WARRIORS--COMFORT FOR THE WOUNDED

                                             MEMORIAL BOULEVARD--BRISTOL CT.

MEMORIAL DAY—A FITTING DAY FOR THE FIRST THEME OF MY BLOG—WARRIORS…IT HAS BEEN JUST OVER A YEAR SINCE I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS BLOG THING..FOR THE MOST PART I HAVE ENJOYED IT..SOMETIMES I GET A LITTLE FLUSTERED TRYING TO PUT A STORY (OR ANYTHING) OF INTEREST TOGETHER…JUST NOT ENOUGH TIME TO GET EVERYTHING I’D LIKE TO GET DONE—DONE..

ONLY HALF OF THE NAMES
THIS IS THE WEST FACING PART OF THE MEMORIAL

ONE SOURCE OF FRUSTRATION (WHICH I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND) IS THE RELUCTANCE OF 98% OF THE WARRIORS I HAVE KNOWN (AND MANY THAT I HAVE MET) TO SHARE THEIR STORIES…BUT IF YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS BLOG YOU HAVE SEEN THEIR PICTURES--AND I HAVE HEARD THEIR STORIES…I’M A GOOD LISTENER AND I RECEIVED A TOP-SECRET CLEARANCE WHILE I WAS IN THE MARINES—SO I WON’T TELL WHAT SHOULDN’T BE TOLD, (NOT MUCH OF A TALKER ANYWAY)..

EACH PIECE IS UNIQUE AND COLORFUL

WITHIN THE PICTURES OF MY BLOG ARE PHOTOS OF KOREAN WAR VETS (WE CALL THEM GREY BEARDS)..YOU’VE SEEN PICTURES OF TWO ‘TUNNEL-RATS’—THREE DOOR-GUNNERS—ONE VET WHO RIDES WITH A FAKE LEG FROM THE KNEE DOWN (THE REST OF HIS LEG IS FERTILIZER IN A RICE-PADDY SOMEWHERE IN VIET NAM)—YOU ALSO WERE INTRODUCED TO A WORLD-WAR TWO P.O.W. AND A MARINE SNIPER (A PERSONAL FRIEND WITH 14 CONFIRMED KILLS)..

EACH SIDE IS DIFFERENT 

I WAS VERY HONORED TO BRING YOU THE AMAZING STORY OF MR. ED RICCIO JR. (BACK IN THE MAY OF 2011 ARCHIVES)..AND I AM MORE THAN HONORED TO BRING YOU THIS STORY ABOUT AN ANGEL OF A 93 YEAR OLD WOMAN (WHO ALSO CHOOSES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS-NOT EVEN A PICTURE), WHO FOR THE LAST 11 YEARS HAS MADE AFGANS AND LAP WARMERS FOR OUR WOUNDED SOLDIERS..SHE HAS SUPPLIED LITERALLY HUNDREDS TO THE ROCKY HILL VETERANS HOSPITAL (HERE IN CONNECTICUT) AND HAS ALSO HAD HUNDREDS MORE DELIVERED TO WALTER REED ARMY HOSPITAL IN WASHINGTON D.C…

SOOO---MUCH BETTER THAN DRAB BROWNS AND OLIVE GREENS

WHEN I ASKED HER WHAT MADE HER GET STARTED HER REPLY WAS== “I LOVE OUR SOLDIERS—I DO IT FROM THE HEART.”  SHE HAS THE POISE AND GRACE OF A WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN TOUCHED BY A DIVINE POWER…SHE EXPLAINED FURTHER== “I TRY TO USE BRIGHT COLORS TO BREAK THE MONOTONY OF THE SOLDIERS JUST SEEING DRAB KHAKIS ALL THE TIME.” THE MAGIC SHE WORKS WITH A PILE OF SCRAP MATERIAL IS FAR BEYOND ME..SHE BUYS SOME COTTON BATTING (INSIDE STUFFING) AND WITH HER KNOWLEDGE AND TALENTS PUTS TOGETHER A OBJECT OF WARMTH AND COMFORT AND I WOULD BET MY BOTTOM DOLLAR THAT MORE THAN ONE SOLDIER HAS GOTTEN WATERY EYES KNOWING THAT SOMEONE, SOMEPLACE, CARED ENOUGH TO TAKE THE TIME TO PROVIDE HIM WITH A HANDMADE AFGAN—THAT CAME “STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART” OF A WOMAN WHO SAID “I LOVE OUR SOLDIERS.”

ANOTHER SHIPMENT READY FOR WALTER REED HOSPITAL
JUST A FEW OF THE MANY HUNDREDS ALREADY DELIVERED

HER DESIRE TO REMAIN UNKNOWN MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO EXPAND ANY FURTHER ON HER LIFE, LOVES AND HABITS..BUT I WILL CONTINUE A BIT MORE..SHE HAS MADE CHILDREN’S CLOTHS FOR THE PEOPLE OF HAITI, SIMILAR ARTICLES OF COMFORT FOR BURN VICTIMS AND BAPTISMAL GOWNS FOR THE BABIES OF THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES..

HER BROTHER SERVED AS A CAPTAIN IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE WHERE HE WAS AWARDED FOUR BRONZE STARS, AND ON DEC 20, 1944, HE WAS CAPTURED (TWICE) AND SUFFERED AS A PRISONER OF WAR..SHE STARTED DONATING BLOOD WHEN HE WENT INTO THE ARMY AND CONTINUED TO DO SO UNTIL SHE WAS 75 YEARS OLD.. I  HAVE THE HONOR OF BEING IN TEMPORARY POSSESSION OF A BOOK HE WROTE (TYPEWRITTEN) AND HAVE ENJOYED EVERY SINGLE WORD HE TOOK THE TIME TO WRITE..A DRAMATIC AND VIVID ACCOUNT OF WAR AS ONLY A COMMON INFANTRY MAN CAN PROVIDE..I AM HOPING TO BE ABLE TO BRING YOU SOME OF HIS WORDS IN A LATTER POST…AND OF COURSE—HE TOO MUST REMAIN ANONYMOUS…

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL- IT'S MORE THAN JUST A DAY OFF—TELL A VETERAN THANKS—SHAKE HIS HAND—MAYBE BUY HIM A COFFEE OR A BEER—IT MEANS A LOT TO US—IT REALLY DOES..AND MAY GOD BLESS OUR 93 YEAR OLD MYSTERY LADY…     

STOPPED AT THE CAPITAL TO TAKE A BREAK LAST SATURDAY AND MET THESE GOOD
PEOPLE FROM MONTREAL CANADA
FERNANDO AND HIS WIFE ELENA AND THEIR SON EDWIN.


UNTIL NEXT WEEK--BE GOOD TO ONE ANOTHER
AND LIKE THE SONG SAYS-DON'T READ ANY BEAUTY MAGAZINES

JIM

THINGS--JUST CRUISEN-- AGAIN & AGAIN

WELL—IT’S JUST AS I SAID LAST WEEK—ANOTHER ‘JUST CRUISEN’ POST..OF COURSE THERE WERE PLENTY OF BEAUTIFUL SPOTS AND ROADS THAT I COULD HAVE STOPPED AND TAKEN A PHOTO OR TWO OF, BUT I JUST COULDN’T BRING MYSELF TO STOP THE BIKE—WANTED TO KEEP ON ROLLING..

MEET RAD OLSEN AND HIS BEAUTIFUL 09 ROAD KING
RAD OWNS KENNEDY ELECTRIC IN TORRINGTON--NEED SOME WORK DONE??
RAD'S BEEN ON BIKES SINCE HE WAS 12 YEARS OLD!!
AND STILL HASN'T HAD ENOUGH

AFTER DOING A COUPLE OF ‘MUST GET DONE’ THINGS, I WENT THROUGH THE USUAL RITUAL OF UNLOCKING THE BIKE—DOING THE SAFETY CHECK THING (BACK BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH WAS OUT-NO BIG DEAL-JUST MAKE SURE TO USE THE FRONT BRAKE LEVER SO THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON), WASN’T EVEN GOING TO TAKE THE CAMERA—JUST WANTED TO RIDE FOR A FEW HOURS AND ENJOY THE HIGH..

AND HERE IS RAD'S BEAUTIFUL WIFE-SYLVIA..
LOOKING GREAT WITH HER 07 SOFT-TAIL DELUXE
SYLVIA HAS BEEN RIDING SINCE THE EARLY 1980'S

MORE GOOD PEOPLE THAT WERE UP AT BARKHAMPSTED
LEFT TO RIGHT
BRAD, BEEN RIDING SIX YEARS ON A SUZUKI BOULEVARD--JAY, 30 YEARS ON TWO WHEELS, ANOTHER LIFER WITH A '05 SOFT-TAIL--THE BACK SIDE OF ART, AGAIN ANOTHER LIFER THAT DOESN'T REMEMBER HOW MANY BIKES HE'S OWNED, RIDING A 2011 ULTRA CLASSIC--AND PAM (BELOW)

PAM TRADED HER SUZUKI PLUS SOME $$ FOR HER '07 SOFT-TAIL DELUXE, HER SECOND YEAR
BEING UP ON TWO WHEELS AND LOVING EVERY SECOND OF IT

THEN I THOUGHT BETTER OF IT—I KNEW THAT ON SUCH A BEAUTY OF A DAY I WAS SURE TO MEET UP WITH SOME OTHER ‘IRON HORSE’ PEOPLE..SO, AFTER MY USUAL APPEAL FOR DEVINE PROTECTION, I FIRED UP MY ‘LOW RIDER’ AND ONCE AGAIN—I WAS IN THE WIND—RUNNING THE SUPER HIGH THAT ONLY BIKERS KNOW—ALL THE CRAP OF THE WEEK, ALL THE JUNK THAT WE HEAR ON THE NIGHTLY NEWS, THE BULL-CRAP THAT THOSE FANCY DRESSED POLITICIANS PUKE UP JUST FALLS AWAY AND IT’S JUST YOU-YOUR MACHINE-AND THE WIND-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------F. T. W.---------LET’S RIDE!!!--------------------------------------------------

AFTER ROLLING THROUGH EIGHTY OR SO MILES I DECIDED TO HEAD OVER TO ONE OF MY FAVORITE STOPS--BARKHAMPSTED (WHERE I MET ALL THESE GOOD PEOPLE)..PRETTY INTERESTING PLACE.. DID A BLOG ON THE HISTORY OF THE SITE BACK IN JUNE OF 2011=CHECK IT OUT IN THE JUNE ARCHIVE SECTION..TILL NEXT WEEK--HAPPY TRAILS--STAY WELL--STAY HAPPY AND BREAK THE RULES EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE....(THANKS ROSE)
                                                                     *****************
                                                                                JIM

THINGS--JUST CRUISEN--AGAIN

NICE LITTLE SPOT TO STOP AND REFLECT AWHILE

HAD PLANNED TO DO A STORY ON A FUN EVENT THAT IS HELD IN THE LITTLE VILLAGE OF FORESTVILLE CONNECTICUT THIS WEEK..ITS CALLED THE DUCK RACE.. WHAT HAPPENS IS YOU CAN BUY A LITTLE YELLOW RUBBER DUCK WITH A NUMBER PRINTED ON IT FOR $5.00…5000 DUCKS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE..A PAYLOADER THEN DUMPS THEM ALL INTO THE PEQUABUCK RIVER AND THE RACE IS ON..DOWNSTREAM PEOPLE LINE THE BANKS AND WATCH AS THESE 5000 YELLOW RUBBER DUCKS MAKE THEIR WAY TOWARDS THE FINISH LINE..I’M GUESSING THAT IT’S ABOUT A MILE OR SO TO THE FINISH LINE..IF YOUR DUCK IS THE FIRST ONE TO CROSS THE FLOAT THAT MARKS THE END OF COURSE YOU WIN $1,500, SECOND PRIZE IS A NICE $1,000.. THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 32 PRIZES AWARDED AND IT’S JUST A FUN TIME FOR EVERYONE..MY DUCK (#2441) WAS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN..BUT I NEVER MADE IT TO THE RACE, SO INSTEAD OF A BUNCH OF PHOTOS OF THIS PRETTY GOOD TIME, ALL I HAVE TO SHOW YOU IS A PHOTO OF MY LOSING TICKET..

CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT THE LOSING TICKET PICTURE AND THOUGHT I'D SHOW YOU THE LATEST
MEMBER TO JOIN THE CRITTERS THAT LIVE ON 'HERVE'S FARM'
I DID A POST ON HERVE BACK IN FEBRUARY
CHECK IT OUT IN THE FEBRUARY ARCHIVES

BUT THEN I FIGURED I WOULD SET UP MY TELESCOPE AND DO SOME PHOTOS OF THE “SUPER MOON” THAT WAS OCCURRING ON SATURDAY NIGHT..HAVE A PRETTY BIG TELESCOPE AND I THOUGHT I’D EXPERIMENT WITH SOME PHOTOGRAPHY THROUGH THE EYE-PIECE..WELL THAT “SUPER MOON” EVENT WAS BLOCKED BY SOME PRETTY THICK CLOUD COVER SO THAT WENT OUT THE WINDOW ALONG WITH THE METEOR-SHOWER THAT WAS HAPPENING THE SAME EVENING..ANOTHER STORY SHOT DOWN..

ONE OF MY FRIENDS JUST PICKED UP THIS OLD TIMER
WOULDN'T MIND HAVING THIS SITTING IN MY GARAGE TO TICKER WITH

REALLY FELT LIKE JUST ENJOYING THE DAY ON SUNDAY SO THE WEATHER BEING KIND OF “IFFY,” I PUT THE WINDSHIELD BACK ON THE BIKE AND TOOK OFF FOR A CRUISE..VISITED SOME FRIENDS AND MET SOME NEW ONES..THOUGHT I’D TAKE A FEW PHOTOS OF A COUPLE OF SPOTS AND INTRODUCE SOME MORE  OF THE GOOD PEOPLE THAT I ALWAYS HAVE THE GOOD FORTUNE OF MEETING WHILE I’M OUT ON THE SCOOTER..

MEET RICH AND CAROL AND THE BEAUTIFUL 2012 ULTRA CLASSIC
RICH IS ONE OF THOSE BIKERS THAT DOESN'T REMEMBER HOW MANY BIKES HE'S OWNED
A 'LIFER' --FROM MERIDEN CT..

WELL FRIDAY THE 11^TH   MAKES A YEAR THAT I HAVE HAD THIS BLOG GOING..I HAD TRIED TO DO A WEEKLY THING BUT SOMETIMES I JUST CAN’T PULL IT OFF..I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF CORRESPONDING TO PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD (LITERALLY)..THERE IS EVEN THE POSSIBILITY LOOMING THAT MY FRIEND (ROSE FROM OZ) MAY VERY WELL PAY A VISIT IN THE COMING YEAR..CHECK OUT HER BLOG WHEN YOU CAN, PRETTY COOL STUFF THAT SHE POSTS..HER BLOG IS APPROPRIATELY TITLED “ROSE FROM OZ IS BACK.”

TWO MORE GOOD PEOPLE --DREW AND BETTY FROM SOUTHINGTON
GOING ON THEIR SECOND YEAR ON TWO WHEELS
GREAT MEETING YOU



I WOULD LIKE TO BRING MORE STORIES TO YOU ABOUT SOME OF THE “WARRIORS” I HAVE MET AND KNOWN BUT SOME ARE JUST NOT READY TO TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES..BUT I DO HAVE A REALLY INTERESTING STORY THAT I AM HOPING TO POST ON MEMORIAL DAY ABOUT A WORLD WAR TWO VETERAN AND HIS ANGEL OF A SISTER..

TO ALL YOU READERS WHO HAVE BOUGHT MY BOOK—THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YES I AM WORKING ON ANOTHER—BUT I CANNOT PROMISE THAT I WILL FINISH IT..IF I CAN’T DO IT RIGHT-- I JUST WON’T DO IT..



MEET ROB HAMM--JUST CAME INTO THE MOTORCYCLE SCENE TWO MONTHS AGO
RIDING A 2008 YAMAHA 'V STAR'

DON’T HAVE ANY REAL IDEAS FOR NEXT WEEKS STORY..KIND OF ENJOY DOING THE ‘JUST CRUISEN’ POSTS..SO IT WILL PROBABLY BE A RIDE TO SOMEPLACE OR OTHER..IF ANY OF YOU LOCALS HAVE AN IDEA OR WANT TO JOIN ME, DROP ME AN E-MAIL BY CLICKING ON THE ‘MY PROFILE’ PICTURE..THERE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEND ME A NOTE…

ROB'S PIN CAUGHT MY EYE-BEING IN THE MARINES, I RECOGNISED THIS MEDAL
IMMEDIATELY..ROB WEARS IT PROUDLY IN MEMORY OF HIS GRANDFATHER
WHO WAS AN AIRBORNE RANGER IN THE KOREAN WAR..
MUCH RESPECT TO YOUR GRANDFATHER ROB..

ON A FINAL NOTE—HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL THE MOM’S OUT THERE…STAY WELL--STAY SAFE..KEEP THE RUBBER SIDE DOWN AND THE SHINY SIDE UP---UNTIL NEXT WEEK----------------JIM

THINGS-OPENING DAY-FISHING SEASON



SOME GOOD FOLKS FROM GRANBY-LEFT TO RIGHT-MATHEW-SARAH AND JOSEPH  AHLBERG
THEIR DAD SAID TO MENTION THAT THE VEHICLE IS A 1991 TOYOTA CORROLA WITH
309,000 MILES AND STILL GOING STRONG-THAT'S FROM HERE TO THE MOON AND PART WAY BACK
WOW!

I’M BACK--LOST MY DRIVE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS—I JUST COULDN’T GET INTO WRITING ABOUT ANYTHING MUCH AFTER HEARING THAT OUR WONDERFUL (?) STATE REPRESENTATIVES (?) WENT AHEAD AND REPEALED THE DEATH PENALTY (MY LAST POST DWELLED ON MY FEELINGS ABOUT THAT)..LET ME REPHRASE THAT—IF I WROTE WHAT I REALLY THOUGHT AND FELT, THERE WOULD MOST LIKELY BE SOME GUYS IN SUITS AND SUNGLASSES KNOCKING ON MY DOOR AND WANTING TO TALK TO ME ABOUT SOME OF MY VIEWS (WHO KNOWS MAYBE EVEN TAKE ME AWAY FOR A WHILE)..AN INFORMAL POLL SHOWED THAT OVER 83% OF THE PEOPLE IN CONNECTICUT SUPPORT THE DEATH PENALTY—ANOTHER MORE FORMAL POLL SHOWED 63% SUPPORTED THE DEATH PENALTY.. EITHER WAY, A VERY CLEAR MAJORITY SUPPORTED THE ULTIMATE PENALTY FOR THE ULTIMATE CRIMES..AND STILL THE MINORITY WON.. ‘BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE’ JUST DOESN’T SEEM TO BE THE WAY THAT THINGS GO ANYMORE—I JUST DON’T GET IT…

RIVER ACCESS PARKING--DOESN'T LOOK TOO PROMISING FOR THOSE WHO SEEK SOLITUDE

ONE OF THOSE DISAPPOINTMENTS IN LIFE I GUESS..BUT THINGS BALANCE OUT..TO OFFSET THAT NEGATIVE WAVE, ONE VERY SPECIAL DAY THAT I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO HAS FINALLY COME AROUND..OPENING  DAY OF FISHING SEASON!!!!  I’VE BEEN FISHING SINCE I DON’T KNOW WHEN..I CAN’T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I KEPT A FISH, I JUST LOVE TO BE AT THE RIVER DOING MY BEST TO BRING ONE IN--ONLY TO LET IT GO AGAIN..

ANOTHER ACCESS AREA---"I'LL BE BACK "

MY OWN PREFERENCE IS TO WAIT UNTIL THE INITIAL RUSH OF FIRST TIMERS AS WELL AS THOSE WHO FEEL THEY JUST CAN’T WAIT TO GET OUT THERE HAS PASSED..BUT THAT IS BECAUSE THE RIVER IS ONLY ABOUT TEN MINUTES FROM MY DRIVEWAY AND I CAN GET OUT THERE PRETTY MUCH ANYTIME I WANT WITHOUT MUCH TROUBLE OR PLANNING..

I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING ' DANI ' SHE'S BEEN FISHING SINCE SHE WAS SEVEN..
SHE LOVES FISHING BUT PREFERS SALT-WATER ..
DANI CERTAINLY ADDS TO THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE OUTDOORS

BEARING THAT GOOD FORTUNE IN MIND I WILL USUALLY PASS ON THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF THE SEASON KNOWING THAT I WILL GET MY TURN WHEN THE INITIAL CRUSH HAS RUN IT’S COURSE AND THINGS SETTLE DOWN A BIT..IT WOULD BE A BIT SELFISH ON MY PART TO TAKE UP THE ROOM THAT SOMEONE LESS FORTUNATE THAN I COULD BE ENJOYING..LIKE I SAID, I’M ONLY TEN MINUTES AWAY..

JUST SO YOU GUYS KNOW --THAT'S DANI'S BOYFRIEND IN THE RIVER ON THE FAR RIGHT

ANYWAY, I FIGURED I WOULD VISIT THE RIVER AND SEE IF ANYONE WAS HAVING ANY LUCK..THE WATER WAS UNUSUALLY LOW, WHICH IS TO BE EXPECTED, (WE ARE WAY BELOW NORMAL PRECIPITATION HERE IN CONNECTICUT)..BUT EVERYPLACE I STOPPED THERE WERE PLENTY OF PEOPLE GIVING IT THEIR BEST SHOT AND ENJOYING THE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER..I ONLY SAW ONE FISH ON A STRINGER (NICE RAINBOW TROUT) BUT I’M SURE THERE WERE MANY MORE THAT I DIDN’T GET TO SEE..

 

TALKED TO SOME FOLKS THAT HAD BEEN OUT SINCE 6 IN THE MORNING AND PLANNED ON STAYING TILL DARK…..OPENING DAY..DOWN AT THE RIVER..SUNSHINE..FRIENDS..IN THE MORNING, GOOD COFFEE..LATER ON A GRINDER AND MAYBE A COLD BEER OR SODA..YEA, EVEN THOSE SO CALLED PEOPLE’S REPRESENTATIVES AND ALL THEIR TALKING IN CIRCLES FADE FROM MY MIND WHEN FISHING SEASON STARTS..IT’S LIKE THEY TRY TO KEEP US IN A STATE OF CRYSTAL CLEAR CONFUSION..WORRIED MORE ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF BAD GUYS—NEVER MIND WHAT THE MAJORITY OF LAW ABIDING CITIZENS HAVE STATED..IT’S EASY TO START RUNNING A NEGATIVE WAVE WITH THE NEWS WE HEAR NOW-A-DAYS..IRAN RATTLING IT’S SABERS, OUR TROOPS FIGHTING OVERSEAS, NORTH KOREA BUILDING MISSILES WHILE IT’S PEOPLE STARVE..CRAZY PEOPLE STRAPPING ON EXPLOSIVE VESTS AND TAKING DOWN A BUNCH OF INNOCENT FOLKS.

RAN INTO MY FAVORITE KIND OF PEOPLE ON THE WAY HOME--BIKERS..
MEET 'NONNO' (GRANDFATHER IN ITALIAN) AND HIS LADY 'NETTI '.
BOTH SERIOUS BIKERS, NONNO HAS BEEN UP ON TWO WHEELS SINCE 1969
AND DOESN'T REALLY KNOW HOW MANY BIKES HE'S OWNED. '
NETTI HAS BEEN RIDING FOR SEVEN YEARS--SHE'S RIDEN TO STURGIS-
DAYTONA AND COVERS MORE ROAD IN ONE SEASON THAN ALOT OF GUYS COVER IN
FIVE YEARS..
NONNO IS RIDING A 05 ROAD KING  AND NETTI A 05 SPORTSTER SCREAMING EAGLE..
HOPE WE MEET AGAIN-NETTI SAYS 'RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT.'

BUT MY MIND IS WIPED CLEAN AND THE CRAP VANISHES FOR A FEW MAGICAL MOMENTS, WITH THE SUDDEN TUG ON MY POLE AND THE VISION OF A TROUT LEAPING IN THE AIR AT THE END OF MY LINE. YEA –OPENING DAY—GOOD FOR THE SOUL AND MIND..SEE YOU AT THE RIVER..

                                                                                       ****

                                                                            TILL NEXT WEEK
                                                                    STAY SAFE--STAY WELL
                                                                                      JIM

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ON A DIFFERENT NOTE-SEVERAL READERS OF THIS BLOG HAVE BOUGHT MY BOOK AND WANTED ME TO PERSONALIZE IT FOR THEM..NO PROBLEM-I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO THAT..HOWEVER, IF YOU DO WANT THE BOOK, HIT THE ‘MY PROFILE’ FEATURE..THERE YOU WILL FIND A ‘E-MAIL ME’ TAB..SEND ME WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO WRITE AND IF YOU WANT A HARDCOVER OR SOFTCOVER.. SAVE YOU A COUPLE OF BUCKS ON THE BOOK AND S/H PLUS ELIMINATE THE HASSLE OF YOU HAVING TO BOX IT UP, GOING TO THE POST OFFICE AND SENDING IT TO ME, THEN ME SENDING IT BACK TO YOU..OR, IF YOU LIVE NEARBY I'LL EVEN  JUMP ON MY BIKE AND  DELIVER --WHAT MORE CAN BE ASKED?? 

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THINGS--ME--RANTING AND VENTING A BIT

BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WOKE UP TODAY—GOT MYSELF READY FOR WORK—STOPPED FOR A COFFEE ON THE WAY IN—CHATTED WITH THE CONVENIENCE STORE OWNER FOR A FEW MINUTES AND PUNCHED IN WITH THREE OR FOUR MINUTES TO SPARE..

BIG BOY

THE MACHINES I WORK ON ARE PRETTY INTENSE—I WORK ALONE IN MY LITTLE DEPARTMENT AND I  ACTUALLY ENJOY MY JOB AND THE MENTAL CHALLENGES IT PRESENTS ME ON A DAILY BASIS (FOR THE MOST PART)…HOWEVER, LIKE ANY OTHER MAN-MADE OBJECT, THERE ALWAYS LOOMS THE POSSIBILITY OF MALFUNCTION OR MY OWN CARELESSNESS…THE MACHINES CAN ZOOM FROM BEING PERFECTLY STILL TO 4000 RPM IN ¾ OF A SECOND…IT COULD RIP YOUR HANDS TO SHREDS BEFORE YOUR BRAIN EVEN BEGINS TO FEEL THE PAIN…SO, BEARING THIS UNPLEASANT FACT IN MIND, I ALWAYS ASK FOR DIVINE PROTECTION BEFORE I ACTUALLY BEGIN WORKING..NEED BOTH HANDS FOR RIDING-FISHING-CARESSING-EATING-AND A MILLION OTHER THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED..

BIG BOY'S  LITTLE BROTHER

WELL, ALL THIS IS PART OF THE DAILY RITUAL THAT I GO THROUGH TO PLEASE THE BOSS AS WELL AS THE CUSTOMER WHO IS DEPENDING ON THE PARTS THAT MY MACHINES AND I ARE GOING TO PRODUCE..ON OCCASION I HAVE FAILED TO DO JUST THAT, BUT THOSE INSTANCES HAVE BEEN VERY  FEW AND VERY FAR IN BETWEEN (TWO MAYBE THREE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS)..

ALWAYS HAS TO BE ONE THAT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT

ALTHOUGH I DON’T ALWAYS AGREE WITH THE WAY THINGS GO AT WORK, I DO KNOW MY PLACE..IT’S NOT THE BOSS’S JOB TO KEEP ME HAPPY—IT’S MY JOB TO MAKE HIM HAPPY WITH MY EFFORTS..THE CUSTOMER TELLS ME WHAT HE WANTS—I DON’T TELL THE CUSTOMER THAT HE’S WRONG AND GIVE HIM WHAT I FEEL HE SHOULD HAVE…AND I’LL BET $100.00 T0 $10.00 THAT IT’S PRETTY MUCH THE SAME WHERE EVER HONEST PEOPLE GO ABOUT DOING HONEST AND HONORABLE WORK…EXCEPT IN ONE REALM WHERE THE BOSSES ARE COMPLETELY IGNORED AND THE “WORKERS” NO LONGER SEEM TO CARE OR EVEN BE INTERESTED IN WHAT THE BOSSES WOULD LIKE..

 

STICK WITH ME A BIT HERE..SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS CAROL AND I WILL GO OUT FOR OUR BREAKFAST (OR BRUNCH)..WE’LL USUALLY STOP AND GRAB A PAPER TO READ WHILE WE CHOW..(YES WE’RE AT THAT AGE WHERE WE ARE COMFORTABLE IN EACH OTHER’S SILENCE)..CAROL POINTED OUT AN ARTICLE TO ME, “IS LIFE ENOUGH?” (HARTFORD COURANT SUNDAY APRIL 1^ST )..TO SAY IT UPSET ME IS PUTTING IT QUITE MILDLY.. I QUOTE THE FIRST PARAGRAPH-“ONCE AGAIN THE POLITICIANS THINK THEY KNOW BETTER THAN THE PEOPLE, PREPARING TO ABOLISH CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN THE TEETH OF POPULAR SUPPORT FOR THE DEATH OF THOSE WHO MOST DESERVE IT.” END OF THE QUOTE..

MEET NORM--JUST RETURNING FROM A HOG RALLY AT BATHURST  IN AUSTRALIA
OVER 700 BIKES PRESENT!!
'NICE BIKE, MATE. STAY SAFE AND HAVE A GIDDAY'

POLITICIANS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE OUR WORKERS-OUR REPRESENTATIVES… ‘THINK THEY KNOW BETTER THAN THE PEOPLE’  PEOPLE=US=THEIR BOSSES…IF I DID EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT I KNEW MY BOSS WANTED I WOULD BE AMONG THE UNEMPLOYED, AND JUSTIFIABLY SO. A MAJOR POINT THAT I HAVE HEARD OVER AND OVER IS THAT THE DEATH PENALTY IS NOT A DETERRENT TO CRIME..WELL, IT’S NOT MEANT TO BE A DETERRENT-IT’S MEANT TO BE THE ULTIMATE PUNISHMENT FOR THE ULTIMATE CRIME..IF ONE WERE TO FOLLOW THAT LINE OF REASONING, THE PRISON SYSTEM DOESN’T SEEM TO BE MUCH OF A DETERRENT TO CRIME—‘LET’S CLOSE THE JAILS—THEY’RE NOT A DETERRENT.’

ANOTHER VIEW OF NORMS SWEET SCOOTER--NICE TO SEE A
HARLEY LIVING OVER THERE IN THE LAND DOWN UNDER..
THANKS TO MY FRIEND ROSE FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SEND ME THE PHOTOS
CHECK OUT HER BLOG--ROSE FROM OZ IS BACK--

THE HARTFORD COURANT WENT ON TO GIVE EXAMPLES: RUSSELL PEELER-HAD AN EIGHT YEAR OLD CHILD AND HIS MOTHER KILLED TO ELIMINATE THE CHILD AS A WITNESS; TODD RIZZO, BEAT TO DEATH A 13-YEAR OLD BOY USING A SLEDGE HAMMER TO ‘KNOW WHAT IT FELT LIKE.’ AND OF COURSE, THE CHESHIRE HOME INVASION PAIR-STEVEN HAYES AND JOSHUA KOMISARJEVSKY “SADISTIC MONSTERS” WHO RAPED THEN BURNED ALIVE THE PETIT FAMILY WOMEN (SEE RIDE FOR JUSTICE IN OCTOBER ARCHIVES)..NO QUESTION OF GUILT HERE.. NO TROUBLESOME OR LINGERING DOUBTS..GUILTY!!

ANY REASON WHY A SOCIETY WOULD SEE FIT TO SPEND MONEY KEEPING THESE INDIVIDUALS SAFE, WARM AND HEALTHY FOR A LIFETIME WHEN WE HAVE GOOD OLD FOLKS, WHO NEVER HURT ANYONE, STRUGGLING WITH MEDICAL COSTS? WE COULD USE SOME RESEARCH MONEY TO CURE DISEASE—WOULDN’T IT BE GREAT TO BE ABLE TO SPEND THAT MONEY ON OUR VETERANS THAT RETURN HOME WOUNDED—HOW ABOUT SPENDING THAT MONEY ON SAINT JUDES CHILDRENS HOSPITAL—EDUCATION—TAKING CARE OF GOOD PEOPLE, NOT BEING CONCERNED ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF THOSE WHO HAVE SHOWN NO CONCERN FOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS—ESPECIALLY THE GOD GIVEN RIGHT TO LIFE…IT'S OUR MONEY--SPEND IT LIKE WE SAY!!

YEA-I’M SORRY, BUT I JUST HAD TO VENT A BIT..IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE GOVERNMENT “BY THE PEOPLE-FOR THE PEOPLE” BUT IT SEEMS THE MINORITY SEEM TO IGNORE WHAT OVER 65% OF CONNECTICUT PEOPLE HAVE SAID..KEEP THE DEATH PENALTY!! AND USE IT!! THAT’S WHAT THE MAJORITY WANTS!! WE ARE THEIR BOSSES-THEY ARE OUR EMPLOYEES..I HOPE THEY REMEMBER THAT—THEY KNOW WHAT THE MAJORITY WANTS—WHAT IS THERE FOR THEM TO DEBATE?? MOVE ON TO SOMETHING WORTH DOING—LIKE EARNING THE MONEY THAT WE PAY THEM..

                                                                             ***

SAD TO HAVE TO SEND SOMEONE TO THEIR MAKER—EVEN MORE DISTRESSING WHEN SOMEONE HAS MADE THAT A NECESSITY BY THEIR OWN ACTIONS..

 THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT OUT A BIT THIS WEEK…..

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

PLACES--'UPCOUNTRY FISHING GEAR SHOP' PINE MEADOW CONNECTICUT

                                                       

WAITING FOR SPRING—LONG TIME READERS KNOW THAT IT’S SOMETHING I SEEM TO DO A LOT OF –(ESPECIALLY DURING WINTER).. WITH THE COMING OF WARMER WEATHER CERTAIN RITUALS PRESENT THEMSELVES..TIME TO GET SOME FERTILIZER ON THE LAWN—CHECK OVER THE LAWN TRACTOR (NEED A NEW ONE THIS YEAR)..

LOST A MONSTER RAINBOW TROUT HERE A FEW YEARS BACK
WITH ONLY ABOUT FIVE OR SIX MORE FEET OF LINE TO GO

MAYBE ADD A LITTLE MULCH AROUND THE FLOWERS TO MAKE EVERYTHING PRETTY AND NEAT..GOTTA PICK UP SOME OF THOSE ORANGE PLASTIC THINGS FOR THE WEED WHACKER..MY OTHER HALF, CAROL, DOES A GREAT JOB OF PICKING UP SOME POTTED PLANTS (I LEAVE THOSE CHOICES UP TO HER TASTES).  AFTER A WHILE AND A BIT OF WORK WE HAVE THE PLACE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD..

MY FISHING PARTNER--JAY MORIN -- FRIENDS SINCE WE WERE TEN YEARS OLD
AND I HAVE THE HONOR OF BEING THE GODFATHER OF HIS SON, LUKAS

I HAVE TWO RITUALS THAT I LOVE PERFORMING..ONE IS TAKING THAT WINDSHIELD OFF THE MOTORCYCLE AND THE OTHER IS VISITING THE ‘UP COUNTRY’ FISHING SHOP IN PREPARATION FOR FISHING SEASON..

LIKE A CANDY STORE FOR SOME OF US GUYS

USUALLY MY FISHING PARTNER, JAMES (JAY) MORIN AND I WILL HEAD UP TO PINE MEADOW CONNECTICUT, STOP FOR A COFFEE AND ENJOY BROWSING AND SELECTING A FEW OF THE FLIES AND OTHER GOODIES WE JUST MIGHT NEED FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON..ALWAYS GOOD PEOPLE WILLING TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS ABOUT WHAT FLY IS “HOT” AND WHAT PART OF THE RIVER YOU WANT TO BE ON.

 

OF COURSE I TAKE THESE SUGGESTIONS WITH THE PROVERBIAL GRAIN OF SALT..SPEAKING STRICTLY FOR MYSELF, IF I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE OF FINDING A SPOT WHERE THE TROUT WERE FRISKY AND PLAYFUL, I WOULDN’T BE TELLING EVERYBODY WHERE TO FIND THEM AND WHAT KIND OF FLY THEY LIKED..BUT, THAT’S JUST ME..

HAWK'S EYE VIEW OF THE BEAUTIFUL FARMINGTON RIVER

BUT!!  THERE ARE TWO GUYS WORKING THERE THAT I CERTAINLY WOULD TRUST..GRADY ALLEN IS THE OWNER OF THE BEAUTIFUL SHOP..IF HE TOLD JAY AND I TO HEAD UPSTREAM FOR THREE MILES AND USE A #18 BLUE WING OLIVE OR DOWNSTREAM FOR SIX MILES AND TO TIE ON A #16 PALE EVENING DUN, THAT’S  WHAT WE WOULD DO. GRADY HAS LIVED IN NEW HARTFORD FOR ALL HIS LIFE AND HAS OWNED THE SHOP FOR 15 YEARS..OVER 60% OF THE FLIES IN HIS SHOP ARE TIED LOCALLY..A FEW PATTERNS ARE UNIQUE TO THE FARMINGTON RIVER..

MEET GRADY ALLEN-OWNER OF 'UPCOUNTRY' AND LIFE-LONG RESIDENT
OF BEAUTIFUL NEW HARTFORD CONNECTICUT

ANOTHER GENT WHOSE WORDS ARE GOLDEN WOULD BE –DON BUTLER- KNOWN AS THE ‘FISH FOX’. HE HAS A GUIDE SERVICE FOR BOTH THE FARMINGTON AND HOUSATONIC RIVERS..WHEN I’M IN THE STORE I WILL ALWAYS TRY TO HEAR WHATEVER THIS MAN HAS TO SAY AS FAR AS FISHING GOES..HE HAS CAUGHT A TROUT ON A DRY-FLY FOR 83 MONTHS IN A ROW!! YEA, IF HE SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT FISHING I PAY ATTENTION..

HERE'S DON BUTLER--THE "FISH FOX"

IF YOU’VE EVER FELT LIKE YOU MIGHT JUST LIKE TO GIVE FLY-FISHING A WHIRL THIS IS THE PLACE TO VISIT FIRST..THEY OFFER CLASSES—SELL FISHING LICENSE- HAVE A WIDE SELECTION OF GREAT EQUIPMENT—AND A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU JUST WOULDN’T FIND ANYPLACE ELSE..IF YOUR ALREADY A FISHING ENTHUSIAST STOP IN AND CHECK OUT THE FLY ASSORTMENT AND ALL THE OTHER YUMMIES THAT A FISHERMAN JUST HAS TO HAVE.. 

CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST INFO ON RIVER CONDITIONS-WHAT FLIES ARE WORKING-WHERE TO STAY IF YOU PLAN ON VISITING FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS—PLACES FOR CHOW-FISHING TIPS- ETC..THIS AREA IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SECTIONS OF CONNECTICUT AND THIS SHOP IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE STOPS..I’LL EVEN BRING MY MOTORCYCLE TO A HALT THERE SOMETIMES JUST TO PICK UP A FEW FLIES AND SEE IF I CAN LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN CALLED–THE FARMINGTON RIVER..

CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE AT— wwwFarmingtonRiver.com

TILL NEXT WEEK---HOPE ALL IS WELL AND REMAINS WELL WITH YOU AND YOURS

AND REMEMBER---CATCH AND RELEASE---IS VERY COOL

                                                                              JIM      

PLACES-COLLINSVILLE ANTIQUES OF NEW HARTFORD

WOW!! SATURDAY WAS ONE BEAUTIFUL DAY..MOST OF THE CHORES THAT NEEDED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION WERE DONE AND THE ONES THAT DIDN'T NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION WHERE JUST THAT-THEY COULD WAIT..


HAD TO TAKE MY MOM AND HER FRIEND TO THE AIRPORT BUT AFTER THAT, THERE WAS NOTHING STANDING IN THE WAY OF SPENDING A COUPLE OF HOURS ON THE BIKE OUT IN THE COUNTRY SOMEPLACE..

UNCHAINED THE BIKE FROM THE WALL, UNLOCKED THE WHEEL LOCK-THEN UNLOCKED THE NECK LOCK-GOOD..CHECKED THE OIL-GOOD..CHECKED THE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS-GOOD..DOUBLE CHECK ON THE BRAKE LIGHTS-GOOD AGAIN..NO OBVIOUS TIRE PROBLEMS-GOOD..BUT LOW ON GAS --NO PROBLEM...


THEN A VOICE SOMEWHERE IN MY MIND SAID, "DON'T RIDE YOUR BIKE TODAY!!"
I CONTINUED WITH MY PREPARATIONS-GLOVES JACKET ETC. HOPING THE VOICE WOULD RETURN AND SAY, "ONLY KIDDING, GO AHEAD, AND RIDE."



WELL THE VOICE DIDN'T RETURN. SO, WHILE I STOOD THERE STARING AT MY BEAUTIFUL BLACK AND CHROME MONSTER, I THOUGHT I WOULD TRY TALKING TO THE VOICE MYSELF..
"IT'S A BEAUTY OF A DAY," I THOUGHT ALOUD. "ARE YOU SURE  THAT I SHOULDN'T GO FOR A BIT OF A RIDE?"

SILENCE---THEN MORE SILENCE---SO AFTER ALL OF MY PREPARATIONS AND HAPPY ANTICIPATIONS I WHEELED THE BIKE BACK INTO HER CORNER..I KNOW IT'S KIND OF CREEPY BUT SOMETIMES I DO LISTEN TO THE VOICES INSIDE MY HEAD.

I DO BELIEVE IN PREMONITIONS (SOME OTHER POST MAYBE) AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF BEAUTIFUL DAYS AHEAD OF US SO MY OTHER HALF AND I WENT FOR SOME CHOW AND WENT FOR A RIDE. WE DECIDED TO VISIT A PRETTY COOL PLACE..WE RETURNED WITH SOME PHOTOS OF SOME OLD AND UNUSUAL PIECES..WE COULD HAVE SPEND HOURS IN THE PLACE AND NOT SEE EVERYTHING..FOR SURE-SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY..HOPE THAT VOICE DOESN'T RETURN THIS WEEKEND!! TILL NEXT WEEK----------STAY WELL AND STAY SAFE----------JIM