Glorious Spring!

What wonderful weather this week! These are the days I've waited anxiously for for many cold, dreary, wintry months. Last year I didn't even get my motorcycle inspected, so therefore did not ride it at all. This year will be different. Riding my motorcycle is a big morale booster for me. Today I took it to Wal-Mart to pick up some prescriptions at their pharmacy. While waiting for them to be prepared, I went to the Subway in the store to grab a quick lunch (it turned out to be lunch and supper since they have the foot-long sub for $5). While there, I saw an old friend (someone I've known for quite awhile--not someone old). It was great seeing her again. As I was about to leave Wal-Mart, I saw a different-looking motorcycle pull into the parking lot. I watched to see where he parked and walked over and caught up with him walking toward the entry to Wal-Mart. I was able to chat with him about the motorcycle (Piaggio 3-wheel mp3 scooter). What caught my eye was the fact that it had two front wheels and one back wheel. While talking with him we exchanged names and he then asked me if I was related to (fill in my brother-in-law's name here) and he said his son worked the same place as my brother-in-law for many years. Small world. I decided from there to stop in on Green Street at the old Ithaca Photo place and visit my friend, Diane, who is the owner of a print shop there (On Paper Plus). I hadn't seen her for several years. She and I rode motorcycles (Harleys at that time) to a Women On Wheels(R) Ride-In in Minneapolis, MN in 1996. We went by way of Canada. Anyway, it was great to see her again and she may throw me some graphics work down the road. I tell you all of this to tell you how uplifted I was feeling on this wondrous spring day. This is the perfect weather for me. Warm enough to be comfortable (for me anyway, others may disagree), without being too warm.

Wouldn't you know it, on the way home, I took my first spill on this motorcycle! It was in the city on a hill with a traffic signal and a long line of cars both ahead and behind me. I've never had any problem here before, but somehow after inching forward for the umpteenth time, (I probably squeezed the front brake too hard) (because I had both feet--tiptoes--down) and the pavement on the right-hand side was lower than I expected so down I went (but kind of in slow motion). I picked myself up immediately and turned the bike off. I then surprised myself and was able to pick the bike up and I held it and reached over the seat and reached the sidestand and put it down. Some gasoline had spilled out on the pavement, but there was no damage whatsoever to the bike. I motioned for the vehicles behind me to go ahead and then just got back on and started the bike (didn't start on the first try, but popped off at the second try) and rode safely home and parked it in front of the garage door. Even this did not put a damper on my day. I'm still feeling great. I love blue-sky sunny days! And I'll be back on the bike tomorrow.