Bogieblog

Pretty Leaves

A week ago Friday evening (yes, I'm going in revers chronological order) I mowed the yard for the last time. However, I also used the mower to mulch all the leaves, for the second, but not last, time.

Saturday I noticed that a silver maple still had some leaves. The silver maples normally go from pale yellow to brown in about 24 hours, but when the stick around they aren't to horrible to look at.

They did put out a prodigeous amount of helicopters this fall. Considering that the nearest tree to the ramp is 35-40 feet away, there is a minor amount on the ramp. And, to think, last fall I was wondering at my identifying them as some sort of maple might be incorrect since there were absolutely no helicopters produced.

However, the new maples, although puny and having few leaves, far outshone the silver. These two are from the Autumn Blaze I planted just above where the willow used to be.

This next pic is from the Burgundy Belle maple that I planted on the other side of the house (The October Glory is apparently waiting for November - considering the warm fall we've had, I don't blame it)

And I have one lone sunflower, under the bird feeder, that is desperately trying to set some seed before the frost kills it (not likely as this was a very late flower) This picture was taken on 10-15, but it hasn't made much progress. We've had a couple of frosts, which haven't helped its cause.

I'm finding that I also have a burning bush shrub so will have fiery red leaves over in the shade garden. I vaguely remember last year I did identify it, but it only had a couple of limbs and was really struggling in the heavy shade. It has taken off since I removed the willow (and earlier in the year I removed a wild invasive rose that is coming from the swamp, which helped to). I'll take a picture when it gets into its full glory, so you'll just have to wait.

Tires are Important

Last Sunday I met up with a gal from LOH here in town. We were going to ride up to the dealer's where the procession for a HOG member was starting at (see next post). I had checked tire pressure just before leaving, as the days were getting cooler. We were discussing tire pressure, as she was finalizing getting ready, when the sun and bike angle managed to grab my attention. WTF is that on my back tire? I had ridden thru some sand, so assumed it was that, but grabbed my readers and took a good look. ARRGGHH, my back tire had no rubber left on the contact patch (center of tire). In fact, it was down to the belts.

N.O.T. G.O.O.D.

I was smart and rode back home to grab the car. I called the dealer on Tuesday and orderd both front and rear tires as the front was worn badly (which I knew - but it at least still had rubber covering). The tires came in and I rode up this morning, in 36* and extremely foggy weather so they could install the new tires. (first pic is of new rear tire, then front tire)

New tires have such a weird feel to them. They aren't as smooth riding as broken in tires. However, they are much safer than what I had on there. Although cold weather has hit, and massive rain is in the forecast (thankfully not snow), there is still riding to do so I can do so with confidence now.

HOG Procession

During our HOG Chapter October 1 meeting, we got the call that a member had passed just moments before (so during the meeting). It was not unexpected, he was elderly, had been sick, and had less than 24 hours previously been transferred from the hospital to hospice. It was still sad and many members have done a lot to help his significant other (it seems just weird to say girlfriend at that age) thru the grief and the process of letting him go. Some of the LOH members also created commemorative ribbons, in the colors of his motorcycle.

Last Sunday we held a procession from the dealer to the church where his celebration of life was held. The HOG members donated food for the reception afterwards. However, the biggest contribution was carrying his ashes and his SO other on the lead bike to the Church.

Box with ashes adorned with commemorative ribbon

Commemorative ribbon on an LOH member's bike

Although I had planned to ride, my rear tire had other ideas, so I, along with another LOH member rode in a car at the back of the line so I was able to take pictures during the procession. It was a gorgeous fall day, with temps in the 60's and sunny. The fall foliage was still nice too.

Some of the bikes at the church (many others came later).

The deceased's bike (which was ridden by his son and was the second bike of the procession). Next to it is the bike that led and carried his SO and ashes.

Although I didn't know him well, he was a veteran and had been a Concord HOG Chapter member since the chapter's inception. He was well liked and always had jokes to tell. Rest in Peace Jack.

Of all the truths and lies
And stories of riders in the sky
They say only the bravest try
Where eagles and angels dare to fly

Last verse from Poison's Ride the Wind

 

 

Don't Ask

Because I don't know why there were two police cars in front of my house last weekend when I got home from grocery shopping.

There was a car stopped and a woman was out standing beside the passenger's door when I pulled up. By the time I got inside with the groceries, and got to the bedroom window to look out, the car was driving off (who was driving I have no idea). I went and got my phone for a picture, got the shot and the police started driving off in random directions. However, I think it is important to note that the car stopped at the intersection was actually sitting there - this is not an action shot of either vehicle.

Wow, exciting neighborhood :)

 

Charitable Work

I haven't done much the last couple of weeks because of nerve issues no, not nervous issues :). But the HOG chapter did supply volunteers for the Concord Friends Program BBQ held at the dealership. And, the volunteers, plus others of the chapter supplied a bunch of food for the event.

I forgot to take many pictures - actually only took them as we were setting up, so not everyone is pictured.

Unfortunately, after a week of 80-90* weather, it was a cool and rainy day with a high of 50* (I know because the business next door has a sign that displays a continuous read out of the temp.

Additionally, the dealership didn't have any promotions or any other activities - not even the beginner motorcycle course that is held most weekends. Between these factors, there weren't a whole lot of people visiting the dealership, so the BBQ didn't fare as well as we hoped.

We did have a good time the 4.5 hours that we were there and raised just shy of $300. All food/drinks were donated, so 100% of the money goes to the services of the program. And the director of the charity had ties to food pantries and elder care services so the leftover food was directly given to other worthy organizations later that afternoon.

UPDATE: I got a copy of the latest Friends Program newsletter, and look what they had in there:

Luxury Sleeping

Nope, not for me - for Fuzzy. Caught him as comfy as could be in the pile of pillows on the couch a couple of weeks ago

Also cat related, Thursday just before leaving work I looked at the local TV station's website. Don't ask me why, I don't normally do that. The website had a big notice that the Animal Rescue League was in need of cat food as they have 95 cats and some have special dietary needs, while others are just plain picky. The ARL is not too far from where I work, so I stopped at a local supermarket and picked up a bunch of food on their list, then dropped it off before heading home.

I wonder if that store knew what was going on as they had a run on cat food. The two cases of Fancy Feast were the last 2 on the shelves, and I only left one of the Purina no grain cat food in the green bags on the shelf. And the two blue bags of cat nibble were the last two on the shelves also.