Saturday, June 16, 2012

Meet Butch

Smart Guy took this picture just a few minutes ago of Butch and me. I named her "Butch" because she's got that horizontal bar and could be mistaken for a boy, but she's definitely a girl; I know, she told me. She got a complete tuneup, new tires and brake pads, and really rides wonderfully. The guy at Kulshan Cycles told me, when I picked her up, that she has an 18" frame and was considered "top of the line back in the day." I rode the bike around the block before I took her in, and the ride now is completely different! Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day, so I rode to Fairhaven, about 6-8 miles. Lots of people were out enjoying the sunshine. I rode back along Boulevard Park to the bus station and took the bus for the last three miles, probably having ridden a total of 10-12 miles. My legs were getting tired. I managed to get the bike secured onto the front of the bus without any problem.
Today it's raining, so I skipped the morning walk, not to mention that the gardening muscles and bicycling muscles are both a bit on the sore side. I figure the rain is good for the garden and a day off is not going to hurt anything. The flowers are out everywhere, and these peonies say hello to me on my way to check my veggies in the garden. Aren't they pretty?

Tomorrow is looking like more of the same weather, which means no skydiving this weekend. Today it's raining and there's a 70% chance for tomorrow. Even if it's not raining, it's likely to be cloudy. Someone asked recently why we can't jump through clouds. It's an FAA regulation: when you jump out of the plane, you need to see the ground. A plane could be on the other side of the cloud. When we get ready to leave the plane, we take a good look around for any air traffic, and the pilot also keeps watch. Of course, if you happen to fall through a cloud, there's nothing to be done about it, you can't very well stop! The pilot can lose his or her license if he or she allows a parachutist to get out and jump through clouds. Back in 1967, sixteen skydivers jumped out through clouds over Lake Erie and drowned, thinking they were over land. I found a legal document online that tells the tale here.

I'll read some of the books I've got from the library, or maybe even spend some time walking around in the rain (I know for  fact I won't melt), but I probably won't be riding Butch, digging in the garden (which will just be mud), or jumping out of airplanes. The rain is falling gently on the roof right now. Oh, and just for your pleasure, I found that Ray Morris, one of the Flickr people I follow, recently caught this amorous picture of two eagles.
Kiss Me
Ray Morris Flickr site
It's that time of year, I guess.
:-)

28 comments:

  1. wow! that's a photo! :)

    i like 'butch!' so glad she rides well and you enjoy her! and to hitch her to a bus...i'm impressed!

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  2. Such an affectionate picture of those birds kissing. Love it! Glad you like your bike! Right now, I want to do some reading so if you have suggestions, please let me know.

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  3. I love you new bike. I really like that you named her Butch. It sounds like you are really having a great time with her.

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  4. that picture is just amazing....

    i cont believe after all your normal routines you are finally sore...smiles....but i bet the bike will def lead to some new adventures once you are feeling better...smiles.

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  5. I'm so glad you've gotten your bicycle, or Butch, back. Have fun with her!

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  6. Thanks for introducing us to Butch. I expect we'll be seeing a lot of her. Love that eagle shot. Tale a day off and read, it'll do you good.

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  7. Butch is looking mighty fine! And you look pretty good yourself there, Lady! But the weather has put the brakes on you for a little bit. That's a horrible story about them landing in Lake Erie!! Sounds like an excellent rule. Enjoy your reading and relaxing time. *hugs* :)

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  8. I am glad to see the helmet..as I know you have traffic out there! (Traffic= more than two cars on the road at the same time)
    I am certain that you and Butch will be great companions:)

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  9. I must admit I was surprised to hear that you have muscles that can ache after all the activity you manage every day! But, you are so right, a day off to read in the rain is a welcome respite. I was surprised to hear it was raining up there, as it was very pleasantly warm here today. Maybe the rain is heading south??

    Our library finally has books available for download, so I added a couple to my ipad for our upcoming travels. I must admit, I'm almost looking forward to the long flights so I can get some much needed reading time!

    Enjoy cruising with Butch! I can't wait to hear of wondrous new adventures!

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  10. Wow! Now that's an amazing shot of those eagles. We're sure they're not fighting, hunh?

    I'm glad you're wearing a helmet on your rides, DJan. You look cute. :-)

    The peonies are so gorgeous!!!

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  11. So tell me something. Why do girls have to name their cars and bicycles??? This really puzzles my puzzler and maybe it shouldn't.
    You went for a good long ride for your first time back cycling.
    Enjoy the summer with Butch.

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  12. Butch looks like a fine ride. I love the brown color.

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  13. Love the bike! Love TO bike! Biking and gardening.... It doesn't get much better!

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  14. After spending the day gardening, I can relate to achy muscles.
    I take it that Butch is bike you've had and just got reconditioned?

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  15. I hope you and Butch have wonderful times together. Actually you've gotten off to a fabulous start, so just keep going.

    We've been having lots of rain here, too, so I haven't had my bike out. And my bike does't have a name. Hmmmm. Sarah, perhaps. Or Theodore.

    Glad you can put Butch on the front of the bus and head home. We got a few buses with those bike racks just a couple of years ago. Good plan.

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  16. Well, yeah...lightweight that you are, I guess ten-twelve miles might make you feel as if you'd need a little downtime.
    Where's a *bleak-face* smiley when I need one? :-P

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  17. Totally beautiful Eagle shot.
    As I was reading your post, I jumped ahead and asked myself, where did she leave her bike as she got on the bus - well, DUH, only DJan would find a spot for it on the bus. ha,ha
    Sounds like a great bike ride and all those NEW muscles to get in shape. Great looking bike - shop did a nice job.
    Have a wonderful day. Sunny here and more sun coming - YAHOO - going to spend the afternoon fishing in Eastport, USA

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  18. I like hearing about your adventures, and especially the "safety first" rules to keep people safe while enjoying recreation. You're an inspiration. I enjoy your blog and I think AARP magazine should feature your adventures :-)

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  19. Lovin' Butch. Impressive bike ride. I wouldn't last 2 blocks, let alone that many miles.

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  20. Dear DJan, that bike and the idea of riding a bike again is really tempting me. Really! Peace.

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  21. I love rain's permission slip to dawdle and doze. Of course, I love it for about eight months a year.

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  22. Love the photo of the birds!! Question: from what altitude do you skydive? And oh, Butch is looking good!

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  23. Love the bike! Take care now... glad to see you're intending to wear the helmet. Where do you keep your bike at home? Don't tell me in the living room?
    Gorgeous eagles. I've never seen a pic like that before.
    The peonies are beautiful. A real ice-cream pink colour.

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  24. May you and Butch have many good years and miles together. That eagle image is just amazing. What a fantastic shot he captured. Thanks for sharing it.

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  25. Nice bike, I started looking for a hybrid to replace the trail bike, sooooo many options now it is actually a chore trying to decide!

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  26. I love that eagle shot!
    Butch is a beautiful girl. It looks like she is going to become an important part of your routine DJan.

    Hubby, a pilot, and I have talked a lot about clouds and flying but I hadn't really thought about the clouds and skydiving. I would certainly want to see where I was headed if I jumped out of a plane.

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  27. So cool to see you with the bike and also those eagles. Thanks for the smiles.

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