Gee, what a great picture, wish I had taken it. When Mars and Venus come together it is the Age of Aquarius!
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Oldsters on Sportsters
So why do the aged ride?
Modern day Don and Donna Quixotes riding their cycles. They cycle across the nation on steeds of steel rather than resigning themselves to the motorized wheel chairs advertised by the Infomercials. They are often seen on Goldwings, and the really cool ones are seen on Harleys.
The higher answer is that they seek the Grail. Ultimately they ride like the knights of Arthurian legend to seek the Chalice, the last cup used at the Last Supper. But that is part of the higher knowledge, and HarleyDad will blog upon this another time to the initiated.
The lower and more understandable answer is like Ponce de Leon they seek the fountain of youth. Now the answer is different for motorcycle men and motorcycle women. The papas are from Mars and the mamas are from Venus, ya know.
So first a word from Brokerbelle, who really is from Venus. Brokerbelle says, “They ride because they have the time and money to ride and they did not have it when they were younger.” Well so much for the opinion from Venus. Now an opinion from Mars.
We ride because we choose not to die. One of the Harley sayings is :” Live to Ride”. But it is also true that we “Ride to Live.”
People speak of the danger in riding. But it is the element of danger that tinges the senses and makes us feel truly alive. We are outside in the light roaring down the highway with the wind in our faces and the sunlight on our skin. We dress in leather. We are outlaws. It is more fun than the child of yesterday going out to play “guns.” We shed our work clothes, be they suits or grease stained cover-alls, and we become modern day Paladins all dressed in black. “Have motorcycle, will travel.” We are the new knights of the road.
We join a grand fraternity of free spirits. We are bound together as a brotherhood and sisterhood if necessary against the evil drivers of cars that are out to get us. We use the low waive as a sign of our brotherhood. Some of us are a rough and tumble lot. Others of us want to be a rough and tumble lot. At least sometimes we do.
Like Ponce de Leon we seek the proverbial fountain of youth, and you are likely to see us anywhere. Harley Dad describes himself as a Diogenes in Leather. I seek truth dressed in leather rather than in a Greek or Roman toga. My one beam from my Harley is a lantern seeking truth even as I ride at night on the streets.
And yes, I get to do it in leather which is far more exciting than doing it in cotton or in a silk shirt. It bespeaks pilgrimage. And that is what I am a pilgrim on 1200 ccs or 1500 ccs or even more.
By riding I proclaim that I am not yet dead. I reject being a candidate for being a member of the couch potato brotherhood.
The zen of golf is good. But I ride when I please rather than waiting patiently in line for a tee time or for tea time. Instead of motoring on a measily golf cart on a green, I zoom across asphalt roads on my Harley Horse of steel. Instead of golf shirts and short pants and shoes with plastic spikes (plastic now not even real spikes) I am garbed in jeans, leathers, a helmet and Harley Boots that scream “I am gonna walk over you!” like Nancy Sinantra used to sing. “These boots are made for riding.”
No sissy white golf glove for me. Now I wear Harley riding the gloves, and the bigger the better. Instead of motoring over manicured greens looking to hit the ball into a small hole with sticks called clubs; I now motor across open fields when I choose and I don’t need a foursome to do it. I go when I please and where I please (well almost, after I get Brokerbelle’s permission of course.)
Like all great searches in life, they are usually done alone. The pilgrims life is lonely but exciting. A modest amount of danger is the cherry on the sundae.
And so I ride. I seek the fountain of life, youth, truth and romance. That is why oldsters are on Sportsters .
I tell you it is a search about life. And after that there is the grail.
Modern day Don and Donna Quixotes riding their cycles. They cycle across the nation on steeds of steel rather than resigning themselves to the motorized wheel chairs advertised by the Infomercials. They are often seen on Goldwings, and the really cool ones are seen on Harleys.
The higher answer is that they seek the Grail. Ultimately they ride like the knights of Arthurian legend to seek the Chalice, the last cup used at the Last Supper. But that is part of the higher knowledge, and HarleyDad will blog upon this another time to the initiated.
The lower and more understandable answer is like Ponce de Leon they seek the fountain of youth. Now the answer is different for motorcycle men and motorcycle women. The papas are from Mars and the mamas are from Venus, ya know.
So first a word from Brokerbelle, who really is from Venus. Brokerbelle says, “They ride because they have the time and money to ride and they did not have it when they were younger.” Well so much for the opinion from Venus. Now an opinion from Mars.
We ride because we choose not to die. One of the Harley sayings is :” Live to Ride”. But it is also true that we “Ride to Live.”
People speak of the danger in riding. But it is the element of danger that tinges the senses and makes us feel truly alive. We are outside in the light roaring down the highway with the wind in our faces and the sunlight on our skin. We dress in leather. We are outlaws. It is more fun than the child of yesterday going out to play “guns.” We shed our work clothes, be they suits or grease stained cover-alls, and we become modern day Paladins all dressed in black. “Have motorcycle, will travel.” We are the new knights of the road.
We join a grand fraternity of free spirits. We are bound together as a brotherhood and sisterhood if necessary against the evil drivers of cars that are out to get us. We use the low waive as a sign of our brotherhood. Some of us are a rough and tumble lot. Others of us want to be a rough and tumble lot. At least sometimes we do.
Like Ponce de Leon we seek the proverbial fountain of youth, and you are likely to see us anywhere. Harley Dad describes himself as a Diogenes in Leather. I seek truth dressed in leather rather than in a Greek or Roman toga. My one beam from my Harley is a lantern seeking truth even as I ride at night on the streets.
And yes, I get to do it in leather which is far more exciting than doing it in cotton or in a silk shirt. It bespeaks pilgrimage. And that is what I am a pilgrim on 1200 ccs or 1500 ccs or even more.
By riding I proclaim that I am not yet dead. I reject being a candidate for being a member of the couch potato brotherhood.
The zen of golf is good. But I ride when I please rather than waiting patiently in line for a tee time or for tea time. Instead of motoring on a measily golf cart on a green, I zoom across asphalt roads on my Harley Horse of steel. Instead of golf shirts and short pants and shoes with plastic spikes (plastic now not even real spikes) I am garbed in jeans, leathers, a helmet and Harley Boots that scream “I am gonna walk over you!” like Nancy Sinantra used to sing. “These boots are made for riding.”
No sissy white golf glove for me. Now I wear Harley riding the gloves, and the bigger the better. Instead of motoring over manicured greens looking to hit the ball into a small hole with sticks called clubs; I now motor across open fields when I choose and I don’t need a foursome to do it. I go when I please and where I please (well almost, after I get Brokerbelle’s permission of course.)
Like all great searches in life, they are usually done alone. The pilgrims life is lonely but exciting. A modest amount of danger is the cherry on the sundae.
And so I ride. I seek the fountain of life, youth, truth and romance. That is why oldsters are on Sportsters .
I tell you it is a search about life. And after that there is the grail.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Sharing
Most of us experience the grace of sharing daily.
We share in God's sunrises and sunsets. We enjoy His rain and moonlight.
Our friends share smiles with us and humor.
Perhaps our spouse has planted a garden. She has planted it and God has given it life and made it grow.
We hear music written by others. Art is all about us. Most of it is free. We are blessed when we can share it and even more blessed when we can contribute to it.
Above are day lillies. I did not plant them. Nor did I make them grow. Moreover, I did not even water them. But they were freely given to me and I freely give them to you.
HarleyDad
We share in God's sunrises and sunsets. We enjoy His rain and moonlight.
Our friends share smiles with us and humor.
Perhaps our spouse has planted a garden. She has planted it and God has given it life and made it grow.
We hear music written by others. Art is all about us. Most of it is free. We are blessed when we can share it and even more blessed when we can contribute to it.
Above are day lillies. I did not plant them. Nor did I make them grow. Moreover, I did not even water them. But they were freely given to me and I freely give them to you.
HarleyDad
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Simplicity
It is not simple to write about simplicity.
Scripture says that to enter into the kingdom of God we must become like children. In other words, we enter into the kingdom with a child-like faith. Simple faith.
Unfortunately, most of us are not simple people. However here are a few simple observations:
It is better to do the right thing than talk about the right thing.
I believe that a monk with nothing but a pure heart is richer than an internet billionaire.
What we sow, we reap, and then some.
An experience with Christ is worth more than all the recognition and honor that the world can offer.
Faith is better than doubt.
A true love has more worth than diamonds and gold.
Kindness is never outdated.
Encouragement and hope are always approriate.
It is better to loose with Christ and to die than it is to win with Satan and live.
Friendship is to be cherished.
You should keep your word.
Life is not about pleasure.
We are surrounded by beauty if we have the eyes to see it.
Simplicity is better than complexity.
It is better to give than to receive.
The universe is not about us.
When we worship we recognize that God is at the center of the universe.
It is good to be kind.
If we say we love God, we would do well to love others.
It is good to focus on essentials.
God is love.
God does love us.
These are simple thoughts from a simple man for a complex time.
Grow old; grow simple.
HarleyDad
Scripture says that to enter into the kingdom of God we must become like children. In other words, we enter into the kingdom with a child-like faith. Simple faith.
Unfortunately, most of us are not simple people. However here are a few simple observations:
It is better to do the right thing than talk about the right thing.
I believe that a monk with nothing but a pure heart is richer than an internet billionaire.
What we sow, we reap, and then some.
An experience with Christ is worth more than all the recognition and honor that the world can offer.
Faith is better than doubt.
A true love has more worth than diamonds and gold.
Kindness is never outdated.
Encouragement and hope are always approriate.
It is better to loose with Christ and to die than it is to win with Satan and live.
Friendship is to be cherished.
You should keep your word.
Life is not about pleasure.
We are surrounded by beauty if we have the eyes to see it.
Simplicity is better than complexity.
It is better to give than to receive.
The universe is not about us.
When we worship we recognize that God is at the center of the universe.
It is good to be kind.
If we say we love God, we would do well to love others.
It is good to focus on essentials.
God is love.
God does love us.
These are simple thoughts from a simple man for a complex time.
Grow old; grow simple.
HarleyDad
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Childhood Poetry
"I remember", said HarleyDad. The pictures below causes me to remember one of the first poems I ever learned. Children today do not learn poems or poetry, at least not most of them. So get ready here is the fine poetry I learned:
Fishey, Fishey in the brook
Papa catch you with a hook
Mama fry you in a pan
Baby eat you like a man.
Now if that poem is not at one of the lower levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, I don't know what is.
If you can kill it, then go eat it. Yum!
I love Childrens poems and prayers. They used to be basic. "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep and if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take."
No wonder I couldn't sleep as a child. I kept thinking I might die before I wake up. If that is not realistic then again I don't know what is. Go to sleep if you dare, but if you do, someone may sneak up and kill you-but don't worry you might be able to go to heaven. (Note that it just said that you had requested entrance into heaven.)
I guess the good news if that you ask, you will receive.
Now Children go to sleep thinking of Pokemon or Sponge Bob. I think we had it better.
This is Grumpy, I mean Harley Dad signing off, wondering as all the prior generations have, whether the next generation will be able to make it. Don't think so, but who knows, we did.
H.D. Grinnin'
Fishey, Fishey in the brook
Papa catch you with a hook
Mama fry you in a pan
Baby eat you like a man.
Now if that poem is not at one of the lower levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, I don't know what is.
If you can kill it, then go eat it. Yum!
I love Childrens poems and prayers. They used to be basic. "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep and if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take."
No wonder I couldn't sleep as a child. I kept thinking I might die before I wake up. If that is not realistic then again I don't know what is. Go to sleep if you dare, but if you do, someone may sneak up and kill you-but don't worry you might be able to go to heaven. (Note that it just said that you had requested entrance into heaven.)
I guess the good news if that you ask, you will receive.
Now Children go to sleep thinking of Pokemon or Sponge Bob. I think we had it better.
This is Grumpy, I mean Harley Dad signing off, wondering as all the prior generations have, whether the next generation will be able to make it. Don't think so, but who knows, we did.
H.D. Grinnin'
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
A Harley Weekend
This past weekend was a Harley Weekend.
On Friday, I rode to Roaring River State Park in Missouri known for its great trout fishing.
From there I rode to Branson.
On Sunday afternoon I rode from Branson to Eureka Springs and back.
On Monday I left from Branson about 5:45 A.M. and returned to the office about 10 A.M.
The back roads of S.W. Missouri and North West Arkansas were filled with twists and turns.
Around Branson and the lakes, the roads coming home were covered by a wet cool fog that upped the danger level in riding. The danger was not that you could not see the road in front of you but that cars coming up behind you might not see you as well.
Some Harley riders like to ride with friends. Others ride alone. Harley Dad is one that generally rides alone.
And so I shot across the back winding roads of Missouri and Arkansas. Me and the farmers and the cows. Some roads were so deserted that you might think that they belonged to another age and were not used.
The air was fresh and the sun was shining as I rode, what more could you ask for.
On Friday, I rode to Roaring River State Park in Missouri known for its great trout fishing.
From there I rode to Branson.
On Sunday afternoon I rode from Branson to Eureka Springs and back.
On Monday I left from Branson about 5:45 A.M. and returned to the office about 10 A.M.
The back roads of S.W. Missouri and North West Arkansas were filled with twists and turns.
Around Branson and the lakes, the roads coming home were covered by a wet cool fog that upped the danger level in riding. The danger was not that you could not see the road in front of you but that cars coming up behind you might not see you as well.
Some Harley riders like to ride with friends. Others ride alone. Harley Dad is one that generally rides alone.
And so I shot across the back winding roads of Missouri and Arkansas. Me and the farmers and the cows. Some roads were so deserted that you might think that they belonged to another age and were not used.
The air was fresh and the sun was shining as I rode, what more could you ask for.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
The Gift of Love
The Gift of Love
It is not whether our gifts are appreciated but whether they are given with love that counts.
One of the great Christmas and love stories is The Gift of the Magi by O’Henry. You can find this short story by going to http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9352/christmas-ohenry.html
In the Gift of the Magi there is a young poor couple. Della has beautiful long hair and Jim has a gold pocket watch of which he is proud.
One Christmas, they have no money. As it happened, Della sells her long, lovely hair to buy a platinum pocket watch fob for her young husband. Her husband Jim has sold his gold pocket watch to purchase beautiful combs for the wonderful hair of his beloved wife.
The greatness of the gift is measured in the giving of the gift not the receiving of it.
The Bible says that it is better to give than to receive. This is true.
I think about some of the great gifts that surround me.
Sometimes those gifts are embodied in the love of a woman for a man or a man for a woman where that love is given as a gift. Sometimes the depth of that love and fineness of that gift is unappreciated by the recipient. The greatness however in the gift is measured in the giving, not in the receiving.
Likewise, an employee gives of his emotion, time and effort for his company. Can that emotion, time and effort ever truly be compensated by mere money. Unfortunately, no. Their commitment, in part, defines them. Again it is the giving of the gift that defines both the giver and the recipient. It measures them and who they are.
On Memorial Day we celebrate those soldiers who have given their lives for their comrades, their families, their country and the freedoms found in that country. The gift of their lives defines them and our response to their precious gift sometimes unfortunately defines us. It is not about a day off or holiday time with our family; it is about a precious gift given in blood. As Jesus said: No man loves greater than when giving up his life for his brother.
The gift of a perfect life, blood not contaminated with sin and evil, is a gift of the rarest kind. This is much more precious than the Gift of the Magi written about above. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son….” Again the greatness is in the giving of such a precious gift. The act of giving defines the Giver. And it is the nature of the Giver that defines the gift. Whether we receive the great gift defines us and who we are.
Everyday God surrounds us with beauty. This beauty may be sunrises, sunsets, flowers, gentle rains, the love of a family member or others and selfless acts. They given as rare and precious gifts to us. The fact that they are given defines the giver. The fact as to whether they are received or not defines the recipient.
It is not whether our gifts are appreciated but whether they are given with love that counts.
One of the great Christmas and love stories is The Gift of the Magi by O’Henry. You can find this short story by going to http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9352/christmas-ohenry.html
In the Gift of the Magi there is a young poor couple. Della has beautiful long hair and Jim has a gold pocket watch of which he is proud.
One Christmas, they have no money. As it happened, Della sells her long, lovely hair to buy a platinum pocket watch fob for her young husband. Her husband Jim has sold his gold pocket watch to purchase beautiful combs for the wonderful hair of his beloved wife.
The greatness of the gift is measured in the giving of the gift not the receiving of it.
The Bible says that it is better to give than to receive. This is true.
I think about some of the great gifts that surround me.
Sometimes those gifts are embodied in the love of a woman for a man or a man for a woman where that love is given as a gift. Sometimes the depth of that love and fineness of that gift is unappreciated by the recipient. The greatness however in the gift is measured in the giving, not in the receiving.
Likewise, an employee gives of his emotion, time and effort for his company. Can that emotion, time and effort ever truly be compensated by mere money. Unfortunately, no. Their commitment, in part, defines them. Again it is the giving of the gift that defines both the giver and the recipient. It measures them and who they are.
On Memorial Day we celebrate those soldiers who have given their lives for their comrades, their families, their country and the freedoms found in that country. The gift of their lives defines them and our response to their precious gift sometimes unfortunately defines us. It is not about a day off or holiday time with our family; it is about a precious gift given in blood. As Jesus said: No man loves greater than when giving up his life for his brother.
The gift of a perfect life, blood not contaminated with sin and evil, is a gift of the rarest kind. This is much more precious than the Gift of the Magi written about above. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son….” Again the greatness is in the giving of such a precious gift. The act of giving defines the Giver. And it is the nature of the Giver that defines the gift. Whether we receive the great gift defines us and who we are.
Everyday God surrounds us with beauty. This beauty may be sunrises, sunsets, flowers, gentle rains, the love of a family member or others and selfless acts. They given as rare and precious gifts to us. The fact that they are given defines the giver. The fact as to whether they are received or not defines the recipient.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Michael, Michael-Tell me True
"Michael Jackson Exonerated on All Counts"-that is what the papers read and the media proclaims.
Whether we agree with the result or not, is not the question. We abide by a legal system whereby the accused gets a jury of his peers and guilt must be proven "with out a doubt."
The bar is set high for guilt. That is the price we pay for a legal system that is geared toward letting the guilty go free if there is doubt as to their guilt.
Obviously the jurors found one or more of the witnesses for the prosecution to be less than credible.
I , for one, am not in favor of doing away with the jury system. It may not always get it right but it is better than any other system I could improvise. Further, I was not there and did not sit through all the evidence.
I do know this however. Juries can be fooled and the use of the system does not always guarantee truth. God knows the truth. As a matter of faith, I believe that God dispenses justice either on earth or on heaven.
God is a judge that is not blinded and knows the whole truth and the complete truth. High paid lawyers and powerbrokers all will answer to the judge who knows all.
I thought what Jesse Jackson said after the trial is telling. Yahoo news wrote: "Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, who has advised the pop star, said the trial had been "an excruciating process." He added, "Michael must assess the implications of the conduct that got him into trouble."
Now if that is not telling, I don't know what is.
Sometimes we wait a season for justice.
Whether we agree with the result or not, is not the question. We abide by a legal system whereby the accused gets a jury of his peers and guilt must be proven "with out a doubt."
The bar is set high for guilt. That is the price we pay for a legal system that is geared toward letting the guilty go free if there is doubt as to their guilt.
Obviously the jurors found one or more of the witnesses for the prosecution to be less than credible.
I , for one, am not in favor of doing away with the jury system. It may not always get it right but it is better than any other system I could improvise. Further, I was not there and did not sit through all the evidence.
I do know this however. Juries can be fooled and the use of the system does not always guarantee truth. God knows the truth. As a matter of faith, I believe that God dispenses justice either on earth or on heaven.
God is a judge that is not blinded and knows the whole truth and the complete truth. High paid lawyers and powerbrokers all will answer to the judge who knows all.
I thought what Jesse Jackson said after the trial is telling. Yahoo news wrote: "Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, who has advised the pop star, said the trial had been "an excruciating process." He added, "Michael must assess the implications of the conduct that got him into trouble."
Now if that is not telling, I don't know what is.
Sometimes we wait a season for justice.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
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