A motorcycle post (of sorts)!

Finally, a small post about motorcycling. No, not a detail of a trip, I did no riding this past weekend (which, by the way, is really starting to SUCK). But, something I came across while researching a Patron Saint for a family that I met with today. Enjoy the history lesson (I especially like the prayer at the end):

The Patron Saint of motorcyclists and the bikes they rode in on is Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, otherwise known as, Our Lady of Grace. In 1830 in a convent in Paris, Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laboure. Our Lady asked St. Catherine to make a medal and showed St. Catherine a picture of exactly how the medal should look. In essence, then, this medal is a self portrait of Mary. The medal was an instant hit and earned it's name. So many people who wore the medal had miracles happen to them that the medal came to be known as the "Miraculous Medal". No one is sure how the Miraculous Medal came to be the protection of bikers. An obvious guess is that if you have an accident on a bike, it's a miracle if you survive.

Another Patron Saint dealing with transportation: Mother Frances Cabrini, Italian immigrant and builder of orphanages, schools and hospitals in major cities of America, once hitched a ride in a limo. She told the rich woman (who gave her a lift) of a dream she had had the night before of an orphanage on yonder hill. When the rich woman dropped off Mother Cabrini at the convent, the rich woman asked for a glass of water. The woman told Mother Cabrini that for the glass of water she would donate the hill....since she owned the property. Mother Cabrini getting a ride to exactly where she really wanted to go has earned her the patronage of keeping your vehicle moving. Prayer for the intercession of Mother Cabrini: "Mother Cabrini, put down your liguini, look down from heaven and fix my machini."

Trip to Davis, Oklahoma

Saturday we took a trip with some friends to Davis, Oklahoma. Davis is in the southern part of the state near the Arbuckle Mountains. There were eleven bikes and 14 riders. The trip there was long, and hot. About 3 1/2 hours, and 94 degrees. I'm so smart that I didn't put sunscreen on until we got to the lake. Very good. We stopped at Nat and Kelly's lake house and grilled chicken and hot dogs. The lake is very beautiful, and unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of it. On the way home, we decided to hit I-35 and get home a little sooner. It wasn't too crowded and was actually a nice ride. Except for the hot asphalt and my sunburn. All in all it was a good weekend ride.

It was the only riding I got to do on my week off. I have really been neglecting the farm since all of this motorcycling business got started and it was time to do some much needed work. The good news is, it's mostly in shape now. That means on my next weekend off, I'll be able to ride! Yea!

I am Reaper, hear me ROAR!

The pipes are excellent! We rode to Goldsby (south of Norman) yesterday. It's only about an hour ride from here and it took us 2 1/2 hours. We got stuck on some country road, kind of got lost, but it didn't matter. We had our good friend, Joy, with us. She rode on the back with Dee the whole way there and back. I don't know how her butt took it. On the way, we saw a cow that had just given birth (we could tell by the large gooey thing she was eating, gross) and saw a hawk flying over us with a large snake in his mouth. We ate catfish in Goldsby, then decided to get back on the highway to head to Norman. That trip took us 5 minutes. Then we went by the OU Softball game and stopped to have dinner on the way home. We were gone about 12 hours.

The pipes are nice. I'm sure I irritated the other drivers, because I can't help but hit the throttle when I'm sitting at a red light. Too bad. I'm sure I'll get over it, or not. We are getting back on the bikes in about an hour. The farm looks like crap. I need to mow. Guess I'll do it after work tomorrow...

Jackasses.

I left my bike at the shop yesterday with high hopes of picking it up tomorrow with new pipes. I think that will be a miracle. I called earlier and he says they are 10 days behind in the shop. WTF? Another guy told me yesterday that I could pick it up this afternoon and I said I wouldn't because of the fact that it was going to be stormy. So, who is right? The service guy or the guy at the counter yesterday? Who the hell knows, but I'm sure going to be pissed if I'm sitting at home all weekend because of their little oversight. Dammit. I guess I should have waited until winter.

Bike is at garage!

Good news, I left my bike at the shop this morning and should be able to pick it up tomorrow afternoon. I'm certainly anxious to hear how it sounds. And, the weather looks good for the weekend! Maybe I'll have some tales to tell come Monday!

Downed Biker Association Poker Run

Greetings! It was a fabulous day to ride on Sunday. Dee and I did our first poker run. I was seriously nervous, but I made it. I was very happy with the group of girls we rode with. Every last one of them kept asking if I was ok and if I'd rather take the back roads. I appreciated them understanding that I was nervous. That's me on the right and Dee on the left (ON THE HIGHWAY!), courtesy of Shelly Moe taking the pic over her head (she was riding, not driving). Anyway, we left home at 9 and got home around 7:30. I was so tired and was shocked when I looked at the mileage and we had only gone about 120 miles (and about 60 of those miles were from the commute into town and back). There were 5 stops in all, and the cards I drew at each location were crap. But, I did win 50 bucks on a raffle. We also bought some patches. I bought one that says "Fear the Reaper" another one is an Army one and the last one says "These are my church clothes". Makes sense since I usually only get to ride on Sunday (and I'm PRAYING a lot while I'm riding). All in all it was a great day and they raised quite a bit for the Sherriff's Deputy that got injured while riding. Oh, and major sight-seeing. The state fair has nothing on bike runs. Trust me.

Happy Anniversary!

Ten years ago today, I got licensed as a Funeral Director/Embalmer. Good grief, am I that old? All in all, it's been a good ten years. I estimate I've probably met with 1,000 families, worked 1,200 funerals and embalmed 1,500 bodies. Not bad for a decade of work. If it wasn't supposed to be stormy this afternoon, I'd probably treat myself with a ride after work. But, riding is NOT FUN in the rain, so I will wait. There is a ride this weekend ~ Ride for the Cure, I won't make it because I'll be burying the dead, but I may make the after party.... I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Motorcycle Pipes and Spring!

Well, I think spring has sprung here in the great State of Oklahoma. The first day of Spring is still a couple of days away, but at least it's getting closer. Man, this has been one of the worst winters I can remember. The weather hasn't been particularly worse than any other winters, I'm pretty sure it has sucked more because my bike has been trapped in the barn. That's all about to change, though. Which brings me to my next point/question: The Great Banty Rooster Bush is promising $600.00 to all of us taxpayers. I know I should save it, but I'm going to buy new motorcycle pipes. I want louder pipes, I don't feel like the stock pipes are near loud enough (for numerous reasons). So, any suggestions as to brand, type, etc.? If you have any ideas/suggestions, please feel free to share! Yea for SPRING!!!!!

Is that the wind I hear?

I rode my bike into work today. No, not my bicycle, I'm not insane (too far), but the motorcycle. I have missed riding so much (because it's so damn cold) that I thought the 30 mph wind gusts would be "no big deal". Dee tried to tell me as I was getting dressed that I might want to step outside. I told her I could hear the wind and it wasn't that bad. First of all, if you can hear the wind, it is bad. No matter. I got all my gear on, got out in the barn and started her up. I got down to the corner, turned south. All was well, what a pleasant ride, I was telling myself. Got to Britton Road and thought I may as well cut across now since I work about 20 miles west. I make the turn, cruise up to about 60 and wham! Holy mother of God. 30 mph wind is apparently plenty windy. I could barely hear my ipod it was so windy (yes, I know that's illegal). I'm hanging on for dear life, thinking that this was indeed a stupid idea. And, in the back of my mind, I hear Dee saying, you might want to step outside. Well, I finally made it after trying to criss-cross south and west as much as I could to take a break from the wind. When I got to work, I called Dee and she said, "How was the ride?" "PERFECT" I said, "not that windy". Damn, 5 o'clock is going to be here before I know it. Better start praying now......

Bad News for Funeral Directors? Motorcycle Airbag Jacket

Found this on a funeral blog, bet you didn't know there was such a thing...


Will a new airbag jacket cut down on motorcycle deaths? Of course, we're just joking about this being bad for our profession; anything that saves lives is great news and besides, we serve everyone eventually.
But the question still remains: will these jackets encourage motorcyclists to drive even faster (because of the lower risk of death), thereby endangering even more of their fellow travelers?
And before you go all "even us motorcyclists deserve our rights!" crazy on me, remember that I also drive a bike. So I'm part of that particular "brotherhood" as well.
From WBALTV.com:
BALTIMORE — While motorists who have been in car crashes often attribute the help of air bags to saving their lives, a Maryland motorcycle rider injured in a collision is doing the same — for a jacket.
Joseph McPhatter, of Randallstown, was injured in a crash on Interstate 83 after being cut off by another motorist in September. According to police, McPhatter was ejected 100 feet, hitting the ground at an impact rate of 140 mph.
Police said that McPhatter might have been severely injured had it not been for the Impact Jacket he was wearing — a jacket that inflates like an air bag when a motorcyclist is in an wreck.
McPhatter suffered from sore ribs and knees and a few other minor injuries, but it could have been much worse, officials said.
Officials said McPhatter's crash was the first real-life incident in the U.S. where the jacket was used.