March 25, 2011
Grandma's Birthday
....or at least I think it is, my memory isn't too good either.

The motorcycle is in a thousand pieces. Most of this work will never be repeated but I will be glad to get it behind me, get some tires on this thing and start riding.

Campbell Tellman (pictured here) teaches with TAR and is the brains behind this project. I think he could put it back together blindfolded. I could take it apart blindfolded, trip over the drive shaft and step into a pan of used engine oil; but he's good and covers my tracks.

Off to Dallas next week for the annual WIT buying group meeting. Fun and games, and a meeting with a distributor every fifteen minutes. Shouldn't take very long before I talk myself silly....................and let the jokes begin.

SPECIAL EDITION: BIG NEWS IN THE RILEY CLAN
March 17, 2011
Thought you'd like to see a picture of me on my bike................

Actually that is a picture of me on Dave's bike (turn your chillllrren's heads away from the screen here) that Santa repainted for me. Dave was quick to point that out to me on Christmas Day.
NOW THE BIG NEWS!
The week started well, I was asked to portray Satan at the 11:00 service at church. During the reading from Matthew I emerged from the congregation to tempt Christ. I asked if we could cut church and play golf, go to Hooters..................no, I stuck to the Scripture. Heard a lot of whispers about "role-playing" and "that wasn't much of a stretch for him" but I'm pretty sure that 60% of the time I don't know what these snide remarks mean all of the time.
NOW THE REALLY BIG NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then I came home and got a call, our bike was here. Got her in the garage and managed to get her started. It was a little more difficult since with its age all of the important settings are worn off. Looks good and everyone is happy.

Need to do some minor work on her before riding, a fuel valve is leaking, the valves need adjusting, and the 11 year old tires have sufficient tread but some dry-rot on the sidewalls.

Typical shop photo here with parts and pieces lying about. There are two hard side bags which I removed to get at some parts. TAR's friend Campbell has been very helpful in not only convincing her that this is a safe hobby, but also offering mechanical directions.
Also had a little issue with the DMV due to the age and short VIN. I have to have an inspector come to the house to certify before getting NC plates.
But it's fun messing with things that make noise, can't wait to ride.
NOW THE REAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLY BIG NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We welcomed a new Riley into the fold yesterday; Caroline Elizabeth Riley was born appropriately enough early on March 17, 2011. 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and 19 inches. Mother and child are doing well, although as I understand it Grandpa Dave was seen having "the vapors." Quick MeeMaw, the smelling salts!
And that news my friends, is indeed really big news. Happy birthday Caroline

March 11, 2011
Anticipation grows

Went to Raleigh with Jackson to help Lance and Kristi move; it was a lot of fun and great to spend some time with them. My favorite part of the day was a tie between the Char-Grill lunch (see Jackson, I told you we were get fed) and waving at all the neat airplanes flying over.
Up early Wednesday for a quick successful trip to Kentucky. I also hired two new reps in California I really wanted, so that helped make it a pretty good week.
In Blowing Rock NC Thursday night watching snow showers. I got up early Friday morning for a quick 45 minute side trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway but decided against it since it was still snowing.

Got home in time to walk nine holes with Jackson. We played quickly since it was our first time out; I managed four pars and Jackson got his first birdie on #6. Pretty exciting for both of us.....

And speaking of exciting, anticipation grows...........

Won't be long until we have a new Riley. Heather and Kevin are due within weeks..........
More news next week

March 4, 2011
The only day of the year that is a command
In the news this week:

Mr. Cook got 3 years in prison. Here's some words you won't hear very often "John Edwards was right, there are two Americas."
Pope Benedict XVI exonerated the Jews for Jesus' death. Wow, awfully big of you (or is it You?) to do that, wonder if DNA testing was used in that decision? Flash to Jerusalem where Jews are in the street rejoicing at the Pope's decision!
Charlie Sheen: insert your recap here, I'm tired of this mess. Let's get back to Lady Gaga and the egg she stayed in for three days. Secret clue: it was actually one of Rosie's pantyhose containers.
Twenty years since the Rodney King incident, how are race relations in your community after all this time? Are we all getting along now?
Enough ranting

Stopped by Sanford on my way home and got to play with my grandchildren Wednesday night, well, I got to play with Cooper, Miss Keelyn doesn't have much to do with me. Cooper wants to decorate the yellow jon boat with rainbows. Probably not, but we'll use a deep purple and dark pink somewhere on the boat for both of them. Yeah, can't hide class can you?

TAR has a new car, sounds like a song doesn't it? We don't buy cars very often and she made sure it was everything she wanted. It's a Honda Element and I like it too, very useful. The color reminds me of a deep red Scuderia Ferrari F-1 color they used for a couple of years

I can't remember where I saw this, but it's an old BMW on the back of a SUV. Nice looking old bike, ours is scheduled for delivery the week of March 14th. Ordered all the road gear this past week. Going to look like little lord Fauntleroy.............and no, if I may anticipate your question, the helmet does not have rainbows

Jackson is coming home for spring break. We're looking forward to seeing him home for a while. I have to be in Kentucky towards the end of the week but maybe we can go have some fun a couple of days while he's here.

February 25, 2011
Another Hamlet Soliloquy

To buy or not to buy, that is the question
Whether it be nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous four wheelers
Or to take arms against the sea of troubles
And just go ahead and buy the darn thing?

No, I'm not into Volkswagen Ghias, or jazz, or felt berets (obscure Jimmy Buffet reference) I saw this car in Jacksonville while getting my car serviced. Neat picture, neat car, huh?

Here's what I want

Now for the ironic story twist.....................

Think I'll buy it
Think I've bought it
Who wants to go to Wooster OH and ride it home for me?
Who wants to go to Crystal Bluffs and tell my daddy?
Yeah, didn't think so

1978 BMW 100/7, 1978 was a good year. The first time I laid eyes on TAR....(heart beats more quickly and now......a big sigh). And now at my ripe old age, my first motorcycle

And in case my offspring are reading this I'm not a hypocrite
When you're 55 and want to buy a motorcycle I will support you 100%

And so I close with the inspirational words of the famous philosopher Vicki Groome,.......uuuudden budddden

February 19, 2011

Another Busy Week

Sanitary is open again; after church we went and celebrated with some fresh shad roe, and then Sylvia II's birthday. Took off and delivered Jackson back to college Sunday afternoon, spent the night in Lexington VA then Monday up to Ohio. All over the state selling and interviewing, and even looked at a couple of old BMW airhead motorcycles. It was a productive week with everything; except for finding a bike. One day..............................

Came home last night; zooming around Raleigh about 7:00 PM and Dave called "want to stop by for a cup of coffee?" No thanks, want to get home. "Did I mention Kevin and Heather are here?" Yeah, guess I can stop for a while.............................

And so it was good to see the expecting couple. They are in town packing up stuff for their new place in Alabama. Kevin gave Jackson a bunch of camo, really nest stuff but we wonder if Jackson can still wear it.

Jackson is feeling better and returned to football conditioning Thursday. You could tell his voice even sounded better.

As part of one of his classes he is in Baltimore Saturday for a Star Trek convention. They are responsible for interviewing attendees. "How long have you lived in your mother's basement? Have you ever seen a live woman naked?" Just some ideas...................

Last but not least this subject was addressed a couple of weeks ago in a letter to the editor in Raleigh, this follow up article appeared today:

http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/02/19/1000135/unc-sends-mixed-signals-with-disciplinary.html

Double standards? You decide.........................

Working on the boats today, should be in eastern NC all week

February 10, 2011
Hey Kids, A Fun New Game!

See if you can find the loon............................

Find it? Yes, it's me; the decoy is a brant hand carved by Joe Fulcher Jr. as my trophy for winning my flight in the 2009 Seafood Invitational golf tournament.
So what surprises you the most? The brant, the win, or simply the fact that someone invited me to participate in a golf tournament? OK, so it was the 55th flight, actually it was the 7th; but I played well, shot a great round on Saturday and four strokes higher or Sunday still got the win. I know, when playing a handicap you're supposed to score better on Sunday than Saturday, but there is a special tree with a big limb that they use on people who do that at our club, so I got it backwards. And even today it still surprises me. I remember taking the trophy to Crystal Bluffs and celebrating with my father. Good day.
So what's that got to do with this week? Probably not too much.
Jackson came home sick Monday, I'll take him back on the way to Ohio Sunday. Other than that all is copesetic.