It’s time for the weekly check-in. I went on a spontaneous bike ride the other day. I was working on an article for ADVRider about motorcycling in the Ozarks of Arkansas and decided that I needed a picture of this sign. There are many like it in the area, usually right before a series of hairpin turns. In all my travels, I’ve never seen this particular sign except here in Arkansas, so I wanted a picture of one to go with the article. I rode most of the way down the Pig Trail to find one, but I got the shot. Soon afterward, I recognized the turn onto Route 215 and decided to hit the Oark Cafe for lunch and another photo opportunity. I finished the article when I got back, and will share a link to it once it’s posted.
July 4 was relatively low-key, at least for around here. That doesn’t mean there weren’t fireworks involved. There certainly were. I lived most of my life in Massachusetts, where all fireworks of any kind were illegal, even sparklers. I never played with them at all. But playing with fireworks is a family tradition here, one that Melissa and her kids maintained. She and I went to one of many tents that have popped up to sell fireworks for the 4th (ironically, right next door to a fire station), and she was quite amused at my complete lack of knowledge and experience in this area. I left the selections to her.
After grilling hot dogs for everyone and having an ice cream break in the house while we waited for the long summer day to get dark, we set off a variety of things that glow bright and go boom. I temporarily weaponized my motorcycle by attaching a pair of Roman candles to the crash bars, shooting down the driveway (and potentially at bad Massachusetts drivers). I also treated everyone to the Boston tradition of the fireworks finale set to the 1812 Overture, just like they do over the Charles River every year. While I couldn’t call up the National Guard to fire the big guns like they do there, I think they got the idea.
Other than that, I’ve been working and looking for additional work. I’ve had a glut of ADVRider work this week, which will help, and I have another couple of leads that I’m working on. I’m glad I have a place to sit still while the income is low. For all the talk about the economy doing great, I don’t think it takes into account what it’s like for people actually looking for work these days. I’m fortunate to be living as affordably as I do. It’s pretty much the only reason I’m not in big trouble right now. But I’m okay. I had a busy June, which will help as I keep on looking.
Smokey Da Van 