Don's Blog

Rainy Day

2009-09-27T13:20:00.000-07:00

OK, so it is rainy out today. I guess we can use a little rain right now. After all we had a few weeks of wonderful weather!! I was able to enjoy the Big E Friday and watch my grandson's eyes light up while on the rides we went on. Grandma was kind of worried when he went on a few, but that is what grandma's are for, right? Yesterday I taught an asbestos abatement course in Boston, then our daughter and her fiancee invited us to go to an organ recital in Springfield in the evening. I grilled some chicken before we departed..BBQ'd chicken!! Today Linda and I took a nice three mile walk at the Ludlow reservoir. I baked a fresh loaf of bread to go with the BBQ'd pork spare ribs for supper. Catharine and Ernie will be breaking bread with us shortly. Only thing I missed baking was a fresh apple pie for dessert. I guess I really don't need those extra calories.....
Tomorrow should be a drier day, and I have a meeting in Lowell, so I might just go on two wheels!! I may even take the "back way" via rt's. 202 and 2!! Great motorcycling roads!!
That's all for now..will post again at a later time...

My summer

2009-08-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I "Blogged" here. This past summer has been quite busy. My yard needed (and still does) a lot of work....more like a whole lot of work!! Having the pool didn't help much, as it was not a good year for back-yard pools with all the rain and cool weather. My motorcycling (my real passion) also took a nose dive. Until recently when that changed!! I got to take one of my cousins - Cassie - for a ride - The Quabbin Loop, making stops at Quabbin, including Enfield Look-Out, the tower and a view of the "spillway". I had a great day!! This week I took her mother, my cousin Pauline for a ride. I rode out to her house in Sheffield. What a nice cozy place!! We headed out past her Ol' Homestead (which she misses dearly), past Twin Lakes and winding up for lunch at The Collins Diner in Cannan, Ct. After having a mouth watering burger we ventured back on rte. 44, heading northerly. She guided me to rte. 41-heading back to Sheffield. What a nice road! It had to have been laid out by a motorcyclist!! The views were just grand!! Thank you Pauline for introducing that great piece of balcktop to me!! We then headed to her brothers house for some nice conversation. I haven't seen him in several years-what a treat!!

Too bad summer is winding down instead of just beginning....

Here I sit....

2009-01-24T12:14:00.000-08:00

Here I sit after a day of asbestos refresher training in Boston. I had a small class of only seven students. When I got home I was greeted by my son, wife, and then my grandson made his grand entrance downstairs. The smile on his face made my heart melt. We talked a little, then they had to go home. I will be picking them up later and taking them to the Springfield Falcons vs. Providence Bruins team. We should have a good time, as this is Aidan's first game!! We will be sitting with some of his friends from school, as this is a school activity for families. If I take any pictures I will be posting those.

Empty Nester Now

2009-01-11T17:45:00.000-08:00

I just got back from taking our grandson back to "his house". Our son and his wife moved out of our home and moved into their own place last week. They took our grandson with them. The NERVE of them! They lived with us since he was a mere three months old. Now he is approaching a nice young age of seven, yes seven. Already. Where did the time go?
This afternoon I took him to Chuck E. Cheese to play in their playscape. We had a ball!! Even Grumpy (that's me) played a few video games and skeet ball. After leaving there we went to McDonalds where he wanted a double burger. Because of his allergies, he cannot have the cheese burgers, only plain burgers - bun and meat - that's all. He woofed down two doubles and washed it all down with an orange soda. I took him back to our house for a while and played Stratego. He won. Yes, he won fair and square. i did not "let him win". He won..... I have to put that on the list of games I won't play with him. Chess and checkers are two others. Monopoly may be added to that list.. the way he buys and sells, he will be another Donald Trumph. I can only hope he will share his wealth with me.
It was kind of bittersweet dropping him off. When I stopped the car in the driveway, he unbuckled his car seat and flew out of the car heading towards the door. He went straight for Mommy and Daddy.... Next time I may just not bring him back!! It will be nice watching him mature from a little distance, though, I am sure. Good night, Aidan. Grumpy loves you.

My start of a blog.

2009-01-10T17:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I did not know what a blog is. Today I am trying to create one... This should be good! You know what they say about a little bit of knowledge. I am thinking maybe I should turn back, before it is too late...and make a complete fool of myself.... NO! I will not spare you, I will proceed!!

One of my greatest passions, other than family, is motorcycling. I rode some when I was younger, only to give it up while raising a family. My son purchased a Yamaha V-Star 650 just prior to getting married. I made the mistake of hopping on the saddle and taking it for a spin. That did it!! I got my own, and never looked back. I got involved with a few riding groups on some on-line forums. Delphi Forums is the one I use the most, and New England Riders has a very active forum where I was warmly welcomed. I have enjoyed many rides with that (un)group (as they call themselves) and look forward to many more. There is also a hosted web-site at http://www.newenglandriders.org/

Here is a picture of my latest ride with my favorite passenger. She is "quiet as a mouse", but watch it when she "squeeks up"!