This past month of Hurricane events have take a toll on so many. Our hearts and prayers go out to all effected. It saddens me to think of the many Motorcycles that have been trashed.
On a lighter scale here’s a fictional story that brings these two elements together:
“Riding Through the Storm”
The sky was bruised, a swirling mass of black clouds rolling in from the sea. Adam stood by his motorcycle, feeling the first gusts of wind whip through his leather jacket. He knew the storm was coming, but he had never been one to shy away from danger. It was part of why he rode—a feeling of control over the chaos around him, even when nature decided to challenge him.
The town was deserted, boarded up, and the only sounds were the distant wail of sirens and the eerie moaning of the wind. His phone buzzed with yet another hurricane warning—Category 4 now, with wind speeds nearing 140 mph. “Get to safety,” the alert demanded. Adam glanced at his bike. Safety was a few hundred miles inland. He could make it if he timed this right.
He swung his leg over the seat, the roar of the engine drowned out by a deep rumble of thunder. The road ahead was wet, slick, but he had driven in worse. He just had to outpace the storm—get far enough ahead before the worst of it hit.
A Biker Helping Bikers
LET’S AVOID EVER HAVING TO SAY
“I WISH I KNEW BACK THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW”
Adam pushed forward, his bike battling against the elements.Trees swayed. He knew he couldn’t outpace the hurricane, but he didn’t need to. He just had to survive its fury long enough to reach higher ground. His mind raced with thoughts of escape routes, shelter, and the hope that he wouldn’t be caught in the eye of the storm.
In the distance, a dim light appeared—a gas station, or maybe a small diner. It was a lifeline in the middle of the tempest. Adam veered toward it, praying that its walls were strong enough to withstand what was coming.
He pulled up to the building just as the winds hit their peak. The bike skidded to a stop, and he jumped off, rushing inside. The door slammed behind him, the sound of the storm now muted but no less terrifying. Inside, a few other travelers were huddled together, eyes wide with fear, as the building creaked and groaned under the pressure of the hurricane.
Adam slumped into a chair, drenched and exhausted. He had made it—for now. Outside, the storm raged on, but he knew that, come morning, he’d be back on the road. After all, he wasn’t the kind of guy to let a hurricane stop him.
This story captures the tension of riding through a hurricane, with the motorcycle serving as both a symbol of freedom and a precarious link to survival against nature’s wrath.
Hope to see you all on the St Pete Fools
charity ride Saturday November 9,2024
Benefiting local Veteran and Children Charities. Mike and Spike will be there too!
PLEASE SCAN THE CODE TO REGISTER
Remember,Its never too late to start planning for retirement.Time goes bye fast! Remember there is not a one size fits all paint by the numbers solution. All of our situations are unique. You don’t need more money you just need a better plan. After having the privilege to serve tens of thousands of people over the years I can attest to the statement “That money won’t make you happy! But riding a motorcycle will! “
My passion is to help bikers in life changing ways. Hence the reason I created www.BikerHelpingBikers.com
Call 833-467-2865 weekly
Money School 18 min. Webinars at IslandRetirementAdvisors.com
—James Irwin, CSA, FRC SM Certified Senior Advisor® IslandRetirementAdvisors.com
Wrenchfest Florida has been announced, for December 14th 2024 at Riveters Tampa from 11am-5pm! If it’s cool, bring it to the show! Rat Rods, Hot Rods, Motorcycles, Muscle Cars, Pin-Up Show, Live Music by Jeff Vitolo & The Quarter Mile Rebels. Plus, Great Food!
The amazing motorcycle you are no doubt drooling all over belongs to Richard Ruck of Tampa, Florida. I had the pleasure of giving Richard the Editor’s Choice Award at the Easyriders Bike Show last year and had Michael Lichter shoot this scoot for a feature. Sadly, Easyriders was purchased by a Canadian company that wanted the brand for their fashion blue jeans and the magazine died a hideous death. Fast forward to today when the illustrious Erick Runyon has photographed this sweet scooter for your demented perusal.
Rich grew up around motorcycles in the Catskills. He was a wild child and his dad bribed him to get good grades by getting him on a 1982 YZ50 dirt bike. “I loved that thing,” Rich remembers. “I couldn’t wait to get home from school every day and ride that thing.”
Rich was a motocross guy until he was 18 and the dirt bike flair can still be seen in many of his custom Harley builds. He went to college for business management and ended up moving to Florida 24 years ago. “I was tired of only being able to ride one month out of the year, so I moved to a place where I can ride year ‘round,” Rich tells us.
Then in the mid-’90’s a friend bought a Harley Fat Boy and let Rich ride it. “It was the first time I was ever on a big V-Twin and it changed my life. I got bitten by the Harley bug hard! I was hooked.” He went to Daytona Bike Week and was dreaming of owning his own big twin. “I bought a few old Harleys and did the bolt-on thing for a while,” Rich says. But with every bike, his bike building skills progressed until he was building full-on, ground-up customs. “I love old iron and you used to be able to buy an old Shovelhead for a few grand.”
Rich currently works for a hospital in the Engineering Department, but when he gets home, he is building bikes out of his garage. “It’s my passion,” he says. “I think about bikes from the moment I wake up, until I hit the hay every day.” And that passion has been the inspiration for cool customs like the ride you see here that he calls The Red Devil. “I used to watch shows like The Great Biker BuildOff and would watch those guys kick those bikes over for 2 days before they would light. I thought, ‘Man, just reset the timing!’ But then, when I first finished this Shovel, it was the first time I used a mag, I did some things different, there I was out in the garage, kicking this thing until my knee throbbed. I named it The Red Devil right after that.”
Those days of kicking until he was blue in the face are over now. His good friend Rob Schwellinger of R&R Cycles helped him rebuild the motor from the ground on up. “Rob let me be his apprentice. He is a true wizard whenit comes to dealing with old motors.” Naturally, the boys hopped the mill up a bit. “It runs like a sewing machine now!”
Always cruising eBay and Craig’s List for old Shovels with titles, Rich started this bike project as a motor, a tranny and a frame from a 1975 H-D. “I’ve been inspired by allot of the old school bobber
and chopper builders, like Indian Larry, Paul Cox, Ryan at Paper Street and I love Jeff Cochran’s bikes,” Rich says, “and a lot of the look in my previous builds were heavily inspired for him, I was going for something a little different in this one but some of the parts such as the shifter and brakes are from Jeff Cochran’s Speedking Racing. The axle plates are from John at Hardtail Choppers Inc., the springer is a Harley inline and that’s an Avon Speedmaster on the front wheel. “I made the mid-controls, narrowed the back fender and the Sportster tank, and built the exhaust.” The chain drive is by Lakeside Customs, the seat is by Biltwell and the handlebars and oil bag are from Anthony at Tin Works.
Rich handled most of the polishing on the motor and tranny himself but brought in a heavy hitter when it came time for paint. “The frame was powdercoated candy over chrome and I wanted the paint on the tank and rear fender to match that look exactly.” Rich says that Scott at Attitude Paint was up for the challenge. “He did a full gloss black and then sprayed the candy paint over it.
It looks like a Christmas ornament when you see it in the sun.”
“Bikes are my passion,” Rich concludes. “And I like to take my time with my bike builds. I love to make parts from scratch and keep learning. I don’t have any big plans to have my own full time shop. Right now it’s something I love to do when I’m not working at the hospital. I don’t want to squash my passion for bikes. I don’t want this to become a job that I don’t like.”
Amen to that! You can follow Rich’s builds at itllridechoppers on Instagram.
— Dave Nichols
PHOTOS ERICK RUNYON MODEL BRITTANY
RIDE APPALACHIA
As we near the end of our Biggest and Busiest Motorcycle Season to date here on the Backroads of Appalachia and we prepare for our Last Ride, we think back on all the great people and new friends we have met this year on our Mission to make our Region Number 1 for Motorcycles. From our first ride of our Season it has been one incredible journey for us in 2024 as our “All Volunteer” Group gave it all we could once again to bring Riders to our Region and Economic Development to our Small Towns who have struggled economically since the loss of our Coal Industry almost 3 decades ago. This year we have seen riders from all over the world come to visit us here and discover the best riding in the U.S.! Period! and the response we have gotten has been more than positive to say the least! We know there are many places you can choose to go on your Motorcycle Vacation and we thank you for choosing to come and ride with us here in our Region and the “Last Unexplored Frontier on the East Coast!”
As a Non-Profit Organization and an “All Volunteer” Public Riding Group/Community we know we have a lot of people to thank for the Riders who visited our Backroads here in Central Appalachia this year. From our great Partners at the Rallys who help us promote our Organization, Mission, Group, and Free Mobile Application, to our Monthly Marketing Partners who help us showcase our riding here each month, each element comes together to make up our overall efforts but none is more important than you the Rider! In the Motorcycle World it is still more “Word of Mouth” and we cannot thank all our Brothers and Sisters out there enough for your unwavering support of our Mission to Bring the Bikes to Appalachia and for visiting us this year!
This is what makes us and what we do “Totally Unique” at BOA and our “All Volunteer” WCMG group was created by design 4 years ago just for this purpose and everyone is welcome here no matter what you ride! Every Rider who rides with us at our events or visits us here using our Backroads of Appalachia Mobile Application helps us do just that! With every night you stay, every meal you eat, and every fuel stop you make, You are helping us bring an economic impact to these areas who once had none! You are also helping all our small businesses along our routes and helping those communities create new ones! When you visit us
here you are making a difference just by being here and the Riding is Second to None but we will let that speak for itself! We are replacing the Loss of Coal with Motorsports Tourism and it is truly the power of our supporting community that allows us to do this and continue to expand our efforts moving forward! Do not forget If you are an Adventure Touring Rider and don’t mind the cold we still have plenty to offer you here in the Off-Season including Gravel and Off-Road so do not hesitate to reach out to us!
So from all of us here and from all of our people here in Appalachia to all of our BOA Sponsors, Supporters, Partners, WCMG Group Members, and especially you the Rider, we thank you for your support and for visiting us this year right here in the place we call home on the Backroads of Appalachia! We truly hope you have enjoyed our events, articles, and content over the 2024 Riding Season and for all those Riders out there who have not visited us or joined us here yet, ask any Rider who has and you will find the answer to what we already know and say every week at the end of our BOA LIVE! SHOW…… Best Riding in the U.S.! Period!
Let’s Ride Appalachia!
—Jay Fryman (FryDaddy) Founder, Whitley County Motorcycle Group Backroads of Appalachia Journalism Team
AN INTERESTING NOVEMBER
Welcome everyone to November. This year really seems to have flown by. So much has happened this past month it’s almost hard to believe. Messed up weather, world turmoil, high prices, dealerships closing and the general condition of our country on the decline.
What a mess. I will start out with saying Florida and the Carolinas got devastated by the series of major storms that passed through. So many lost so much it’s truly heart breaking. But at the same time you have to admire the guts and heart of the Americans from all over stepping up to help those in need.
It never ceases to amaze me that the ones that have the least are the ones that give the most to help others. A-shame a majority of the ones that have the most don’t step up to the plate to help those less fortunate. Don’t get me wrong there are exceptions but there could be more. Times like these bring out both the best and worst of people. I try and focus on the positive.
As always be aware of organizations you donate to. Look up their reputations and make sure what they say they are collecting for goes to what they say they are collecting for. Times like these are when the lowest of the low try to capitalize on those less fortunate for their own personal gain.
Remember to help out those less fortunate but don’t put yourself at risk doing so. Lest you will be one of those needing help as well.
While out there riding, take extra care in watching out for debris on the road and those out there sight seeing. If you see work crews out cleaning or repairing damage, give them a wide berth. Don’t crowd them. If
anything it’s best to just avoid the area they are working. It’s safer for all involved.
I know a lot of you will be tempted to do treasure hunting or dumpster diving for cool stuff. Just be aware that if it was in a flooded area, chances it is contaminated with who knows what. Remember, it’s not just water it’s also pesticides, sewage, salt water and miscellaneous contaminated run off these items may have been submerged in. Try and remover that before you pick stuff out to take home. Also be aware that some people will try and sell these items to
others knowing they have been in a flood and have the potential to not be what they say it is. Inspect these items carefully if you’re looking to buy. Hate to see someone get sick over stuff.
This especially goes with electronics and vehicles. Go in with your eyes open before making a decision. Electronics may not show their damage for a time until deterioration starts so be aware.
November should be very interesting with the election taking place and a replacement of leadership taking place. This election will be a pivotal part of this countries history. No doubt about it, It will probably be a sh*t show so be prepared.
With all that said, be careful out there. A lot of distracted drivers are out there and many of them sure are not looking out for you. Gear up properly, safety check your bike, check tire pressure and always have an escape plan. Hope to see some of you out there. Enjoy our gorgeous weather, support your local businesses and support your communities.
Be Safe. Stay Strong — Nefarious James American
“This Sonny’s BBQ has Covered Bike Parking just for you. Support them and thank them” Ron Galletti
Zephyrhills
Craven Moorehead
As a writer, I occasionally run into certain situations that absolutely prevent me from making a definitive decision regarding the piece of prose that I am working on. This often blocks me from making the best presentation of a column that I do for any particular entity. As a run of the mill poor redneck trailer trash biker, I often don’t see things ahead on the road. At certain times you may have a destination in mind for the things that you must accomplish. Sometimes everything goes smoothly and you go gather all the things required for the task and simply return home or to the job site. On other occasions the regular daily process of obtaining that particular laundry list of items may be cut short due to a vendor’s lack of stock or perhaps when other unforeseen obstacles rear their ugly heads. I have a myriad of examples but recently a few come to mind. I may have discussed in the past the lack of availability of walls for sale at Wal-Mart. I also indicated that there were no steins on sale at Stein-Mart. Everyone already knows that you can’t buy a home at Home Depot or an office at Office Depot so I refuse to continue my simplistic diatribe regarding misleading corporate names. I’m not a real big fan of major corporations anyhow so I can’t try to suggest a better title for those outlets. Either way, we all must obtain the things needed to accomplish the task at hand so when you know the necessity and have the wherewithal to get the items required, you simply venture out and acquire the goods. Once I needed to get a couch for the trailer. Guests who had the nuts to visit the trailer park (this includes Mike and Spyke) were getting tired of sitting on the old greasy milk crates that I use for working on motorcycles and other ‘high altitude’ work, so I took my old truck and went to a used furniture store to attempt to make a swimmingly wonderful deal on a slightly used sofa that I had seen sitting in front of the place as I was riding by on the bagger. I mean, it looked pretty good and I suppose that the price was reasonable,
but why did the proprietor try to bundle the deal with an “Occasional Chair”??? I didn’t need (and didn’t have room for) anything except the sofa. Besides that—“What the hell is an Occasional Chair?” I asked. For some reason, the owner of the business couldn’t come up with a good answer and suggested that it was something that only was used every now and then by people that didn’t desire to sit upon the floor, as was the custom in his country. I figured all this out pretty quickly and left with only the couch. I just couldn’t get the concept of the additional furniture that would be used only ‘occasionally.’ Besides, I’m no slave to fashion or décor so I left befuddled regarding the suggestion that I would need such a piece.
The ‘Occasional Sheriff’ on the other hand is something that I am somewhat familiar with. I remember a time when I acted as the ‘designated dummy’ that was obligated me to go fetch some brew for a party. I went to a liquor store that had a pretty good deal on But Light and I was able to load six 18 packs on the bagger. Yeah, I admit that it looked kinda funny, but I had used a bunch of bungee cords and a short piece of rope to load the brew on the rear seat and luggage rack. On a dark back road a good distance from town, I was simply cruising along at the obligatory 10 miles over the speed limit when I was spied by the ‘occasional sheriff.’ Usually, no law enforcement personnel ever hang out around this area due to the lack of ‘business’ to be done in this vicinity. But I suppose that this wasn’t my lucky day. I was surprised when I saw the blue lights come on, largely because I wasn’t going all that fast and I never worried about DUI or anything else because I had only consumed a couple of beers before I went on the run. But as usual the occasional sheriff had that text-book list of demands. “Driver License, Insurance, Immigration Card and keep yer hands where I can see ‘em”… I’m just sitting there on the bike on the side of the road while he checks all my credentials and when comes back he had some interesting questions: “Do you know why I stopped you?” To which I responded “Uhhh, I guess cause you wanted to check out my really cool bike” (A moment of silence) “Boy, you gonna drink all this beer by yerself?” Well, probably not a good answer but I quipped “Damn, I hope so!” (A longer moment of silence) After what felt like an hour, he handed me back my license and said “I know you ain’t right but have a safe night, and don’t try to drink all that friggin beer by yourself!” I said thanks and “remember an 18 pack is only a good start!” I haven’t seen any other occasional sheriffs in that area again, but I realized that everyone should keep their eyes open! (Including myself). Now that the terrors of Halloween are over, we must prepare ourselves for the most horrifying holiday of all which is commonly called Thanksgiving. This particular celebration is always loaded with family and friends who really don’t want to do anything other than fight. I have written before about the horrors of this special day, and the haunts of Halloween pale in comparison to the zombies, ghosts and miscreants that will try to celebrate you making them dinner—and then destroy your life as you know it, simply because they love you. (Allegedly) Try to make the best of it, and until next month—“Speed Safely!”
Craven Moorehead Your Words Will Live On Forever
NORTH FLORIDA COUNCIL OF CLUBS TOY DRIVE
DECEMBER 7, 2024 | 1:00 - 4PM
On Saturday, December 7, an event will be taking place at the Destination Daytona Pavilion that everyone is invited to come to! This will be the 2nd annual event, benefiting the Gunny Ray Lanese Veterans/Military Kidz Toy Drive.
The North Florida Council of Clubs is a large, diverse group of dedicated MC members. Last year, they pulled together a very successful toy drive and are all ready to make this 2 nd year’s event just as successful as the first!
The Gunny Ray Lanese Veteran/Military Kidz Toy Drive was founded 14 years ago in Palm Beach, Florida. I spoke with Gunny, a Marine, a member of the Warlocks MC, and founder of the yearly toy drive. “14 years ago, I received a phone call from a donor that had 330 bikes that were not picked up from another toy drive entity. The other entity did not want these bikes so me and two other Marines got 3 28-foot U-Haul trailers and in three hours, we had those bikes loaded up. This happened 6 days before Christmas. In addition to the bikes, this donor also provided additional funding for us to buy bikes for those children that didn’t receive one.” Gunny’s main, volunteer-run foundation is called, Warrior Misfits. This is a non-profit organization that is focused on providing financial help to disabled Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. From October to December, this Warrior Misfits focuses on fundraising for Veterans/military children. In the 14 years of this Toy Drive, over 375,000 toys and bikes have been given out to
41,000+ needy children of Veterans. “We count every single toy that comes in. We know what comes in and what goes out. Financial donations go towards the needs of the teens of these Veteran families. Our yearly average of kids we get toys and donations for is 2,500 to 3,500, covering areas from Jacksonville to The Keys.”
Spotlight, a member of the North Florida COC, shared with me how last year’s event was a huge success and that everyone is already looking forward to this year’s event. “Last year’s event brought lots of people to Destination Daytona Harley-Davidson. For a first-time event, we had a very large assortment of incredible raffle prizes and gift baskets for the door prizes and raffles. The children that came with their parents received some free items that were donated by local businesses, too!” There are, again, another large assortment of outstanding gift baskets and other items that you can take home if your ticket number gets called!
Food trucks, music, raffles, door prizes, and a 50/50 will be a part of this fun day! $20/per person (kids are FREE) entry fee will benefit the many children of our beloved Veterans. If you are unable to attend this amazing event, and wish to help, you can donate online today to their Go Fund Me account: gofund.me/87da98c5
We look forward to seeing YOU at Destination Daytona Harley-Davidson!
—Susan Hurst
Ray V. Gordon is The Owner & Founder of Leather Lid Inserts, an established Leather Saddlebag Accessory business based in southwest Florida. They’ve coined the phrase “We take the sag out of the bag” because that is exactly what they do. Ray has been riding motorcycles since he was 14 yrs old and has watched the motorcycle industry grow and is glad to be a part of what it is today. After 35 years of owning and operating a successful aluminum company in Ft. Myers FL, Ray sold the business so he could retire (he thought) and bought himself a new Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic. Just like everyone else with leather saddlebags,
his also started to sag and cave in. He saw a need to fix this problem. Ray says, starting this new business was something he just fell into by fixing his own saddlebags and then behold, friends of friends and others witnessed what Ray did and wanted him to fix their saddlebags too. As an inventor and entrepreneur, Ray took his creative background and put his skills to work by experimenting with several different types of materials to finally come up with a patented ABS lid and bag reinforcement kit that would be designed to help keep the original shape of any leather saddlebag made on the market. So, if you’re tired of looking at your caved in leather saddlebags and/or if they are starting to lose their shape and their parts, or if you have brand new bags and you want to prevent them from ever caving in, please keep Leather Lid Inserts in mind. For all your leather saddlebag accessory needs as a do-it-yourselfer or if you want them to install, visit www.LeatherLidInsert.com and order your DIY Kit or Find an area Dealer Installer.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A DEALER INSTALLER CONTACT RAY AT 239-339-7294 OR RAY@LEATHERLIDINSERTS.COM RIDE SAFE!
Leather Lid Inserts 18160 Old Bayshore Road N. Fort Myers, FL 33917
TUEDAYS LIVE ON FACEBOOK 9pm-10pm and OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Out of all the ‘biker exploitation’ movies I have reviewed, this one may be the funniest! The 1991 film features Billy Bob Thornton, MTV VeeJay Martha Quinn, and a few other B movie celebs. This movie has it all – hot chicks, lesbians, motorcycles, midgets and a troop of blind orphans - who wouldn’t love it? First off I must tell you the Chopper Chicks don’t actually ride “Choppers” but they do ride Sportsters, all equipped with engine guards and various custom paint jobs. The girls in the film are members of an all female motorcycle gang called the “Cycle Sluts” which in itself is funny. They do have the usual trappings of women traveling in groups, such as being on the rag, and searching for meat.
Anyway, the film begins when the Cycle Sluts cruise into the small town of Zariah looking for a good time. In Zariah, an evil scientist turned mortician has been killing local townspeople with the help of dwarf that he continually abuses. After turning the folks into zombies, he uses them as labor at an abandoned mine. The mine is too radioactive after underground nuclear testing to be mined by living people. He later admits the real reason he’s doing it isn’t for the money, it’s because he’s just plain mean. The zombies are released when a curious
BIKER MOVIE REVIEW
little boy opens a door in the apparently abandoned mine, thus releasing the un-dead, and of course this act is his un-doing. In the mean time, the girls are in town, and decide to split up and go look for some meat. One of them is run over by the mortician, and is turned into a zombie, while the others find their way into various sexual situations with the local guys. This is where we first meet Billy Bob who plays the ex of one of the chopper chicks. They meet in a church where the dwarf is attempting to shoot her, and retreat to his trailer for some fun. Another mistake for the midget, and more punishment later, the zombies are still marching on, and they are getting hungry!
On the way to town the zombies encounter a group of blind orphans, who are stranded just on the outskirts after their bus breaks down. Luckily for the kids their bus-driver always keeps an Uzi on the bus (for sentimental reasons) and while the driver seeks help the kids (shooting blindly) manage to hold off the zombies until the chopper chicks arrive to rescue them in a hearse. Even though the girls are doing some good deeds, the locals don’t seem to like them too much and repeatedly attempt to run them out of town. That is until the town is overrun by blood thirsty zombies! But wait – the town folk refuse to help the girls fight the zombies because “they are all family.’’ Hordes of zombies begin eating their relatives as the girls fight them off. The dwarf decides to turn against the mortician, and tells the girls that the only way to kill the zombies is to “cut their heads off.” The chopper chicks use baseball bats, chainsaws, and other devices to do away with many of them, but just when they think they have won, dozens more arrive. The girls devise a plan to lure all the remaining zombies into the church using raw meat as bait. They load the meat truck with dynamite, and crash it into the church. The timer on the dynamite goes off and the church goes up in flames burning up most of the remaining zombies.
In the final scenes the Cycle Sluts are rewarded with a sack full of cash and induct the dwarf and several of the blind orphans as honorary members of their gang. They then ride out of town with some of the men folk (their new ‘bitches’) on the back of their bikes and toss wads of money into the wind as they roll down the road to a new destination and adventure.
This review could not possibly expose you to all the hilarious action that this film provides. It is sometimes so ridiculous that you would find yourself rolled up in a knot from uncontrollable laughter. It takes shots at old films, TV and life in general, but it never leaves you bored. I admit that I have a sick sense of humor, but for some unknown reason, I actually liked this film! (I usually don’t) Try this one out. It’s available on DVD from Troma Films, www.troma.com or at your local ‘strange DVD dealership.’ I have to give this one 4 out of 4 stars just because it’s super-funny… Till next month.
The Phantom
WOBBLE, WOBBLE, YOU BOBBLE HEAD!
Well my BTR friends, it’s November and not my favorite month. I’ll be hiding in the closet the week before Turkey Thursday. Black Friday eve is a very dark and dreaded day for the avian community, especially me!
Mike breaks in, “after all these years, you’re still worried about being served ON the table and not AT the table? They’re not coming after you. They want gobblers and Cornish game hens, not a 2 pound funky colored fowl. Come on Spyke you gotta break loose of that fear. Just because you’re of avian descent doesn’t mean everybody wants to eat you. Do you really know what the difference is between a chicken and a turkey on that day?”
I squawk, “Is it one’s a chicken wing and the other is a butterball?”
Mike belches out, “no you birdbrain, the chicken has the day OFF and the turkey has its day ON the table! Do you remember the event we went to up in Northern Virginia in honor of the almighty turkey?”
I cackle, “You mean the one on the monument grounds called the Butter Ball? Yeah I remember it and I also remember that you made me cross the road, not only once but twice just to prove I wasn’t a chicken! Then you had me stand on stilts telling everybody that I am a flamingo!”
Mike answers, “Well I was just letting everyone see that eating a flamingo would
be like eating chicken skin, chewing on bones and spitting colored feathers! I was just looking out for you at the Butter Ball.”
I squabble, “thanks pop! Speaking of pop, that reminds me of when you stuffed a turkey with unpopped popcorn last year. All the kernels popped at once and blew the oven door off. What a mess that turned out to be!
The year before that you deep-fried one, fell asleep and overcooked it. Then coated it with gravy, took it to the party and had silver lining answers to the burning question; you burnt the bird?
I thought you had a few very good comebacks like: salmonella will not be a concern and you’re trying to make everyone think it is Cajun gravy and blackened. There were several other excuses that I cannot believe came out of your mouth like: the smoke alarm at the house needed a test and uninvited guests will think twice next year!”
Mike breaks in, “Well, no one but me overate the turkey and my cheese, broccoli and lima bean casserole gained a newfound appreciation. The dogs didn’t pester anybody for table scraps either!”
I chirp, “the good thing is we didn’t end up with two weeks of turkey sandwiches and y’all got to the desserts quicker. After devouring almost all of the pies and cakes, you walked around with your pants unbuttoned sounding like a dizzy turkey and singing, it’s all about the baste!”
Mike questions, “Well Spyke, I was feeling gravy! So, what does a dizzy turkey sound like?”
I screech, “wobble, wobble, you bobble head! Then your attempt at being a comedian by telling everybody to stop, drop
and pass the bread so you can get on a roll was rather corny. Speaking of corny, your cornbread jokes were just that!”
Mike chuckles, “Oh my gourd, I did eat too much. I was feeling gravy and I yam what I yam. But Spyke, I only have pies for you and everyone seemed to like my last two jokes before leaving the table. 1) What did the dressing say to the turkey and 2) why did the cranberries turn red?”
I chatter the answers, “1) You ain’t seen stuffing yet and 2) because they saw the turkey dressing! Yeah, they chuckled. Then everyone told you to stop telling Thanksgiving jokes, but you said you just couldn’t quit cold turkey.”
Mike replies, “This year you get to hang out with the 14 pounder in the sink, opening his last beer and letting him use the remote. He gets to hang out with a hot chick, a cold beer and watch Parrotporn.com before I get him dressed for the oven. When he’s done on the inside, you two can hang out poolside getting a bronzing tan before heading off to the party.
Finish the story and I’ll finish putting a battery in the bike. I need to get his and your wings in the wind, my knees under the triple trees and the Fat Bird three wheels rolling down the road, poultry party bound.”
RONNIE and EMILY’S RONNIE and EMILY’S
CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION
Veterans Day is the day where we celebrate and thank all those peoplewho have served in the Armed Forces and are still with us today.During this fall season we may see or even participate in Veterans Motorcycle Rides which could be celebrating Veterans Day itself as a fundraiser benefiting a Veteran organization. A ride may even be toescort a fallen soldier to their final resting place. I feel a sense of honor and patriotism while participating in Veterans rides.
Regardless of your walk in life, there is something about seeing the American flags flying behind motorcycles that thrills you. I listen intently to the promoter and am reminded of amazing acts of valor that have been performed by those who fought for our freedom. I have never regretted riding with my fellow service members. Maybe it is because I am a retired Army Soldier?
Arriving at a motorcycle event, I enjoy talking to the other bikers and hearing the various stories. Some stories are about different wars in lands far away. Other stories are about losing battle buddies or suffering great injury. There are no two stories alike. Every veteran experienced their time in the service differently and can not be lumped into any one group. I feel led to pray for our Veterans today. Would you pray with me?
Lord, we pray for our Veterans. Lord, we ask that you would give them perseverance to endure hardship, and make righteous decisions based on Biblical principles rather than personal gains. Lord, give our veterans favor with the governmental agencies of
this country to allow for our men and women to receive the care and treatment they so richly deserve. We pray for support for the families they have come home to and lead each and every day. Lord, remove stigmas for seeking medical attention for mental and physical needs. Comfort the spouses who are supporting our Veterans and keep these marriages strong. Lord, keep the hearts of our Veterans from being desensitized to daily struggles, while keeping them strengthened through your Holy Spirit. Only You can provide such a balance. Move our Veterans to seek the Lord and family for comfort, rather than overuse of substances. Lord, Encourage and strengthen the spirits, souls, and bodies of our Veterans on this day. May our Veterans be filled with the Holy Spirit to be mentally and physically strong when faced with all challenges of their post military time. Lord, we thank you that our Veterans have come home. What a blessing. In Jesus Name Amen.
Teach’s Takeaway,
- The Armed Services with our many Veterans truly make up a rich history here in America.
- Our Veterans face hardships that others may not understand. They are in need of prayer like everyone else.
- God’s healing is for everyone. During the time around Veterans Day, take time and visit with a Veteran. Listen to their story about a time when they had to face their fears. Ride on.
— Fellow Soldier in Christ, Wayne (Teach) Masiker Christian Motorcyclists Association wayne.masiker@att.net
MEET SAMANTHA
My name is Samantha White, my hobbies include doing hair & makeup, I’m always trying new looks and techniques. I also love fashion and enjoy being in front of the camera. I’ve been modeling since the age of 16, which was heavily encouraged by my mom who was a model herself.
I’m always trying to expand my portfolio by taking on new projects. One week I’m walking a runway at an event modeling a local designers clothes, and the next I am posing as a figure model for art students at an Art Center. Working with amazing artists has been one of the greatest pleasures in my life!
