I sometimes (not often) wonder what I am going to write about when it is my turn to blab and often I have so many topics I want to talk about that I can't decide which direction to go. This is one of those times. I had a totally different topic on the go until I rode my bike home on Tuesday.
I started riding my bike to work at the end of July because I've been getting lazy in the exercise department. My daughter is working for me this summer, so I seized the opportunity of having a vehicle at work for my daily calls by letting her drive my car and got my rather expanding caboose on my bike. Well, I'm normally not a klutzy person, but as I age I find myself in peculiar places and events that are causing me to question my gracefulness. Now these next two events (I feel) are not totally my fault and in fact the first one was not even shared with John, my kids, my friends or co-workers for fear of the deafening laughs.
I was riding home on my bike the first day and was traveling home between Sixth and Seventh Street and Coteau Avenue. I was enjoying my ride and satisfied that I had made one full day on this two wheel transportation when WHOOP, I was decked by a huge bunch of branches/leaves that were hanging on to the road. Now after you pick yourself up off the floor, I have proof (of the branches that is, not the fall). At the time I was too embarrassed to take note of the actual road block because it's the old "Oh my goodness, I hope no one saw that" feeling. As of press time, these have not yet been trimmed back. I stopped and took this picture on Tuesday and as you can see, there is barely enough room for the garbage can, let alone a pedestrian or a woman riding a bike. Trust me, when I fall it is not a glamorous event. I just thank God that I wasn't cruising at a high speed - you know, my Olympic form. It would have been nasty.
The second event was a week ago when I was out fishing with John and my son, Nigel. We were coming in off the water and as we slowed down, I grabbed the dock to help ease the boat to safety. Upon securing both hands on the dock so that I could go get the trailer and load the boat up, John decided we may be too close "due to wind speed" (whatever the heck that is) and promptly put the boat in reverse only to see me go ass over tea kettle (is that how the saying goes?) into the eye deep water. Well 'normally' you would probably let go of the dock, right? Uh.....no. So now I have two ripped rotator cuffs (well that's my story anyway) and two guys who were extremely entertained. Yes, when I finished spitting out all the water that I had consumed, I looked back at the boat to see my loved ones (I use that phrase loosely) doubled over in laughter as I dangled from the dock. What a sight that was I bet.
My third activity happened a week into my new bike riding activity (and the reason I changed my column topic). I was heading home and I had a carload (well, four teenage boys) decide that they would follow me for about five blocks. I would come to a stop sign, they would pull up beside me, speed past me until the next stop sign, wait until I arrived and then off they would go again. The unnerving thing is that they had all four windows open and the vehicle reeked of pot. Not only that, but two of them had a beer in their hand. What a bunch of punks! Seriously, we had just gone right past the police station. What I wouldn't have done to see a police car at that time. I would have veered in front of them just to make a point and have their cocky butts arrested. At that moment, I understood the importance of the bicycle police position. It would have been even better if I was 'incognito' and I could have whipped out a badge. The look on their faces would have been priceless. I did 'voice' my opinion that maybe they should do something a little more productive but you can only imagine the kind of response I got. Where are these kids getting money for these 'extras' and don't tell me they work because this was four o'clock in the afternoon on a Tuesday. Wake up, parents! If you have an eighteen-year old who isn't working and you're giving him money for booze and cigarettes (and who knows what else) you are not doing him any favours. You are not his buddy...you are his parent. Do your job!
Maxine's saying: I find it helps to organize chores with categories. Things I won't do now. Things I won't do later. Things I'll never do.
Pet peeve of the week: I know I have complained about this before but now it has gone one step further. You remember me saying that it ticked me off when people just walked across the street (dilly dallying) and didn't even have the courtesy to look for oncoming cars. Well, twice in three days I saw people approach an intersection where there is a crosswalk and lights to stop traffic, only to just walk out without even checking or pushing the pedestrian alert button. One was not even where there was a crosswalk and the other one was pushing a baby carriage. Honestly people, where is your common sense? Oh wait....my readers know where. That's just me. Let me know what you think!
