Wonderful Day

Yesterday was absolutely one of the most perfect days I have ever experienced. Mama and I got to spend the whole day together!  We left her house around 8 am and didn't return until 5:30 pm. We both had doctor appointments to start out, Yuck!, however, they were both just wellness checks and soon over so that we could really start our girl's day out. We left the last doctor appointment and headed to the mall. I haven't been to the mall in quite some time. I usually avoid it like the plaque but it was the day to resume the visits. Amidst all the dread of going to the mall I have forgotten what a pleasure it could actually be occasionally. I think we'll have to return. Of course it helped that we could go on a weekday morning and that certainly kept the hustle and bustle out. First to JC Penny where Mama was able to find some of the items she was searching for and then on to the shoe store where I was able to find what I was searching for and then on to Sears where we both found items on our list. Mama won the bargain of the day award - she found a blouse at Sears regularly priced at $38, beautiful and just her style (one of those items that just looks like Mama), on clearance for $14.99 and when the clerk rang up the purchase an additional discount brought the price to $4.99. You go girl! We were fortunate that almost all the items were discounted in some fashion, the shoes I bought for Jim were Buy one get one 1/2 price!

When Mama and I go out we try to choose restaurants and foods that Mama likes but Daddy doesn't. Daddy happens to be a very "man" eater and doesn't care for too many or too much spice. So the girl's day out is the perfect time for Mama to indulge her taste.  This day she chose Olive Garden and oh such a good choice.  We were able to sit down, be waited on, and enjoy great food. We chose salad, breadsticks and shared an eggplant parmesean. Perfect portion size to share. The food was great and the time spent talking and visiting was super. From there it was to the book store and then of course no shopping trip is complete without a trip to Wal Mart. After all that heavy shopping we had to stop for a soda and more great talking and did we ever giggle. We had some real serious conversation which was good and stuff that needed to be discussed and at the same time we talked some funny stuff and laughed and laughed and laughed. I hope you slept good last night Mama, I know I did.

On the way home I was reminded I had agreed to help Sarah with Micah at basketball practice and if I didn't get a move on I would be late. I jumped on the motorcycle and about half way to  Bushnell the rain that had been threatening all day finally arrived. It wasn't too bad as long as I was moving but when I started having to stop for traffic lights, I got wetter. All during practice it rained and rained and I knew I had to take Micah from the Youth Center into town to meet his mother and we were going to get wet. He was excited when he found out I had actually come on the motorcycle but a little anxious about getting in the rain. We were both real troopers and the rain cooperated a bit by slowing down long enough for us to get back to town. Micah loved the ride and I can't say I didn't agree. A new experience. When I left Bushnell and got closer to home the rain came harder and harder. I got home safely and in the house where I could dry out. Totally exhilarating ride. I know you all think I am crazy for enjoying a ride in the rain but it's one of those things you have to experience to appreciate  or be a motorcycle junkie.  It really was the crown on a perfect day.

Another Milestone

My father has always loved motorcycles about as much as I do and like me (at least until a few months ago) he never owned one either. Not that he didn't dream and look (because I've looked with him) but it just didn't happen for whatever reason. Daddy served in the army during WWII. He first drove a DUKW. The DUKW was developed quickly during World War II to meet the need for amphibious cargo transfer from ship to shore. The nomenclature DUKW was assigned by the manufacturer, General Motors Corporation, from:

D= First year of manufacture, 1942

U = Utility vehicle (amphibious)

K = All wheel drive

W = Rear tandem axle

Someone quickly noticed that DUKW could be pronounced "duck" and the "Army Duck" was born. The DUKW was based on the GMC “deuce and a half” CCKW, fitted with a watertight hull and propeller. Following the war, many of the versatile DUKWs were transferred for Coast Guard duty, river patrols or later Civil Defense work.

OK, back to the story. Daddy said that the army trained additional DUKW drivers very quickly and he found himself taken off the DUKW detail and assigned to the motor pool. The Sergeant of the motor pool came in one day and told Daddy he was going to send him to motorcycle school and the next day came in and said he couldn't go to the school because the Lieutenant wanted Daddy to drive jeep for him. So as he says he came that close to being trained and then missed out and if he had gone to the training would most likely be riding today. But alas, it wasn't to be.

When I was approaching retirement I told Daddy I wanted to get a three wheel motorcycle and he started looking for deals and he found a few but as you know now I waited on the Harley. I thought I would take delivery of the bike, immediately ride over to my father's house, surprise him with the bike, pick him up and ride off into the sunset. Well, when I got to my training class it suddenly dawned on me I had a lot to learn before I could just hop on and ride, much less have a passenger. So after taking delivery of the bike I set about the training process (oh such a difficult task :-) ). Jim took Daddy for a short ride shortly after we got the bike and while I was thrilled to have Daddy ride, it wasn't me with him on that bike. But finally today (10/18/2009) I was able to ride up to my father's house, pick him up and ride off into the sunset. Well, not exactly the sunset but into a most glorious afternoon. Today was one of the first "cold" days of Florida's fall. It was 43 degrees when I got up this morning and it didn't get much over 65 degrees all day. So Daddy and I both bundled up and he said I blocked enough wind off of him so that he didn't get uncomfortably cold and off we went on a ride of about 40 miles round trip. No where in particular just some pretty side roads.

I can't tell you what a thrill this ride was for me. To be giving my Daddy a ride on my bike is just too much for words. I think Daddy had a good time too. I wish we could ride everyday. I love you Daddy and hope we have many more rides.

Arrival

We have arrived in Kentucky. Left around 8:00 pm on the 29th. The temperatures have steadily decreased as we have gotten farther away from Florida. Low in the mid 50's during the night last night and a high of  70 today! What a change and what a welcome relief. Travel was without incident and we will go into camp tomorrow to set up. The leaves are just starting to turn here and the reds are the most prominent of course. We trailered the motorcycle up and plan to take some of the scenic tours recommended for this area. We have several places we have always enjoyed driving in the car or truck and can hardly wait to do it on the bike now.

We are here to visit friends during the time of sukkot. We will live in tents, share meals and other fellowship with a small community of believers, dance, and sing. A time of celebration and thanksgiving to YHWH for the fall harvest and HIS never ending provision for our lives.

I'll keep you posted when I can get back to an internet connection.