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Now seven weeks past when my husband died, I continue to mourn. I have literally lost at least half of what made me “me.” But life goes on, and I do too, one boot step at a time.<\/p>\nNow seven weeks past when my husband died, I continue to mourn. I have literally lost at least half of what made me “me.” But life goes on, and I do too, one boot step at a time.<\/p>\n
Readers may note…
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\n…I changed the image in the header of this blog (refresh if necessary). I removed images of me on a motorcycle because I sold my Harley Road King in January and currently do not own a motorcycle. <\/p>\n
I plan to buy a new, smaller, easier-to-mount\/dismount and easier to ride motorcycle soon. I am looking at several, and not necessarily a Harley. Maybe, maybe not. I know what I want and don’t want, such as a BMW or “crotch rocket” sport bike.<\/p>\n
I have tried to ride BMW motorcycles, and they are quite an adjustment with a significantly different center of gravity. I hate how the motorcycle feels “top-heavy,” so I’m not looking at them. <\/p>\n
Also, remember the key word is smaller<\/em> — not larger. I am definitely not going to get a trike, CanAm, Goldwing, or Indian. Again, I want small, not big. Something for the kind of riding I do — short trips, not all-day rides.<\/p>\n Whenever the weather breaks, which should be soon, I will go with my close friend who is a motorcycle training instructor and seasoned motorcycle police officer, to look and test ride some bikes. I will listen carefully to my friend’s sage advice. I’ll let you know when I find what I want and arrange to buy it. <\/p>\n In our shared history, my husband was always the one with the beard. He would spend hours grooming it. I would tickle his beard; he would look at me, smile, and give me a little snort. (That was “our thing.”) I’m not much one for male grooming. The beard will be scraggly… until perhaps it gets itchy when it gets warmer, and I shave it. Who knows… check back.<\/p>\n As it has been cold, I have been wearing leather while at home. I am comfortable in it and by wearing leather at home, I can reduce the setting on the thermostat (giggle — that’s me, always looking for cost-savings when I can.) I have always felt that “if you have it, you should wear it for more than fashion shows and posing.”<\/p>\n Well, I am serving under the auspices of my local fire department as a medic. I continue to give Covid-19 vaccinations to priority groups on several duty shifts each week on a “TDY” assignment (or “loan”) from the fire department to the Department of Health. <\/p>\n I am also taking intensive training courses to regain licensure as a full paramedic, above and beyond my current licensure as an Advanced EMT\/Cardiac Rescue Technician. This training is grueling, but necessary to achieve my goal of regaining that credential.<\/p>\n I am doing this completely as a volunteer. I am not paid when I give vaccinations or fill in for medic shifts for EMS response from time to time. <\/p>\n I collect volunteer hours which at the end of the year appear in a report provided to me. With at least 600 volunteer hours per year, I can reduce the taxable income for my state, which results in a significant benefit to me in having to pay less taxes. I appreciate that my state provides tax reductions for first responders.<\/p>\n When not on duty for the fire department or taking training, I have been at home. I am trying to sort through lots of “stuff” that my husband stored away. I separate this “stuff” into piles for donation, trash, or repurposing. <\/p>\n I also have found over $345 in coins. Yes, coins. Every night for the past month, I have been wrapping these coins and periodically taking them to the bank for deposit. Gives me something to do at night besides sitting at my computer.<\/p>\n I admit, I have been procrastinating the cleanup. I just don’t — yet — have the heart to go through all those things. I will, eventually. But I am not planning to sell the house or move, so I have time.<\/p>\n I still remain engaged as a leader for some local and one national-level committees. Those groups meet in the virtual space, but require as much if not more work to prepare for, facilitate, and follow-up on these meetings. <\/p>\n It is good to remain busy and distracted.<\/p>\n Life is short: proceed in honor, one boot step at a time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Now seven weeks past when my husband died, I continue to mourn. I have literally lost at least half of what made me “me.” But life goes on, and I do too, one boot step at a time. Readers may … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bootedmanblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Bloghead2021beard.jpg?resize=278%2C300&ssl=1\")
Some really astute readers may also notice that I am growing a beard. I am still not sure about it. It is white and makes me feel old. I will not dye it… so white it is. I will try it out and see what happens. You can use the comment section below if you wish to let me know what you think about it.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bootedmanblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Chipfiresmooth.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1\")
Lately these past several weeks, the boots on my feet have been my favorite duty boots — Chippewa Firefighters<\/a>. Why? <\/p>\n