Early Sunday Morning, Posted on a Monday

Rocky Mountain National Park, in June.


Geez, It’s past 7:30 in the morning and I haven’t heard a sound from anyone. There are four other people and a dog here, they’re all sleeping in I guess. I’m surprised that even Zeke the dog hasn’t come up and licked my hand and tugged at me for a jaunt in the back yard.

Looks really nice outside. Yesterday morning, it was downright cold. We went around closing windows and shutting doors and donning sweatshirts. Of course by noon, I was in short sleeves. I’d also noticed that it was dark by 8:00 p.m. Summer is losing ground. Fall is in the air. Up north, on our last water run, we noticed some bronze, red, amber and golden colors on trees. The geese are flying low in small packs over our yard.


My pal Zeke.

Many people I know tell me they love the autumn. Up here, it usually means the mosquitoes are gone for the season. Fishing picks up after the water turns over. By the way, the turn over, or water stratification, is explained in a short definition in laymen’s terms, right HERE.


The crows have had their morning concert. A Sunday morning here at Spadoville. I guess I’ll wander up to the store, it’s only a couple of blocks away, and I’ll get a quart of buttermilk. I’ll make some pancakes from scratch. The kids like pancakes. They're easy to make. I happen to have some self-rising flour on hand. II had to get the self-rising stuff because the recipe for the southern fried chicken I made a week or so ago called for it.

I’ll put some flour in a bowl and add some vegetable oil, a couple of beaten eggs and some buttermilk. I’ll stir only until the whole mess is wet. I leave the lumps in there. I’ll heat up the cast iron fry pan and pour a 1/4 Cup or so into the middle and watch for them to bubble. Flip ‘em once and serve them hot, one at a time.

Usually, we’ll all be sitting at the table and there will be talking while we either eat or wait for a hot pancake to come out of the pan and onto our plate. Three of the Grandkids are here. They spent the night last night. These sleep overs are about to slack off pretty good because school starts Tuesday, September First. I don’t think sleepovers will take place during the weekdays, but I see plenty of weekend nights with kids here.


Buttermilk Cakes!

I took on the commitment and responsibility to make sure the kids get to the bus stop in good fashion this year. I’ll be home when they get off the bus, too. Their Mom will drop them off at 6:15 a.m. In the morning. The oldest will get on the bus at 6:50 a.m., the other two not until 8:00 a.m.

I guess this means I’m grounded. Traveling over for the year. No more motorcycle trips or traveling. This isn’t even easy for me to say as I have traveled, especially in the Fall and Winter, readily over the past 15-20 years.

I guess Mrs. Spadoman understands that I may still have the wanderlust from time to time. She has already made a plan so she can be here for the kids both before and after school while maintaining her job. That’s awfully nice of her. After all, it was my commitment, but she found a way.

Sure enough, the first trip opportunity has come up. My friend Hal, from California, interested in finishing the motorcycle trip we started last June, will be flying into Minneapolis this week, on Wednesday. After some housekeeping with visits and motorcycle maintenance, we’ll be on the road again, on the scooters, headed West. I’ll ride for a day or two or three with Hal, then turn around and return home.


Loaded and ready to go. Pic is from our 2006 road trip.

Riding in the Fall, my favorite time of the year, will be great. Not sure what route we’ll take, but we’ll figure that out. I’m excited about one more motorcycle trip this year.

Better go get that buttermilk. Folks are starting to stir around.

Peace.