This, That and the Other Thing

The Ore Dock at Ashland, WI, at the Southernmost point of Chequamegon Bay, Lake Superior
This dock has sat idle since 1973

First of all, if you click on the Title of this Post, you'll hear yet another rendition from the Dump and Shortcake Band's concert at the Duxbury Store. It's from the album "Live at Dux."  Unlike the other songs that I have posted here in the past month or so, this one is Not about driving trucks. This is a remake cover of a song done most popularly by Jimmy Buffet in the 1970's. The title is "God's Own Drunk", but many people know it as the Bear Song.

In other news, I will not be posting for Haiku My Heart or Shadow Shot Sunday this weekend. Mrs. Spadoman and I will be traveling out of town. We're leaving early this morning and going to a Moto Guzzi Motorcycle Rally in the small Iowa town of Elkader. I won't return until Sunday evening.

The rally will consist of camping out in the city park and taking advantage of that town's public pool between motorcycle rides in the immediate region. We'll be along the Mississippi River and ride the high bluffs overlooking the same. I know there are planned stops at St. Olaf and Guttenburg, both small Iowa towns. St. Olaf known for a little hole-in-the-wall bar and grill that serves up a great pork tenderloin sandwich in three sizes, and another bar in picturesque Guttenburg that is known for its hamburgers.

The rally ends Saturday evening, but we'll break camp Sunday morning and have a leisurely ride for the 200 miles home. The next week will be quite busy here at Spadoville.

The first thing Monday morning, I have to be in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota Eye Clinic, I've been waiting for this appointment for almost three months. I was referred there by the VA. I'm not sure what they'll be doing, but one thing for sure, they will give me an eye exam and fit me for glasses. I have something called astigmatism, and I'm finally going to get that looked at. After that, I'm sure they'll take some photos of my eyes and decide on a course of action for some retinothapy issues.

I just finished building a small deck out front to replace a crumbling cement porch. I hired a local handyman to stain the existing deck in the rear of our home. The remodeling project of the downstairs bathroom continues, there is plumbing to be finished, and I have business issues concerning motorcycle sales on Ebay. So, it looks to be a busy week.

The Summer is moving along quite quickly. July is well under way. When I haven't been working on the projects mentioned above, I have been on the road, but only the short jaunt, away from home for only a night. None of the long three week trips that I did in the past, like last June's motorcycle trip to California or the marathon van excursion to the West coast with the family, 8000 miles and 22 days on the road with the Grandkids, that we did in 2009.

I tell you, that trip was epic. The kids desperately want to get on the road again. They need to see Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico first hand. That's where we have a small RV set up. I talk about the plan to be down there a lot in the upcoming Winter of 2011-2012. They hear this stuff and want to go. I love their collective spirit(s), and hope I can get them down there.

There you have it. An update from my neck of the woods. I guess it's not uncommon for posting and visits to blogs to slow down in frequency as Summer activities keep us out and about. I hope everyone has a great week. I wish you all much Peace.