the one who holds the keys
to that special place hidden in the trees
that you’ve kept locked away for so long
waiting for them to come along
only to find that it’s not to you whom they belong
…to hell with keys
the only romance shall be
between the breeze and the trees
Ronman
Many of you know that my good friend the Love Buzzard was in a horrific truck wreck last October. This man has defied the odds for sure. To say he’s one tough OLD bird is putting it mildly. Speaking of OLD, he just celebrated another birthday.
For many weeks the good people of Tick Ridge had been plotting against the Love Buzzard. You see being an OLD ugly Love Buzzard he’s a tough one to fool. Let’s just say those in the national security business could take notes from the good folks of Tick Ridge. Miss Anna and their kids worked diligently to make sure this birthday was going to be something special.
Monica baked a cake and cupcakes for everyone to enjoy. She’s quite the little baker. We all enjoyed the food prepared by all the ladies along with some ice cream as well. Noticeably missing was Butter Pecan, but that’s another story. Suffice it to say we were all well fed by the time the party was over.
In true Love Buzzard fashion all the lovely ladies were flocking to him. He says it’s a curse and not a blessing but I’m not sure I believe that. He sure seems to enjoy all the attention.
Being tough runs in the Love Buzzard’s family. Here he’s pictured with his brother Barron. Now he’s one tough dude. Once we rode in temperatures dipping down into the lower 30s or upper 20s and Barron wore only jeans and a sweatshirt. That’s on a bike with no windshield too.
Here all of the Love Buzzard’s grandchildren pose for a group photograph. They all seemed to enjoy celebrating with their Grandpa on his special day. 
Pretty Miss Anna looks on as the Love Buzzard opens some of the many birthday gifts. You can tell there were lots of laughs and happiness was running rampant throughout this wonderful event.
Many things over the past few months have warmed my heart. One thing for certain is the way in which friends care about and take care of one another. Though it may seem strange to hear such things from me seeing as I’m such a loner at times.
I try to take care of my own. Those who know me know this. I’ve recently been blessed to see others taking care of their own as well. It’s so nice to see this in action from the not to distant outside looking in.
I have many different and diverse groups of friends. Some of which I’m more a part of than others. One such group enjoyed an afternoon together. Now this group I feel as though I’m on the outer edge looking in for the most part. But that’s OK. I haven’t been around as long as the majority of them have. The beauty is that each and every time I’m around this group I feel more and more a part of it. Good folks for sure.
At best life is difficult these days. Know that those around you are struggling in their own fight. You never know when that one smile or hug you give can make the difference in someone having a horrible day or having a sweet memory.
Thinking back on it, I believe it’s all been right before my eyes this entire time. I’m oh so grateful to finally see whats been there under my nose.
Ronman
I know it has been some time now since I posted to this site. I’ve been going over in my mind what I wanted to say. I’m certain that all of us have been reading blogs that just simply seem to dry up and go away. We’ve checked back on a regular basis only to find no new entries. I didn’t want to fall to the wayside in such a manner.
I’ve made some major changes in my life lately. Some of you know what’s going on but most don’t. We all come to a time where we have obligations. I’m at such a time. I’ve always tried to have integrity and be a man of my word. I’m taking care of such things and that’s why I haven’t posted many entries over the past year. In doing such it has become painfully clear to me that I needed to make the right choices on some things whether I wanted to or not.
Here is a good place to sit down.
I’ve sold C.C. I didn’t want to but knew it was what needed to be done. Going into this I don’t plan on it being a permanent ending to my riding. Without going into too many details I’ll just say I felt in my heart that it was an honorable sacrifice. For those that do not know I have an elderly Mother and Aunt that I care for. I’m happy to do whatever I can for these two ladies who have given me so much throughout my life. Now it’s my time to step up and pay it back.
So now you know. I trust you will understand. I don’t plan on doing away with my blog. I don’t plan on not posting anything. What I hope to do is to continue to post photographs and stories about the things going on in my life. I don’t think I’ll be able to do any long trips in the near future but I will hopefully be taking lots of day trips or overnight weekend getaways.
I don’t have a scooter to ride around but I do have other toys. I’ll have the truck camper to journey in. I have a four-wheeler to ride and hopefully take some back country photographs to share. I even have a boat and kayak to venture off in. So you can see there are many ways for me to get out there and immerse myself in my thoughts and in nature.
I’ll understand if some of you don’t want to follow my blog anymore. I’ll also understand if some of you think I’ve lost my mind. So be it. All I know is that I am at ease with the choices I’ve made and I have a clear heart and mind in doing so.
Ronman
Thanks to modern technology I am sending this test message from my Blackberry. If this works I won’t have any excuse for not getting new posts up. Wish me luck.
Ride Safe,
Roman
I know it’s been some time since my last post. I do have a few things to get up on the blog as soon as I can find the time. I’ve had a change in my work schedule and I just haven’t been able to sit down and get something ready to put on the blog.
Ride Safe,
Ronman
Well it had to happen. I’ve been on vacation for the past ten days and it’s been wonderful. Not only was this the longest vacation I’ve ever taken but it was also the best. Now I didn’t get all the things done I had hoped to do, but who cares? I’ve crisscrossed the great state of Tennessee and seen some beautiful sights. I’ve made memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I’ve taken tons of photographs. Some of which I’ll share here on the blog.
Now I’ve been behind on my post for some time and even more so now. The good thing about this is that we all have something to look forward to. Most importantly I’ve been able to clearly see the vision I have for this blog and the dreams I’ve been working on for most of my life. With the help and encouragement of some very wonderful people I will be able to accomplish these dreams.
Much like this past week life isn’t always bright and sunny. I’ve ridden in the rain on more than one occasion this week. I’ve been honored to attend the funeral of a fallen hero. I’ve worked muscles that I had forgotten about having. Man I once could have cut and split firewood for days on end. Sucks to get old. ha-ha-ha-ha
I hope the memories from this past week last throughout my lifetime. Thanks to all the special people who did or didn’t do things to make those memories. Yes all good things must come to an end. Tonight it’s back to trailer trailer trucking. It’s one of those necessary evils I must endure in order to support my habits. Someone has to pay for C.C.
Ride Safe
Ronman
I know it’s been a while, believe me I know. It seemed that September was not meant for me to ride this year. Between rain and rain and more rain and being sick I didn’t get any miles on C.C. After having a fun little go with what can only be described as a mild form of the black plague I had missed enough.
Saturday afternoon I opened the garage door and prepared for some scooter time. It was wonderful to get back in tune with the world. I started off slowly by riding down to visit some friends in the ‘Boro. In doing so I was able to witness something that I’m not very well versed at. I believe he called it washing his bike. Strange sight for sure.
Next I was headed to visit some more friends. By this time it had began to get dark. That is except for that lightning from the thunderstorm in the distance. Before I knew it I too was in the distance and pulling over to put on my rain suite. It was Saturday so a bath was in order. Nothing like coughing up pieces of lung as you ride along on your merry way in the dark during a thunderstorm.
The rain wasn’t the only thing to drown me this night. You see it had been a while since I’d enjoyed the company of this group of friends. The love that I was swimming in from these folks did wonders for healing me. Nothing like sitting around a large table eating some great chili with your friends warming your heart and soul as the chili warms your belly.
Soon I was headed to hang out with another dear friend for the rest of the evening and half the next day for that matter. I just love an impromptu overnighter.
The miles clicked on the odometer today were few. The distance traveled by the heart and soul were many. Sometimes the best trips we take are measured in time and not distance.
Ride Safe,
Ronman
Early one Sunday morning my gal and I mounted C.C. headed out to meet some friends in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Now some folks may feel that riding 120 miles before breakfast is a bit far, we don’t. Everyone enjoyed a good breakfast and especially good fellowship.
First glimpse of this historic landmark brought to mind the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. I would soon learn the reason for this. I also learned of all the symbolic meaning behind most every aspect of this building. To say the National Park Service employee was uber knowledgeable would be an understatement. The Lincoln Memorial was indeed inspired by this structure. You can learn more about this landmark by following this link.
http://www.nps.gov/abli/index.htm
This log cabin is not the exact home in which Lincoln lived. This particular cabin was from the same time period and was moved to this site.
Taking a few minutes to contemplate what it must have been like to live in such a humble abode, I truly appreciate the modern luxuries that I enjoy. To say it was a simpler time would be hard to do. Yes life was less cluttered with all the modern distractions we have. Just image what life was like for the youngster Abe Lincoln. Do you really think life was simpler? More than likely the only clothes he had were on his back. People truly worked for their food either by growing it or hunting it. We simply have to hunt through the refrigerator or menu for our next meal.
Should you find yourself anywhere close to Hodgenville, Kentucky take the time to stop and visit this National Park. I think you will be glad that you did.
Ride Safe,
Ronman
Have you ever headed out on your way somewhere and sorta let the “spirit” guide you? Well, a couple weeks ago I did just that. I had enjoyed another fabulous weekend with my gal but we all know that good things must come to an end. Yes she had to head back to work on Monday morning and it was time for me to head back home.
I rolled off the ridge on C.C. with only the thought of getting home in time to take a little nap before work. You see working nights can be both a blessing and a curse. Sure you have the day to take care of things if need be. The part that stinks is that you know you should be getting some sleep in order to be well rested for the night’s work, but the beautiful day keeps calling you away.
On this beautiful Monday morning I decided that I needed to ride across highway 76 and see where I wound up. I have ridden short pieces of this inviting little road but never all the way across it. I always have a map or three with me as I ride around. One never knows when he may need to actually figure out where he is. Granted my theory is that if you aren’t out of fuel then you aren’t lost.
I tool highway 76 out of Springfield, Tennessee and followed it all the way across to where it intersects with highway 52 on the east side of Portland. This was the point at which I became aware of exact location. I love the feeling I get after traveling unfamiliar roads and coming out to one I recognize.
I took highway 52 over to Westmoreland and the intersection of highway 231. It was at this intersection I realized the need for nourishment. Yes indeed I was hungry. Not just a little hungry but some more powerful kind of hungry. What was I to do? Well I could see a Hardee’s but that wasn’t gonna satisfy me. I needed a little local mom and pop type place. I needed some grub. Ding! Ding! Ding! I had it. I remember my good friend Paul telling me of a little place down at the old Payne’s Store. Payne’s Store is located on the northeast corner of the four way stop where highway 231 crosses highway 25.
I was only ten or so miles north of here so it wouldn’t take long to fulfill my needs. I did have one horrible thought cross my mind. What if this place was closed on Monday? Now that wouldn’t be a pretty picture. Luckily I had a back up. You see Paul just lives a couple miles south of here so I could “drop” in on him for a friendly visit and some breakfast of course.
Luckily the little restaurant was open and quite busy I might add. Lots of cars and trucks outside is always a good sign at any place to eat. That means the locals know the food is good.
I parked C.C. and made my way inside. For some reason I had the song Turn the Page going through my mind. “Walk into the restaurant strung out from the road”. I definitely stuck out as everyone in the place looked up from their food and friends to watch as I sat down. Guess they don’t normally get some dude coming in for breakfast on a scooter.
I quickly looked over the menu on the board and also the one on the table. I could barely remember Paul suggesting something if I ever stopped here but what was it. Ahh! There it was! The “Trash Plate”. Now I remember. I opted for the half trash plate though. Paul told me that he couldn’t eat the whole trash plate. I know how much he likes to eat and if he says get the half plate then the half plate it was. Man oh man was it good! Let me see if I can name all the stuff on here. Hash browns, sausage, onions, peppers, bacon, eggs, ham, and probably some more stuff too. I added some ketchup and black pepper and the feed bag was put on. Man was it good. Should you get a chance to try the trash plate by all means do.
In my humble opinion these little places are the backbone of America. You can get a great meal and a feel of what our country is all about. You can see friends and family visiting amongst each other. You can see old men reading the paper and solving the worlds problems.
I may have ridden 151 miles on my 47 mile ride home but I have to ask “was it really out of my way?”. How about you? Have you ever added a few miles to your journey in order to clear you head or fill your belly. For me I think this fills my heart and frees my soul. The observations made while riding seem to always soak in deeper than those made sitting around the house.
Ride Safe
Ronman
