May
6 , 2010.
Have
been so busy with the band
I've only just finished updating the events calendar.
Many of you are wondering what the heck happened with
this site - I haven't logged in for ages. Speaking of
age, just turned the Big 44 - not ashamed of the age thing.
Every day above the ground is a good day, even if it's
44.
Well,
I have been singing like crazy. Been through many guitarists,
but finally my boyfriend and I have settled on a couple
of guys that are real dedicated to Overtyme.
We're having fun, rockin' it out, and I'm engrossed with
memorizing lyrics like crazy. I'm actually trying to increase
my endurance, standing in front of the mic when not playing
the piano, and trying to engage the audience a bit, and
improve my stage presence. Not my forte though - the left
leg gets sore, as does my right hip from all the weight
bearing for longer periods of time. My movements are very
awkward and stiff. If I stand still, I look alright, just
not very interesting or animated while singing. Geez,
I'm still having difficulty accepting the fact I will
never be or look the same. I hate bikini/short season.
Aesthetics aside, I hate how hot I get in the darn prosthetic.
I feel like I'm having a total body melt down. Oh, you
able-bodieds haven't a clue.
Update:
never
did hook up with Track3 - they had over 100 on their waiting
list for volunteers to assist amps back into their ski/snowboard
equipment. So I enlisted the help of my boyfriend who
patiently went to a very hilly park where I proceeded
to resume snowboarding. Well, a very melting-snow-spring-day
me and ice-rashed elbows later I was completely wiped
but had managed to get back up, on my own, each and every
time I fell and try to do a complete s-carve. Had difficulty
turning left. No problem making my right turn onto my
back edge though. Anyhow, I crashed afterwards onto the
sofa, completely spent and my elbows and knees were raw
from the granular snow.
November
8 , 2009.
Well,
I experienced another "first" today. Before
my amputation I used to shoot hoops on the basketball
court for extra cardio. I'd alternate between the three
hoops/nets, working my way around the court and just running/shooting.
I was never any hell at it, but eventually I got so good
that my baskets were more than the misses. Today I gave
it a try, and to my surprise (my prosthetic was fitting
really well today, no pain, nothing) I was even running
up and down the court with very little difficulty. I felt
accomplished and felt fit. I will be incorporating it
into my workouts once again as an extra cardio. I've gained
weight because of reduced physical activity and extremely
unclean eating, including a marked increase in alcohol
consumption. (It really does make things seem
not so bad.) I will be concentrating on my emotional and
physical health once again, channelling any anxieties
directly into physical fitness.Hopefully this season's
snowboarding and extra basketball hooping will help me
shed the extra 8 pounds I've gained.
I've
discovered a group of volunteers - Track 3 they're called
- that assist differently-abled athletes to resume their
sports activities. They focus mainly on skiing and snowboarding.
They are willing to send a one-on-one instructor to the
ski hill to work with me, helping to get me back on board
(pardon that pun). I don't even need adaptive equipment
- just someone to help with technique and getting on/off
the lifts. I am nervous but excited. I want to do it all
- it's even crossed my mind to really get into it - as
in trying some air shit. First though, see if I'm able
to traverse.
October
25 , 2009.
Today,
I think the whole world can royally F.O.
September
2 , 2009.
We
have a new guitartist and bassist for our band Overtyme.
Things are looking up, and we hope to move forward with
our band. the guitarist happens to sing back up harmonies,
and is a very good fit to my voice. We are truly excited,
and appreciate the talent he brings to the band.
As
for the other band we're involved in as a percussion section,
I've posted some pics on the Everything
Else page of Photo Gallery. They are of
me opening a garden party afternoon with my piano, and
Brand Gnu blues Band, when we moved everything indoors.
By the time we went on to play it started to rain that
afternoon, so we had to move the band indoors to the basement,
which was a very large venue. The garden party was fabulous,
catered to and oh my gosh - all you can eat, all the wine,
beer, pina coladas (industrial sizes)
one could drink. Very upscale, cool gig. (FREE
food and booze, LOL, for those of you that know me well...)
August
29 , 2009.
I
had quite a fright last night. Travelling along Hwy. 12,
I was nearly T-boned at the Coldwater intersection at
County Rd. 23. This chick ran the red light, full tilt,
and we both screeched to a halt, with her narrowly stopping
in the nick of time. A van turning right pulled into the
dirt, I assume he figured the accident had occurred. I
pulled over further also, to get a grip, or rather to
loosen mine from the steering wheel. I spent the night
last night sick from the adrenalin rush.
August
21 , 2009.
Well,
the mother of all storms hit us last night. I thought
I was goin' to Kansas for a moment. I've posted some pics
here of some of the damage done. According to
the news today, parts of Southern Ontario were hit by
tornadoes.

Dangerously
dangling.






August
19 , 2009.
Yes,
these pics should be on the Everything Else Photo
Gallery pages, but the pics below pretty much say what
I've been up to lately! FUN! We're
playing with some really talented and disciplined musicians.
These guys are serious about their music, truly inspiring
and motivational. It's where practise has taken them.
We have another gig with them coming up this Saturday.

The
Brand Gnu Blues Band plays Innisfil - Opening act for
Liam Titcomb's cross-Canada War Child tour
L-R:
Frank, Tim, Liz, Kristy and Randy




July
31 , 2009.
Holy
crap - they're tearing my street all up putting in all
new water mains - the big John Deere on tracks shakes
my house unbelievably. I can only imagine what it must
have been like when the Germans were trapsing across cities
in their tanks; it's actually frightening to see my pencils
bouncing off my desk while the backhoe dude rolls by.
Well,
my Old Girl finally conked. I took her out for a spin,
stopped by a friend's place, and, they weren't there.
So upon trying to start her up and leave, I heard a simple
'click', just one, a whine, and then nothing. I knew the
instant I heard the whine that this was not a good thing.
No lights, juice, nothing. Dead at the switch. I could
have bump started her had she had a bit of juice even,
but absolutely nothing. All these years of paying into
CAA paid off however. They sent a flatbed to load her
up and drop her off at AMP Cycle (and no, my mechanic
isn't an amp) LOL. That's A-M-P Cycle and Sled. I'm hoping
it's something real inexpensive, such as a broken ground
wire. This is the first time my bike has ever left me
stranded I'll have you know. But all the sweet talk in
the world wouldn't make her run the other day - she's
protesting, "It's time to get me fixed mum!"
June
16 , 2009.
This
just in - LOL - I've added some published articles to
my motorcycle articles page. Will add more "Other
Articles" when I get the chance again.
June
5 , 2009.
Whew!
I have been so busy this is the first opportunity I've
had to even log into my webpage. I now have my own column,
in The
Motorcycle News. I've also been asked to make
some guest appearances for various events. My boyfriend
moved, hence busy with that also. That makes it six moves
in total since fall of 2006 - between moving those close
to me, as well as myself having moved three times in there.
I'm sick of corrugate and newspaper.
The
Old Girl, well, she's ornery to say the least, since that
fabulous motor job they did in Quebec. But, I just rub
her tank, speak nice to her, and the sputtering and backfiring
stops, and I do eventually arrive at my destination. I
just keep adding oil. Can never have too much oil. I carry
back up bottles in my saddlebags.
Just
had my six month check-up - I've graduated to six month
intervals now - all's FREE and CLEAR! Yahoo! I always
shed a tear of relief after my appointments.
Well,
this has been short and sweet. Later folks...
March
11, 2009.
Yes,
yes, it's been a long interval between entries. I'm still
working on that events calendar. Hope to get it finished
this week.The weather's been up and down here these past
few days. One day mild, the next day windchill well below
freezing. I can hardly wait to pull out the ol' Musloka
chairs again and enjoy my coffee outside. Hope you're
all well and getting ready for Spring. Get polishing...
January
28, 2009.
I
was sent this today - thought it was real cute:
Underdaks
Commercial
January
26, 2009.
I
am getting too old for bullcrap headgames. I really want
serenity in my life. There's one good thing to be said
here - thank God for true friends that really know me
well, and know what I believe in and stand for; those
of you that know I have integrity and deserve the same.
Wild horses could not make me do something that I didn't
want to do, regardless of circumstances
surrounding me at the time - that being said, onto another
subject...
Today
was two years since I lost my foot.
January
17, 2009.
Howdy
folks. Now that I've had my mental meltdown, I'm back.
For all good intentions (the highway to hell was paved
with them) and all the positive thoughts in the universe,
nothing stopped me from reaching my breaking point this
past Wednesday. All you amps will know where I'm coming
from - the new socket wasn't a good fit - no amount of
adjustments at the knee worked, and there I was having
another cast taken. This, after weeks of fit problems
together with skin breakdown - the whole gamut of crutches,
canes, skin ointment and keeping the freakin' thing off.
So, on the way home from my prosthetist's, I was in a
flying rage going up the highway like a maniac, crying,
screaming and begging the Lord above to give me back my
normal life. In fact, I was so desperate to wear my high
heels again, I was concocting a plan to rob a bank to
enable me to buy Freedom
Innovations' Runway foot. Okay, a
wee bit extreme you might say, but you gotta know you're
dealing with someone that's held it together for a very
long time now. It was either that, or I was going to pull
the next innocent bystander in high-heeled CFM
boots off the street and pummel them to death. The branch
snapped this week. It was not a pretty scene.
People
have no flippin' clue what they have, and how good they
have it, until it's gone. So the next time it rains, just
shut the f**k up and know that the sun will rise again.
December
19, 2008.
Isn't it funny how life is. People always seem to want
what they don't have. And when they get what they want
and desire, they're still not satisfied. Human beings
ultimately bring about their own demise; they destroy
all the good that is around them. It is no wonder the
world is rife with deception, divorce, warring peoples,
and greed.
I
feel as though I am running in a competition of futility.
My scores just don't make the grade. My heart is heavy
today.
December
3 , 2008.
My
head is like a football. I had my head drilled at the
dentist's office today, and I have never been so sore
from a filling before in my life. Moral
of the story - little kiddies, make sure you look
after your teeth! Yes, it may be
hard to believe, but the level of speech exiting my mouth
is minimal.
November
28 , 2008.
lie
v lying, lied - to
make a deliberately false statement
People lie for two
basic reasons. Most people avoid the truth because they
anticipate pleasure or they want to avoid pain. When it
comes to lying, the anticipation of pleasure usually involves
a selfish agenda. Thousands of us lie for purposes of
self-interest and self-promotion, such as when we lie
on a job résumé. Some people lie because
they feel if they tell the truth, they won’t get
what they want. The avoidance of pain or discomfort often
causes people to lie. People often lie because they fear
punishment. If someone frequently fears punishment, lying
may become a habit, which is lying by reflex. Many people
lie to avoid awkward situations or interpersonal conflict.
We sometimes lie to ensure privacy such as when a telemarketer
calls during dinner.
Men lie differently
than women. Research suggests that certain types of lies
are idiosyncratic with regard to gender. Men, for example,
are more likely than women to engage in self-oriented
lies to gain personal advantage or make a positive impression
on others. Women, on the other hand, tend to use lies
to protect a third party.
Use baseline behavior
to judge when someone is lying. Generally speaking, the
less someone knows you, the more likely that person may
lie. Strangers are more likely to get away with lying
because you don’t know their baseline behavior.
Baseline behavior is how the person acts when he or she
isn’t lying. Liars usually score high in social
skills. Introverts tend to feel more comfortable telling
the truth. The most effective liars are those who get
a lot of practice. Beware of sales people
who use high-pressure tactics such as hurrying your decision.
M. Caruso
If
there is one fuckin' thing I hate, it's a lie. Lies can
never be taken back and they destroy lives and trust.
A single lie can take years to erase, if at all. Time
for a drink.
October
20 , 2008.
Good Morning Vietnam! (Actually, world.)
Well,
true to my nature, I went Roadgypsyfree to Toronto this
weekend to see a gig, aptly titled Hoodstock, performed
by an even more aptly titled Justabunchaguys
. It was a benefit performance for the OSPCA, and
let me tell you, these guys were good. I was
in my element, surrounded by biker-looking dudes and chicklets,
held at the Royal Canadian Legion. Non-stop music, with
all the dudes rotating their appearances/performances,
only breaking once. (That I recall - too much wine.) For
all you Classic Rock fans, this show makes you all warm
and fuzzy inside, a flashback to our backseat hot 'n'
heavy petting days. Having a great rapport with the audience,
Justabunchaguys blow a hole through those top notch
artists that make you sit for an hour and a half of waiting
for them to go onstage, forced to listen to a less-than-appealing
opening band, only to squeeze out an hour's performance.
If you ever get a chance to see these classic rockers,
do not let that opportunity pass you by. I put my Roadgypsy
ass on the line - you won't regret it.
October
15 , 2008.
Well
Mother Nature has had the last laugh on us. As do the
gas/oil companies. Now that summer is officially over,
we're now getting the best weather of the season. So I
guess I'll just keep adding oil .
September
25 , 2008.
Nothing
today - just moved this poem here off Scratchings
page. Sorry.
As
she slowly prepares for sleep
The flowers in turn begin to weep;
They let fall their tears of seeds in protest
A gentle reminder for the year next
And
together in perfect unison they unite
Helping each other prepare for nights
Long and cold that show no mercy
To creatures warmed by summer's bounty
Rains
of autumnal equinox nourish the ground
Still, signs of summertime linger around
Shortened days turned longer nights
Creatures of plume have taken to flight
Sleep,
sleep gently my summer friend
Slumber your footway to newfound strength
Go gently, waiting for ripened moment
Burst forth to warm frosted souls spent
September
21 , 2008.
Well, yesterday marked the 25th anniversary for the CMRH
Toy Run. I missed the last two years due to moving to
Quebec, then being in the hospital, so yesterday was just
like one big homecoming! Boy it sure felt like being home,
seeing old friends, really quite emotional for me (and
others - you know who you are. LOL) The weather was
fantastic, drawing our biggest crowd yet - over 500 motorcycles!
Man, from my vantage point, I couldn't see the beginning
of the double line of bikes headed up the highway. Law
enforcement from three different detachments were of great
support, blocking all intersections and on/off-ramps.
I love this particular run because the community gives
huge support. Nothin' like the sound of 500 bikes roaring
up the highway, and all the people line the route, throughout
the entire route, waving, whistling yelling, sittin' in
their lawn chairs with their beer and coffees. cameras
and videos galore. It really is an anticipated event each
year. Of course, santa riding with his toys strapped onto
the bike, well that just gets the kids really going.
Thank
you to all, the Salvation Army and Mueller's Sausages
for all the help and food, and all those that worked so
hard to make this happen. and thank you to the higher
power, for giving us a beautiful day, without any mishaps/accidents.
September
15 , 2008.
Howdy
folks. Been livin' Roadgypsyfree these days, hence my
absence from these pages. So much to do, so little time!
LOL. I've been on the go, shooting pics for an upcoming
article in Abilities Magazine. Check out writing pages,
there are some updates on there also. I'm a little behind
updating those articles. I've been singing a lot too lately,
and gearing up to play a stint at the Tay Idol Contest,
playing between category judging. So, gotta get them lungs
warmed up and stage-fright-free! Incidently, I found a
great little venue that hosts open mic every second Saturday.
It's Alfanoo's
on Bayfield St., Barrie. They have excellent equipment,
and a great bunch of regulars that play there. For $10,
you'll get a drink and a luscious house dessert which
helps cover the cost of equipment/set-up. If you go between
five and eight in the evening for their buffet, you can
stay after to listen to open mic. I had a great time,
plan on going again soon. Damian, the organiser, is an
accomplished musician and will accompany anyone if they
choose to request. This is one of the nicer open mic set-ups
I've been too, and the atmosphere is intimate bistro style.
How's
the leg you ask? Well, other than a few skin difficulties
of late, not too bad. I'm a little out of alignment, therefore
I suffer horribly from aching hips. Of course, traipsing
across a country mile of uneven terrain to get to the
pits at Barrie Speedway for a photo shoot doesn't help.
Minus the cane. Forgot the damn thing at home. But, bearing
witness to all the dudes running around in their NASCAR
OFFICIAL pantalons made the work getting there more
than worthwhile. LOL. and, I was lucky enough to have
hitched an ATV ride back to my vehicle afterward. Anyhow,
got the shots, and even some from the racetrack centre.
Watch for my racing chick Tale of Life coming
soon in Simcoe
Life Magazine.
I
have to admit - stumbling over the walnuts plunking down
from the walnut tree along my fenceline doesn't help the
hips much - it's like trying to walk over golfballs. My
foot just won't listen. LOL. I'm sure the neighbour thinks
I'm hammered all the time when I'm cutting grass...
August
18 , 2008.
Okay - I need to clear things up a bit here. All my riding
life, I've been teased about my selection of glasses/sunshades
that I choose to wear. This is not a fashion show dudes;
it is not a competition either. I don't give a rat's ass
what I look like with my overly large windshields covering
my eyes. In fact, I like to be the trendsetter. Years
ago, long before large shades were in style, I was wearing
my "Jackie Os" (as in Jackie Onassis). And I
have always worn wayfarers, because I thought they were
funky, plus they covered my eyes really well, not allowing
the wind and bugs to get underneath the rims. So, please,
enough already - cut me some slack with the windshield
jokes. Why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary?
August
13 , 2008.
It's
been a long time since the last entry, I know. Things
have been hectic here, writing. It's been raining for
the last couple of days, off and on, and I'm having phantom
pain - lots of it. I grit my teeth and try to move around
to get it to go away.
Beef
of the day (yet again) - smokers that toss their cigarette
butts out car windows. I could just kill them. Classic
cigarette-out-the-car-window-while-I'm-riding-my-bike-rage.
And I'm not afraid to approach them and call them on it
either. Maybe not the most intelligent of actions, but
someone has to wake those assholes up - they have such
a lack of respect for other drivers and our Mother Earth.
It should warrant a fine just as littering does.They campaign
for smokers rights. They should learn how to act
right first.
July
30, 2008.
Well,
I had my first oncology appointment yesterday, here in
Ontario. I now have a doctor to follow me. I was very
anxious prior to the appointment, for obvious reasons,
but mainly about my fear of having a panic attack while
waiting for my appointment. Was doing great until I finished
the novel I was reading. Then, in walked a lady with the
clear little chemo I.V baggie and Whammo - I
had a panic attack right there.
For
those of you that have never experienced a panic attack
let me assure you, they are not pleasant. What it is,
is a surge of adrenalin, which in turn causes a myriad
of symptoms - physiological responses in your body. For
me, it is a rapid heartbeat, where it feels as though
my heart is going to pound right out of my chest, a tingling
sensation at the top of my head, dizziness, shortness
of breath, nausea and sweating. To offset a panic attack,
one needs to move - to physically expend energy. This
helps to dissipate the adrenalin, which then lessens the
physical symptoms.
Seeing
the oncology department FULL of people is truly disheartening.
Every person in there has been touched by cancer. I almost
walked out. I opted to tap my feet, twiddle my thumbs,
anything to disperse that adrenalin. My mind wandered
back to my treatment, to the long-ago days when I first
found out about the tumour. The day I had to go see the
oncologist in Quebec City, I passed by a young woman in
a wheelchair - she had an amputated leg, bald head, and
dark circles under her eyes. I'll never, ever forget that
picture in my head. I remember instantly getting sick
to my stomach, going into a panic, and nearly fainting
right there in the line-up waiting to see the oncologist
for the first time. Two months later, it was me in that
chair.
Yesterday,
I hid behind my dark sunglasses and just cried.
July
20, 2008.
Forgive
me - I am way behind. I've gotten around to posting a
pic of my poor Gypsy, after her "de-skunking"
bath. she looks pitiful, yet adorable at the same time.
Incidently, she still smells like skunk, after many baths
and perfumes.

July
19, 2008.
I just got back from my tour of Manitoulin Island, Ontario,
Canada. I had such a good time. What an eclectic bunch
we were: the 82 year-old still riding his bike; the esthetician
that has never been in a sidecar - or gone on a motorcycle
trip, for that matter; and me, the amputee, on her first
tour since.
Couldn't
have gone away with a better bunch, we all chipped in
three ways and paid for the food, gas, accomodations.
We rented a cabin for the first two nights, then a 16-foot
trailer, both on the water.
I
found myself singing at a pub on the Friday past, and
nursing a severe headache the next morning. The island
is so beautiful - all the roads are paved, and it quite
has the feel of an East Coast fishing village. It was
the first time I had visited there when it wasn't raining.
The weather was hot, and we were only rained on once,
where I had to bungee the tonneau cover around the esthetician.
Had
bike troubles though, which started on the way up. That
fantastic motor job done over in Quebec, is pooched -
again. This'll be the third time it gets fixed. Seems
my $1600 is stretching a long way. The oil is pumpin'
out of 'er pretty good, out the top end, not quite sure
from where, there is so much oil covering everything.
Can't dwell too long on that one or I'll freak! Wal-Mart
had to order in extra 20W50 just for me for God's sake.
Hope
to upload the Manitoulin pics in Photo Gallery Touring
in the near (well, maybe not so near) future.
June
30, 2008.
I
couldn't take the torture any longer - I boogied up the
street to a driveway where, upon walking past many a time
with my dog, I had spied a van bearing the God-sent words,
"Scott - Custom Builder". Short of taking my
hammer to the ramp itself and destroying it in a violent
rage, (but not before resorting to some pretty unsafe
practices with the skilsaw), I enlisted the help of Ian,
the custom builder, to whom the van belonged. Kindly,
he fixed this Canadian's Worst Handy-woman's
Mess.
After
one month of the shed having been completed, and one month
of parking my now-rusting-muffler-bike on the grass under
a tarp, I drove Old Girl into her new home - the shed.
Of course, with a tight turn to make, and a wagon full
of weeds nearby, I rammed the doorway with the sidecar
fender. Forgot all about the freakin' thing being there.
Mastered sidewalk curbs and other vehicles, but need to
remember the fender has to clear the doorway...LOL. Good
Night folks...
June
27 , 2008.
This
fuckin' ramp is starting to drive me nuts.
June
20 , 2008.
Oh
my God - I took on the job of trying, and I repeat trying,
to build a ramp so that I can get my bike and sidecar into
the wonderful shed friends of mine built me. I bought all
of those deck hanger things, had the boys at Home Depot
rip down pressure treated 2X6X12s in half and I even bought
the proper deck hanger nails. What a job trying to figure
out the angle and what to saw off the planks, at what pitch.
I managed to get two hung, with the third hanger nailed
in place, but not before needing to rest. All that thinking,
stumbling about with the wood in hand to saw them off, and
having to retighten the big nut on my Skilsaw wore me out.
I bought a new blade for the saw, but I think it
(the saw) got worn out during the shed building, and it's
now making this horrific grinding noise while it spins.
I am having to retighten the centre bolt after each sawcut.
I really don't know how guys can do this construction thing.
It took me two hours to cut two pieces of wood! The sound
of the Skilsaw really frightens me - it is intimidating.
I have to admit though, so far it doesn't look all that
bad. I even had to rip down a 2X6X12 into an 8' length for
a header onto which I nailed the deck hangers. Ahhh - those
deck hangers. What a job setting the height of the 2X6s
into them - I have to allow for the plywood that goes on
top, so that I don't get a ridge where the shed floor meets
the ramp. Don't want a speed bump for heaven's sake! I am
so wiped from stumbling about in my prosthetic. Anyhow,
I will trudge through it - eventually reaching the finish.
Today
I did my good deed - I witnessed this kid walking on the
sidewalk, throw down a piece of garbage. I yelled at him
through my open truck window to "Pick up your garbage!"
And he DID! I didn't even get the proverbial f***k
off! One of the few unspoiled adolescents left in this world...
June
19 , 2008.
Had
a great weekend at a poker run. My daughter took 1st place
with three Jacks, winning $500, and I took 3rd place, with
two pairs, winning $100. So, we had agreed that any winnings
were to be split evenly, hence, I went home with $300. My
daughter also took 1st place door prize, a beautiful Coors
Light cooler on wheels, with travel handle. Hope to have
pics (what few I have) up and posted on Rally Alley
page soon. Bear with me guys - I am doing a ton of work
on the site, and it takes time. Ghost Town page
is also well under construction.
June
11 , 2008.
Well,
yesterday started with a Bang!
I let my Gypsy (no relation)
out for her morning routine and a bomb went off right under
my open kitchen window. She had cornered a black & white
friend in the corner nook outside the kitchen window, and
got nailed right in the mouth. Well, I had no choice but
to let her in the back door, grab her, put her collar on
and attach her outside the front door, in order
fo the skunk to escape the back yard - it is completely
fenced in. So, there I was, in good ol' Wal-Mart, at 7:30,
buying up the place, arming myself with cleansers, baking
soda, peroxide, you name it. Meanwhile, I smelled as though
I had been the one sprayed. How embarrassing! By the time
I had arrived home, my poor dog had puked lall over the
place and my whole yard and inside the house was rank with
the smell.
To
add insult to injury, as I began washing her down with a
solution of peroxide and baking soda, a huge black cloud
came over top of the house and unleashed the wildest thunderstorm,
within seconds. There I was, with no garden hose for help,
washing my dog with teatrea shampoo, Outrageous shampoo,
baking soda/peroxide, all in the pouring rain and lightning.
The neighbours must have thought I was nuts! I actually
was laughing, because I'm sure they thought I was using
the rain water to rinse my dog.
Anyway,
Gypsy was banned from the bedroom, and anywhere else there
is carpet. She was quite insulted she spent the night on
the linoleum kitchen floor. I reasoned it away to her that
if she were to belong to anyone else, she would
be spending the night out in the doghouse...
June
9 , 2008.
Some
days I feel like I'm just destined to live a lonely life.
June
7 , 2008.
HOT!
HOT! HOT!
May
17, 2008.
People are in such a rush all the time. I used to be just
like them. And I can't help but think I wasted so much time
rushing, and I was so stressed, and I wonder if that's what
made me sick. Cars cutting me off, just to turn off ahead;
passing me to gain one car's length, pedestrians running
out in front of me. My God, people are just like ants -
rushing around in their own little world, oblivious to the
big footprint about to get them. It is really disturbing
to watch, now that I am more aware. I have learned to take
it easy, not fret so much about things. If I'm late, what's
the worst thing that could happen? That I avoided an accident?
Okay, the guy in the parking lot last week didn't avoid
me, that's for sure. You see,
he was in a rush too - so much so, that he forgot to check
his blind spot while backing out. What really gets me, is
that he didn't even do the honourable thing and step up
to pay. Is this the sad state of affairs the world is in?
I hate to seem like a big black cloud about to rain on peoples'
lawn sales, but really, things look bleak.
May
16, 2008.
I
was informed that it isn't the tranny, it is in fact engine
compression difficulties that would most likely cause Old
Girl to roll. Who'd-a-thunkit? Learnin' all the time...
May
13, 2008.
The
freakiest thing happened to me today. It seems, there is
always some form of excitement around me. Many good things
also happened to me today, which I can't go into here until
the article gets published. However, onto the freaky thing.
After running errands (on the bike, of course), I decided
to go for a run down to the park and grab a coffee, maybe
trade some riding stories. The incline out of the french-fry
stand is quite steep, so, as a precautionary move (technically,
one shouldn't need to do this) I cranked my front end completely
against its stop so that in the event the bike should roll,
it would just roll into the bushes behind me, and not into
the parked car directly behind me. Don't forget my bike
has the sidecar attached, so I don't use the sidestand.
Because the bike is pretty much upright, the sidestand would
be inneffective as a "catch brake" anyway.
Well,
I climbed off Old Girl, and as I was fishin' for my coffee
money, the freakin' thing proceeded to roll backwards -
then catch - then roll - then catch! I completely forgot
about my prosthetic, flew around to the left side of the
bike (I had been behind the trunk of the sidecar fishing
for the money) jumped on and depressed the brake. Instinctively
I flicked the gearshift to ensure the bike was, in fact,
in gear - which it was - and still rolling. Holy s@&%t!
I began hauling on the handlebars, rattling the hell out
of my bike to see if it would still roll, and yep, there
she was, in gear, and rolling, ever so slightly. So, I'm
assuming I will be needing some tranny work, hopefully not
for awhile, but at some point. So another lesson for you
boys and girls out there - always take precautions! It might
save you from an incident. A little forethought went a long
way today - and so did my left-it-in-gear-bike! Guess I'll
need to start haulin' a couple of bricks around from now
on.
May
9, 2008.
7:00
a.m.
The
saga continues. Is there a force out there that just waits
until things go right, to then step in and make them go
wrong? An idiot backed into me in the parking lot yesterday.
Bashed in my left front fender, I am crawling over to the
passenger side to get in and out. This really sucks. He
was arrogant too, especially when I decided to telephone
the cops. Not that they could really do anything - it happened
in a parking lot, and I knew this. But the man was adamant
about not remaining at the scene, and I became suspicious
he had been drinking. Turns out not, however, I
am now suspcious of his insurance coverage. He was unable
to produce his policy number, from what I recall amidst
all the excitement. I guess it's another bad pill I will
need to swallow, for I do not have collision coverage on
my vehicle, due to the sky-high rates I am now paying due
to that at-fault accident that really wasn't my fault, which
I had in Quebec last year. (Yes that was a run-on sentence
- I'm allowed those once in awhile - there is no editor
here at Roadgypsy.com.)
May
3, 2008.
Gotta
tell ya - just realized I have links that are not linked,
photos that disappeared, well, any of you computer buffs
will know what that's like. So
bear with me, I need to go hunting to find all of the stuff
and re-upload it. I spent a considerable amount of time
on my photo gallery, thought I was making progress, and
now this. For all I've gained,
I lost a bunch of stuff too. Goes with the territory, I
guess.
May
1, 2008.
Happy
birthday to me! Great day, all I can say...
April
25, 2008.
Never
thought I'd be saying this: rain, at last! Things are so
dry we can't burn our tidy-up remnants because there is
a fire ban. Even with all the snow we had this past winter,
things are tinder-dry. The showers we had today did nothing
to really help the situation either. We need a 3-day soaking
to restore a safe burning zone.
Last
night I went to the coffeehouse and managed a 2-song spot
at the end of the night. Haven't been singing anywhere lately,
so I truly enjoyed getting out.
Well,
we managed to get the hole dug out for my shed-building
party. Holy, it doesn't look like much, for all the work
it took, but when you count all the rocks and garbage -
yep - you guessed it - garbage that was buried, exactly
where the shed will be built, it's a wonder we even got
as far as we did. We unearthed bed frames, concrete blocks,
planks of pressure-treated lumber, bones (yep), a Jesus
figurine, (wondered what sort of burial took place), various
items of garbage like shingle pieces, plastic coffee cups/lids,
nails, chunks of plastic - debris that was buried. Add to
that a pile of rocks too. My ol' leg was demo'd after, I
was out of commision for a couple of days. The nearly tipping
over with the wheelbarrow load pretty much was the signal
to stop, much to the mortified expression on my friends'
onlooking faces.

A
huge THANK YOU, guys!

April
24 , 2008.
All
this week on our local television station they're featuring
areas of severe dumping of garbage in Simcoe County. Everywhere
there is garbage, and some people are unabashedly dumping
large items right beside the road. I hate to admit it, but
I think the government is really part of the problem. Let's
face it: people are dumping simply because they don't want
to pay. Large items are no longer picked up curbside; any
more than one bag of garbage, and we are having to pay for
extra bag tags - this already in addition to the garbage
taxes we're charged on our property tax bills. Don't get
me wrong - I hate dumpers, but I see why it's being done.
I don't like to compare apples to oranges, however, but
when I lived in Quebec, there was one distinction between
Ontario and Quebec: you didn't see junk piled all around
the homes, and you didn't see garbage all over the roadsides
or in the bush. Everything is collected on garbage day,
sorted at a depot, and resold. If you need one foot of trim,
you can go and buy one foot of used trim. Used sofas? They
are sewn, repaired, and resold. The properties and grounds
in that province are CLEAN. Possibly there is a lesson to
be learned from there. And NO, I am not pro-Quebec. This
is merely an observation.
April
18 , 2008.
Alrighty
now - I'm not freakin' French! Just because I lived (a horrific
year, I might add) in Quebec last year, does not mean I
am French. No offense to all you Frenchies out there. Don't
send me a bunch of discrimination hate mail, please. Save
the bullshit for the rodeo.
April
17 , 2008.
Riding
season is finally upon us; and I am, finally, officially,
completely, Ontarian once again. My bike is plated and insured,
and I've been enjoying the last couple of days, albeit dusty
as they were, riding the highways of Simcoe. Lots of bikes,
lots of idiots that still don't notice them.
My
endurance seems better this season; not much wonder, I was
riding barely out of surgery IV (intravenous) last year.
Manitoulin might not seem a dream away after all - okay,
maybe Idaho, or Yukon or Newfoundland is, but that could
be a goal to work toward. Thought about a possibility -
renting a trike. Was chatting with a fella in the
Home Depot parking lot, and his tale of renting bikes and
touring turned the lightbulb on. Now, to find a suitable
Harley trike, that I would be able to shift gears on...
Ahh,
just enjoying the mornings in my Muskoka chair, with my
Gypsy (dog - and no relation) and coffee - I realized how
precious life is. One really needs to take the time and
smell the spring. Last year this time I was in a wheelchair.
My, how far I've come. I did a stupid thing yesterday -
I never switched the channel when, on Sex and the City,
Samantha is diagnosed with breast cancer. Usually, I turn
the channel whenever any commercials come on, or any programs
related to the 'C' word. It's just negativity, in my opinion.
Well, I tortured myself and watched the whole episode, and
it even showed Samantha shaving her head because she was
beginning to lose her hair. And there I was - reliving the
same thing, all over in my head. Although I never thought
it would bother me as much as it actually did, to lose one's
hair, is really quite devastating. When I shaved it off,
which was necessary by the way, because you can't stand
the sensation on your scalp when it's falling out, I just
cried during the whole ordeal. Okay, onto the next topic.
Why
do men find it necessary to hork and spit onto the ground
out in public? It really is disgusting, especially in front
of a coffee shop window. Although I did find myself
in a horking contest a time or two in my adolescent lifetime,
there is a time and place for that sort of thing. So, on
that note, save that sort of business, all you Romeos out
there, for the privacy of your own yard. Please - it really
shines a disgusting light on you! You won't be impressing
the ladies with it, that's for sure.
Happy
Harley Days!
April
7 , 2008.
Well,
this weekend I just proved to myself another reason why
I shouldn't open forwards. I received a FW about needles
being infected with HIV positive blood, that are supposedly
being taped underneath gas pump handles. Apparently people
would grab the nozzle to fill up their vehicle, stick themselves
and now there's a very large number of people in Simcoe
that have since tested positive.
So,
I never open FWs, but this one I decided to because of the
nature of the subject. I was very concerned, like any other
person would be that is not aware it's a hoax. So, I did
what I rarely, if never do: I forwarded the message to people
I figure commuted to work, or rode a bike and filled their
tanks frequently. I also went so far as to protect identities
by erasing the addresses of the other people to which the
original forward had been sent. (I am not savvy when it
comes to FWs, cc, Bcc - I only know how to maintain this
site) What happened next planted my against-FWs conviction
firmly in the ground.
I
received replies from almost all of the recipients that
it was a hoax, it's been around for quite sometime, and
they sent me a link to a site that verifies hoaxes, whatever.
So, with great embarrassment, I've pasted the link to the
site y'all sent me to verify such things. Here is the link,
and I WILL not,
ever, FW another e-mail. Done. Gas
Pump Hoax
Onto
another topic. I just discovered another hazard of having
a prosthetic leg - shopping-cart-pushing. I was in Wal Mart
(no, I don't spend all of my time at Wal Mart - I needed
to pick up toiletries), happily pushing my shopping cart,
when, WHAM! I stumbled and almost knocked my teeth
out of my head on the cart handle. My left foot had stepped
onto the left wheel of the cart, and, naturally, as I rolled
along, it rolled my leg out from under me. With no sensation,
I didn't even realize that during my step forward, my left
leg (the fake one) stepped onto the shopping cart wheel.
Wow. People of course thought I was spastic idiot.
Yet
again, I spied a vehicle, and nice fancy one at that, parked
in a handicap parking space, no permit at all in the window.
It was parked in front of an art store, which is right beside
a drive test centre. It sat there most of the day, I never
had a chance to spy who the culprit was. I need to get a
job in that field. I'd be good at it.
Well,
plans are underway for my Shed
Building Party. It's slated for two days, Saturday,
May 31 and Sunday June 1, 2008. I still need some
back up labourers. The link and info is repeated here:
Copied
f rom March 16:
Ok
- I'm recruiting some strapping lads for a shed-building
party at the end of May. If interested, e-mail me. The pay
is bad, as in 0$. But, there could be some beer and food
in it for you. You'd be building a shed to house a Harley
with sidecar. (Hmmm, I wonder whose that would be?) I would
provide the material, you would provide the time, gratis
(that's free, in French, for those that do not know).This
would most likely take place in late May, and you would
need to bring your body, knowledge, strength, hammer, drill,
saw, and whatever else it takes to construct a shed that's
10X10.8 feet. You will need to work well in a group, and
take instruction from a female (other than your wife). If
you wish to bring a friend or spouse to be gopher, that's
fine, but I would discourage children, I have a shepherd
that is getting more ornery each year.
Link:
Shed
Building Party
March
31, 2008.
March
came in like a lamb, and she's going out like a lion. It's
raining, which is a good thing - it'll help knock some of
the snow. Nothing much to report, other than I've been in
a great deal of pain with my leg - the sawed-off bone is
hurting everytime I put my prosthetic on. This makes it
extremely difficult to walk. I am no where near the cardiovascular
exercise I was doing with my first prosthetic.This is really
starting to piss me off.
March
23, 2008.
Happy
Easter! Did everyone put all their eggs in one basket? The
sun shone bright, but it was deceiving - the temperature
was positively COLD! I'm sure the Easter
Bunny froze his own eggs off.
I
can't get over how many people unabashedly use the handicap
parking spaces. I watch them looking around to see if anyone
is watching! And boy they don't like to be confronted. It's
as though I am the law-breaker. I would love to
hold the ticketer's job - I would not be ashamed to ask
each person who uses the space for their I.D. to verify
their use of the space. I even leave the space
for someone who may need it more than me, when my prosthetic
is fitting well, and I'm able to walk less slowly and without
pain. Those permits are issued to the person -
not the vehicle. People have no shame let me tell ya, and
that really pisses me off. I would be the first to invent
"handicap parking rage".
March
16, 2008.
Spring
is in the air! And I've kept ahead of the doggy-do bits
too! Want a great tip? Don't discard the dog food bags.
They make great dog-do containers. Some are foil-lined,
some plastic.They are strong and pretty much leak free,
unless you put a hole in the bag or something by accident.
Well,
I meant to update you folks on the Baljinder Badesha case.
Remember? He was the dude that contested the Ontario helmet
law because he said in went against his religion. He lost.
But apparently he's taking it to Supreme, where I'm sure
they'll kiss ass, because they will look at the other two
cases in the other provinces, can't remember which provinces
though. But I'm sure we will not be exempt. the
other provinces set a precedent, unfortunately. It wouldn't
burn me so much if we would all be exempt from the law.
But, alas, we do not wear turbans.
Ok
- I'm recruiting some strapping lads for a shed-building
party at the end of May. If interested, e-mail me. The pay
is bad, as in 0$. But, there could be some beer and food
in it for you. You'd be building a shed to house a Harley
with sidecar. (Hmmm, I wonder whose that would be?) I would
provide the material, you would provide the time, gratis
(that's free, in French, for those that do not
know).This would most likely take place in late May, and
you would need to bring your body, knowledge, strength,
hammer, drill, saw, and whatever else it takes to construct
a shed that's 10X10.8 feet. You will need to work well in
a group, and take instruction from a female (other than
your wife). If I could do it alone, believe me, I would.
I did build a deck to a pool, alone. Okay, it wasn't perfect,
but it had 16 inch centres! And the only reason it was out
of level is because I had to take it out of level,
because the pool was out of level, and if I left
the deck level, I would be unable to open the pool gate.
So, not my fault. But conditions are such that, I am unable
now, so, hence the reason for the shed building party. If
you wish to bring a friend or spouse to be gopher, that's
fine, but I would discourage children, I have a shepherd
that is getting more ornery each year.
E-mail
me at: Shed
Building Party
March
13, 2008.
It
was a year ago today that I had my chemotherapy treatment.
Can't go on about it too much here, other than it was the
most terrifying experience I've ever had, and I wouldn't
wish it on my worst enemy. Still suffering the effects of
it, one year later.
I'm
thinking about going somewhere. LOL LOL LOL. That was too
funny, what I just entered. I'm ALWAYS thinking
about going somewhere! I actually videotaped the Newfoundland
and Yukon commercials that are aired on OLN (Outdoor Life
Network). That's just crazy. Each time I see the Yukon ad,
I start crying. And I can't put my finger on it - am I crying
because I can't do it again, expecially with the sidecar?
Or crying from the rush I get watching it, knowing I've
been there. Strange familiarity comes over me when I watch
it. Bizarre.
I
don't know how I ever managed seven months in a wheelchair.
When I began house hunting here in Ontario, I lived with
mom and dad for a few months. And my mother noted that I
was always on the move. Even when I had time, it was spent
driving. Driving to Tim Hortons. Driving to the mall. Driving
and dropping in on people. She then understood my need to
travel. My father and I are very similar - we both love
to learn, and his nose is always in a book, or studying
a map of some sort. You should see my map collection. I
will read a map whilst sitting on the toilet; whilst getting
ready to sleep; whilst watching TV. I have globes all over
the place. It's almost a sickness, the need to always be
on the move. Last summer I was doing good to get 1000 km
in on the bike for the entire season. This year, if I had
the right bike I would be gone - minimum three weeks. I'm
starting to think about towing the bike on a trailer to
Newfoundland and unloading it. (Shhh - I've never trailered
in 26 years).
March
9, 2008.
I've
finally just been able to provide visitors updated access
to this page, due to technical difficluties with my Scratchings
page. "Technical" being, I lost my working page,
which meant I was unable to give you guys access to updates
until the problem was solved. So I solved it, by putting
up a temp Scratchings page.
I
haven't had bike fever this bad in a few years. Maybe it's
a classic case of wanting what you can't have. Well, we're
digging out again. I remember having winters like this when
I was a kid. My poor leg (the fake one) can't take this
anymore. I've been procrastinating about going out to clear
the snow. I have a snowblower, but with the ice and the
weight of the thing, it is a huge challenge for me to run
it and move the snow from my drive. I'm hoping someone will
clear me out before I get there.
What
constitutes attraction? I look around and see men at the
gym, and I wonder why people are attracted to some and not
others. Recently I was attracted to a man simply because
I saw the muscles in his forearms strain when he did his
chin-ups. I think back to when I had been attracted to some
men that were, well, simply put, ugly. But they oozed charisma,
and their pheromones floated around my head terribly. Since
my Quebec fiasco I've learned a few things - mostly about
myself. I am definitely turned off by men who don't
look after themselves - men who don't take pride in their
appearance and men who don't make some sort of effort to
stay in shape. Everybody gains weight at some point in their
life, through illness or medications, whatever. But a man
that sincerely puts forth an effort to maintain a healthy
weight or combat their weight gain is a turn on. That's
it. I had the unfortunate experience, only with a man, of
the syndrome most men experience after a few years
of being married to their wife - she quits looking after
herself, gets fat and starts wearing track pants in public.
In my case, there was no track pant, but Harley regalia
- which is okay, depending on where you go. An intimate
dinner is not exactly the place to wear dirty, forehead-oiled
bandanas and washed out Harley T-shirts. What happened to
the nice dress-shirt? Classic bait-and-switch.
February
26 , 2008.
Now,
which would I prefer - a prosthetic foot that's adjustable
at the ankle to accomodate high heels, or a Volkswagen trike,
the Runabout? Can't afford either.
Frustrated
today. I have to wear flat shoes and boots everywhere, and
I get sick of listening to high-heeled clicking in the stores.
I look like a freakin' old person with my cane; I feel less
than sexy let me tell ya. When I go to the Y for training,
I squeak everytime a take a step. There is no cover on my
prosthetic; if I wear long pants, people gawk and wonder
what the noise is. If I wear capris or shorts, at least
they can tell what the squeak is. Then I just laugh because
what else can one do, and I tell them my little birdie is
following me around everywhere I walk. The squeak sounds
like a chickadee. My prosthetic needs adjustment, and the
left side is shorter, so I walk crooked, with a limp and
both hips are aching horribly. I am trying to be thankful
for just being alive, but once in awhile the gravity of
it all creeps into my brain.
I
have bike fever. I haven't felt it for a long time. Everytime
I see the TV commercials for Yukon, I think back to when
I rode there on my bike. I love that place. I so want to
go back again. but I know I can't do it with the sidecar.
There is something truly magical about the north. Some days
I get this crazy idea to jump in a truck and trailer my
freakin' bike there then unload it. Where once I would consider
trailering sacrilege, I'm beginning to re-evaluate my options.
Sometimes I think of just calling a bunch of guys up and
seeing if they want to go. Crazy eh? But things look different
to me than they did before all of this happened. Life appears
startlingly short. I panic sometimes and I want to do everything
I can - want to jump on a plane and go to Italy and drink
wine and dip bread into flavoured olive oil all day. I want
to hire an instructor at the ski hill for an hour and try,
just try, to snowboard. I know how, but I want to try it
now, with my prosthetic. I need to know I can still
do it. I just need someone there to pick me up when I fall.
Cause I know I might fall. And I would have difficulty getting
back up. I saw an amputee skiing at the Collingwood games.
Man, the guy so inspired me.
Anyway, it's time to quit crying in my tea.
February
22 , 2008.
Well,
decided to celebrate last night, my re-newed Ontario residency
- with ordered-in pizza, wings, breadsticks. I washed it
down with the left over pink champagne from when I celebrated
my new beginning, after the deal closed on my little house.
I woke up in the middle of the night sicker than a dog,
headache, and all the pizza (ate 3/4 of the large Brooklyn
pepperoni) just sat in the ol' gut all night. I'm still
gettin' over the assault on my poor body.
February
21 , 2008.
Yeah!
I'm officially Ontarian again! got back my Ontario plates.
Hooray. Now just to find a doctor...
February
20 , 2008.
Well, finally settled into the new place. Finally got my
Ontario driver's license back. Finally got my OHIP card
back. Finally got my passport back. But still haven't dug
my way out of my insurance rates - the ones that skyrocketed
due to my "at fault" accident which really wasn't
my fault - over in Quebec. SURE am glad to be back in Ontario.
Okay, we're regulated to the a---hole, but at least we're
regulated to the a--hole in English.
Did
y'all know that they no longer accept non-government issue
birth certificates when transferring a driver's license?
Guess who found out - at the counter - after I had my emissions
test and safety done? They (drive-test centre of Ontario)
refused my birth certificate (a hospital birth certificate,
which is all that I've ever had, from Connecticut USA) as
ID. You'll never guess what I had to do? Had to apply to
the State of Connecticut AND the City Clerk's office in
Milford for a "government" issued birth record.
(But they'll give a license back to someone after a 12-hour
suspension.) Funny thing is, I applied for my passport with
the same said hospital birth certificate, and never had
problems. I also do all my travelling with same said birth
certificate.
It's
almost as though I turned criminal for moving to Quebec
for a year and a half. Let me warn all you folks considering
a transfer to another province: stay an Ontario resident,
just be a cottager working a temp position in the other
province. You'll save yourself a whole lot of headaches,
and you'll do your part in screwing the govt., because,
after all, their laws and regulations are certainly conducive
to them getting screwed, including YOU.
Speaking
of laws: I guess, just by the nature of the subject, I am
forced to comment on the recent attempt by Baljinder Badesha
to fight the helmet law here in Ontario. Peel Regional Police
pulled the guy over for not wearing his helmet, which he
explained discriminated against his religious beliefs. He
explained that removing his turban to fit his helmet to
his head was descriminatory.
As
you could well imagine, the smoke streaming from my two
ears set off the smoke alarm in my place. I was FURIOUS!
I am watching the outcome of this story closely, for if
this guy wins the case, there most surely will be some sort
of revolt against the Ontario Government, from the biker
community. If not, I'll be very surprised (and possibly
disappointed). Have we not fought for years, without success,
for the freedom/right to choose whether or not to wear a
helmet? Same goes for wearing seatbelts, and other laws.
That society must pick up the tab across the OHIP board
for injuries sustained to the head of a motorcyclist that
chose not to wear a helmet is NOT the issue here that burns
my ass; considering that happens to constitute
part of the helmet law argument from non-bikers.
What burns me is that if the guy wins the case, then what
flies next? I mean, they're already exempt from wearing
the traditional uniform of the Mounted Police, a classic
Canadian symbol. Religious knives are allowed on their person
in schools. The list is growing, and soon, if we don't watch
out, Canada will no longer be Canada - it will only be known
as a sieve through which all visitors may pass and become
citizens of their own country, abiding by their
own laws, and practising their own religious beliefs,
residing on a piece of foreign take-over (Canada). Bikers
beware - rest assured, you'll be pulling up alongside your
Sikh brothers, wearing their own uniform,
proudly displaying their own weapons attached
at their waist. Put away your switchblades boys - they're
no competition against the competition. And besides, leather
is no longer in fashion, is it now, fellow motorcyclists?
January
27, 2008.
I
repeat, "Okay, Okay, enough already! Yep, it's been
a long stretch since the last entry! But I'm here now, aren't
I?"
Well,
the 12-hour drive, amputation, chemo and car accident, as
well as a host of other "technicalities" there
in Quebec proved to be too much for my censory perception.
So, I moved back to Ontario. Having said that, I shall leave
y'all as my sea of boxes await...
November
29 , 2007.
Okay,
Okay, enough already! Yep, it's been a long stretch since
the last entry! But I'm here now, aren't I?
Well,
I've had a couple of visits to Ontario since the last entry.
Enjoyed time spent with friends and family, you know the
usual "un-boring" stuff! It's a long, ol' 12-hour
drive from here in Quebec to where my parents live. I usually
need to pull over for a snooze around the half-way mark,
which is usually at the Quebec/Ontario border. (Would ya
look at that - I called it "border". At times
it really does feel as though Quebec is a different country
from the rest of Canada.) Hope to get home for Christmas
too.
I
have started back at my music again. Been doin' some writing,
and have decided to get a little gig together with a musician
friend. Get back to my roots - which is definitely music.
My
hair is really coming in now, after losing it all from chemo.
It's so curly, I look like "a Gin-o from Toron-to"!
(That's said with an exaggerated 'O', accent on 'O'.) Now,
I don't want a bunch of complaints that I'm slammin' Italians;
I love Italians - it's just that my hair is very dark and
extremely curly at the moment - I look Italian. It takes
an hour to dry and flat iron it out - then it's the Joan
Jett '80s look. Any way one looks at it, it sure beats bald!
(Now, don't you baldies get offended either - bald on men
is far more becoming than on women, and besides, Dr. Phil
is hero in our house...
Finally
put the bike away. Went for a nice fall ride through the
Appalachian countryside here. We now have a small snowbank.
Set between two mountains, we have what they call "mountain
weather", and what I call "the 10 o'clock cloud
roll-in". Never fails: right around 10:00 a.m., the
clouds start rollin' in. It could be the clearest, bluest
sky you wake up to, but it clouds over each day at 10:00
a.m. So, I quickly learned that if I want to get any riding
in before it rains, one has to get on it quick before ten.
Not
much to tell you, other than I am still in my old prosthetic.
Skipped number two, it was so large by the time I returned
from Ontario, couldn't even fill it enough to make it fit.
My residual limb has shrunk a lot. so tomorrow, blisters
and all, I will go for adjustments to a new socket and liner
- a totally differentl system. There are no strings, wool
"sock"s and such with this one. The system combines
a gelatin sleeve that has a built-in bolt with a socket
that has a hole in the bottom into which the sleeve ratchets.
One push of a release button and the prosthetic is off -
could be a dream if the adjustments are well fitted. I am
trying not to get too excited after all of the disappointments
thus far. The prosthetic promises more comfort and motion
at the knee. Currently, I need to put thick surgical gauze
over and behind my knee to keep the inside liner from blistering
the skin any more than it already is. Painful let me tell
ya. Certainly limits one's movements...
Well,
not much more to report. Will try to touch base sooner next
time. Oh - as much as I have enjoyed some of the jokes and
such, I have stopped opening all attachments and those e-mails
from visitors that do not have a subject in the subject
line. I have a ton of spam and crap coming through, so apologies
to those whose e-mails are deleted without being read. Anything
that even remotely looks suspicious is deleted. Until later
Dudes and Dudettes,
Roadgypsy.
September
29 , 2007.
Well,
that little accident I had before my fishing trip ended
up costing over $14 000 to repair.
I
had a wonderful trip back home, Ontario, but combined it
with a lot of work. Have many articles to write, hence the
reason I haven't updated this diary 'til now.
Had
a surprise the other night - received a phone call from
the local camera club. I had entered a photo contest with
one of my rodeo shots from St. Victor. I was one of the
30 finalists and was invited to the presentations. Didn't
win, however I received a "coup du coeur" (apologize
for my bad French), which apparently is equivalent to honourable
mention. I was happy just with that.
Haven't
ridden my bike for over two months now. Just lost the interest.
However, at the invitation of a friend, I went to a Brothers
of the Third Wheel trike-in down in Belwood. They were very
welcoming, met a lot of interesting folks, and had a little
fun - lost miserably in the clothesline event. Couldn't
get a single towel pegged onto the line. Thniking about
getting a trike. Need to figure out how to pay for it, but
I've got my eye on a Trike
Shop model, their Runabout,
with VW engine.
Played
some music with a friend, and ultimately we jammed a bit
with the house band at Marina's Restaurant in Port McNicol.
Had a great time. I miss my music and all you folks back
home. The cogs are turnin' by Jesus - thinking of how I
can come back to live in Ontario. It's expensive there!
Cost of living is a lot lower here in Quebec than Ontario.
The cost of a house, as well as the taxes, is half also.
I am unable to work, still needing to remove my prosthesis
daily. I need a new one, because my residual limb has shrunk
so much my leg sits too deep inside the prosthetic and I'm
having a lot of skin difficulties: rashes, blisters, infected
follicles, pain, you name it. People just can't imagine
what is involved with amputation and prosthetics. Until
they see the whole process, they will never understand.
However,leg
is coming along - no choice! I've been putting it to the
test, trying to jog, and walking Gypsy, my dog (no relation)
every day. There are days of discouragement however, don't
get me wrong. There are moments of non-acceptance; depression.
I feel marred, like I am damaged goods.
August
21, 2007.
Oh
my God - again! My fishing
trip began with quite a bang - literally. I was involved
in a car accident Thursday night, August 16, the night before
leaving for Northern Quebec. Never had an accident in my
life. Did 'er up good though - did about $5000 damage to
the front end of my truck. Had whiplash, didn't go to hospital,
but went fishing anyway...tired of hospitals. Nothing that
a few days on an inland lake, deep in the woods, can't cure...will
post pics when I return from Ontario. Headin' to
Ontari-ari-ari-o again, August 26.
August
16, 2007.
GONE
FISHIN'!
August
14, 2007.
Oh
my God - we had the wickedest thunderstorm here last night.
It rolled in around 11:00 pm. I really went into a panic.
The trees were bent over, the dogs were running all over
the place - my Gypsy (no relation...) too came and took
a spot beside the bed. She usually takes a storm in stride.
The crackling thunder following intense lightning had me
crawling down two sets of stairs on my ass to the office,
in order to unplug my computer. It really hit me how vulnerable
you are when you're missing a foot. Because it usually takes
at least an hour of being wrapped before attempting to put
on my prosthesis, I was unable to put it on during the storm.
I sleep with my stump unwrapped, so putting on my prosthesis
in a hurry is out of the question. All I could think of
was, "What if this storm spins out a tornado? I'm up
you-know-what-creek without a paddle." Well
it was all over in a furious 15 minutes, thank God, 'cause
I was shakin' in my jammies and not much consolation for
my dog...
August
6, 2007.
Sorry
for the delay folks, but I'v had a ton of writing assignments
on the go lately, and along with my new found freedom (from
learning how to walk with a prosthesis) came canning and
making jam duties. Yep, it's a well kept secret that I can
keep a house and do Haus-Frau kitchen duties - in addition
to the biker chick thing. Don't like to admit to that, for
fear that someone will one day want to make a good wife
outta me - AGAIN. Been there, done that...
Once
again, thanks for all the letters you have been sending
- lots of tips from other amputees, bike mods and such.
I will try and get the pics uploaded as soon as I get a
free hour - actually more like two free hours.
By the time I dump everything into the specific folders,
then import them into my web program, save to the FTP folder
then upload, it will be a minimum of two hours' time. People
just don't realize how much time it takes just for one
photo to be brought into these pages!
Between
jars of jam and string bean pickles, I managed to get out
to a couple of really cool events. The rodeo is making its
rounds through Quebec, and I went to the Festivities Western
at St- Victor de Beauce. Got some great shots and had an
equally great time. It was smokin' HOT
that day, and with my slightly- covered-with-hair bald head,
I nearly fried - that's with a bandana on it. But
people were very kind, we were all sitting on those tiered
outdoor stadium benches, you know the wooden kind with all
the splinters and people's toes in your ass. They helped
pick me up each time I returned from the outdoor portables.
Had difficulties climbing up to my spot with my prosthesis.
My "residual limb" (stump) has reduced so much
now that I need to don a ton of those nylon socks to take
up the space in my socket. One day I actually had 21! In
addition to making it difficult to bend my leg, it is hot
on a hot day, together with the neoprene sheath that holds
my leg on. As a result, I have had some skin problems, mainly
blister-like bubbles, with no liquid inside, rashes, and
scaly skin. I have only just been informed I need to change
the socks EACH day, wash them in special prosthetic anti-bacterial
soap, as well as the skin, socket and sleeve. That's more
than my underwear... No, just kiddin'. Now before I go and
get a bunch of letters from you guys about that last comment,
it was a joke, okay? A JOKE!
I
also went to stock car races last Saturday night. I love
the mud that gets flying at those events. Next week I plan
on going to the demolition derby, and asphalt races Friday.
Will try to get pics. Following today's entry are some pics
I took at the rodeo and Saturday night's races.
Construction
has begun on my studio. I am very excited, I will finally
have my creative space. It can't go up fast enough - I am
sooo cramped in my basement office, I can't even get to
my cutting table. (The cutting table is where I cut matting
and photographs I have reproduced for sale - my photography.)
Stock
Car Races, East Broughton, Quebec



Festivities
Western Rodeo St-Victor de Beauce, Quebec

On
again...

off
again.


July
20, 2007.
I
took a run into Maine this week, and took a flat on my sidecar
wheel, approximately 10km outside of Jackman, Maine. I heard
the freakin' thing go too - a loud pssssssssst and next
thing I know I'm on the side of the road. So I rode her
into Jackman as is - in first gear. Man, what a workout
that was.The sweat was just pourin' off me and
my triceps darn near melted right off. Now let me tell ya,
there are no bike shops in Jackman. There are only men driving
around in 4X4 pick-ups wearing red and black checkered flannel
shirts and sporting good ol' fashioned Grizzly Adams beards.
But don't let that deter ya - the people are super kind,
so I found out. Just the fact they spoke English made me
feel right at home. The tire shop dude kindly telephoned
another guy who raced motocross.That dude (sporting
same said beard) and his friend showed up with tools and
took my rim off, took it back to his place and mounted a
real authentic motocross tire - that was all he had, and
I wasn't about to complain. Grinning, he explained, "It
ain't legal ya know." My response? "I don't really
give a fuck if it's legal or not. Just mount the fuckin'
thing right on there so that I'm rollin' again." We
had a chuckle. Well, super nice, only charged me $80 total
- tire, labour, the 15 minute run one way out, back home
and out again. Now, have ya ever run a motocross tire at
110km/hour? I had to put in my ear plugs, the howl was so
loud. Louder than my straight pipes - no joke! Let me tell
you, things are never boring around here.If you're ever
in Jackman, Maine, don't forget to drop in at Moose River
Tire and say Hi to Razor- tell him you heard he was a decent
dude, from Roadgypsy. Can't forget Randy and Garrett at
Long Pond Camps and Guide Service - they were very kind.
July
9 , 2007.
"Liberating
to need just crutches"? It certainly has been a long
time since making an entry (but learning how to walk takes
up a lot of my time). I am now walking around with a cane,
and at times, unassisted. I've got it down to about 7 minutes,
putting on my prosthesis. We all take things for granted;
especially the simple things. Taking stairs takes twice
as long now. My dog Gypsy (no relation) is very happy I
have resumed walking her. Okay, just once. Could barely
do the 20 minute goal I had set for myself, but I plan on
increasing that by five each day.
I
had a GREAT trip to Ontario! It had been too long. Friends
and family welcomed me warmly, and it did wonders for my
morale. Had a pleasant Canada Day catching up with the locals
from where I used to live. Met with Gwen from Motorcycle
Mojo, she graciously took me out for lunch. Had a tour of
their new offices. Congratulations Motorcycle Mojo Magazine
on a beautiful new work space - I'm jealous, as I am still
writing out of a very
cramped basement office! The next month should
solve that - as the construction of my new studio should
be complete.
Took
a road trip with my daughter up the shores of Lake Huron
- what a great place, that Ontario. Unfortunately, I was
unable to do it on the bike - no endurance yet. Actually,
as funky as the sidecar is, I'm thinking about returning
to two wheels. Just need more practise on the prosthesis
thing. But how would I flex the foot part? A flexible foot
is EXPENSIVE, too! Just to get
a manually adjustable foot (to enable me to change the angle
to accommodate high heels/flat soles) is around $4000. For
the physically active, it is even more $$. How do these
guys do it when they snowboard? I am realizing just how
limited my abilities are.
Went
out with friends to see Jamie Williams (producer of my CD)
play. Man, that guy sure is talented. I am inspired each
time I watch. Makes me think to cut off my nails, pick up
my guitar and start all over again...that's where I am -
at the beginning again with everything!
June
3, 2007.
Yesterday
I wore my prosthesis around the house and outside for a
total of 6 hours!! Too long for now I know, but it was just
so liberating to need just crutches I didn't want to take
it off. My right hip gives me tremndous pain when I am not
using the prosthesis, just my walker. I even did some gardening
with the thing, but had difficulties bending down to plant
and dig with a small spade. I needed a lot of "socks"
(those panti-hose slips) which left my behind-the-knee spot
very stiff and difficult to bend. How do people do this?
I don't know. Anyway, feel a little more free with my prosthesis.
Definitely faster getting around than using my four-footed
walker. Today, I couldn't be bothered putting the damn thing
on. Takes too long.
Mom
and dad left yesterday to go back to Ontario. I need to
get home for a visit. I am sure that will lift my spirits
greatly.
June
1, 2007.
I decided I would make a cover-up
for my prosthesis in swimsuit lycra to match a bikini I
just bought yesterday with mom. I give up. No one has anything
in the colours to match my suit, and it would just look
rediculous anyway. If I want to walk around at the beach
with my friends, I need my prosthesis. If I am on a towel,
I need to take the fuckin' thing off. Then it's a riga-ramole
to put it back on. I can just picture it now. I don't even
feel like going out shopping anymore. Everyone stares at
you like you're from outer space. The stores cater to two-footed
people who are Twiggy-thin. Can't even get my wheel chair
around the displays and product bins. To top it off, changerooms
don't even have a bench or chair in them. How are seniors
supposed to do this? I am sure they have dificulties
trying on clothes!! I can't even fit my walker into the
rooms nevermind a wheelchair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ahh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am furious!
May
30, 2007.
I
finished my song yesterday, and boy is it a good one. Pretty
much the original thoughts on my paper, very little editing.
I love when that happens! Played it for my ergo therapist,
Claudine, and she cried. An artist loves it when they have
moved someone, when their music affects their audience like
that. It helped a tiny bit with my depression. I wonder
if everyone goes through this? The worst part is living
with the fear - the fear of the "C" word.
My
mom and dad arrived today from Ontario. They are just so
supportive (and good parents should be) - my mom
has this way of building my spirits up to feeling hopeful.
I need to cling to some hope, because these days are quite
dark.
May
29, 2007.
Still
having a great bout of depression. Can't sleep, and just
a feeling of hopelessness has overcome me. I realized after
barely squeezing in 200km this past weekend on my bike,
that my motorcycle life will never be the same. Although
I modified my bike by moving my shifter to the right and
adding a sidecar, it is exhausting to ride the thing. I
don't enjoy the ride because the wind takes the sidecar,
and it is just work. Originally without the sidecar, and
before the amputation, my bike had been lowered to the max
- resulting in very poor suspension - like next to nothing.
The guys at Butt Buffer thank God gave me a comfortable
seat, but I am just in dire need of a softer ride. The sidecar
is set-up ok, but my endurance is gone. I get so tired easily,
and now I am really frustrated. I have no desire to ride.
I am told a trike would be better - but who has $30 000?
I invested all of my hard earned savings into my bike with
the purchase of the sidecar, and I have no endurance. This
really sucks! Where did my 500-600km days go?
This
is really hopeless. Last night I finally forced myself to
my piano after writing down all of my depressing thoughts
onto a sheet of paper, lying hoplessly in bed. I sat down
at my piano with the paper full of words, and magically
the music just "happened". I poured all of my
emotions into a song. (I have my piano at the rehabilitation
centre. In the fall I purchased an FP2 Roland 88 key portable.
I just love the thing, but never have time to play anymore.
So I took it to the centre and I have time in the evenings
to play. I sleep at the centre through the week.) I just
need to add another verse to the song, but the intro and
everything just came like magic. It was a real relief to
write. I started to feel hopeless about that too.
It's been a long creative dry spell.
May
28, 2007.
After
all the months of "false acceptance", I finally
crashed down yesterday. This is difficult to write because
I am still emotionally not doing so well. I received my
prosthesis on the 24th, and all of a sudden it hit me: this
is for life. There is no "sexy" with a stump.
When it's bikini season, how do I wear one, with this ugly
neoprene sleeve collecting all of my sweat underneath? Yep,
it sounds petty, compared to what I went through two months
ago, that it really is meaningless in the grand scheme of
things, but the feeling is still real and legitimate. All
I could do was cry and cry yesterday. How does one wear
a beautiful summer sandal? Just to put the prosthesis on
takes one hour. There are these little pantihose-like socks
to put on my stump in the inside socket, then on the outside
of the inside-socket. And the number varies from day to
day, and hour to hour, depending on swelling of the stump
and the temperature outside, etc. It's trial and error,
on and off. It doesn't give me the incentive to go outside
at all. Takes too long. I almost feel - well I do
feel, like maybe my stump and walker are enough. Forget
the prosthesis thing.
May
24, 2007.
Preparing
to put prosthesis on, a special liner made from a soft,
rubber-like foam is pulled over nylon "socks".
Then the outer hard shell complete with rod and foot is
slipped over. Rather, I slip my covered stump into it. The
stump actually sits suspended with a soft foam "cake"
sitting in the bottom of the soft inner liner. Contrary
to what people think, it is not the stump that
supports body weight - it is a shelf underneath your knee-cap.
The prosthesis and liner were molded to my individual shape,
molded to the cut off tibial bone - therefore it sits perfectly
(when positioned correct) under my kneecap. The amount of
knylon socks required depends upon many things:the temperature
of the air; the humidity (humidity causes the stump to swell,
requiring less socks to keep the stump from sitting too
deeply in its socket); how long the stump has been wrapped
in bandage, prior to the attemped application. By keeping
the stump wrapped in an elastic bandage when not wearing
the prosthesis, it keeps the stump smaller - hence easier
to apply the prosthesis.

Slipping
in

First
walk
May
20, 2007.

For
the task of making a mold for a prosthesis,
there are several steps.A technician first slips
a panyhose-type sock over my stump. Then the technician
locates and marks, with a special marker, all the bones
of my kneecap as well as the remaining tibial bone in my
leg. This is a critical step, for the prosthesis mold will
need to be shaped to accommodate those bones; otherwise,
the prosthesis will not fit properly, thus resulting in
a great deal of discomfort and skin abrasion.

Measurements
are taken...

Special
cast gauze is moistened, then wrapped around my stump. The
technician then molds the material around my stump, with
her fingers molding the material under my kneecap, and into
the recesses of other bones. It is then slipped off, and
from this, a prosthesis will be made. In my case, the prosthesis
will be specially designed to accommodate my active lifestyle;
it will not only be adjustable between the foot and knee,
but also at the knee, for better flexion. The prosthesis
made from this mold will be used for approximately one year.
During that time, many adjustments will be made.
May
5, 2007.

This
is called the "jobst" machine. It inflates to
push all unwanted liquid back upwards, away from the stump.
It helps to reduce the size of my stump, preparing it for
the day they come to take a cast for a mold which will ultimately
result in my prosthesis.

This
also is a device which when inflated, supports my stump
and helps relieve the pressure when putting - only - 50%
of my body weight onto the stump.
May
2, 2007.
Well,
judging by the amount of e-mails I have received, I guess
you guys are noticing that I haven't made any entries lately.
Well, I've been busy - learning how to walk - and ride.
I still do not have a prosthesis, so in desperation, I moved
my shifter to the right side. I have been riding my bike,
learning how to shift gears with my right foot, and they're
all reverse. First is up, the rest are down. I shift upwards
to downshift, downwards to upshift. Takes the brain a little
practise at first. Then there's the sidecar. I am slowly
getting used to the feeling. It looks real cute. I put a
new set of fishtails, finally, on my bike - just to get
the Quebecois cops goin'. Man they're loud!! Earplugs this
year for sure. The guys at Butt Buffer did a fantastic job
of my seat - they were able to squeeze that gelatin product
of theirs into my tiny thin crust of a seat and actually
preserve my worn out leather. I was concerned that I would
lose the worn out section. They placed a leather back-up
behind the top section, and it looks no different than before.
But whoa - it is a lot softer let me tell ya. I could feel
the vibrations right through from the frame and into my
ass before, now it is a very comfortable ride. A BIG grateful
thanks to Peter and Ed of BUTT BUFFER (see Scratchings
main page). I read in Motorcycle Mojo Magazine, all about
Corporal Jody Mitic's surprise gift. Very happy for him.
I wish him all the best, for I know what rehabilitation
is all about. It is a long road to walking again, and much
more involved than anyone would ever imagine. There are
balance exercises, pressure balloons put onto your leg,
leaning exercises, physio, ergo and the list goes on. I
am photo journaling my progress and one day when I am home
(I am writing this on my lap top at the centre) I will upload
them for you to see.
April
12, 2007.
Losers.
I guess the Islanders winning against New Jersey will be
waving bye-bye to the Leafs, as the Leafs prepare for the
golf course.
April
8, 2007.
I
am feeling better these days. I am slowly recovering from
the chemo nightmare. I have decided I am free from the illness,
therefore why subject my body to the ravages of chemo? All
on speculation? The doctors were very unyielding in their
treatment protocol. Even after clearly having a serious
reaction to the drug Cisplatin (check that one
out on the net) they wanted to augment the anti-nausea meds
instead of get rid of the Cisplatin. No joke - my reaction
was severe. I'm not just talkin' the 8 hours+ of projectile
vomitting until all I could do was heave violently, but
I'm talking severe heart pains, extreme weakness, to the
point I couldn't even get out of bed, total loss of appetite
and the list goes on. It was a complete nightmare, worse
than any one you might dream. It makes me uncomfortable
just reiterating it here. On that note, I will quit the
discussion about it.
I
start my rehabilitation next week. I don't know if they'll
take a mold next week for my prosthesis or not. I understand
that once things get going, I will live 5 out of 7 days
there, learning how to walk with a prosthesis. I understand
it is painful at first. It is pressure put onto your stump,
inside the prosthesis socket. I am excited, although I don't
know when I will get a permanent prosthesis, one which I
can ride with. I am already thinking of carving out a stick
with which to change gears. I've heard there is such a thing
as an air shifter. Anyway, saving my $ for the sidecar.
Shifting gears can always be managed with a stick for the
price an air shifter will run you.
My
bike is just about finished - I had the motor done on it.
It had over 100 000 on her, and I didn't want to take the
chance of travelling with her like that. Although, funny
thing is, I felt I could probably jump on her and do California
again,and have confidence she would take me there. But -
take no chances. Wouldn't want her to blow up in the centre
of the Mohave...
I
have purchased a WWII German replica sidecar. Once my bike
is ready, I will take it to the Laval shop where they will
install it for me. So far, the outfit, TRANS-MOTO
of Laval, have been really good to deal with. They've corresponded
with me by e-mail, always being prompt in returning my e-mails,
as well as pager messages. We'll see what their workmanship
is like later. Weather is slowly starting to break, here
in The Beauce. This is really beautiful riding country;
can hardly wait to get out and about. I have promised my
dog it won't be long before she'll be riding alongside me
in the sidecar. My dog Gypsy (yeah, her name is Gypsy -
didn't plan it that way - that was her name when I got her
back in 1999) loves to ride in a sidecar. An ex-boyfriend
of mine had one and she would run wildly in circles around
the bike when he would pull it out of the garage, then jump
right into the sidecar and await her ride.The minute all
is a go, I will make a trip to Ontario with my bike and
Gypsy in it. I miss all you folks back in Ontario...Hey
- how did you like that game of hockey last night, between
the Leafs and Montreal? GREAT game! Now
if the Leafs could only beat the Islanders today...
March
30, 2007.
My
God, I am only just starting to feel better. I have great
difficulties believing that Cisplatin, one of the drugs
administered me as part of the chemo treatments is actually
good for you. I am still sufferring from all sorts of side
effects, minor in comparison to the vomitting, but nevertheless
an inconvenience. My pierced earring holes are infected.
One of my amputation stiches is now infected. My right eye
had an infection in it and I caught a cold. Stomach cramps
have finally left me. Hopefully. With no immune system,
my body is dangerously vulnerable to any ordinary bacteria
that most people are able to effectively fight off. Having
a fever with my cold required close monitoring - it could
have very quickly turn deadly. Five more months of this?
I will discuss this with my oncologist. I am hoping to drop
the Cisplatin and continue only with the Doxirubicin. Either
way, the stuff is toxic.
I
have finally made a decision about how to manage my disability
when it comes to motorcycling. I have decided to attach
a sidecar. After looking into all options (Ghostwheels,
trike, Spyder or sidecar), I have decided to purchase a
replica 1937 WWII sidecar. Financially it is the sheapest
route to go for me. The Butt Buffer company contacted me
and generously donated an installation of their product
into my bike seat. What a kind gesture of them. I have been
inundated with e-mails from my readership, wishing me well
and a speedy recovery. I just can't believe how many people
care out there. I am truly shocked. Thank you to all, for
each and every letter and card I've received by post mail
graces my office walls. I have literally wallpapered my
wall with the cards. As for the e-mails, I am slowly working
my way to posting them all. It was necessary to create a
separate page just for letters to Roadgypsy. But I don't
mind this extra work - every letter I've received I have
read over many times; they really do give me strength. I
never realized how people viewed me. My only fear is not
living up to their expectations. I am not always strong.
They are not here when I cry, or beg God to make me feel
better. They do not see me at my times of sufferring. I
am far from the "strong, determined fighter" my
readership perceives me to be.
Back to the subject of riding. I am getting excited at the
thought of riding my bike. I still don't have my prosthesis.
It's looking like it will be delayed. I need to start thinking
how I will carve out a chunk of wood for shifting gears.
I'm thinking I would strap it onto my leg and sort of "hook"
it to shift up, and tap the gear shift with it to downshift.
It'll be a new challenge, no doubt.The air is getting warmer,
days are getting longer and I sniff riding season on the
wind...
March
19, 2007.
Well,
I went through it - chemo. I wasn't brave. I wasn't strong.
I was scared. I
was a coward. I I was discouraged - to see all the other
patients, just like me, hooked up to lines of red drip.
Never in my worst adolescent drunk have I vomitted like
I did from this "treatment", as they call it.
I was grateful, however, for the wonderful home-network
support offerred by the CLSC of Quebec. They were there
all along - with bags of anti-nausea serum, hooking me up
to my porta-cath (portable catheter - a permanent port for
the next six months), at whatever hour of the night. Then
the horrible after effects - yes, the down and dirty truth
of constipation, uncontrollable salivating like a rabid
animal, tremours, heart tremours and fevers, sores on the
head, skin/face and of course, my loss of hair. I'll save
the cost of leg-waxing, at least. The loss of hair - well,
although I have a good head of curly hair, that's not too
hard too accept. I figure I'll look no different than when
riding in the summer - my hair is so pulled back and wrapped
in bandanas that it looks as though I have none anyway.
It's hard to look sexy when you have chemo. I'm now on the
hunt for a Liberty sidecar. I love the classic styling,
and the tiny one-seater would suit me perfect. Speaking
with Liberty, they've informed me that they make a mounting
kit specifically for Superglides. This is
encouraging. With or without my prosthesis, I am determined
to go on my "silver anniversary" trip back to
Idaho late August. 'til later,
March
3, 2007.
To those of you who know me well, this may or may not come
as a shock. Recently I've had a diagnosis that all of us
dread: the 'C' word. I never thought in a million years
I would ever be diagnosed with a bone tumour. After many
tests, some of which were excruciatingly painful, my leg
was amputated from below the knee. The aggressive, high-grade
tumour that took my foot has left me with chemotherapy follow
up and riding anxiety. This year is, or was to be my “silver
anniversary” of riding: 25 years. Now, without a prosthesis,
and it's looking like I will not have one until after my
treatments, I am unable to ride my beloved Harley. What
is worse, I am now unemployed. With motorcycle travel writing
being my specialty, riding two wheels and getting paid for
it is out of the question.
I
had looked into the Ghost Wheels System (Minnesota) for
my bike. The problem is again, I do not have a prosthesis.
Therefore I am now needing to consider a sidecar addition.
Due to financial reasons, a trike is out of the question,
unless there is a cheap conversion for a Superglide – one
that looks more like a Harley servicar than a space ship
module. If there is anyone out there who can give me info
on a great small sidecar that is a good fit for a Superglide,
please e-mail me. My bike is weather worn, so I am looking
for more of an antique look, not the aerodynamic look.
Thoughts
for the moment, I am an amputee. They are hard words to
accept. Aside from the great physical pain, there is a pain
in my heart. My days of riding two wheels, and experiencing
the liberating feeling of straddling my bike, are over.
This realization has spun me into some pretty dark days
of depression. I am unable to work. I try to stay busy,
in an effort to feel useful. I hope to be on the road again
in August – with either my Superglide trike conversion,
or sidecar conversion – either one will do.
Just
get me back to Idaho...
© 2005-2007
by Roadgypsy Innovations. SOCAN. All rights
reserved. Unauthorized reproduction a/o duplication of
content in any form is prohibited.