Motorcycle License at 16

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Above is a Goldwing like my dad's that I used to ride.

I just read Coach Nichol's experience with getting a license to drive her scooter.

It brought back memories of when I got my motorcycle license when I was 16.
(Cookie386 can attest to our motorcycling days!!!)

At a young age I started driving a purple mini bike and then onto a Harley 60. As a teenager I started to drive my dad's Honda 350 until a neighbor down the street suggested I get my motorcycle license. He was a highway patrolman so I took his advice to heart.

I borrowed a neighbors mini bike which was easier to manuever than the 350, and dad and I headed to town so I could take the test. I passed the written test with flying colors. Then we headed to the armory for the driving portion of the test. Besides the person administering the tests, I was the only female there. I was a 16 year old girl surrounded by men of assorted ages.

The first time I zigzagged through the cones I hit several so she gave me another chance. Again I hit cones. Not as many as the first time but I knew it wasn't good.

She handed me the paper. I thanked her but didn't look at it because I knew I had failed. Apparently, so did every man there because as I walked by, several made encouraging comments, "You can try again next week.", "Come back and try again." and "Next week you'll do better."

Dad and I silently walked back to the car and got in. I sat with my head down, gripping the paper in my hand. Dad told me not to feel bad and encouraged me to try again. I don't think it was the failure that upset me so much as the fact that I wouldn't be able to ride the 350 until I did pass.

As dad pulled out of the parking lot I gathered up enough courage to open the paper with my results.

My shriek caused dad to glance over in surprise. I looked up at him as I waved the paper, "I PASSED!!!!!" I'm sure he was happy for me. He was probably fine with me not passing either. But it's his own fault. He had us out driving motorcycles, snowmobiles, boats, and anything with a clutch, as soon as we were old enough to learn.

I guess I didn't knock over as many cones as I thought I had. Maybe my perfect written test score helped.

I was always a safe motorcyclist. I drove many motorcycles as a teenager, through college, after college, even after I was married. My dad died and mom sold his GoldWing and I had a child so I stopped renewing my license. I had even driven my brother's "crotch rocket" and a few boyfriends' cycles including a 750 and an 1100.

But I will never forget the feeling I got riding. I didn't like being a passenger although I was one often. I always felt more in control being the driver.

Coach Nichol's blog really hit home. Several weeks ago I wrote on my SparkPage that I someday wanted to ride a motorcycle again. Spark People is helping me get closer to realizing that goal.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DESERTDREAMERS 5/25/2009 1:07PM

Go, grrl! I've always been chicken about riding motorcycles. I don't know why they scare me so much. Even riding as a passenger, I darn near strangle-clutched the driver. Now that the price of gas has gone up, I've been looking vaguely at the motorcycles, thinking how much better they are for the environment and pocketbook. But then I hear "cluck, cluck, cluck" Report Inappropriate Comment

Gila Monster

Saturday, May 23, 2009

This is a gila monster. I saw one once as I was driving to a place to go hiking near Cave Creek, AZ. It was walking across the road. I pulled over to look at it. The person with me wasn't as impressed as I was.

They are venomous but their venom doesn't hurt humans for the most part although they do have a painful bite. They live in the Sonoran desert of Arizona but they are also found in California and some parts of New Mexico, as well as Mexico.

They store fat in their tail and abdomen. They feed on small mammals, birds, and eggs. They hunt at night during warm weather months. During the winter they use up the fat stored in their tails.

The females lay 3-5 eggs at a time.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUNNYARIZONA 5/31/2009 1:28PM

Hey Hey , its FAT ALBERT.....oh , sorry, that is something else! HOWEVER, I was interested in seeing this one! GREAT!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

REEDSKI 5/24/2009 12:30PM

You guys made me laugh. We definitely store fat in our abdomens and "tails", too. And with exercise and normal portions we can lose it, too. Even in the winter like the gila monster. Report Inappropriate Comment

FLMOMX2 5/24/2009 12:11PM

Love the Pic. I can relate to KYGIRL47. I hope to lose my fat a dn give it back to GOd!! Have a great weekend!! Keep making your son proud!! Vicky Report Inappropriate Comment

COOKIE386 5/23/2009 11:27PM

I got 20 pts for spinning the wheel. Has that ever happened to you? The little gila is toooo cute! Report Inappropriate Comment

EVER-EVOLVING 5/23/2009 10:07PM

I store fat in my tail and abdomen, too! LOL! Seriously, an interesting picture and info on this beautiful creature of nature. Never seen one before, or even heard of it! Report Inappropriate Comment

My Son Said He Was Proud of Me: Day 18 of BootCamp

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Tonight my son got home from work and prepared to go out to a movie with friends. Another year of college is finished and he is enjoying late weekday nights. He saw me working out to a Coach Nichol Boot Camp video. As he was leaving to meet his friends he said to me, "Mom, I'm proud of you."

For a long time I was in a funk. I had no energy and no ambition. It took Spark People to wake me up. My son used to come home from work and I'd be watching TV or in bed. Now, I never watch TV anymore. Seriously, I don't. It bores me. I did tape an episode of a Monk rerun and watched that this week but that was it.

If I'm not planning a healthy dinner by looking up SP recipes I'm walking with my SP walking partner. If I'm not doing a Boot Camp workout, I'm reading Health News or blogs. If I'm not reading a book, I'm playing sentence games on the SP gameboard. If I'm not tracking my nutrition or exercise, I'm writing a blog. If I'm not earning SparkPoints, I'm giving SparkGoodies.

Unfortunately, every once in a while the real world calls. But the real world is more fun now that I'm losing weight and getting fit. The Boot Camp is a few minutes of exercise that I can fit in with my cardio to improve my quality of life.

And...........my son is proud of me. Who could ask for anything better?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FLMOMX2 5/22/2009 9:30PM

Does a mom good to get the thumbs up from our babies!!!! I'm so glad to hear he gave you a word of encouragement. You are doing a great job and we're all proud of you!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

ANITA.TAYLOR 5/22/2009 5:29PM

This made tears come to my eyes. I can tell how much you love your son and that had to make you feel good. Reading your blog is so inspirational. I don't know if you realize how much you make me want to get busy. I'm sure you make others feel that way too. Your positive and show what a person can do if they just want to. I'm so glad that we became spark friends. Comment edited on: 5/22/2009 5:30:13 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

PUPPERWUPPER 5/21/2009 12:17PM

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EVER-EVOLVING 5/21/2009 10:35AM

When your kids brag on you, that is the ultimate compliment, isn't it? Keep up the great work! Report Inappropriate Comment

Panda Express: Why So Much Sodium?

Sunday, May 17, 2009

I ate at Panda Express yesterday. Our movie wasn't for 45 minutes and succumbing to temptation but ready to use my skill for making wise food choices I agreed to eat there. Instead of deep fried, sugar coated entrees I chose Mushroom Chicken which also had other vegetables and Asparagus Chicken which had other vegetables as well.

I asked for half Vegetable Fried Rice and half Vegetable Chow Mien. I could've skipped that portion of the meal altogether. I should've stopped eating it when I discovered myself eating by rote instead of because I was still hungry.

When I got home I looked the food up on the web and found out that the Chow Mien has less fat and calories than the Rice. I would've thought it was the other way around.

The chicken and vegetable entrees has so much sodium I felt like I was practically pouring salt into my mouth with each bite.

I fit it into my calorie, fat, carb, and protein intake for the day and didn't go over. I had a big salad with tomato and cucumber and a banana to augment my vegetable intake.

But I didn't feel good after eating all of that salt. And I still don't feel good today.
I don't think eating out is good for me. There is just too much salt in restaurant foods.

Why do restaurants put so much salt in their food? Why don't they cut back on the sodium. They no longer cook with trans fat, why can't they cook with less sodium? I don't see how anyone can eat that much salt and enjoy it.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PUPPERWUPPER 5/21/2009 12:29PM

My cardiologist warned me Chinese is the worst! Almost all restaurant food is very very high in sodium. I sense a business opportunity with low salt restaurant food and supermarket foods because baby boomers are waking up to this. It is horrible. Our grandparents did not have to deal with it because they ate so little processed foods and ate at home. We are paying a price by giving up our health for convenience! I am guilty too. Probably the invention of the drive -thru is the worst thing that has ever happened for my health. The anonymous meal I think I will call it! It's just TOO darned easy and mindless. DOWN WITH SODIUM!!! what I look like after Chinese food! Martha Report Inappropriate Comment

FATHAIR 5/20/2009 8:39PM

I succumbed to Panda Express twice during my ongoing weight-loss period. The IDEA of stir fry (esp. when one goes vegetable-intensive) is very appealing, but the reality is that the calories add up quickly along with, as you mentioned, the sodium. The novelty and other positive attributes of eating out (or take-out) were diminished enough that I've added P.E. to my "no-go" list. At this point I'm only good for salad bars and baked or broiled fish and poultry. When I reach my goal I'll probably put Chinese back in the rotation -- but not for now. Report Inappropriate Comment

LINZ50 5/18/2009 12:18PM

http://health.msn.com/nutrition/art iclepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100 236273>1=31036 I found this on MSN this morning and thought I would share it with you. I don't partake in a lot of sodium myself, thus one of the reasons I don't even drink soda. A wesite that I look at when I am going to go out to eat is thedailyplate.com It has all kinds of restaurant food listed to tell you their nutritional values. Linda Z Report Inappropriate Comment

EVER-EVOLVING 5/17/2009 12:15PM

I agree. I have to watch my sodium intake, because my ankles swell horribly and I am on a fluid pill. Everything in most restaurants is SO salty! I wish they would just let the customer add salt as they see fit. Like you, I'm surprised the rice has more fat and calories than the Chow Mien. Hope you had fun anyway, and enjoyed the movie! What did you watch? Report Inappropriate Comment

Did I Just Walk 4 Miles?

Saturday, May 16, 2009

I used to walk my dog. We'd go for miles even on summer mornings or evenings in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. HOT? Yes, you could say that. Then my dog died and I had no one jumping on me begging to go for a walk. I became stationary.

This past March I joined SparkPeople. I thank my sister who first told me about the site at least a year and a half ago and my high school friend who got us motivated to join at the same time.

One day I went on a teampage where people were looking for someone to walk with. I could barely walk 1/2 mile. I knew I needed someone to help me get moving so I found a person near me and we have been walking ever since.

I am so proud that I can walk 4 miles. Last weekend the partner and I walked 4 miles together. Today I did it by myself. During the week we walk 1 and 1/2 to 3 miles each day. If she can't go I still walk or do videos to get daily cardio in.

I think my doctor will be impressed with my weightloss and improved fitness.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

EVER-EVOLVING 5/16/2009 12:30PM

Reedski, look how far you've come! 4 miles is fantastic! Keep up the great work! Report Inappropriate Comment