One More at the End

Took the mtb over to the Local Bike Stand yesterday (Tuesday) to see if they could fix my gear range problem. Greg hopped on, put it in the small ring (why yes, i do still run a double - it's the only way to go), pushed down on the pedal and sure enough the chain skipped but good. I didn't need to explain the problem any further. Anyway, the result of that visit was to order a new small chainring. At that point i could have left the bike but, you know, there was still a chance to get one final ride in the morning before the rain arrives, one final ride to close out a long and winding year. That last part didn't quite work out - yes, i did get out one more time, but it did drizzle nearly the entire time the wheels were turning, little more than a soft day really, and you'll hear no complaints about it from me. Mr. Kelly's words to ride by always come to mind in such occasions: "I go out on my bike, I do my ride, and when I get back home I decide if it's too wet or not."

circles in a puddle

"Beautiful sobbing and then to lie still on the freshly fallen snow" - seems to be abbreviated from the poem "Deer Tracks," by Richard Brautigan

They say Ribes aureum (Golden Currant) is winter deciduous - not around here

i stopped for a moment at the Eucalyptus grove just to listen to the pattering on the leaves

"... There's a long, long trail a-winding

into the land of my dreams,

Where the nightingales are singing

And the white moon beams.

There's a long, long night of waiting

Until my dreams all come true;

Till the day when I'll be going down

That long, long trail with you..."

(King)