Lights

Still driving and doing my best to avoid Christmas.

Not easy when "Candy Cane Lane" is a half of a block from where I live.

This is my street. On the weekends they put sawhorses out to close our street off. It can be a real trick to get out at times.

This is what the lesser half of "Candy Cane Lane" looks like. Tonight poor Heather got caught in traffic trying to get onto this street. It took her twenty minutes to get to where she could turn in our alley and make it to the garage.

This is looking toward the East.

Even I will admit the sand sculpture of Santa Claus is pretty cool.

They do take donations. The Donations are all given to charity. Their hearts are in the right place.

I do hope you have a wonderful Hanukkah, Christmas, Yule, Kwanzaa, and New Year. I'm not trying to be political correct I have friends who find all of these a reason to celebrate this time of year. And, while I find the season a challenge I do appreciate the joy it brings.

A Little Tattered Around The Edges

Nope, I'm still not riding.

The Christmas Season is a time of fragility for me. At the best of times, it feels I'm paddling against strong currents. I'm greatly relieved when the hoopla subsides, the decorations are tucked away, and I can get in and out of my street after dark hassle free.

The Symba's non-repaired flat tire has become caught up in a tangle of stuff. None of the stuff is "big stuff".  I have no doubt there was a time I could have breezed through this thicket, taken it all in stride. Now, I have to be content to let things work themselves out. I know from the past if I try to push through moments like this, things tend to unravel and this can have most unpleasant consequences for me emotionally and cognitively.

So, I'm actively waiting for stuff to clear up, taking action when I can, and working at not beating myself up for not being better able to cope. Heather is letting me have my process. She, too, has learned the only way for me to get through some stuff is to go through it. I'm grateful to her for not rescuing me, but being there when I can articulate how she can be helpful.

There is a chance I won't be riding during the week until after the New Year. I hope this isn't the case, but only time will tell.

I am fine although a little tattered around the edges.

Be Safe, Please

Still not riding.

Today there was ice. I wouldn't have rode even if the Symba was available to me. I did get out for a ride yesterday on the Kymco. Yesterday it was 72F/22C . Today I had to clear an eighth of an inch of ice off my car windows.

The long Thanksgiving Day weekend brought more than its share of bad news.

First an update on the deputy who was injured when his house caught on fire. He died early Tuesday morning. I don't have an update on his wife.

And my blog world is smaller. Siobahn over at Scoot Commute was killed in an automobile accident the day before Thanksgiving. This woman rode in some of the most unbelievable conditions, conditions that made my hair curl. I'm in total shock. I thought about her today as I drove to work in conditions I know she has ridden in before. I can't say I was anymore careful, but I was certainly mindful of the fragility of life and perhaps a wee bit more grateful for making it to work unscathed. I will miss her posts. Her boyfriend of a number of years is talking of keeping the blog going.

I suspect I won't be riding for the rest of the week. It is a combination of weather and after work obligations for which the car will just work best.

This has been a very strange time with the deaths, the demonstrations, not riding, the Holiday, etc. It would be nice if things settled back into a semblance of what I'm silly enough to call routine.

Be safe, please.

A Brief Update

Nope I haven't been riding.

It has been a very strange time.

I'm sure you've heard much about the events here over the last few days.

Monday was full of anxiety even before we knew the Grand Jury had reached its decision. I can only imagine what it was like in the County Courthouse.

I wasn't surprised by the decision of the Grand Jury. Nor was I surprised by the response. Perhaps by its magnitude, yes. By the violence and the fires, no.

There were demonstrations Downtown yesterday and today. Today's targeted City Hall. As I went to lunch I passed the demonstrators.

 
A co-worker took the above photo and the one which follows.

By the time I got back from lunch they had moved on.

And then it started to snow.

It was pretty messy for the drive home.

Although I've missed riding the past couple weeks, it has probably been for the best.

I suspect I'll be back on two wheels soon, and I do hope soon comes sooner rather than later.

Waiting

Nope, I didn't ride today.

And . . .

I'm still driving and walking from the parking lot.

It feels very strange to not be riding.

It is a very strange time here in other ways as well.

It is difficult to describe the atmosphere here. And I don't mean the weather. It is like a cloud of anxiety has descended on us. Waiting. We are waiting for the announcement of a Grand Jury's decision as to the police officer involved in the shooting in Ferguson. Will they find cause for the matter to be bound over for trial. Or, will they decide the case doesn't have merit.

Waiting. I'm waiting for my mechanic to be able to repair my bike. Others could do it, but I'll wait for Mike. I have the Kymco, but I'm less adventurous with it in coldish weather than I am with the Symba. It is strange times when I'm not riding with the temperatures above 20F/-7C and the clear.

Waiting.

• 22F/-5.5C and partly cloudy for my morning walk from the car.
• 34F/1C and the stars were out for my ride home.

Some Sad News

Nope, I didn't ride today.

And . . .

I suspect I would have if the Symba was available to me. It was chilly, but I have rode in colder. The roads are clear and dry unless there is a water main break or a patch of ice caused by a driver dumping out a no longer wanted beverage at a stop sign.

Some Sad News. The Deputy who rides the small Kymco scooter and wears a chrome helmet was injured in a fire at his home. I know no more than what has been reported in the newspaper here.

On a lighter note here is some more early evening color from my walk to the car.

The forecasters are saying it is going to warm up. I'm good with that!

• 14F/-10C and fair for my morning four block walk from the parking lot.
• 27F/3C and a bit breezy for my stroll from the Courthouse to my car.

Sparkle

Nope, I didn't ride to work today.

And . . .

Even if the Symba were 100%, I wouldn't have. We had our first snowfall of the season over the weekend. The streets were nearly completely clear. On my way in I noticed a couple of spots looked icy. Not worth the risk.

Tonight is supposed to be colder than last night.

I miss seeing the stars at night. The City lights blot them out. That said, I have to admit on a cold wintry evening it sure is nice to have the color and sparkle.

• 19F/-7C and fair for my morning constitutional.
• 22F/5.5C and breezy for my stroll from the Courthouse to my car.