Monthly Archives: March 2014

What a Biker Does When It Snows

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As forecast, snow began to fall Sunday afternoon. By then, I had completed all of my work to care for my spouse and senior pals for the weekend.

I especially enjoyed lunch at a friend’s house. This friend lost both legs while serving in the Army. He had completed rehab, and some buddies and I remodeled his house to make it more suitable for someone who gets around both in a wheelchair and also using prosthetic legs. He invited us over for lunch, which he made himself, to show off his abilities. His smile said it all, and I was grateful to be able to help him and his family.

So now that it was “officially” becoming a winter wonderland again, what did this biker do?
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Living Prepared on the Yo-Yo

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This has been a winter that won’t quit. It has been trying to quit, but refuses to do so.

Three weeks ago, 60F (15.5C). I rode my Harley. Followed by 12 inches (30cm) of snow a few days later. Then one week ago, 62F (16C). I rode my Harley. It remained pleasant enough so that I could ride my Harley to work for two more days. Followed by the coldest windiest day this entire winter with wind speeds in excess of 50mph (80kph) with air temps at 10F (-12C) making the wind chill (“feels like”) temperature at -12F (-17C).

Then yesterday, it reached a balmy 65F (18C)! What did I do?
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Employee + Spouse

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I’m glad to see gender neutral language appearing on official forms.

My employer recently distributed forms to re-enroll for health care benefits. Unfortunately, the rates of insurance have skyrocketed — an increase of over 25%!

On the form, there were boxes to tick, including “employee only,” or “employee + spouse.” I like that–the gender-neutrality of it. Doesn’t matter, straight or gay, a spouse is a spouse.

What was my response on this form?
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Asked To Be Featured in a Political Ad

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Someone running for elected office in our home state contacted me the other day to say, “I heard that you and your partner got married. Congratulations. As you know, I am running for [position] and my team is creating ads to air as we run up to the primary election. Will you and your partner join us to be featured in our ad campaign?”

My spouse was sitting right next to me when I got this call. I put it on speaker so he could hear the conversation.
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Weekends are Too Short

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I have failed. I have tried for decades to convince the PTB* to exchange the work week with the weekend. That is, give us five days for the weekend and two days for the work week (and, of course, be paid the same pay for two eight-hour days as I earn for five.) LOL, hasn’t worked yet.)

This past weekend was no exception to the “crammed” but productive life I lead.
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See and Be Seen

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My beloved spouse worries about me riding my Harley to work in the dark. I arrive at my office each day very early, long before the sun rises, even in summer when the days are longer. Bless him, he bought me a pair of very bright “motolights,” which are halogens mounted on the front brake calipers at the bottom of the forks. See what they look like…
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Aging Alone

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I was asked by a blog follower to comment on aging alone. As many readers of this blog know, I look after a rather large cadre of older people who I call my “senior pals.” These people are neighbors and friends of my family, then friends of theirs, then friends of friends of friends… my senior network has grown over time — mostly because I cannot say “no” to a kind face and warm heart.

But this post is not about me or what I do to volunteer my time outside of work. It is about the issue of how older people deal with aging alone.
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