September

After days of rain and gloom it is beautiful weather. The leaves are just beginning to turn. The sumac along the river road is bright blood red. I took the long way home, Microns booming desmo music.
It's important to be able to get away from the noise of the political bull**** and bluster this time of year. By the time it quiets the riding season will be over up here. I've heard more than enough political lies to last a life time. Riding takes my mind off the whole affair. Nature and the joy of a fine machine on a good road are a great philter. These fall days are precious, especially knowing that winter will follow.

I am better prepared for winter this year. I have walled off a small corner of the garage so that I will have a space I can heat cheaply. With fuel prices rising it is important to have a practical space for winter projects. That's the time of year to focus on all those projects that get put off when the air is warm and the sun shines. Summer I do the minimum of maintenance chores. Winter I enjoy working on next year's ride. This winter I have a transmission to replace and some other details to get my Moto Guzzi T3 cruiser ready. I also have a little more to do to finish the Ducati Monza 160. When those are done there is a Gold Wing that needs carb cleaning and a tune up. So it goes. The projects keep me busy until it is time to ride. I'm close enough to retirement it's about time to sell some of my completed projects. I'll miss them. Especially in the winter when all I can do is look and putter. LN