What? More Rhyming?

So here we are again: Winter.

Okay, maybe it's not technically winter yet, but believe me, it's cold outside. I was drawn by the sun to be outdoors today, but looks can be deceiving--It looked warm but was not. I guess I should count my lucky stars that I at least avoided the monsoons we had here a couple weeks ago while I was on vacation.

While I was puttering around outside and in my garage, I my mind started wandering and I started pondering things about our holidays. How do we know anything we celebrate actually took place? What if the things we celebrate from way back (back before anyone that's alive today) were just embellishments, folklore, and legends? It kind of makes you wonder. Okay, okay--It makes me wonder. I thought about all the people that go whacko this time of year and commit atrocities that they might not otherwise commit. Things that the lack of sun might have played a part in. Things that were a result of us having to spend so much time indoors. Although I dismissed the thoughts after a while because I realized my strange hypothesis would really only apply to people that live in colder climates, it did prompt me to do a little rhyming:


The November cold is here in force
but the stubborn sun still shines.
Thanksgiving plans are being made
Turkeys, pies, and wines.

I tend to dread this time of year
no skin or skimpy clothes.
Summer is my time of year
As everybody knows.

Although I really must admit
a roaring fire is nice
I just can't stand the long, dark days
or windshields wearing ice.

Sometimes I have to wonder
as we celebrate this time of year
if the reasons for the holidays
are really to induce some cheer.

What if these days we take for granted
are totally a sham
the Turkeys, hams and Christmas lights
are really just a scam?

The dark and dreary winters
can cause us to lose hope
but what if Christmas and Thanksgiving
were designed to help us cope?

Imagine, man-made special days
created just to keep us sane
When people in the North go nuts
Stir-crazy from the cold and rain.

Okay, it's really just a thought
it couldn't be that way
I'm sure if they were both dreamed up
someone, somewhere would say.

So meanwhile, stoke the fire up
or in that hot tub soak
whatever it takes to warm you
be it drink, or food, or joke.


So there you have it. Eat, drink, celebrate--Whatever it takes. Go buy yourself a video and an electric blanket. Summer will be along some day...

The Sorry Truck

I had a boring day at work today.

I thought it had been a while since I blogged an original poem, so to kill time I let my mind flex its powers of rhyme:

The Sorry Truck

My truck of black; it tested me
it's mood I always guessed.
Sometimes it would start with glee
and others only rest.

Just when I would start to hope
that it was finally fixed,
I'd turn the key, but it said, "Nope"
and my joy would then be nixed.

I never knew on any day
if it would ever start.
I'd turn the key and I would pray
for just a pop or fart.

Usually it was at home
that it would let me down,
but sometimes it would let me roam
then strand me across town.

Sometimes it would toy with me
to see if I would tire.
I'd almost kill the battery
and it might then decide to fire.

That day it knew it went too far
it started instantly,
but I just stared down at my car
and ignored it's last-ditch plea.

Onto the trailer to be towed
it slowly made its way,
and tears from its windshield washer flowed
as it was led away.

I Was Stunned

I came home from work yesterday and knew Suzie had been here. I parked the bike and went in through the garage, and the first thing I noticed was the fact that the vertical blinds at the dining room sliding door were closed.

Then I noticed the dishes were done. Then I noticed the floor had been vacuumed. As I went upstairs it continued. The whole house had been vacuumed! I sat down and turned on the computer, noting the bed looked freshly made as well. After I checked my email and stuff I went into the bathroom to pee. The toilet was clean! I looked around dumbfounded, noting the counter and sink also had been cleaned. I went downstairs to go back out to the garage to putter, and looked around as I went. There were signs of her everywhere. I stopped at the small bathroom on the way out. Yep, the cleaning fairy had been there too. She had even crushed the cans I had lined up in front of the recycle bin in the garage and tossed them in.

I was (and am still) amazed. She had already surprised me with a visit at work yesterday for lunch outside. She was babysitting her oldest grandson, Joe, and brought him along too. It was quite a surprise. Little did I know what awaited me when I got home later! As we sat and talked last night she noted that I had said that I "hadn't been able to get anything done" around the house that I had wanted to do this last week because I was spending my time with her doing stuff. Much of "that stuff" was repairing her new hot tub, but in all fairness, I could have squeezed all of that stuff in--It's just that one thing led to another and I just didn't.

As I sit here in semi-darkness, typing to the sound of her gentle snoring in bed nearby, I cant help but think: This is quite a woman.

It could be why, for whatever reason, I was into poetry mode while I was at work yesterday. We have always said that we have a strange sort of connection with each other. I guess we were on each others' minds pretty strongly yesterday. Here's what I wrote but it's not much yet:

A woman named Sue, it appeared
had a lifestyle she greatly revered.
Then everything changed;
her life rearranged;
when her heart was so suddenly speared.

Cupid's arrow flew swiftly and true,
where it came from she hadn't a clue.
Feelings largely unused
from being battered and bruised
resurfaced, all shiny and new.

I have these poetic times here and there, but I don't always have to ability to jot them down. Sometimes I never get a chance to concentrate long enough to come up with what I am feeling at the time.

We took a quick ride on the Harley before we settled down and reheated some of my homemade chicken enchiladas. We just took a little ride along the Green River to Kent and back to see if we could smell the aroma of ripening blackberries yet. I had smelled them on the way home from work, but at that time the sun was high overhead, cooking the berries and releasing their scent to waft and mingle with the smells of the river and underbrush. I love that smell! After we ate we were struck by the sunset and hurriedly tossed my camera into the car and sped up the hill to the Auburn Cemetery where there is a little park overlook. On the way up we noticed the full moon also coming up at the same time. The photo session was horrible due to the mosquitoes. In the few minutes we were there I was eaten alive. The sunset never proved to be very good as far as lighting up Mt. Rainier because it was somewhat hazy over that direction, but the moon looked pretty cool. Here's a sample of what we got:



Looks like another hot day today. We're going to be finalizing the hot tub today. All we have left to do on it is put the newly-reconstructed sides back on it and lay it back down. Her son-in-law Tony (every family wishes it had an electrician like Tony!) is wiring it all up for her. Although it's definitely not hot tub weather, it will be very cool to have it done and operational!

Happy Valentine's Day!

For the first time in a LONG time, I'm excited about Valentine's Day! I think Cupid has either tried to assassinate me with arrows or has just kept shooting, not knowing that each one did indeed find it's mark.

Head over heels... That's me!

I have myself a Valentine
no wait--Much more than that.
She dominates my thoughts all day
no matter where I'm at.

I seem to have a newfound joy
to go to work each day.
When we both make eye contact
they have so much to say.

We love to sneak a touch or feel
when we pass each other by.
We know some day that we'll be seen
by someone else's eye.

The excitement of our secret
makes our workdays fun
to steal a kiss when possible
whether stopped or on the run.

An office romance is a thing
that can go very wrong
But I think that this one will go right
our feelings are so strong.

To work with someone like we have
and never really "meet",
came close to being unfulfilled
but now we are complete!

The Seasonal Lament of a Partier Gone

It's not the same as it used to be;
times and people change.
I'd like to think it's not just me
whose life has rearranged.

Every weekend I could find
a party to attend;
a time to revel and unwind
from the week at work I'd spend.

But as we paired and found our mates
the parties became rare.
Our schedules never had blank dates
and we had no time to spare.

The parties did sometimes take place
but never like they were.
They had a more relaxing pace,
but at least they'd still occur.

Time and change can take its toll;
some marriages come undone,
and couples that are no longer whole
the hosts will almost shun.

It's a terribly hard job for a host
to have to pick and choose.
Which of the two do they like the most
or should they just invite them both for booze?

When parties are fewer,
and as we all age and change;
I sometimes feel bluer,
and distanced, and strange.

It's worse during holidays;
things are hectic as hell,
and I need badly to find ways
to socialize for a spell.

I could step up and be the one
and have a party here,
but even though I want some fun
too many "can't" appear.

I guess it's just the way things go
nothing stays the same.
I'll just tell my tale of woe
in this poem it became.

Ricky

The Rest of Sunday

It was a good day yesterday. Even though I awoke with a headache it was a good day.

After I posted in my blog yesterday I felt inspired to write a little poetry once again. Even though it's currently residing on my biker site, I thought I'd go ahead and put it here too:

Full in the Face

Deafened by noise and pasted by bugs
the windshieldless biker rides.
Neck strained from wind, face numbed by cold
is the ride-style that he decides.

Some may opt for their comfort zone
behind their Plexiglas shield,
while others like myself may not...
Preferring scenery unconcealed.

The fall and winter months will show
a rider's grit and spirit.
Many riders, even those with 'shields
Will park and not go near it.

I, too, may opt to not go out
and ride in weather cold,
but I don't "mothball" my bike
when summer's sun grows old.

Sometimes the cold and moist fall air
is exactly what people need,
and having it blast you full in the face
is living life, indeed.

Rick

Debbie came down for a visit on her bike yesterday during the afternoon. That's the first time I had actually seen her bike. It's not a Harley--It's a Yamaha V-twin (I forget the model), but it sure is a nice one! We visited for a few hours and had a good time shooting the breeze. When she left I hopped on my bike and blasted up to my sister's house in Burien. It was her husband's birthday so I had a card for him.

When I left their house I had a testosterone/showoff moment: I did a full throttle burnout when I left--Holding it open through second gear too. Probably not the best thing to do in a residential neighborhood... Besides that, when I grabbed second gear I damn near slid off the seat...

Hopefully I didn't get blacklisted...

The Poet... At it Again...

I was in the poetry mood again, but this time was a little different. I usually do my rhymes on the "two line" system, meaning every two lines rhyme, and each pair is a verse. This time I thought I'd try my hand at 4-line verses, meaning every other line rhymes. I'll tell you, it's a lot harder than it looks. This poem took me two days to complete. I hope you like it. Especially you, Melinda... After all, it's for you!

Ode to a Cousin

Melinda, whom I love so dearly
cousin since my day of birth;
Our meetings then were at best, yearly
I never knew your friendship's worth.

Your pictures graced my grandpa's wall,
both yours and sister Jan.
When I went near they seemed to call
so there I'd stop and stand.

I remember that I'd stop and gaze
any time I could
I'll bet I could have stayed for days
transfixed, right where I stood.

I was so in awe of you
whenever you were here,
I always felt self-conscious
whenever you were near.

The times you guys came up
to visit were so few,
that each for me was awkward
like I had only just met you.

Algona, where I lived and grew
was "no-wheres-ville" to me;
I longed for Southern Cal with you
where tanned I'd always be.

"Where the Action Is" and "Bandstand"
I watched them on TV.
I'd dream of California sand
and in those thoughts you'd be.

You were older than me back then
and so cool in every way,
I'd try to memorize the things you'd do
and everything you'd say.

Now that many years have passed
and our ages finally touch,
I can truly say at last
that I love you very much!

Ricky

The Holiday Season - In Rhyme

I felt the need to do
a little poetry again.

It's a bit of the Christmas
season melancholy:

The holiday season we hold so dear
feels very, very odd this year.

My lack of lights and Christmas tree
could be the problem... Possibly.

My home is a quiet, empty house
without my daughter or nagging spouse.

No endless loop of Christmas songs
playing over and over, all day long.

No fighting over what to see
when Christmas specials are on TV.

Party invites never seem to be
when they're all couples and I'm only me.

But what if all these things I've missed
are actually my Christmas list?

Ricky

The Return of the Poet

Yes, I was in the rhyming zone again today (the crowd groans). Sorry... Sometimes I guess I'm just inspired by stuff.

Summer's End

Cold and damp, the evening air, as October's end draws near;
The lazy warmth of the evening sun is gone until next year.

The leaves of many of the trees are turning red and gold
from the lack of the sunlight and from the night time cold.

Wood stove smoke hangs heavy in the cool, moist night time air,
and in the mornings fog and dew are not exactly rare.

Gone are the musical ice cream trucks, with their irritating tunes,
Replaced by quiet, empty darkness, and hazy orange full moons.

Pumpkin fields, awash in orange, are everywhere you look
and cornfields cut to mazes, like puzzles from a book.

Soon it will be Halloween and children of all sizes,
will be busy ringing doorbells in search of sweet surprises.

Witches, ghosts, and monsters are what they used to be
but now they're cartoon characters, and heroes from TV.

The favorite sport will also change, from one game to another,
instead of swinging baseball bats, they'll be tackling each other.

Bodies once totally bare to the hot, dry summer sun
are now covered completely, with no button left undone.

So put away your swimsuits and beach towels for a bit,
and dig out all your winter clothes to see if they still fit.

The sheets of satin ought to go as well, use flannel ones instead,
and spread the quilt that grandma made out over the bed.

With holidays just ahead, and everyone baking treats,
the diets will go out the window as everyone overeats.

Whether it's due to boredom or what, no one really knows,
But as least our overeating will be hidden by our clothes.

So if you end up feeling down, and melancholy too...
Just think ahead to summer, and you will make it through!

Ricky

My Mind Was Wandering At Work Again Today

I just couldn't help it.

It didn't wander off in a usual direction this time though... It wandered and rhymed. What? You didn't know I could do poetry? Okay, some may call it garbage, but I don't care. I have these moments from time to time.

Read on, dear friends...

People often wonder what's right and what is wrong
We wonder what our purpose is and where we all belong.

We wake and rise each morning, and ready for the day
some may go to school or work, and others might just play.

Some people have a purpose, and others have no clue
of why it is that they're put here, and what they are to do.

Many people need to think that "someone" put them here
while others are content to have no god to praise or fear.

To some my way of thinking is called "outside the box"
but I don't care that they may think my head is full of rocks.

For I believe that this is hell, and not what's after death.
All the things that happen now, before our final breath.

Pain and sorrow are no fun, on that we all agree,
they can be our private hell, and feel like an eternity.

Me? I don't need a greater reason to live upon this earth
than to eat and drink, and maybe sex, and share a little mirth.

Who knows how long that we may last or how long we'll be here
so eat and laugh and love... And drink another beer.

Sometimes my thoughts can be quite strange and border on bizarre,
But that's what makes me who I am, instead of who YOU are.

Ricky