Gorgeous

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

If the weather was like it was here today all year around I couldn't afford to live here. It was a gorgeous day to finish off a very full week.

May you all have a safe and wondrous weekend.

• 76F/24C with a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 87F/31C with a few clouds and a very nice breeze for the home ride.

Miss Billie Didn't Start

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

This morning Miss Billie, my beloved Symba, didn't start. I pushed her out of the garage as I always do, turned on the key, and touched the starter button. She tried to start once and then just went dead. There was nothing. She just went dead. The pigtail on the battery was blinking green meaning the battery was charged. I would have been worried if I hadn't been having this problem intermittently for some time. I've suspected it had something to do with switch on the brake which registers the brake is engaged in order for the bike to start. Often times if I played around with the brake lever it would turnover and start. If it didn't I'd just use the kickstarter and away we'd go. This morning it didn't play out that way. Billie was just as dead when I tried to kickstart her. Needless to say, Isabelle, my Kymco People 250S, got to go to work for the second day in a row. Of course, that presented its own problem.

Last night on my way home from class I noticed Isabelle needed gas but I was tired and just wanted to get home. I calculated I had plenty of gas to get home and still allow me to go to my favorite filling station sometime over the weekend. I chose to wait. My choice to wait meant getting gas before work this morning. This ruled out going to the cafe for my usual breakfast. It was an opportunity to see just how flexible the "head injured guy" could be. I'm grateful to report I handled it well enough. The details are boring but involved tuna and some growling to keep co-workers at a safe distance until all the ducks returned to their row.

I came home a different way and took another photo of the old South Side National Bank Building. It had been a particularly taxing day at work. I was doing things I enjoy, just too much of it crammed into too little time. Even though I was eager to get home and try to start Billie again, it seemed a good idea to take some ride therapy first.

When I did get home Billie was just as dead as she'd been in the morning. In one way I'm glad. We'd not been able to diagnose the problem, because it would never duplicate for Mike. Now I'm hopeful whatever was breaking or coming loose has done so. I'm confident if it's broke Mike can fix it. Billie is due for an oil change and she has new rear brake pads just arrived from Taiwan waiting to be installed.  It will be next Tuesday before the stars align and she can go into the shop, until then Isabelle will be my daily ride. I'm grateful to have the backup.

• 76F/24C and a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 91F/33C with an overcast, but bright sky to ride under on the way home.

It Was One Of Those Days

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

I just missed the rain this morning.

I had my raingear on and the sky still looked threatening, but the rain had moved on.

When I got to work I was the only one in the motorcycle parking area. When I went out at break Isabelle had been joined by another scooter. I guess you could say the forecast of the lot was rain.

The middle part of the day was quite nice. It was a perfect day for a fire drill. That said, I'm glad the drill happened in the building next door.

When it became time to leave work for the ride out to West County it rained and it didn't just sprinkle, it poured. Once again I donned the raingear.

By the time I got to the parking area the rain had stopped, but the sky still looked threatening. Hmm, does this sound familiar?

As I made my way west I could see blue sky to the North.

It was a different story to the South. Later I found out at about this time it was pouring down rain where Heather works, which is south and east of this intersection.

I made it out to class without encountering any rain.

After class I checked the radar and it appeared everything had moved off to the East. I didn't bother putting on the raingear.

And I made it home nice and dry. As I rode I watched the sun play off the clouds of the departing storm front as it moved off to the East.

It was one of those days where timing was everything. Twenty minutes earlier in either the morning or the evening and my raingear would have gotten a workout. As it was, I was dry as a bone.

• 75F/24C with rain all around, but none on my head as I rode to work.
• 80F/27C with clouds as I made my way home from class.

Is It Still Monday

Yes, I rode today.

And . . .

It seemed like it was Monday all over again. Oh well

It was humid, but not quite as hot as they predicted. Tomorrow could be warmer and there is a greater chance for rain.

• 78F/26C and cloudy for the ride to work.
• 93F/34C with some clouds for the home ride.

St. Louis Summer

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

What a difference an half-hour can make.

0645 CDT

0715CDT

The morning clouds didn't keep the sun out for long. It was warm today and tomorrow is supposed to be hotter. It is the St. Louis summer weather forecast, hot and humid with a possible thunderstorm popping up in the afternoon. While I'm not excited about the heat I must admit it is nice to have the weather acting like one suspects it to act.

On the way home I took a slightly different route. I noticed Kellers has a new sign and/or bike rack (?).

Their sign says they've been in business for over 80years. May they have many more, and I like the new addition.

• 71F/22C with some clouds for the ride to work.
• 92F/33C with some clouds, but lots of sunshine for the home ride.

Brightly Cloudy

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

It was another beautiful day, although folks were beginning to complain about it being hot. The air was getting its muggy on today.

It was a little hazy and cloudy all day. It was easy to believe there was a chance of thunderstorms in the air,

and it was equally easy to believe it was just going to be hot. Just hot won out.

Have a wonderful weekend.

• 78F/26C with a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 91F/33C and brightly cloudy for the home ride.

I Happened to Look

Yes, I rode to work today.

And . . .

As I was ending my home ride, I pulled into one end of our alley just as Heather was coming from the other direction. She has the automatic garage door opener. I have to unlock the side door and push the button inside to open the door. I was happy to pull in front of the garage door and wait until she worked her magic. I didn't even shut Miss Billie's engine down. I was going to have the rare opportunity to pull the little beast into the garage rather than push her.

While I waited for the garage door to open I happened  to look at the odometer.

After all these miles what are the chances I would pull up to my garage with the odometer at exactly 22000 Symba miles? I love when things like this happen. I know these type of coincidences don't mean anything, but somewhere in my primal mind my heart is pleased the Spirits gave me a small blessing.

• 69F/ with a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 90F/ and some hazy lazy clouds keeping me company on the home ride.

Now?

Yes, I rode to work today.

After work for no apparent reason one lane on the bridge over the rail yard on Tucker Avenue was closed. This brought traffic to a stop. It backed up onto the bridge. There was some impatience at this development being exhibited by a few of the drivers. I remember a time I too would have been most displeased at being held up. Now?

Now, I saw it as a rare photo opportunity. Sadly, I didn't get a photo I was particularly happy with, but it was a delight trying. If traffic hadn't started up so soon I might have gotten one. Hmm, I suspect I might have been the only one on the bridge disappointed the delay wasn't longer.

Tonight was my evening to travel out to the County for class. There were plenty of bikes and scooters out.

Some of the riders were geared up and some were less geared up.

After class I was rewarded with a nice sunset.

• 67F/19C with a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 85F/29C with lots of clouds against a lavender sky for the rides homeward.

Slow News Day

Yes, I rode to work today.

Today the City street crew came and finished fixing the street next to the Courthouse. What can I say. It was a slow news day.

• 64F/ and sunny for the ride to work. Very nice.
• 88F/ and mostly cloudy for the home ride.

National Ride To Work Day

Yes, I rode to work today.

0710CDT

Today was National Ride To Work Day.

I wasn't the only one who rode to work. I was a little surprised since there was a significant chance for rain after 2pm.

And rain it did. It started a little after 2pm and rained steady. At times in was very heavy. The Flash Flood Alerts on my phone kept expanding as the storm basically stopped right over St. Louis.

When I came out after work it there were only two bikes left. I'm still getting to know the riding habits of the Yamaha rider. There were many of my co-workers taken completely by surprise by the rain. I wonder if the Yamaha rider was, too. Then again, it could be he is a daily rider. Time will tell.

It rained pretty heavy all the way home, there was even some thunder and lightning. I did see some hearty lasses who weren't about to let a little rain stand in the way of having ice cream.

• 74F/23C and a little hazy for the ride to work.
• 70F/21C with some heavy rain and a thunderstorm for the home ride.

It is Friday and I'm Tired.

Yes, I rode to work today.

It is Friday and I'm tired.

The Circuit Court will be going to e-filing come early July and there is much work to do to get ready. This doesn't mean extra hours for most of us, but for those of us who care about the quality of service we provide it has meant a definite boost in intensity. Where I work like many organizations, perhaps almost all, the few carry the many. While others are complaining about having to work the Friday after the Fourth of July, I canceled the vacation days I had approved. There is just too much to be done and too little time. These comments aren't meant to criticize my co-workers or make myself look good, it is just the way I'm made. I wouldn't enjoy the time off as much as I will by waiting and taking it later.

I suspect I will be tired until the dust settles. I am so very grateful for my daily ride homeward. It allows me to leave work and journey home. I'm convinced from the depths of who I am it is my riding to work everyday which is the difference between me merely being tired and not utterly exhausted.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend full of sweet things, the kind of things which feed your heart, enliven your brain, and nurture your whole. That certainly is my plan.

• 66F/19C with scattered clouds for the ride to work.
• 81F/27C with a few more clouds, but still plenty of sunshine for the ride home.

Only Two Of Us

Yes, I rode to work today.

It was cooler today. It was still warm, but there was an odd chill in air. It was almost spooky. I must admit it got my attention and I worked at being even more vigilant. It, also, looked like rain even though all the forecasters were saying there was absolutely no rain, no way, and they were right. It did not rain. I wasn't surprised when there were only two of us who rode to work, me and the guy who rides the Yamaha sportbike.

As I was having breakfast at the cafe I glanced up in time to see a rider waiting for the light to change. I quickly grabbed for the camera, but...

Sadly, I was a tad late and got him just as he began to move. Perhaps you can make out his gear even with the slight blur. Yep, a blue oxford long sleeve shirt, gray dress slacks and finely polished black loafers. I'd guess he is on his way to work.

The evening ride home was absolutely lovely. Tomorrow is suppose to be even more lovely and then comes the weekend...and rain returns to the forecast.

• 71F/22C and overcast for the ride to work.
• 83F/28C with clouds, but plenty of sunshine for the ride home.

Warm

Yes, I rode to work today.

They promised it would be warm today with a slight chance for rain later.

There was no rain, but it did get warm.

Today was my day to ride out to the County for a class after work. It was the first juicy, as in damp on the inside, ride of the season. Just a little bit and not uncomfortable at the least. It was but a taste and reminder of what is yet to come. Yum.

• 80F/27C with interesting clouds for the ride to work.
• 95F/35C with a few clouds and a stiff breeze for the after work adventure.

Hazy Lazy Day...

Yes, I rode to work today.

Suddenly it is time for summer gear. The temperatures nosed up over 90F/32C and tomorrow promises to be warmer.

It was the first hazy lazy day. Too bad I had to work.

• 65/18C with a few clouds for the ride to work.
• 90/32C and mostly cloudy for the ride home.

Monday?

Yes, I rode to work today.

0715CDT

The theme of the morning ride was clouds.

I joked about refusing to believe it was Monday. Monday is a day of sunshine not clouds, but it was Monday.

By morning break time it was bright and blue.

It was a wondrous ride home. Yep, definitely a Monday. We don't seem to be getting much weather like this on the weekends, although this past weekend Saturday was pretty sweet. We went for a ride to check out some of the flooding.

The Rivers are still very high and many roads are flooded. This has been a completely opposite year from last. Last year it was drought. This year things are too wet. Maybe next year will be a year to please Goldilocks.

• 65F/18C with clouds for the ride to work.
• 81F/27C with big white fluffy clouds for the ride home.

Finally Friday

Yes, I rode to work today.

And it was finally Friday.

I don't usually find myself hanging on until the weekend, but this week was an exception. There have been many changes in my life over the last few months and a couple more on the way. The changes are mostly neutral, neither good or bad, but change is one of the things my brain finds more difficult then it did before the injury...and I don't remember being much fond of change before the injury.

This week brought training for my new job. It will be fine once I'm in position and actually doing it. Until then it is just noise in my life. The weekend means letting go of this particular noise for a couple of days and I'm very glad to lay it down.

• 62F/17C and a little hazy for the ride to work.
• 75F/24C with some interesting clouds for the home ride.

The Tale Of The Parking Lot

Yes, I rode to work today.

The tale of the parking lot forecast fair weather.

And the forecast was correct. It is also getting rather crowded in the parking area on nice days.

• 66F/18C with the sun peeking through a slight fog for the ride to work.
• 78F/26C with high clouds and plenty bright for the ride home.

I Do Hope

Yes, I rode to work today.

It was cloudy. It was time to go home. I checked the National Weather Service's radar and it looked like there could be some light rain, but very light, between me and home. I checked The Weather Channel and saw the words, "Dry Conditions Will Continue." The temperature was 79F/26C and I didn't really want to put on the rain jacket. I decided if I got wet I got wet. At the speeds I ride to and from work, I'd survive just fine. Besides I had all night to dry out.

And it did rain a little on the way home, but not very much. I wasn't the only one riding two wheels on the streets. I even managed to catch a photo of another rider.  There was another rider I didn't get a photo of. He was on a sportbike and had a passenger. The street was just wet and I was being cautious as this can be a dangerous slippery time. He was riding as if the streets were bone dry. Both he and his passenger had shorts on. He wore a tee-shirt and she a sleeveless number. Since this is Missouri they both wore helmets. My mind didn't go to their gear or the way he was riding. I just wondered if he thought anything about risk. I'm guessing they were young and I remember when I was young I didn't think things through in the same ways I do now. I do hope they made it to their destination safe and I hope no lessons were learned the hard way.

• 63F/17C with the sun peeking out through the clouds for the ride to work.
• 79F/26C with some light rain for the home ride.

Another Beautiful Day

Yes, I rode to work today.

I'd not thought about "smart phones" making the picket line more enjoyable, but saw it in practice this morning. I don't know if you can make it out or not. The guy in the dark shirt was texting or doing something on his phone as he stood his ground proclaiming the school here wasn't using Union workers.

The co-worker who lost her power in the storm last Friday got her power back last night at 9:17pm. Said planned to play pick three and use those numbers.

It was another beautiful day to be outside, oh well.

• 58F/14C with some clouds for the ride to work.
• 72F/22C and little bit cloudier for the home ride.

Back To Blue Sky, Must Be Monday

Yes, I rode to work today.

Of course, since it is the work week the sky is blue.

The temperatures were perfect, too. It was an ideal day to be outside. Of course, it is Monday which meant most of the day was spent on the inside looking out. Ah, but after work not only did the ride grow a wee bit, I played outside with my kettlebells, medicine ball, and Indian Clubs.

On a serious note, an update regarding the aftermath of the Friday night storms. As of this morning there were people still without electricity. If there was a blessing at least the temperatures were moderate over the weekend. One summer I was without electric for three days and the temperatures were triple digits and the humidity high. It was no fun.

• 59F/15C and overcast for the ride to work.
• 70F/21C with a cloud here and there for the home ride.