Watch for motorcycles, please

I’ve remained silent on this topic too long. As you all may recall, Charlie was involved in a accident on October 7th. Stopped at red light, he was hit from behind. From the moment he stood up from that mishap, it's been his intent to get back in the saddle. He wanted to handle it his way and asked for my support and respect. Basically, he told me to be quiet while he dealt with police reports and insurance. I agreed only to hold my tongue until everything was settled, so here's the story.
On that morning, the light at Buffalo and Trabold turned red. Charlie checked his mirror, a vehicle was far back. He stopped, had both feet on the ground, looked up at the light, and then at his mirror. He saw the SUV, heard the tires, and had no time to react. The bike was pushed forward. He was thrown back onto the hood, and bounced to the pavement.
His protective gear, a full-face racing helmet and armored jacket, saved him from serious injury. Badly bruised, pulled back and arm muscles, sprained ankle, and a few scrapes, were all that he suffered. Many thanks to Gates Ambulance and Immediate Care in Greece.
There was never any doubt as to whom was at fault. The blame fell on the other driver. But here things start to get fuzzy. Gate Police report reads—V2 (Charlie) was stopped at red light when same vehicle was struck in the rear by V1. D1 stated he glanced up at the traffic signal and when he looked back down the motorcyclist was in front of him.
Surprise! Even though the other driver admitted being behind Charlie for at least 2.5 miles, it was *POOF* motorcycle. Good news, hitting Charlie saved him from getting a ticket for running the red light. That's right, no ticket was issued.
No ticket, no points against his license, and let's hope he had accident forgiveness so his insurance rates don't go up. Granted, his 2011 Infinity was badly damaged from hitting the bike and Charlie's body slamming into the hood. His insurance deductible was his only inconvenience.
Charlie did question the officer later. His reply was he doesn't issue tickets for accidents unless there's severe injury. $10,000 damage to the bike alone and personal injury, all from a careless driver about to run a red light. No ticket? Sounded like a cop-out. (sorry.)
Now, Charlie is dealing with insurance companies. All he wanted was to have his bike put back together. His bike was '08 Kawasaki Concours. He had been looking for a few years and found a real cream puff last April. It was love at first sight and he traded in his Suzuki that he had owned for 18 years. Yeah, he planned on keeping this bike for some time.
Our vacation, schedule months ago, was to begin at 5 o'clock the day of the accident. Well, that plan went to Hell. The next day, Charlie seriously hurting. A little better the next day. Monday, it was a check in with his personal doctor. Not much she could offer except Advil and sympathy. Also, on Monday, he spent a grueling 4 hours with insurance people. One belittled his injuries and tried to settle for a minute amount.
Charlie's only concern was to get that bike together and get some riding in. The estimate kept climbing. That used bike was a rare find and could not be easily replaced. Charlie finally had to accept the cold hard fact his bike was totaled after a long week of tug of war. Fix it. Too costly. Fix it. Can't be fixed.
Once the decision to pull the plug, the search began. Hollinks came through. Bill had a silver 2011 'Connie' still in the crate.
Just one more chore before we pick it up. A little reminder for the careless driver who hit Charlie. Special thanks to ABATE of Rochester for the bright yellow sign that will be planted in his yard.
While I'm still on my soapbox, to all my rider friends, be safe, wear the gear, and keep your eyes open. Everyone else, please, please watch for motorcycles.

Where did summer go?

My personal end of summer comes only when my bike is put away and the farm markets close. Sigh, today was the last day of the Chili Farm Market. This morning cold temps couldn’t keep the farmers away. There were plenty of pumpkins, mums, and of course, apples. Fancy chickens and baby goats, to the delight of children and myself, were on display. I stocked up on broccoli and the discovery of the day was a ‘birdhouse’ gourd.
Charlie is in the process of removing the battery from my bike. It will be tucked away until next spring.
It’s time for winter projects, time to do some serious writing, time to make a trip to Joanne’s for knitting supplies, time to start counting the days till spring.

Grow Time

Remember all those seeds I bought while fighting my Peep addiction. Well, they’re in the ground!
The 4’x4’ raised bed is packed with peas, spinach, radishes, and onions. Beans are in a bean pot, a 2’ container. Since space is limited, I’m hoping they’ll grow upward onto poles. Still to come are tomato and pepper plants.
My yard is filled with critters: squirrels, crows, bunnies, and even skunks. I’ve covered the bed with a plastic mesh to give the seeds a fighting chance.
Mmmmm. . . . In about 60 days, we’ll be munching healthy on fresh homegrown veggies.

Rambling Updates

Just updating some of my previous posts. . .
First, spring has finally arrived, along with rain, rain, and more rain.
Second, I’ve made some giant steps with clutter. Cake pans and candy molds that have sat untouched in the basement for the past 10 years. . . Gone!
Third, by cutting carbs and sticking to the gym, I’ve trimmed 15 pounds.
Remember, every day is a new beginning and small positive changes do make a difference.

Necessity the Mother of Invention

Crying out loud! I’ve been married for almost 39 years and don’t have enough matching dishes. Is it any wonder you never get invited for dinner?
After all the planning and preparation for Easter Dinner, at the last minute, I discovered there was nothing suitable to serve the fruit.
With no time to run to the store, I started looking around the house.
Duh. . . my teacup treasures. They say ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ or is it ‘necessity is a mother?’ That’s why my teacups are fruit cups, just for today.

Sweet Surrender

Weeks ago, we planned an ice cream Happy Hour for after work. The date set. BOGO coupons distributed. Diets damned.
Work had been slow, but steady, and we’d been getting out on time, so we felt pretty confident. Coupon buddies were picked. Flavors were decided.
We were hungry for sundaes. Then, bam! Friday afternoon hot jobs hit with an unrelenting vengeance.
One by one, participation in Happy Hour dwindled. Time always an issue. Some had to stay over, some stayed but had to get home to the kids, others couldn’t wait.
When the dust settled and the hot jobs shipped, three of us made it to Abbott’s.
Ending the week with sundaes. . .
Sweet.

No Difference

Made an interesting observation on a recent trip to the art gallery. Artists are not much different than writers.
Artists and writers both start with a blank canvas. Both take an idea and build. Layer upon layer, meticulously adding details until . . .
Voilà!
A Work of Art!

Photo Opportunities

I got bored today. Tossed some stale bread into the backyard and waited.
Wasn’t long before our resident squirrel took notice. Though the treats looked tempting, the little guy was intimidated by my camera. Another less timid squirrel hopped over the fence, but was promptly chased off.
It wasn’t until the crows swooped in that the squirrel found his courage. Now or never, he decided. He darted out, grabbed the whole-wheat week old slice, and ran up the pine tree. A moment later, he defended his territory again.
Meanwhile, the crows have set up sentries in the treetops. Coming closer and closer, one determines I’m not much of a threat. He marches up and picks up on piece of bread and then another.
Squirrel, not to be outdone, dashes in for seconds. Crow returns, this time neatly picking up three pieces.
After providing me with immense entertainment and fantastic photo opportunities, I think my furry and feathered friends deserve more treats, no strings attached.

Peep Addiction

Losing weight is a lifestyle change. And I’m working on it.
My passion for Peeps is no secret. I’ve been known to buy two packages of the yummy- sugary-marshmallow-chicks at a time. One pack would be devoured on the three mile trip home, the other pack to be savored later. Oh, by the way, I don’t share.
So how am I fighting this addiction? I’m changing my lifestyle.
Already, I’m planning my garden. So now when I’m in the grocery store, I bypass the Peep aisle and head to the Seasonal section for my sweet reward.
Two weeks Peeps free, I now have a Plant tower, seed house, lawn ornaments,and seeds. These are things that will enrich my life, not make my butt bigger. When Easter is over and all the Peeps are gone, I’ll be growing!

Phoenix

Writing is a solitary act. Alone with your pen and paper or computer, you put your inner most thoughts, fears, and desires into a story. Most people just don’t ‘get’ it.
But other writers do. They know how difficult it is to transfer thoughts to paper. They know the nervous anxiety of sending off manuscripts. They know the thrill of acceptance and the crush of rejection. They ‘get’ it.
Coming out of your shell to join a group is a huge step for the serious writer. Networking will boost your confidence, hone your craft, and speed the path to publication.
The right group that is. . .
Having just left one group, I find myself in a loose network of critique partners and forward thinkers. No rules, no dues, just the common goal of creating fresh writing. Ideas are clicking, stories are gelling, and sights are set high.
Aptly named after the legendary Phoenix, our little group is on fire!

Dealing with Rejection

Nothing can put your ego into a downward tailspin faster than a rejection. So when I received a form, no less, rejection letter last week, I was crushed.
For a year, I’d poured my heart and soul into that novella. The story is good, so how do I get an editor to read it?
As fate would have it, Kim Wehner was hosting a Query Letter Workshop at the local Barnes & Noble.
Duh! I slapped my forehead. What a logical step for resubmitting.
Kim offered great tips, do’s & don’ts, and sincere encouragement. My next attempt, thanks to this incredible workshop, will be with a polished professional query letter. Wish me luck!
For more information on writing, check out Kim’s blog.
http://www.blog.klgore.com/

Meet the Critique Partners

I cannot begin to explain how vital critiquing is. Even more important is having the right critique partners.
I’ve been very lucky to have Dee Carey for a critique partner for the past two years. The Fox Lady is a natural editor and my biggest cheerleader. My writing has improved tremendously, my sales have been up, and I stay on task.
As a best-selling author, there’s not much I can offer Dee. Mostly, I serve as a sounding board, thrilled to be the first to hear the ‘fox tales.’
We’ve added another member to our critiques sessions, my daughter Konnie. Over the past six months, her vampire novel has gone from ‘Twilighty’ to incredible! I can say this proudly, not only as her mother but as a fellow writer.

The Time to Beat

Today, I did a 5k on the treadmill. My time (51:51) was horrible!
Granted, I wasn’t pushing. I may even be guilty of lollygagging. In my defense, Jeremiah Johnson was playing on the TV. A young Robert Redford can be quite a distraction. I found myself panting and I wasn’t even running.
Anyways . . .
I now have a baseline. Hopefully, each week I my stamina and speed will improve. My goal is to do the Pink Ribbon Run on Mother’s Day and the Medved 5k to Cure ALS on Father’s Day.
I have a lot of work ahead of me!

Spring is in the Air

You might find this hard to swallow with a high of 16 degrees and biting wind chill, but I found a real hint of spring in the air today. Skunk!
The smell of skunk was like sweet perfume. When these hibernating creatures decide to wake up and start nosing around, it can only mean that spring is right around the corner.
The little stinkers have concurred with Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of an early spring.
I can’t wait!

Saturday Morning Shopping

My final tab at Wegmans was an eye opener. Yikes! Eating better does not mean eating cheaper. Prices on produce have soared, mainly because of the adverse weather around the country and the higher cost of gasoline.
This is by no means a endorsement for my favorite grocery store (bargains can be found at Aldi’s and Tops,) but I have been taking advantage of the online coupons Wegmans sends out and the ones they attach to my prescription receipts. I've been buying leaner cuts of meat, frozen fruit and vegetables as well as fresh produce.
Chips, candy, and crackers are off my shopping list. I'm looking closer at labels these days. Did you know some of those healthy foods aren't so healthy?
I can hardly wait for the Chili Farm Market to open. Saturday morning shopping takes on a whole new meaning. The abundance of locally grown food, plus crafts, plants, and live music is a heavenly experience. Knowing where the food comes from, knowing it was picked fresh just hours before, knowing your money supports local farmers, all good.

Year of the Rabbit

Next week is the start of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rabbit.
According to the fortunetellers, this is no Easter Bunny. They are predicting terrorist attacks in the west, continued tension between China and the US, natural disasters around the world, and unstable global markets. The Year of the Rabbit will even put a strain on Brad and Angelina’s relationship.
In reality, not much will change in the headlines. The war on terror will continue to the point it’s hard to determine the true terrorist. We will deal with natural and man-made disasters the best we can. Global markets will still be controlled by Wall Street. And if Brad and Angelina can’t work it out. . .
I’m here for you, Brad!

Clutter

Ay-yi-yi! No wonder I can’t get any work done. I just read an article in Woman’s World how one clever woman weighed her clutter as she eliminated it. Over the course of a year, she got rid of 500 pounds. WOW!
You can see by these Before and After photos, I got rid of a few pounds.
We all have clutter in our lives, be it closets or stale relationships. Today, I’m starting with my desk and taking a hard look at my life. There are those boxes of cake pans in the basement. They have to go. I’m working on the extra 30 pounds on my mid-section. It’ll be a happy day when I toss my ‘fat clothes.’
Relationships are tougher. Can you recycle friends? No, I’m not tossing anyone out, but I’m going to get working on my closets.

Karma

Karma decrees future events are in our own hands. The earth spins on its circular path. What goes around will come around, time and again. Same old, same old. Sometimes good, sometimes bad.
How about an experiment to tip that balance? Plant these simple Karmic seeds and see what results come back.
Be more productive now and reap the rewards in the future. Work a little overtime, get a bigger paycheck. Keep on top of household chores and have more free time on the weekend.
Live healthier. Exercise and eliminate toxic junk foods from your diet. Your body will thank you.
Stay positive. Don’t live in the past. Focus on changing the present to prepare for a brighter future.
Be kinder. Pleases, thank-yous, and smiles cost nothing, but when they come back, you’ll feel like a million dollars.