUT IN THE NOV. ARCHIVES)..ABOUT TWELVE OR THIRTEEN DAYS AFTER THAT INCIDENT I ROLLED INTO THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF OKLAHOMA..I WAS TIRED AND SORE, STILL VERY BEATEN UP.. BLACK AND BLUE MARKS OVER A LARGE PORTION OF MY BODY AND FACE WERE JUST STARTING TO FADE INTO THAT YELLOWISH COLOR BEFORE THEY DISAPPEAR AND SIX STITCHES UNDER MY BLACKENED RIGHT EYE DID NOTHING TO IMPROVE MY CHANCES AT A FAVORABLE FIRST IMPRESSION.. MY POCKETS WERE JUST ABOUT EMPTY AND I WAS MORE THAN JUST A LITTLE HUNGRY..



CLOSER VIEW OF THE BIG OLD BEAUTY



MY ORIGINAL PLAN HAD BEEN TO GO TO HUMBOLDT, TENNESSEE TO VISIT A FEMALE FRIEND I HAD MET WHILE IN THE SERVICE, BUT I DIDN’T WANT TO SHOW UP ALL BEATEN UP..PHYSICALLY I WAS A WRECK AND MY FINANCIAL SITUATION WAS ALMOST NON-EXISTENT--AND I WAS VERY HUNGRY..I PARKED MY BIKE IN BACK OF A SMALL DINNER AND KNOCKED ON THE SCREEN DOOR WHILE VOICING A TIMID HELLO..A SPANISH APPEARING MAN CAME TO THE DOOR.. HE SAID SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF ‘YEA?’ THEN SOMETHING LIKE, ‘AIEEEE—WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?’ MY MEMORY DOES NOT RECALL THE CONVERSATION BUT I EXPLAINED ABOUT BEING A LONG WAY FROM HOME, THE BEATING I TOOK IN GEORGIA AND THAT I WAS EXTREMELY HUNGRY..WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE FOR ME TO WORK A FEW HOURS FOR A MEAL?? ‘YOU WAIT,’ HE REPLIED..



THIS ELEGANT PIECE WAS MANUFACTURED BY THE WATERBURY CLOCK CO.
IN CONNECTICUT --PAT'D IN 1889



ABOUT THIRTY SECONDS OR SO PASSED AND ANOTHER MAN AND HIM CAME TO THE DOOR, ASKED ME WHAT I WANTED TO EAT..I DO REMEMBER SAYING ‘A COUPLE EGGS AND A COUPLE TOAST PLEASE.’ HE GESTURED ME TOWARDS AN OLD PICNIC TABLE—‘OK.’

A CUP OF COFFEE WAS BROUGHT OUT TO ME AND WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE MINUTES A PLATE OF ABOUT FIVE SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH SAUSAGES, TOAST AND A PILE OF HOME FRIES COVERED WITH COUNTRY GRAVY WAS PLACED IN FRONT OF ME..BY FAR, THE BEST BREAKFAST I HAVE EVER HAD..WHEN I FINISHED I AGAIN KNOCKED ON THE SCREEN DOOR AND AFTER A PROFUSE SHOW OF APPRECIATION I ANNOUNCED I WAS READY TO WORK..I WAS TOLD TO FORGET ABOUT IT AND CONTINUE ON MY WAY..NO WAY-NOT THE DEAL WE SPOKE OF!! I INSISTED THAT THERE MUST BE SOMETHING THAT HAD TO BE DONE IN THE DINNER..DISHES TO BE WASHED, FLOORS TO CLEAN, BATHROOMS THAT NEEDED TO BE SPRUCED UP..



MANUFACTURED BY THE ANSONIA CLOCK CO. IN ANSONIA NEW YORK



‘NOPE, WE’RE ALL SET HERE.’  I TOOK NOTE OF A BEAT UP BROOM LEANING AGAINST THE OUTSIDE OF THE DINNER, I TOOK IT AND STARTED SWEEPING THE STEPS TO THE FRONT ENTRANCE, THEN PROCEEDED TO CLEANING UP THE PARKING LOT, THEN SWEEPING COBWEBS AND CRUD OFF THE BUILDING..I SNATCHED A SMALL STEP LADDER AND SOME RAGS TO WASH THE OUTSIDE WINDOWS.. I WAS TOLERATED LIKE A LOST CAT MIGHT BE SIMILARLY TOLERATED..ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES TOOK A LIKING TO ME AND BY THE END OF THE DAY HE HAD OFFERED ME THE SHELTER OF HIS TOOL SHED IF I NEEDED A PLACE TO STAY..HIS NAME WAS JOHN (AN INDIAN) AND HIS WIFE WAS NAMED TERESA..I SPENT ABOUT TWO HOURS IN THE SHED THEN THEY INSISTED I SLEEP IN THE TRAILER ON A PULL-OUT MATTRESS IN THE KITCHEN..



BUILT IN 1890 IN ANSONIA CONNECTICUT



I’M SORRY, I’M GETTING A LITTLE LONG-WINDED HERE..I’LL WRAP THINGS UP..I REMAINED WITH JOHN AND TERESA FOR THREE WEEKS..I LEARNED ABOUT HUMILITY AND HAPPINESS—THE IMPORTANCE OF TREATING PEOPLE WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY..HE GAVE ME AN INDIAN NAME WHICH ESCAPED MY MEMORY LONG AGO BUT IT TRANSLATED TO ‘MAD WOLF.’ THEN HE WOULD SAY SOMETHING LIKE—‘BEWARE, NATURE ITSELF WILL DESTROY A MAD WOLF.’  

AFTER THOSE THREE WEEKS PASSED I HAD PUT ASIDE A FEW BUCKS BY WORKING NOW AND THEN AT THE DINNER (PAINTING-CLEANING ETC.).. I REFUSED REPEATED OFFERS TO REMAIN WITH JOHN AND TERESA TILL I COULD FIND A PLACE OF MY OWN..I PROMISED TO RETURN DURING MARDI-GRAS WITH A FRIEND WHO WAS NICK-NAMED ‘STRETCH’ ANOTHER SERIOUS BIKER ABOUT SIX FEET TEN INCHES TALL WHO HAD SHOULDER-LENGTH BLOND HAIR..UNFORTUNATELY ‘STRETCH’ WAS KILLED IN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT.. CONSEQUENTLY THAT TRIP NEVER HAPPENED..JOHN PRESENTED ME WITH A BELT THAT HE SAID WOULD BRING ME LUCK AND PROTECTION—I STILL HAVE IT, BUT AFTER WEARING IT ALMOST EVERYDAY FOR YEARS, IT STARTED SHOWING SIGNS OF SERIOUS WEAR..I DIDN’T WANT TO DESTROY IT SO I STOPPED WEARING IT--BUT I STILL TREASURE IT..CHECK IT OUT IN THE PHOTO BELOW..



YOU CAN EASILY SEE HOW MY WAIST LINE EXPANDED OVER THE YEARS



LIKE I SAID LAST WEEK, THE ONLY THINGS WE REALLY TAKE WITH US WHEN WE LEAVE THIS WONDERFUL WORLD ARE OUR MEMORIES—JOHN AND TERESA, WHERE EVER YOU MAY NOW BE—THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP-FOR SHARING YOUR SHELTER AND FOOD WITH ME DURING ONE OF MY MOST DESPERATE TIMES…THANK YOU FOR THE WARMTH OF YOUR FRIENDSHIP AND, OF COURSE, THE MEMORIES..

 

*************************************JIM*********************************************

P.S. EVERY E-MAIL I RECEIVED MENTIONED HOW GREAT IT WOULD BE TO HEAR FROM ELENA (LAST WEEKS POST)..A COUPLE PEOPLE SAID THEY CHECKED THE BLOG EVERYDAY TO SEE IF SHE HAD RESPONDED..I WAS EVEN ASKED IF I HAD RECEIVED A PRIVATE E-MAIL CONTACT FROM HER RATHER THAN A BLOG POST THAT ALL COULD SEE..I AM VERY SORRY TO SAY THAT NO, I DIDN’T HEAR ANYTHING FROM ELENA..I WAS HOPING TO BUT I DIDN'T REALLY EXPECT ANY REPLY..NONE THE LESS-I AM SADLY DISAPPOINTED..MAYBE WE'LL HEAR FROM JOHN AND TERESA.. 
    

PLACES--VINTAGE SHOP-- AND OLD MEMORIES

NOT THE STORY I HAD IN MIND FOR THIS WEEK-BUT….SATURDAY--FEB--4

 

I HAD A SMALL PIECE OF BUSINESS TO TAKE CARE OF IN EAST WINDSOR CT..AS IT TURNS OUT, THERE IS A SMALL LITTLE PLACE RIGHT OFF OF 91 NORTH THAT I LIKE TO VISIT FROM TIME TO TIME CALLED “THE VINTAGE SHOP.” I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A CERTAIN ADMIRATION FOR OLD TIME CRAFTSMANSHIP AND WITHIN THE WALLS OF THE SHOP ARE EXAMPLES OF EVERY SORT OF WORKMANSHIP..EVERYTHING FROM JEWELRY TO FURNITURE, NICK-KNACKS, OLD LAMPS, COINS, FIGURINES, BUTTONS AND MY FAVORITE-OLD CLOCKS..I CANNOT GET INTO SPECIFICS ABOUT THESE OLD PIECES BECAUSE OF MY LACK OF KNOWLEDGE..ESSENTIALLY, I JUST LIKE ADMIRING THESE OLD GEMS..BUT WHILE I WAS WALKING AMONG THE OLD CLOCKS MY MIND WANDERED BACK TO ANOTHER LONG-AGO TIME…..I SHARE WITH YOU NOW:::

 

WHEN I WAS SOMEWHERE AROUND 10 MAYBE 12 YEARS OLD, I HAD THE SWEET EXPERIENCE OF MY FIRST PUPPY LOVE..HER NAME WAS ELENA..A BEAUTIFUL PORTUGUESE GIRL WHOSE FAMILY RENTED AN APARTMENT IN MY UNCLE’S BUILDING..ON ONE HOT SUMMER AFTERNOON, ELENA BECAME ONE OF THE MOST FONDLY REMEMBERED MILESTONES IN MY CHILDHOOD..SHE PLACED HER SWEET YOUNG LIPS AGAINST MINE THEREBY BECOMING THE FIRST GIRL I EVER KISSED..I NEVER FORGOT THAT MOMENT NOR THE WAY MY HEART POUNDED FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE HOURS AFTERWARDS..UNFORTUNATELY, SHORTLY AFTER THAT SWEET MOMENT IN MY LIFE, HER FAMILY WENT ON A TRIP TO PORTUGAL AND I WAS LEFT HEART-BROKEN AND VERY LONELY..

 

DURING THAT SUMMER OF SORROW I LANGUISHED WHILE AWAITING HER RETURN..TO PASS THE TIME I COLLECTED BOTTLES FOR THE REFUND (2 CENTS BACK THEN) AND DID CHORES AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO EARN A BIT OF MONEY..I HAD ALWAYS BEEN A READER (EVEN BACK THEN) AND I HAD JUST DISCOVERED COMIC BOOKS AT A ‘LIGGETT’S’ DRUG STORE..MY VERY FIRST COMIC BOOK PURCHASE WAS A THICK ‘MARVEL’ ISSUE..THAT SAME ISSUE INTRODUCED “SPIDERMAN” AND IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, HE PERFORMED ON THE “ED SULLIVAN SHOW.” I BECAME AN INSTANT ‘SPIDERMAN’ FAN..AND FOR THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS, I PURCHASED EVERY ISSUE..I ALSO COLLECTED EVERY ISSUE OF “DAREDEVIL” THE “X-MEN” AND A FEW OF “IRON MAN"..THEN OTHER INTERESTS CAME INTO PLAY IN MY LIFE AND A TALL STACK OF COMIC BOOKS LAY FORGOTTEN IN THE CORNER OF MY BEDROOM CLOSET..

 

YEARS WENT BY, SEASONS ROLLED ON AND SUDDENLY “SPIDERMAN” COMICS WERE WORTH BIG BUCKS.. WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY I DUG AROUND ALL MY OLD STUFF AND SEARCHED IN ALL THE FORGOTTEN NOOKS AND CRANNIES AROUND THE HOUSE AND GARAGE BUT TO NO AVAIL..I WAS TO LEARN THAT MY MOM HAD THROWN OUT THOSE VALUABLE OLD COMICS DURING MY TIME IN THE MARINES..OH WELL, NO REALLY BIG DEAL, I WAS BORN WITH NOTHING AND I STILL HAVE A LOT OF IT LEFT..



THIS OLD TIMER HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1841!!



BACK TO THE VINTAGE SHOP---I LOVE THE PLACE AND IF YOU EVER FEEL LIKE KICKING AROUND FOR A FEW HOURS CHECK IT OUT..91 NORTH TO THE WAREHOUSE POINT EXIT, HOOK A LEFT AT THE LIGHT AND GO DOWN THE ROAD A COUPLE MILES-CAN’T MISS IT ON THE RIGHT..GOOD PEOPLE, KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE..FUN PLACE TO VISIT..NICE STRECH OF HIGHWAY ON THE BIKE..

 

I LEFT THE PLACE IN A KIND OF MELANCHOLY STATE OF MIND..A WHOLE BUILDING FULL OF SOME BEAUTIFUL OLD PIECES.. AT SOME POINT IN TIME EACH ARTICLE BELONGED TO SOMEONE WHO HAD CARED FOR AND TREASURED IT..NOW THEY SIT IN ELEGANT SPLENDOR AWAITING A NEW HOME, A NEW FAMILY..I REALIZED (ONCE AGAIN) THAT THE ONLY THINGS THAT WE REALLY TAKE WITH US WHEN WE LEAVE THIS GOOD OLD EARTH ARE OUR MEMORIES…I THANK YOU, ELENA, FOR THE HAPPY MEMORIES THAT BRIGHTENED MY SOMEWHAT TRICKY CHILDHOOD..

MEET BOB-HE'S THE CLOCK MAN AT VINTAGE SHOPS.
SINCE 1970 HE'S BEEN WORKING ON CLOCKS AS A HOBBY.
HIS HOBBY TURNED INTO A BUSINESS AND NOW
IT HAS BECOME A RETIREMENT BUSINESS..
HE'S BEEN AT VINTAGE SHOPS FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.
U.S. ARMY ARTILLERY MAN DURING THE VIET NAM ERA
**THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE**

P.S. ELENA WENT ON TO MARRY AND RAISE A FAMILY—SHE NOW LIVES SOMEWHERE IN FLORIDA AND ON OCCASION, HER FACE COMES TO MY MEMORY AND BRINGS A SMILE TO MY HEART WHEN I REMEMBER THAT ALMOST FAIRY TALE TIME IN MY LIFE..I WISH HER AND HER FAMILY GOOD FORTUNE AND MUCH HAPPINESS.. 



JUST LOVE THE SOUND OF MY BIKE IN THIS TUNNEL

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                                                      TILL NEXT WEEK--GIVE EACH OTHER
                                                                  GREAT MEMORIES
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                                                                              JIM

                                                         ON A PERSONAL NOTE::
                     ELENA-IF BY SOME SMALL CHANCE YOU HAPPEN TO READ THIS
                                 I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR HOW YOU'RE DOING..

THINGS--NEGATIVE WAVE RUNNING ON ME

      



THOUGHT I'D PHOTO THIS BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE

THIS WEEK I HAD PLANNED TO DO A LITTLE STORY ABOUT AN ATTRACTION WE HAVE HERE IN BRISTOL..THE PLACE IS CLOSED FOR THE SEASON, BUT YOU CAN MAKE APPOINTMENTS FOR A TOUR NONE THE LESS (GOOD DEAL)..DID SOME BACKGROUND RESEARCH, DID A LITTLE WRITING AND WAITED FOR MY APPOINTMENT TO ROLL AROUND SO I COULD GET SOME PHOTOS OF REAL CLASSIC AND UNUSUAL PIECES OF EXTRAORDINARY  WORKMANSHIP FROM A BY-GONE ERA..

A MINUTE OR TWO LATER--AND IT GOT EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL



THE APPOINTED DAY CAME. I DID A QUICK AFTER WORK WASH-UP AND CHANGE, THEN RUSHED OVER TO MEET THE CURATOR FOR MY TOUR..I EXPLAINED ABOUT THE BLOG ETC. ETC. AND WAS IMMEDIATELY TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE DISPLAY WAS A PRIVATE COLLECTION AND NO PHOTOS WERE ALLOWED..

“YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!”

“NO SIR, I AM NOT..NO PHOTOS ALLOWED OTHER THAN WHAT WE HAVE POSTED ON OUR WEB-SITE.”

‘GOTTA KNOW WHEN TO HOLD THEM—GOTTA KNOW WHEN TO FOLD THEM’..AWAY I WENT EMPTY HANDED..



JUST THOUGHT IT WAS A PRETTY COOL REFLECTION



NO REALLY BIG DEAL, A READER SENT ME A BUNCH OF JUST BEAUTIFUL PICTURES LAST WEEK (POSTED TWO IN LAST WEEKS BLOG)..COME TO FIND OUT THEY WERE ALL COPYRIGHTED PICTURES..A BIG “NO NO”.. CAN'T USE A SINGLE ONE.

AGAIN—“YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!”

WELL, ALL IS STILL NOT LOST..BEEN WANTING TO DO THIS STORY ABOUT AN ANGEL OF A WOMAN WHO IS 91 YEARS OLD..SHE’S VERY MUCH A ONE OF A KIND, AND YOU VETERANS OUT THERE ARE GOING TO LOVE HEARING ABOUT HER..AS A MATTER OF FACT, MANY OF YOU WOUNDED VETS OUT THERE ALREADY OWE A DEGREE OF THANKS TO HER..WANTED TO GET A PICTURE OF HER WITH THE MILITARY MEN SHE DEALS WITH FROM TIME TO TIME..WELL THE PHONE CALL CAME FROM MY MOM—“THEY ARE HERE TO SEE HER.”

GREAT!  I’M AT WORK AND THEY’LL BE GONE IN FIVE MINUTES..NEXT OPPORTUNITY—APRIL..

 AGAIN--“GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!   MAN!!! 



ONE DAY I WANT TO DRIFT A DRY-FLY DOWN THIS LITTLE STREAM AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS
MAYBE THIS SUMMER I'LL BE DOWN BY THAT BEND TO THE RIGHT



I’LL BE ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT HONEST, SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE I’M STRUGGLING AGAINST SOME UNKNOWN FORCE, A NEGATIVE WAVE OF SOME SORT..FEEL LIKE JUST DROPPING EVERYTHING AND GOING FOR A RIDE ON THE BIKE……SOOOOOO----THAT’S WHAT I DID..



SOMETHING ABOUT AN OPEN STRETCH OF COUNTRY ROAD THAT I JUST LOVE!!

AGAIN THE WEATHER WAS PRETTY NICE..ALTHOUGH MY HELMET WOULD HAVE PROVIDED AN ADDED DEGREE OF COMFORT, I ELECTED TO LEAVE IT BEHIND..INSTEAD I PULLED MY HOODIE UP TIGHT AND MADE DUE..HAD WANTED TO MAKE IT UP TO BARKHAMSTED WAY BUT A CLOUDY SKY MADE ME DECIDE NOT TO CHANCE IT..GETTING CAUGHT IN THE RAIN IS ONE THING, BUT GETTING CAUGHT IN THE SNOW IS A REAL UNPLEASANT ADVENTURE.. IT’S HAPPENED TOO OFTEN TO ME AND IT’S NOT SOMETHING THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO.. I DON’T LIKE SEEING SNOW MELTING ON MY BIKE WHEN I’M 50 OR 60 MILES FROM HOME..CONSEQUENTLY I REMAINED WITHIN A 15 MILE RADIUS OF MY HOME –JUST IN CASE..

 

GOT A COUPLE OF PHOTOS OF SOME OF THE SIGHTS AND ALTHOUGH I SAW PLENTY OF OTHER BIKERS, THERE WERE NO OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET,, EVERYONE WAS ON THE GO AND ALL THE USUAL STOPS WERE EMPTY..

 

I’VE GOT A STORY IN MIND FOR NEXT WEEK BUT I’M ALMOST AFRAID TO THINK ABOUT IT TOO MUCH-MIGHT PUT A JINX ON THE WHOLE SCENARIO..JUST GONNA HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE..

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                                                       -------TILL NEXT WEEK------
                                                                        JIM
P.S.-----GROUNDHOG SAW HIS SHADOW--SIX MORE WEEKS TO GO--HASN'T BEEN TOO BAD AROUND HERE--HOPE THE SAME HOLDS TRUE FOR THE REST OF YOU...