To Bike or Not to Bike

To bike or not to bike? That is the question.

Gary has had motorcycles off and on, all his driving life. Fifty years of riding and now, after a shoulder injury, and a decision to downsize, the Harley sells to a new owner ... today.

The decision was and continues to be extremely difficult. 

There's nothing like driving by the fragrance of fields of clover in summer, the breeze, warm as a massage, feeling every nuance of the road. Nothing like the scent of moisture in the wind, the sudden downpour and sitting it out under a highway overpass or beneath a cluster of maples, just talking until the sun dries the road.

Selling the Harley is rough for each of us but particularly for Gary. Driving is Gary's favourite form of meditation. He forgets his worries and the to-do's, the bills and the challenges when he is on the bike.

Gary went out for a ride yesterday. These pictures are of him getting the bike ready and leaving the driveway. He enjoyed the time by himself, one last trip.

But, it's time. "Not to bike" is the answer.

It's been a good run.

September

September.  We are eleven days into September.  It is not quite summer and not quite autumn…not yet.  The number of daylight hours is decreasing.  The evenings and mornings are cooler, brisk and fresh. 

Breezes swipe crunchy leaves from the trees.   The flowers have slowed or stopped growing.   Berries are ripe; the grapes turning purple.  The mountain ash shows off its bright orange clusters.  Wood is stacked and drying. 

The list of summer chores isn’t quite finished and, depending upon the weather, may have to become spring chores.  Swings and play sets, playgrounds and sand boxes are empty during school hours.  Everywhere, everyone and everything adjusts to the changes coming, the arrival of fall.

September.  Month of endings and beginnings, lovely mellow days and crisp starry nights. 

Enjoy.

Words and photos are ©copyright Carol Steel.