A Flamingo and White Rabbits

Yes, I rode to work today.

Another transition. Today I wore the smoked goggles with the motoX helmet instead of the clear ones. This can mean only one thing. Yes, I'm leaving the condo in the light and returning home in the light.

It is becoming downright lush around here.

Even the Flamingo has returned to Citygarden.

There was lots of activity in the Garden today.

A worker was getting the sprinklers ready. Who knows, perhaps with mild temperatures in the forecast there will be children running through the water this weekend.

For now, the kids seem plenty happy to play on the great white rabbits.

It was another sunny and unseasonably warm day here in the Heartland.

Life is good.

• 65F/18C and a very few clouds for the ride to work.
• 80F/27C and sunny with a sky full of white fluffy clouds for the ride home.

A Discovery

Yes, I rode to work today.

There was rain in the area this morning, but no raindrops fell on my head.

I made a discovery.

It is difficult to take a photo of freshly mowed grass...that looks like freshly mowed grass and not a fuzzy green square.

So, I tried something else.

I suppose one can tell the grass has been mowed, but.....oh well, the tulips are nice.

Speaking of tulips, a few days ago I showed a photo of the tulips in front of 1010 Market. Here is a photo of the tulips from today giving a little more context.

Before the City Gardens there was this little restful place.

• 58F/14C and overcast for the ride to work.
• 70F/21C and overcast for the ride home.

A Year Ago

Yes, I rode to work today.

This morning it was 68F/20C and cloudy for the commute to work. A year ago it was also cloudy  for my ride to work, but the temperature was only 29F/-2C.  Just a little different.

The "Burger Guy" was doing a brisk business today. The Burger Guy was a fixture on this corner for years until the City got the bright idea to sell the rights to these "prime" locations. The Burger Guy bid what he knew the corner was worth. Some hotshot bid almost twice as much and the Burger Guy lost his corner. Hardly any of the Burger Guys regulars patronized the new guy. Much of this was due to loyalty, but from what I hear the New Guy's burgers weren't all that good and cost more which certainly didn't help his cause. Anyway, after a year the new guy has defaulted and Burger Guy is back...and so are his customers. Sometimes there is a happy ending.

• 68F/20C and cloudy for my ride to work.
• 81F/27C and pretty sunny for the ride home.

Yes, I rode today.

Part of my morning commute takes me on old Route 66. I often can stretch Billies legs out a bit on this stretch. The speed limit I think is 35mph, but don't tell anyone. It is apparently a secret. The usual speed is 10 to 15mph above that. I've mentioned Deputy D a number of times, but there is another deputy that rides a scoot to work. He rides a 50cc Kymco. I sometimes see him on the way to work. Our chosen paths to the Courthouses differ but often they cross. Today I found myself behind him on Old Route 66. I wasn't behind him long and was reminded why I moved up from 50cc to 101cc. I was able to keep up with traffic and he was not. Billie is nearly perfect for my daily commute and the gas mileage is unbeatable. That said,  I certainly wouldn't mind if she had 150cc.

• 54F/12C and a few clouds for the ride to work. Lately, it only seems to rain when I take vacation days. Oh well, makes for nice lunchtime walks.
• 82F/28C and possibly the same few clouds, but I doubt it, for the ride home.

Beauties

Yes, I rode to work today.

Pretty much another beautiful Spring day.

This is for you, you know who you are. 

Saw this beauty on my way to lunch today.

I saw these beauties on the way home.

They were on a street I travel nearly everyday. I can't believe they've been there the whole time. I think they are new to the neighborhood.

• 58F/14C with a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 68F/20C with a few more clouds, but still lots of sun for the ride home.

A Nice Long Weekend

Yes, I rode to work today.

It is my Friday. Yes, Friday is coming early this week. It seems I have maxed out on my vacation days and must use some up. Of course, the forecast is for rain the next two days. It has been nearly perfect riding weather the last three days. And, where have I been? Inside.

Actually, the weather forecast for the next couple of days is more springlike than the weather we have been having. I suspect the Symba won't find itself locked in the garage the whole time.

Earplugs. I was convinced from early on wearing earplugs was a good idea. The problem was I couldn't seem to find any that worked for me. I now have and they are a wonderful thing. (Click here for info) But, I now have a problem. I keep forgetting to turn off the turn signals. I never realized how much I depended on the sound of the turn signals to remember to turn them off. I hate it when I come up behind a car at a stop and see the reflection of my turn signal flashing back at me. I'm working on burning it into my brain to push the damn button after every turn. There are enough risks involved with riding a small displacement beast, I really don't want to add to them by inappropriate signaling.

Be safe and remember to turn off your turn signals.

• 70F/21C with plenty of clouds for the ride to work
• 79F/26C and overcast for the ride home.

More Erect

Yes, I rode to work today.

Today I didn't see any scooters. I did see some sportbikes and a few cruisers.

During much of the year I pass this Shadow everyday on my way home from work. It disappeared last December. Now it is back. I guess it is truly Spring. And, yes, that is my finger in the upper left hand corner of the photo. It is not a partial eclipse of the lens.

I, also, saw these dudes today. They look pretty droopy and awfully white. I'm going to keep my eye on them. I don't expect their color to change, but hopefully they will be standing more erect as summer approaches.

• 67F/19C and sunny for the ride to work.
• 81F/27C and cloudy for the ride home.

It Was Another

Yes, I rode to work today.....

but, geez who wouldn't. It was another magnificent day here in the Heartland.

I'm seeing lots of scooters out and about. I'm thinking many of those scoots bought back in 2008 are finding their way out of the corners of the garages they have been setting in and back onto the road. There were a lot of cruisers out today as well. Sportbikes? I only saw a couple, which is sort of unusual. Oh well, I'll probably hear a couple of them winding it out tonight when I'm trying to sleep.

• 68F/20C and pretty much overcast for the ride to work.
• 81F/27C , breezy with clouds for the ride home.

Really Big News

Yes, I rode to work today.

The morning ride saw interesting skies. To the East there was lightning and the glow of the sunrise beyond the storm.

I did get rained on today, but not during my commute. It was on my way to lunch. At lunchtime I only got about a third of the way to the restaurant before it began to rain. It was one of those pop-up thunderstorms that happen frequently here in the Summer...oops, I guess I mean late Winter.

This weather is so confusing. Oh well, in this case I can handle being confused.

The sky opening up brought a reminder of just why I like Gore-Tex so much.

As I was walking back to the Courthouse it was already clearing.

Now for some really big news:

I took this photo just before I rolled Miss Billie out of the garage this morning. I have owned her two years and sixteen days. It has been a great ride!

• 60F/16C and storms to the East for the ride to work. No sun in my eyes this morning!
• 77F/25C and a very few clouds for the ride home

Different Eyes

Yes, I rode to work today.

The morning ride was warm and clear, but as the day moved on the clouds moved in.

There was a shower mid-afternoon and by leave work time there were occasional rain drops falling from the sky. I was tempted to head straight home, but I needed gas and it is such a hassle to get gasoline in the morning.

The clouds didn't look that threatening, but there was some lightning off to the west.

I fill up at this gas station two or three times a week. . In the past I must have looked at these trees hundreds of times, but with the storm on the horizon I had different eyes with me and today I saw them--white and tall and straight. Marvelous.

As it turned out, not only did I fill up with gasoline, but I stopped by and paid my internet bill as well. It didn't really start to rain until the Symba was nice and cozy in her corner of the garage, I'd freed the cat from the closet he'd been shut in all day, and I had time to make myself a light snack.

By the way, the sometime Harley rider didn't ride today either. Pity.

• 66F/19C with a few clouds to keep me company for the ride to work.
• 71F/22C with thunderstorms in the area but not where I was for the ride home.

Gambling

Yes, I rode to work today.

On my way out of the building to get lunch I walked passed one of the sometime Harley riders. He was catching a smoke. "Isn't this weather remarkable?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said, "Did you gamble today?"

I had no idea what he was talking about, "Gamble?"

"Did you gamble on the rain holding off and ride today?" then he added, "I decided not to."

"I thought there was more of a chance for it raining tomorrow than today," I replied.

"Really? I looked at the forecast and thought it looked better tomorrow."

"Well, I rode today," I said, "And, I'll be riding tomorrow, too. I've got rain gear."

The sky was full of clouds today.

It didn't rain today. It was a gorgeous day, gorgeous all day long. I guess if I'd been gambling I would have won. As it was, I rode to work today just like I have all but three times this year. That's a winner if you ask me, gamble or no gamble.

Tonight I did my first after work inline skate. It was only 40minutes. I skated 6.6mi/10.6km. Not too bad for this early in the season.

• 62F/17C and clear for the ride to work.
• 85F/29C with a sky full of billowing white clouds for the ride home

Squirrels

Yes, I rode to work today.

It was another beautiful summer day here in the Lou. Oh wait....it's only March. It is difficult to remember it is only March. Even the Newspaper is reminding folks it is only March. Click here to see an article geared to gardeners.

We live in a condo and have no garden of our own, but still there are ways to grow a thing or two. Goldilocks had these pots full of bulbs in the refrigerator over the winter. She took them out over a week ago and placed them on the kitchen counter. Only the one that had started growing while it was still in the "frig" has shown signs of life.

I'm sure my suggestion the squirrels ate the blubs wouldn't be welcome. Although the reason the counter is filled with pots is because of our resident four-legged varmint.

Our cat was hit by a car before he came to us. He still has some nerve damage in his back legs. Making the counter is a challenge he avoids unless there is something of great interest up there...like potted plants and then he is up to it....unless someone has set some booby-traps. But, whoever would do such a thing? Goldilocks can be very protective of her little green babies. Enough said.

• 51F/11C with a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 81F/27C and clear as a bell for the ride home.

Every Year I Look Forward To This Day

Yes, I rode to work today.

Because of the time change I left the condo while it was still dark.

I'm not complaining. Every year I look forward to this day. It is the First Day of Play Outside After Work Day. And, I did.

I got home, fed the cat, changed clothes, grabbed the longboard, and headed to Willmore Park. This is what  6:20pm CDST looked like today. I was able to get a good hour of land paddling in and still had some daylight left when I stopped.

I'm not big on craving down hills. My workouts are more like stand-up paddling on a surf board. I have a course I follow that gets me some hills that are a bugger to paddle up and one long sweet ride down a gentle grade.

Here's what 6:20pm CST would have looked like today.

And then, it got dark quick.

• 60F/16C and a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 83F/28C, fair and breezy for the ride home. Unbelievable!

The News

I rode to work today.

The News.

I see the headlines when I go to my homepage. A two year old boy accidentally shot by his father this morning here in St. Louis. A female officer and a judge stabbed and shot in Washington State, also today. Yesterday shootings in Pittsburgh. I used to be a news junkie. Now, not so much. And, the little I grab from the headlines is wearing me out. It is Friday and I'm going to fast from the news for at least the next 24hr. Tomorrow it is supposed to be nice here. I'm hoping a long hike with Goldilocks will be in order. If not, I will ride. Either way, I will let the world take care of itself. It will manage.

Have a good weekend! That is my plan.

• 37F with plenty of sun for the ride to work.
• 53F/ and abundant sunshine for the ride home.

A Rainy Day?

Yes, I rode to work today.

Today was supposed to be a rainy day. I did ride to work in the rain, but by mid-morning it had brightened considerably. After the early morning showers the rain avoided Downtown entirely.

The parking area was back to the three standbys. The Harleys were gone. I suppose they are back snug in their garages while their owners dream of sunshine and dry roads.

• 41F/5C with light rain for the ride to work.
• 44F/7C and mostly cloudy for the ride home.

Purim

Yes, I rode to work today.

And, after work I got to ride for a couple of hours.

Purim started this evening. I rode out to Neve Shalom to be with my rabbi friend and some remarkable folk. Even the Holy One, blessed be, made an appearance. Yes, God came to the party and wanted to play hide and seek. Who were we to argue? Problem was when the Holy One, blessed be, hid there was no concealment. It appears when God hides, God hides everywhere and is impossible to overlook. I asked what was the point of the game then. The response? "So you might remember that in seeking you may find." Then God added, "The only time I can't be found is when you are cock sure you've found me. Human certainty is the one place I can hide. If you don't believe me, just ask Haman?" God was whispering. I'm not sure anyone else heard or not. I am sure we listened to a very holy tune, ate hamantaschen, made some silliness, and had a great time.

• 61F and overcast for the ride into work.
• 69F and still overcast for the ride out to Neve.
• 69F and  I'm assuming still overcast, but it was dark, for the ride home.

Even the Harleys

Yes, I rode to work today.

Me and, it seemed, just about anyone who has a bike or scooter was out and about.

You know it is going to be a nice day when even the Harleys show up in the parking area. I'm not a Harley basher. I know Harley riders who ride lots of miles. I see folk out on Harleys year around here, but they are not the guys and gals who work at the Courts. These Harleys only come out on warm and dry days.

Today it was really warm, dry and ....

very very windy.

Some of the guys in this group seem to have been surprised by the wind.

Yes, it was windy, but the biggest problem impacting my riding today was having to work. It would have been great to just ride and ride and ride some more.

• 48F/9C and clear for the ride to work.
• 70F/21C and overcast for the ride home.

Truly Unusual

Yes, I rode to work today.

I left home this morning without either of the cameras. This is unusual in itself. Surprisingly I didn't see anything causing me to wish I had one with me. That never happens. If I don't have a camera I see things that make me wish I had one. Not today. Now that is truly unusual.

• 29F/-2C with a few clouds for the ride to work
• 50F/10C with a few different clouds for the ride home.

A Most Delicous Moment

Yes, I rode to work today.

While March's lion roared to the north of us, I rode to work and home in the dry.

It was the familiar three in the parking area today. I wonder if Deputy D has raingear yet? If not, I suspect he got wet. He would of been riding in just about the time the rain hit Downtown. I was later and it had passed through. Timing was on my side today.

On the way home a police car followed me much of the way. I wasn't doing anything to cause concern, still I found myself getting a wee bit anxious. On the other hand, I was pleased he was doing the speed limit and following the rules of the road. This is not always my experience of St. Louis' Finest. Dusk was approaching and while Missouri law states that you should use your headlights from one half-hour after sunset the good officer turned his on while he was behind me, and it was a long while before sunset. I was impressed. I was also pleased, because I saw the potential for a most delicious moment if the opportunity presented itself.


Finally, after what seemed a small eternity he pulled up next to me while preparing to make a right hand turn. This was the opportunity I'd hoped for. I motioned for him to roll down his window and he did. And then I said, "Your right front headlight is out." He looked surprised, but quickly regained his composure and thanked me for telling him.  Heaven knows being able to tell him was more than thanks enough.


Have a great weekend.

• 53F/12C with rain in the area, but I rode into work dry.
• 41F/5C ,windy, and overcast, but still dry for the ride home.

"Stop that!" She Said

Yes, I rode to work today.

Weather wise, today was much like yesterday, with the exception of the wind. It was almost calm on my ride to work this morning. By the afternoon the wind had picked back up, but nothing like yesterday. Today March was a lamb, but tomorrow the forecasters are saying a lion may appear.

I'm a gear-up guy. I've even been known to wear a back protector. There is an interaction I have pretty often with people that still surprises me when it happens. Here's the scene: I am wearing riding pants, a touring coat, boots, and carrying a helmet in my hand while walking to my ride. A person says to me, "Do you have a motorcycle?" It happened to me once again today. There is a deputy who I've known for much of my time at the Courts. She worked security in the Civil Courts Building. With my desk being in the Carnahan Courthouse, she had never seen me in my gear. A couple of days ago she was moved to Carnahan security. Today as I'm leaving work she says to me, "Do you have a motorcycle?" This is at least the second time, maybe the third that I've exited past her new duty station all geared up.

I said something smart, "No, I just dress this way to look like I have a motorcycle." 

She rolled her eyes at me, "Stop that," she said and added, "It occurred to me last night after you were out the door that you were dressed like you had a motorcycle. Sometimes I can be a little slow."

Is it just me, or is there something very wrong with this story?

Oh well.

• 37F/ and clear as a bell for the ride to work.
• 65F/ and fair for the ride home.