Ah, the interesting experiences of Dharma gates. It is very interesting to me that most Dharma gates (ways in which the Universe teaches us lessons) are unpleasant in nature. I'm not going to go into discussing the latest lesson the Universe is teaching me, but I can say that the mantra, "Gate Gate Paragate Parasam gate Bodhi Svaha" is really coming in handy!
A couple interesting things came up while talking with my mother this morning. I often say about dance that, "Social dancing is a series of mistakes that is linked by the occasional correct movement." What this saying points to is that the creative aspect of Dance lies in recovering from that which was introduced unexpectedly. If no unexpected events happened in dancing, then one would only be a robot of the dance floor...there would be no reason to be creative.
The same is true of life, "Life is a series of mistakes (unexpected events) linked by the occasional correct action." The creative force of living happens in how we respond to the unexpected events in life. If it weren't for the unexpected, then we would be robots from birth to death, and what fun would that be?! I've found that those who approach life from the viewpoint that the unexpected is the "spice" of life are much more creative and interesting. Why even talk to those who view the unexpected as a impediment to the smooth flow of their lives? No knowledge can be gained such a one that couldn't be gained from reading a book.
So, Shit Happens...how can we most skillfully respond? I try to look at each event of Shit Happens as a lesson in creative response. I could react, but that just invokes old habit patterns of thought and action...there is no creative growth in that. Sometimes, I forget and do react, but I find creative response happening more and more often. This is very positive as the repetition of creative response ingrains a more skillful habit than feeding old habits. The new habits I choose to cultivate (with varying levels of success) are creative, open, and growth producing. I can always tell when I am responding rather than reacting: when I respond, I feel empowered. When I react, I feel diminished. Of course, I had to learn to pay attention inward to be able to distinguish the difference between the two at very subtle levels of awareness, but once that work had grown, the rest became much easier.
So, I guess the question is for the reader, and for myself, "Have I reacted to the latest event, or have I creatively responded?" For me, a future now will provide me with more information to decide the answer.
May your life be skillful and creative.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
My 50th birthday anniversary.
Finally! I've gotten my computer back!! It cost more than I would've liked, but much less than a new computer. My hard drive totally crashed. That means I've lost 1000s of songs (for dance), the last several months of writing, a number of contacts, and quite a few programs. The hard drive now in my computer was taken from an external hard drive and has just the very basic of programs on it, just enough to allow me to be somewhat productive. One thing is sure, I am going to back up everything even somewhat important on a regular basis now. It seems quite a shame to have lost all that information. I was so used to having the computer sign me into sites that I've forgotten sign in names and passwords.
So, my 50th birthday anniversary was interesting and fun. I believe I already mentioned that my mother is getting me a camper trailer for the bike. Still haven't gotten the hitch. I upgraded my cell phone to a Samsung Galaxy SIII, but today I had issues with it most of the day. While doing research on how to fix the problem, I found that it REALLY isn't as good a phone as the professional reviewers suggest. I think I may take it back and get a different one. My mom made two wonderful pineapple upside-down cakes and bought a 1/4 sheet cake and a couple gallons of ice cream. I got to teach a group class...and boy, was I ever rusty! Surprised me. One of the highlights of the evening was when a young teenager let me into her world a little bit. It is such a joy and honor to be invited deeper into the mind and experience of another. Sometimes, I can even help them move forward on their path. I got to dance with lots of wonderful people that I haven't seen in a long time. It was very pleasant to reconnect.
Upgrading the cell phone pretty much took all of my financial resources for the moment, well, that and the cost of the computer repair, which I still owe $40 for. It is in my mind that the Universe will provide me with more, soon. I have a farmer's market to work in Coos Bay tomorrow as well as a couple $25 dance lessons to teach and a festival this weekend. Perhaps the combination will help me rebuild my "reserve".
Next week, I have a 20 year old woman flying up from Florida to study with me next week. She used to work for my sister and brother at Firehouse Subs. I met her a couple years ago and thought she had a great deal of promise to Awaken in this lifetime. We had lost touch a while back and a few weeks ago, she contacted my sister to get my number. It has been delightful teaching her! I am even more confident that she is a blessing to the world and will continue to grow into even more of a blessing as she gains skill in living. There is even the possibility that she might want to help me to start a larger teaching program that may launch me into the teaching circuit. Whether that happens or not, I am honored to work with her.
Okay, perhaps I will post another update soon. They were difficult to do on the tablet, as nice as the little machine is; MUCH easier on an actual computer!
So, my 50th birthday anniversary was interesting and fun. I believe I already mentioned that my mother is getting me a camper trailer for the bike. Still haven't gotten the hitch. I upgraded my cell phone to a Samsung Galaxy SIII, but today I had issues with it most of the day. While doing research on how to fix the problem, I found that it REALLY isn't as good a phone as the professional reviewers suggest. I think I may take it back and get a different one. My mom made two wonderful pineapple upside-down cakes and bought a 1/4 sheet cake and a couple gallons of ice cream. I got to teach a group class...and boy, was I ever rusty! Surprised me. One of the highlights of the evening was when a young teenager let me into her world a little bit. It is such a joy and honor to be invited deeper into the mind and experience of another. Sometimes, I can even help them move forward on their path. I got to dance with lots of wonderful people that I haven't seen in a long time. It was very pleasant to reconnect.
Upgrading the cell phone pretty much took all of my financial resources for the moment, well, that and the cost of the computer repair, which I still owe $40 for. It is in my mind that the Universe will provide me with more, soon. I have a farmer's market to work in Coos Bay tomorrow as well as a couple $25 dance lessons to teach and a festival this weekend. Perhaps the combination will help me rebuild my "reserve".
Next week, I have a 20 year old woman flying up from Florida to study with me next week. She used to work for my sister and brother at Firehouse Subs. I met her a couple years ago and thought she had a great deal of promise to Awaken in this lifetime. We had lost touch a while back and a few weeks ago, she contacted my sister to get my number. It has been delightful teaching her! I am even more confident that she is a blessing to the world and will continue to grow into even more of a blessing as she gains skill in living. There is even the possibility that she might want to help me to start a larger teaching program that may launch me into the teaching circuit. Whether that happens or not, I am honored to work with her.
Okay, perhaps I will post another update soon. They were difficult to do on the tablet, as nice as the little machine is; MUCH easier on an actual computer!
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Long catchup post. I have a new rolling home!
I was reminded recently by a couple folks that I haven't made an entry in a while. So I guess is time for me to make one. I have got a new home! For my 50th birthday, which is on Saturday, my mother is buying me a camping trailer for my motorcycle. It has come to me in the way the gifts from the universe often do, with coincidences that are just too obvious to ignore. I placed on one of the motorcycle forums a request for any information leading to my getting a camping trailer at a reasonable cost. 3 people replied with Craigslist ads from around the country. One of the campers is located in Olympia, Washington.
While on the site, I noticed that I had gotten a private message from a user named, Chromo. He said that he has been following my blog and that he used to be a clown and a magician and was thinking about pulling his stuff out and trying what I do. So I replied to him. Then I signed off and called on the trailer in Olympia. Jim, the owner, didn't answer so I left him a message, and sent him an email. I was answering a friends email to me, and had just written, " I found a trailer in Seattle" when the phone rang and it was Jim, about the trailer. He told me that there was a guy in Michigan, I think, that was interested in buying the trailer but he didn't know for sure if the guy was going to buy it so he was going to call the guy and give him the first dibs. He hung up with me and called the guy and then called me back. It turns out that the guy that was interested in buying the trailer, was none other than Chromo the guy from the forum.
Jim told me that chromo had said to sell me the trailer as I could make better use of it than him. He said that chromo had said that he knew me and told him about the blog. So I now have a trailer, well, not quite yet. I ordered a trailer hitch which should be here sometime next week, then I will put it on, and I will drive up to Olympia on the 18th to pick it up. I'll stay in it that night, and then go pick up my friend from the airport in Eugene. The trailer will give me room for suitcases.
Backing up in time, I left Bellingham for the Buddhist monastery in Oregon a few weeks ago. I had planned to stay throughout the end of August into September 2nd, however, I have hurt my back while still Washington. It became too hard to stay at the monastery and so I left a few days early. While at the monastery though, I was able to give several people rides on the bike who had never been on motorcycles before. I even gave the abbot of the monastery a ride. That was fun. Actually giving all of them rides was fun.
The first thing I did when I left the monastery was to stop and get gas. While at the gas pump, I was accosted and abused by a Christian preacher. I had never been through such an aggressive verbal assault. I was literally afraid for my life. If he had got next to me on the road with his vehicles, I have very little doubt that he would have tried to run me off the road. He was very ignorant about Buddhist practices and acted like I was worshipping the devil. He was actually yelling, I knew that there was nothing I could do to sway his opinion so I just bowed and politely said,"May you have a beautiful life and find peace." I actually had to talk over him in order to be able to say those things. He yelled, "Don't you go acting pious with me! I am giving you the truth!"
"Giving?!" I wonder if he actually thought that he could convert me with that behavior. I had told him that I had just come out of a Buddhist monastery that should have indicated that I was somewhat serious about my Buddhist faith. His tirade raised my defenses and made it much more difficult to hear his message. Since his message was delivered in such an abusive way, even if I hadn't come out of a Buddhist monastery there is no way that I could have taken him seriously. He was obviously in such fear of what might come next after death that he could not stand the possibility that someone would say something that could make him question his faith. He actually told me that he did not have any reason to study any other religious tradition as he already knew the truth.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Bellingham, computer, and car.
I have another post in the process of being written that covers events up till I arrived in bellingham but I want to write about events in Bellingham before they get so distant that I forget it all. First thing of note is that my very good friend, Keith, has offered me a car. It is quite doubtful that I will keep it because of having the bike and not wishing to support both right now; besides, I can only drive one at a time. Cars are very cost prohibitive. Of course, motorcycles aren't the cheapest things either. (The price was right in getting this one...and in getting it repaired.) I am so grateful for the generousity of the Universe and my friends. Which leads me to my next bit of news....
My computer has completely died. When attempting to use the self-diagnostic tool, it tells me in red letter, "Replace hard drive." No portion of the computer works beyond the start up screen before windows kicks in. Not even the appearance mouse pointer. So, I'm asking the Universe to provide me with a small Apple laptop to use. It has to be small so that it doesn't take up much room on the bike. I lost quite a bit of information with the death of the hard drive, and some of that info was contact information. So, if you don't hear from me, it may be due to the fact that I've lost your contact information. The death of the hard drive took with it the lastest work on my book. The backups I have are very old now. As a friend pointed out, this may be a good time for a rewrite... That's perfectly fine with me, but doing it on this tablet is NOT going to work, I don't think. So, if anyone has an intense feeling of compassion and generousity (and the resources to back it up) let me know and I'll be happy to provide you with an address. Additionally, I'll overjoyed to share with you one of the first copies of any book I happen to write while using your gift.
I have often said that doing balloons could be a 6 figure income if worked as a business. I've never been much of businessman, but I'm getting to watch the process in action here in the Bellingham area. I'm not going to write down here the method by which it's being done, but I'm feeling the effects of the process. I now have lots more compassion for small business owners when a Wal-Mart moves into the neighborhood. I've basically found myself pushed out of twisting at every fair, festival and farmer's market in the area. The result being that income is hard to come by, in the traditional ways I've done it in the past, at least.
I've gotten to visit my daughter a few days so far and visit with a few friends. The bike is running...ok. I killed the battery twice yesterday. I'm wondering how many times I can jumpstart a new battery from a car before it causes significant damage to either the battery or the bike. The bike isn't pulling smoothly in the lower gears. I'm wondering if it might be the start of the fuel pump needing some TLC.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Montana 'biking.
I get my days and posts mixed up sometimes. I suspect I ought to read what I've written before. Ah, well. Yesterday was a tough ride. The sun was so strong that I got a burn through my clothes. Didn't know that was possible. It was so hot that it made the heat melt. At least, that's what it felt like to me. I made it into Montana, a very interesting state! Lots of unusual landscapes and rock formations. Very beautiful...and any place humans reside in numbers is many, many miles apart. But it isn't empty space, plenty of bugs to coat the front of the bike while riding or every square inch of skin when coming to a stop. I feel for the bugs. It must be a hard life with so many competitors for food. Must be what it's like to live in China or India.
The bike ran well, very strong. I even got it up to (don't read this, Mom!) 105 mph for a second. I wanted to see if it could break 100. I might've been able to get a couple more MPHs out of it, but I learned what I needed to and I want to continue to exist in physical form for a while. It apparently sucked a lot of gas because that tank only gave me 29mpg. The next tank, I kept it between 70-75 and was able to coax 39 mpg out of it.I stopped for the night in Miles City, Montana. A waitress suggested that I go to this particular boat dock to camp. It was right on the Yellowstone River. Beautiful...as I discovered this morning. I didn't sleep long and was up before the sun was in the sky.
I rode on to Billings and stopped for breakfast at a Perkins. As I got off the bike, I realized that I was running quite low on funds so I said, "Ok, Universe. We're getting low on funds. Let's make this a money-making restaurant, ok?" And then I went in. The balloons were well received. One couple, celebrating their 4th year anniversary, tipped me $40. I had a line of kids and adults coming to the table to get balloons. The manager bought my breakfast. And a guy gifted me $10 while I was standing by the bike..., "...because I'm jealous." (Of the fact of my riding the bike as much as I am--he's traveling on business so couldn't bring one of his two bikes.)
I have to say, I SO love the faces of the people who get the balloons. And when I can say something that obviously makes a difference to someone, it is the most fulfilling experience I can have as a "me." So, tonight, I'm thinking I will head out to the next bigger town, Bozeman. Not sure if I'll be camping (if so, it'll be where there's a shower!) or staying in a hotel. The hotels are pretty pricy along through here.
Much more to write, but getting tired and I don't think Billings is where I due to sleep tonight. I'm being pulled to continue the ride. Om shanti, my friends.
The bike ran well, very strong. I even got it up to (don't read this, Mom!) 105 mph for a second. I wanted to see if it could break 100. I might've been able to get a couple more MPHs out of it, but I learned what I needed to and I want to continue to exist in physical form for a while. It apparently sucked a lot of gas because that tank only gave me 29mpg. The next tank, I kept it between 70-75 and was able to coax 39 mpg out of it.I stopped for the night in Miles City, Montana. A waitress suggested that I go to this particular boat dock to camp. It was right on the Yellowstone River. Beautiful...as I discovered this morning. I didn't sleep long and was up before the sun was in the sky.
I rode on to Billings and stopped for breakfast at a Perkins. As I got off the bike, I realized that I was running quite low on funds so I said, "Ok, Universe. We're getting low on funds. Let's make this a money-making restaurant, ok?" And then I went in. The balloons were well received. One couple, celebrating their 4th year anniversary, tipped me $40. I had a line of kids and adults coming to the table to get balloons. The manager bought my breakfast. And a guy gifted me $10 while I was standing by the bike..., "...because I'm jealous." (Of the fact of my riding the bike as much as I am--he's traveling on business so couldn't bring one of his two bikes.)
I have to say, I SO love the faces of the people who get the balloons. And when I can say something that obviously makes a difference to someone, it is the most fulfilling experience I can have as a "me." So, tonight, I'm thinking I will head out to the next bigger town, Bozeman. Not sure if I'll be camping (if so, it'll be where there's a shower!) or staying in a hotel. The hotels are pretty pricy along through here.
Much more to write, but getting tired and I don't think Billings is where I due to sleep tonight. I'm being pulled to continue the ride. Om shanti, my friends.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Back on the road, again...again...again...
I don't remember here the last (draft) post ended so I will take up the story from Sunday morning. I loaded my bike to get ready for the road, took leave of Carol and Hans and got on the freeway. The repairs hadn't really been tested so I wanted to stay close to town until I was sure everything was working according to plan. Good thing, too, as it turned out that the carbs needed work. The bike was not running quite right and since I was about to go across some pretty desolate country, having a reliable ride was crucial. So, I called Jason, hoping it was a fix that I could do...no such luck. Jason said to bring it to his shop.
Before I called him, I had stopped by IHOP for breakfest. I made balloons for lots of folks and the manager snagged my bill to pay for my meal. I don't talk much about why people choose to gift me money, food and other stuff, but they must being seeing some good in what I do...
He was hard at work on another bike but said that he would get to it as soon as he could. I called Hans who came by to hang out a bit. We took a little ride and Hans bought Jason a bag of floor cleaner, which Jason mentioned he was going to go buy. After we got back to the shop, while looking for the number of the local newspaper, I noticed that there was a street fair going on downtown for a few hours. Another Universal blessing as I was getting very low on funds. I asked Hans to gvie me a ride and we zipped to the fair. I was so concentrated on getting to work that I didn't immediately realize that I wouldn't be seeing Hans again before I left, otherwise I would've thanked him more graciously. There's a lesson about staying in the present...
I made about $70, which has been coming in very handy. After the fair ended (5:00) I met aann older man who offered me a ride back to Jason's: thanks Lavern. The bike wasn't ready yet so I sat down on a tarp to restock the balloon bags. Jason got the bike ready -- cleaned and sync'd the carbs, checked the spark plugs and a few other things. I started putting the plastic back on the bike after he was finished with the mechanical stuff. Talk about feeling inapt! I felt like a first time student in a Master dance class. Jason even found a way to fix the switch to my brake light; the hand brake hadn't operated the brake light since I got it.
After I got the bike all ready for the road, again, I took leave of Jason ad goot on the freeway. I road about 125 miles or so and the bike ran perfectly. Thank you SO much, Jason! The weather was so nice for riding (cool and cloudy) that I wanted to just keep on but got way tired. I stopped in Jamestown, the hometown of my good friend, Keith) and drove around town. I didn't feel like spending the money on a hotel for just a few hours nor go through the trouble of putting up the tent, so I found dark corner of the Walmart parking lot and wrapped myself in sleeping bag and tarp.
This morning, I found that I had forgotten to turn off the battery so needed a jump. Thank you, Amy. Back on the road and now in a restaurant in Bismark, ND. Time to get back on the road before the sun comes out and makes it too hot to comfortably ride.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
I am in the company of Angels. Or, the story of the bike...thus far.
Earth angels are surrounding me now! This is the most amazing humbling time. I am truly, truly blessed. Jason, a young man who didn't know I existed before yesterday, has offered to fix my bike for free. This is a $2000 job! All I have to pay for is the parts. While sitting in an Applebee's restaurant, making balloons for the kids around me and trying to figure out how to get the money for the parts and where I was going to sleep while the bike was being repaired, I was being watched by another pair of angels, Hans Kresny and his SO, Carol. They wound up offering me a place to stay, food to eat while I've been staying with them, and Hans even wound up volunteering to buy the parts. The bike will be ready to roll by tonight, tomorrow morning at the latest! (Tears in my eyes from gratitude!)
That's the headline version. Many, many more blessings have come over the last few days. I am going to write a book about this journey! What amazing blessings! It makes all the hell I've been through in my life worthwhile...
After I left Barnesville for the "big city" of Fargo, ND, I thought the bike was fixed. As I got to town, I had planned to rent a room for a night to rest (out of the bugs) and to safely leave my stuff as I searched for a place to twist. The cheapest quote I could find would've cost over $60. So I figured I could put up with another night of bugs. I found a local campground and was told that they had only one spot left and that it would cost $28. While standing there thinking about whether I should take it, two couples pulled up on fancy Goldwing/trailer combinations. I figured that was a sign. The guys came in and asked for a spot, since I was already there, I got first dibs and so I took the spot but told the guys they were welcome to share it with me. They each paid $10 and I paid $8.
We all rode back to the site and found a slab with tiny patch of grass just big enough for my tent. They set up their trailers while I put up the tent. I went to see about the local big fair and they went out to eat. The fair was too big to work--big fairs work through committees and getting permission to work them is VERY difficult. I've never been able to do it while the fair is active. So, the Universe will present the next place for me to twist when I get there, though perhaps I will get a hint before I get there; that'd be nice. :-)
They were asleep by the time I got back to the site. In the morning, we passed each other a few times, exchanging pleasantries and briefly visiting. I made the ladies a couple little balloons and one gent tucked a tip into my pocket, $20. I gathered my dirty clothes and headed off to the laundromat. When I got back to the site, they were gone. I broke camp and loaded up and as I picked up the last thing, a bottle of oil, I found a $5 bill under it. Joy! Then, fully loaded, I hopped on the bike and started 'er up....well, pressed the right buttons at least. Got nothing but a click for my efforts. The brand new, $100 battery had died. Oh, Boy...
Well, there was an older couple in the RV next to me and they came out to see what was the matter. I was starting to unpack everything so that I could get to the charger. I plugged it in and told them the story of the last few days. They were retired teachers. He had an multimeter with which we were able to determine that the battery wasn't getting the charge it needed to continue to run. (By this time, it was after checkout time. The manager of the park said I could stay till I got it started. "The people who have the space reserved are arriving in a big RV, they can wait if needed." Very nice woman!) We finally got the bike started by jumping it. It ran for a minute and then died. So, now knowing that the bike could start, I got ready to leave and planned where I would go -- a bike shop 2 miles away called Lone Wolf. It had several other shops fairly close by in case I wasn't able to find help there. I made the woman a balloon and she tipped me a few dollars. The man gave my bike a jump and shook my hand with a $20 in it and blessed my journey. (Second time in 3 days! My new mantra seems to be working."The Universe LOVES to give me money.")
I tried to make it to the bike shop, but the bike stalled 200 yards from the shop at a stop sign. I pushed it the rest of the way. Whew! Pushing a fully loaded, 1000 pound motorcycle such a distance is a chore! When I got there, the shop was closed while they did some errands. While I waited, I looked around the area to see if I could find where I could unroll the sleeping bag when dark came. I had a sense that it was the stator that had gone out. Not good!.Along came the father of the fellow who owned the shop. They didn't work on Goldwings, especially older models. He was extremely nice and called around, looking for someone who did. After an hour or two, he tracked down a young man named Jason who agreed to come over to check out the situation.
Jason is amazing! He is a virtuoso with older engines. A true artist. He swept in (with his lady friend) and immediately got to the job of diagnosing the bike. He worked with the bike with the familiarity of a consummate professional who loves his work. He quickly got to the root of the problem, but then realized he needed a part with which to test some mysterious (to me) thing. He took off back to his shop to get it. Meanwhile, a family with 3 little girls showed up next door. Heaven for me! Here is where I get to do my thing. I grabbed my balloons and headed over. While twisting for them, I was told the youngest (4) was "shy". I knelt down and twisted a kitty for her, got a smile in return! Then, when I started drawing the face on the balloon I'd made for the middle sister (6), I suddenly felt a warm little weight on my back: it was the tiny one hugging my neck and looking over my shoulder to see what I was doing. I choked up! That, right there, was reason enough for the breakdown. By the time I had made the oldest sister (9) a balloon, these 3 had adopted me, and Jason had gotten back. He continued his testing only to find that it was the stator.
Even though I had suspected it, the fact of it let the wind out of my sails. I was thrown for a loop, not having a clue what to do next. I thought that I would have to let it all go and just walk away, but the Universe had other plans. Jason wouldn't take my money for the diagnosis and even offered to do the labor of fixing the bike for free. Talk about being floored! The forums say that replacing the stator is a $1500 jobs, at least! He got the bike started and I followed him to his garage. He rents two old one-car garages to work out of. I want to point out that this is not a man who is rolling in the dough. His story is pretty bleak which makes the fact of his generosity so much more powerful.We dropped of the bike and he gave me a ride about a mile down the road to Applebee's. (I hadn't eaten yet.)
I went in and was seated close to the door. I had told the young host that I was a traveling balloon entertainer and so he told one little boy to come get a balloon. I was very happy to be twisting, not just because it kept my mind occupied with joy instead of worry. He sat a number of families close to me and at one point, I had 5 of the employees gathered around the table, including the manager. I had noticed a table of two ladies and a gentleman a few tables away and wondered if my twisting was bothering them, but they looked amused and interested. I didn't make any money while at the restaurant, but the host wound up paying for my meal and then vanishing so I couldn't thank him. :-)
Well, remember the table with the two women and the gentleman? They turned out to be Earth Angels. They stopped by and wished me well on the way out. I appreciated it and went on with what I was doing.A few minutes later, he came back in, looking for his wallet. I have a flashlight on my cell phone so got up to help him look under the table. We couldn't find it so he gave the manager his info and left. A moment later, he came back to say that if I needed a place to stay and was ready to go, I was welcome at his house. Wow. That's when I learned about my meal having been paid for by the host.
I was introduced around as I got into the car, Cathy, Carol and Hans. It was Carol's idea to offer to host me, so I was later informed. I was taken to a very beautiful home with genteel decor and given a room and an invitation to whatever food I found. Hans an Carol are not only wonderful hosts, but they have very interesting stories. Both had lost their previous spouses and had met when a mutual friend suggested they email each other. Turns out that they had gotten married on the same day of the same year. Hans, a retired nuclear engineer and published author, has figured out the secret to remaining peaceful through life so we've been having great conversations.
Yesterday, Jason had to get the parts. He decided to do what's known as a "poorboy auto conversion"
on the bike, which means adding an automobile alternator to the bike, thus making the unreliable stator obsolete. I won't have problems with that again for the life of the bike. Plus, this will enable me to add as many lights to the bike as I wish. Jason also surprised me with the knowledge that he was going to tune up the bike before giving it back to me, so it seems the bike will be in much better shape when I get it back. Wow. Just...wow. We went on the "parts run" and Hans decided to buy the parts for me. Gassho, my friend. I had already given Jason my last $90 and they gave it back to me.
After getting the parts, Hans and I hung out watching the Master at work. What a joy to see. Jason REALLY knows what he is doing! I sure hope he gets a shop that is worthy of his skills. One with a bike jack, at the very least. The man is working on the floor with a messed up back and neck. Jason said that he had enlisted a friend who is an expert welder to help with the work and that the bike would likely be done by the end of the night. He stopped all work on other bikes to get mine back on the road as soon as possible. He did say that there was the possibility that it might not be ready until morning, which is what happened. We are now waiting to hear from him.
Truly, I have been blessed with angels. So, if anyone reading this would like to help out someone who really deserves it with either a job as shop-head (in Southern California where his ex-wife ran off to with his daughter) or with funds and/or business, I will post his information in another post. I can attest to his skill and professionalism.
May you feel as blessed as I do. Om Shanti
That's the headline version. Many, many more blessings have come over the last few days. I am going to write a book about this journey! What amazing blessings! It makes all the hell I've been through in my life worthwhile...
After I left Barnesville for the "big city" of Fargo, ND, I thought the bike was fixed. As I got to town, I had planned to rent a room for a night to rest (out of the bugs) and to safely leave my stuff as I searched for a place to twist. The cheapest quote I could find would've cost over $60. So I figured I could put up with another night of bugs. I found a local campground and was told that they had only one spot left and that it would cost $28. While standing there thinking about whether I should take it, two couples pulled up on fancy Goldwing/trailer combinations. I figured that was a sign. The guys came in and asked for a spot, since I was already there, I got first dibs and so I took the spot but told the guys they were welcome to share it with me. They each paid $10 and I paid $8.
We all rode back to the site and found a slab with tiny patch of grass just big enough for my tent. They set up their trailers while I put up the tent. I went to see about the local big fair and they went out to eat. The fair was too big to work--big fairs work through committees and getting permission to work them is VERY difficult. I've never been able to do it while the fair is active. So, the Universe will present the next place for me to twist when I get there, though perhaps I will get a hint before I get there; that'd be nice. :-)
They were asleep by the time I got back to the site. In the morning, we passed each other a few times, exchanging pleasantries and briefly visiting. I made the ladies a couple little balloons and one gent tucked a tip into my pocket, $20. I gathered my dirty clothes and headed off to the laundromat. When I got back to the site, they were gone. I broke camp and loaded up and as I picked up the last thing, a bottle of oil, I found a $5 bill under it. Joy! Then, fully loaded, I hopped on the bike and started 'er up....well, pressed the right buttons at least. Got nothing but a click for my efforts. The brand new, $100 battery had died. Oh, Boy...
Well, there was an older couple in the RV next to me and they came out to see what was the matter. I was starting to unpack everything so that I could get to the charger. I plugged it in and told them the story of the last few days. They were retired teachers. He had an multimeter with which we were able to determine that the battery wasn't getting the charge it needed to continue to run. (By this time, it was after checkout time. The manager of the park said I could stay till I got it started. "The people who have the space reserved are arriving in a big RV, they can wait if needed." Very nice woman!) We finally got the bike started by jumping it. It ran for a minute and then died. So, now knowing that the bike could start, I got ready to leave and planned where I would go -- a bike shop 2 miles away called Lone Wolf. It had several other shops fairly close by in case I wasn't able to find help there. I made the woman a balloon and she tipped me a few dollars. The man gave my bike a jump and shook my hand with a $20 in it and blessed my journey. (Second time in 3 days! My new mantra seems to be working."The Universe LOVES to give me money.")
I tried to make it to the bike shop, but the bike stalled 200 yards from the shop at a stop sign. I pushed it the rest of the way. Whew! Pushing a fully loaded, 1000 pound motorcycle such a distance is a chore! When I got there, the shop was closed while they did some errands. While I waited, I looked around the area to see if I could find where I could unroll the sleeping bag when dark came. I had a sense that it was the stator that had gone out. Not good!.Along came the father of the fellow who owned the shop. They didn't work on Goldwings, especially older models. He was extremely nice and called around, looking for someone who did. After an hour or two, he tracked down a young man named Jason who agreed to come over to check out the situation.
Jason is amazing! He is a virtuoso with older engines. A true artist. He swept in (with his lady friend) and immediately got to the job of diagnosing the bike. He worked with the bike with the familiarity of a consummate professional who loves his work. He quickly got to the root of the problem, but then realized he needed a part with which to test some mysterious (to me) thing. He took off back to his shop to get it. Meanwhile, a family with 3 little girls showed up next door. Heaven for me! Here is where I get to do my thing. I grabbed my balloons and headed over. While twisting for them, I was told the youngest (4) was "shy". I knelt down and twisted a kitty for her, got a smile in return! Then, when I started drawing the face on the balloon I'd made for the middle sister (6), I suddenly felt a warm little weight on my back: it was the tiny one hugging my neck and looking over my shoulder to see what I was doing. I choked up! That, right there, was reason enough for the breakdown. By the time I had made the oldest sister (9) a balloon, these 3 had adopted me, and Jason had gotten back. He continued his testing only to find that it was the stator.
Even though I had suspected it, the fact of it let the wind out of my sails. I was thrown for a loop, not having a clue what to do next. I thought that I would have to let it all go and just walk away, but the Universe had other plans. Jason wouldn't take my money for the diagnosis and even offered to do the labor of fixing the bike for free. Talk about being floored! The forums say that replacing the stator is a $1500 jobs, at least! He got the bike started and I followed him to his garage. He rents two old one-car garages to work out of. I want to point out that this is not a man who is rolling in the dough. His story is pretty bleak which makes the fact of his generosity so much more powerful.We dropped of the bike and he gave me a ride about a mile down the road to Applebee's. (I hadn't eaten yet.)
I went in and was seated close to the door. I had told the young host that I was a traveling balloon entertainer and so he told one little boy to come get a balloon. I was very happy to be twisting, not just because it kept my mind occupied with joy instead of worry. He sat a number of families close to me and at one point, I had 5 of the employees gathered around the table, including the manager. I had noticed a table of two ladies and a gentleman a few tables away and wondered if my twisting was bothering them, but they looked amused and interested. I didn't make any money while at the restaurant, but the host wound up paying for my meal and then vanishing so I couldn't thank him. :-)
Well, remember the table with the two women and the gentleman? They turned out to be Earth Angels. They stopped by and wished me well on the way out. I appreciated it and went on with what I was doing.A few minutes later, he came back in, looking for his wallet. I have a flashlight on my cell phone so got up to help him look under the table. We couldn't find it so he gave the manager his info and left. A moment later, he came back to say that if I needed a place to stay and was ready to go, I was welcome at his house. Wow. That's when I learned about my meal having been paid for by the host.
I was introduced around as I got into the car, Cathy, Carol and Hans. It was Carol's idea to offer to host me, so I was later informed. I was taken to a very beautiful home with genteel decor and given a room and an invitation to whatever food I found. Hans an Carol are not only wonderful hosts, but they have very interesting stories. Both had lost their previous spouses and had met when a mutual friend suggested they email each other. Turns out that they had gotten married on the same day of the same year. Hans, a retired nuclear engineer and published author, has figured out the secret to remaining peaceful through life so we've been having great conversations.
Yesterday, Jason had to get the parts. He decided to do what's known as a "poorboy auto conversion"
on the bike, which means adding an automobile alternator to the bike, thus making the unreliable stator obsolete. I won't have problems with that again for the life of the bike. Plus, this will enable me to add as many lights to the bike as I wish. Jason also surprised me with the knowledge that he was going to tune up the bike before giving it back to me, so it seems the bike will be in much better shape when I get it back. Wow. Just...wow. We went on the "parts run" and Hans decided to buy the parts for me. Gassho, my friend. I had already given Jason my last $90 and they gave it back to me.
After getting the parts, Hans and I hung out watching the Master at work. What a joy to see. Jason REALLY knows what he is doing! I sure hope he gets a shop that is worthy of his skills. One with a bike jack, at the very least. The man is working on the floor with a messed up back and neck. Jason said that he had enlisted a friend who is an expert welder to help with the work and that the bike would likely be done by the end of the night. He stopped all work on other bikes to get mine back on the road as soon as possible. He did say that there was the possibility that it might not be ready until morning, which is what happened. We are now waiting to hear from him.
Truly, I have been blessed with angels. So, if anyone reading this would like to help out someone who really deserves it with either a job as shop-head (in Southern California where his ex-wife ran off to with his daughter) or with funds and/or business, I will post his information in another post. I can attest to his skill and professionalism.
May you feel as blessed as I do. Om Shanti
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