I see the divine in you…and your claws in me!

November 20, 2015May 19, 2018 ~ Stevie ~ 1 Comment

Day one of my pre-Thanksgiving staycation. Not only am I allowing myself the luxury of plenty of time to prepare for the holiday, I intend to pamper myself quite a bit.

As planned, this morning started with some much needed yoga. I love doing sun salutations while actually watching the sun come up, and wonder if I get bonus one-with-nature points considering the extra moves I must throw in because the cat wants to get in the act.

Luckily the routine today didn’t involve any poses where I’m on my back since he sees that as a prime opportunity to pull my hair. Instead I listened to his indignant squawks as he dodged out from under my belly each time I dropped from a plank to transition into upward dog, and tried to ignore his pant leg tugging during warrior one and two.

Eventually he does get bored with teasing me, and moves on to the window to see what the rising sun reveals and I can focus on my breathing and welcome the yummy combo of an energy boost and relaxed body.

Until I slosh a quarter cup of fresh coffee down my leg. Namaste, on with the day…

Mostly sunny skies, bliss likely…

November 3, 2015May 19, 2018 ~ Stevie ~ Leave a comment

Fall arrived weeks ago, so when you find yourself riding without having to pile on layers of leather you take full advantage of those days knowing they are becoming more numbered.

I remember a few weeks ago, after the first blast of cold came in a full week of frigid rain, I headed out to see where the day would take me. In that case it lead me to a favorite place for seafood to dive into a sweet and salty pound of crab legs and a cold one. As the old bay and melted butter flew, leaving my spot at the bar looking like the aftermath of a Gallagher show, I realized how special those days are the rarer they get.

Activities that are commonplace or even taken for granted in the middle of summer are treasured second by second when there’s more wait time on colder days in between. The sun is more tangible on your skin, the air is sweeter, and simple pleasures turn decadent.

A surprising high in the mid-seventies earlier this afternoon brought another glimpse back at summer even as the changing leaves have reached their peak of colors and my route included a stop at my polling place to vote on an election day.

I hope everyone eligible to vote today got out to do just that, no matter what form of preferred transportation!

Vance & Hines vs. Duncan Hines?

October 13, 2015May 19, 2018 ~ Stevie ~ Leave a comment

I’m up late baking a cake for my boyfriend as it’s his birthday tomorrow. I’m also a bit fascinated at the changes in me as I’ve aged, and why this is such a daunting task. I mean- I remember back when I was 8 to 10 years of age and I could have whipped this up from scratch. We’re talking using only one hand to deftly crack an egg and empty it into the batter with no shell, then decorating the cake afterwards in a professional manner.

And now I find myself straining to remember the last time I baked, striking yoga poses to reach into back cabinets for long missing electric beaters and squinting at directions printed on the back of a cake mix box, hoping to not screw up the whopping 4 steps I must follow for an edible treat.

It’s funny how some loves stay with you through your life, and some fade in and out on the journey as they’re meant to. I still enjoy cooking, but admit baking is an art that takes more patience than I seem to have anymore.

Looking back, I remember signs that this transition was taking place. I learned how to change the oil on my first motorcycle, but one time when I went to accomplish this I found I couldn’t remove the plug to drain the oil. I called in a friend to help me and when he asked if I had a pan to empty the old oil into he was fairly shocked when I emerged from my apartment with a pie tin that belonged to my roommate. Shock turned to laughter when I used flour to soak up some oil I spilled onto the pavement in the parking lot.

Thankfully these days I’m equipped to perform routine maintenance on my bike without having to steal makeshift tools from the kitchen! Likewise no loose screws will be found in the birthday cake tomorrow, just in the cook…

From trash to treasure…

March 24, 2014May 19, 2018 ~ Stevie ~ Leave a comment

“Ooh! OOH! Turds rolling on me, turds rolling ON ME!” I yelp.

I’m helping my boyfriend move a large box across his garage and judging by the sprinkle of mouse droppings I’ve spotted on top it’s the first time it’s been budged in years. I notice he’s trying to keep from laughing at me, but since he’s picked up the pace I’m too grateful to care. I just want to put this thing down before a little black pinhead of nasty actually rolls against my hand.

It’s spring! And a biker’s idea of spring cleaning is making room in the garage, basement, or shed by unearthing no longer needed motorcycle parts and heading to a swap meet. It’s time to clear out work space and score some cash or parts that will be of use in the next project.

As the boyfriend hopes to do just that, we’re headed to Pennsylvania’s Harrisburg Super Swap Meet at the Farm Show Complex. Vendors are allowed inside 2 hours before the doors open to the early birds. Once everything is unloaded and he’s setting up, I decide to check out the other tables. I’m watching for a seat I need for my Sportster. After 10 years the one on the bike is starting to split at the seams, better that one than mine! Still, maybe someone will be here with some jeans as you can never have too many pairs. I’m also happy to see a local Harley dealer is there with specials on winter clothes. It might be spring according to the calendar, but there will apparently be time to wear them before stashing for the summer. Snow and cold temps are predicted for the upcoming week!

It’s my first time at this particular event, and from what I can tell you can find everything from a helmet sticker to an entire motorcycle up for sale. Once the doors open to the public, crowds of people filter through to browse and negotiate. Some folks chat, telling stories about rides they’ve been on, what they’ve done to their bike, what they want to do to their bike, upcoming trips, and how much warmer weather would be appreciated. Others wind through the entries in the bike show, taking in every detail and having their questions answered by the owners.

Once the day is over and we’re headed home, we find a place on Route 15 with cold beer and hot burgers. My spirit has received a lift after a fairly brutal winter during which my riding time was cut down more than usual. It’s comforting to spend a day surrounded by others who also love the rides, the memories, the machines. The collective excitement over the start of a new season is contagious. The adventures we’ve dreamed up over the last several months are more within reach, closer to happening. It’s going to be an awesome year!