Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! I'm at my parent's tonight in Denver, IA. I think Christmas changes for you when you get older. For me it's not about the presents anymore. I really don't need anything, I buy everything that I really want already. To me it's about spending time with my family. That's the best gift of all. I would have to say the most memorable Christmas for me was the year that I told my sister that Santa was really Mom and Dad. I felt bad for making her cry. That was also the year that her and I got our play kitchen. That was the best gift ever and we played with it for hours...actually years. Another Christmas we got Shaun Cassidy amps with microphones. Wow that was cool. My dad just recently tried to sell them on E-Bay but no one must remember Shaun Cassidy because they didn't get any bids. Poor Shaun!

Well...ho ho ho to you. May Santa bring you everything that you wish for tonight while you are sleeping tight. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Pan Handlers

Driving down Merle Hay Road to the mall I see the pan handlers standing at the I-80 off ramp. It's about 12 degrees out and the thought comes into my head...Why would someone stand out in the freezing cold like this. How come they are so dedicated to standing here day in and day out? I seriously just don't get it. Wouldn't it be more enjoyable to get a job? Maybe they don't because they are mentally ill or have a drug problem but I still just don't get it. Maybe someday I should stop and ask since it baffles my mind everytime I drive by and see them standing there. Maybe it's because they make a lot of money standing on the corner begging for change or a couple dollars here and there. I still just don't get it. I used to feel bad and think I should give them something until a few years ago. I had some pop cans in my car and figured I'd give them to the homeless man that stood on the corner every day on my way home from work. I rolled down my window and handed them to him. I figured he would take them over to the grocery store and redeem them for change. I felt good about helping him out. The next day on my way home at the corner where he usually stood were those pop cans lying in the median. That was the last time that I ever felt sad for the pan handlers and the last time I tried to help them that way. I do have to say there is one pan handler that always makes me laugh. He holds a sign that says I'm being honest here, I just need a beer. I have to give him credit, at least he's telling everyone the truth. He's owned up to the fact that he's possibly an alcoholic and he just needs a drink. I'm sure there will be some people that read my blog that think I'm totally heartless and that I should help the less fortunate and guess what I do. I donated money to Hurricane Katrina, I serve meals at the Youth Homeless shelter, I put money in the Salvation Army kettles, I buy less fortunate children presents at Christmas, I have tutored children to help them with their reading skills...the list is endless. I do have a heart and I do help those in need but I do not feel sorry for driving by the pan handlers begging for change. That is their choice on how they are going to make their way in the world. I chose to work and I work very hard and no one is giving me any handouts because I guess I just don't need them.

Support Our Troops

Another Iowa soldier dies in Iraq. Spc. Gregory Tull died November 25th, 2005. He was 20 years old. I did not know Spc. Tull but my heart still aches. The hope I have is that all of the deaths of our soldiers are not in vain. The hope I have is that what they are doing in Iraq is helping.

God Bless Our U.S. Troops and their families who sacrifice so much for our freedom and the freedom of others.

Oh Christmas Tree

Ok...what is going on with this whole Christmas tradition bashing stuff that I've been hearing on TV and reading in the papers? Seriously, if I want to call my tree a "Christmas" tree that's what I'm going to call it. Sorry if I offend but that is what it has always been to me and I'm not changing tradition because groups of people are offended by the word "Christmas". What has happened to our traditions. They are disappearing right and left just because we have to be so politically correct. I'm done! What is this world coming to? It's falling apart. Someone please explain all of this madness to me and quick. I realize not everyone celebrates Christmas but just because not everyone does why do the people who do have to change? I don't expect people to change their traditions with Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, etc.... I'm not asking people to change the name of the Menorah, Dreidel, the Kinara, Mkeka, Mazao, Kikombe cha umoja, Mishumaa saba, or the Zawadi so why is everyone so up in arms about the "Christmas" tree?? I just think there are more constructive things to be worrying about than if people want to call their tree a Christmas tree!! We need to be thinking about homeless children, the troops, our families....

Ok...I got that off my chest...I'm going to go put up my Christmas Tree now.(next someone will want to ban the colors red and green during the holidays...just you wait!) I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyful Kwanzaa or just a plain old Happy Holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Each of us has so many things to be thankful for.

Jane 360

Tonight I attended an art show called Jane 360. An eclectic group of female artists joined together to show their work to the art enthusiasts of Des Moines. The inaugural exhibit, See Jane Make Art, was held in the former Northwestern Hotel, located in the East Village. There was a wide range of creations including photography, printmaking, paintings, and mixed media. It was great to see a show made up of only female artists. The paintings of Larassa Kabel and Steph Van Dorn were out of this world. Both of these women have such extreme talent. If I had 1/10 of their talent I would be happy. I could stand and look at their pieces for hours. Kathy Tran's mixed media pieces also excited me. My favorite piece was Madonna and Cat, carved out of wood and then painted, this cartoonistic piece made me smile. The piece that really blew me away though was by Brooke Howard. On the front of an old medicine cabinet was a self portrait of Brooke wrapped in a white sheet, standing in an old porcelain tub, looking out the window. When you opened the door to the cabinet there was a shrine of all kinds of wonderful finds...Religious figures, skulls, poems, pictures of family members...it was amazing. I look forward to their next show and I hope that this adds fire to the art scene in Des Moines. Art is so important and we need to embrace all of this talent and support it. Kudos to Jane 360 for doing an all female show and sharing their amazing talent with Des Moines.

Ode to the Old Dirty Biker

Whenever I'm at bike night I always catch myself watching the Old Dirty Bikers. Their worn look draws me in. I'm always wondering what their story is. What kinds of experiences they've had riding the highways on their bikes. Most of them don't ride the fancy, shiny Harley Davidson...most of their bikes have character, the bike is as worn as it's rider. I went to the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, IA on Friday and there was the coolest looking worn out Harley there. I stood their for a long time looking at it, wondering what the rider must have looked like. How many miles this old biker and his bike must have ridden. There was even a Christmas ornament on it. At the museum there was also the Hall of Fame room. There was a Hall of Famer who has since passed on to the other side whose story drew me in. His name was Allen Calvin La Fortune. A Harley was the only form of transportation that Allen ever owned. He used his bike to haul his boat, a camper, and a trailer. He had rode a million miles by 1998. Allen's last ride was 6 days before his death in August 2002. Allen was a true 1%er. Some people just don't get motorcycles and what it is like to ride but I know the Old Dirty Bikers do. If you are a true 1%er and you read my blog, leave me a story. I'd love to hear about your adventures on the open road.

Here is a poem that I found written by an Old Dirty Biker, I really liked it and hopefully you will too:

As the southern sun makes its fall, the darkness of night starts to call.
Sweat beads thick around his head, a mind full of heartache, a heart full of dread needing something to unscramble lifes tangled web.
Out in the darkness a steel horse sits, poised and ready to calm lifes fits.
A touch of a button, a twist of a grip
breaking the silence 88 inches rip, slicing the night with one eye lit.
As cold wind blows and the white lines roll from his head lifes troubles seem to flow and for a brief moment it's touched his soul.
As the western moon makes its fall the steel horse sits back in its stall.
Live to ride, ride to live as one may recall but for those who do
they know this is all.

Really Bad Movie

Really bad movies suck you in and keep you watching them thinking that it has to get better at some point. I watched probably the worst movie I've ever seen tonight. It was called Dance with Me with Jennifer Beals and Campbell Scott. While there were some semi erotic dance scenes in the movie, I just kept asking myself why I was wasting time on this flick. But I did and I'm here to tell you not to waste your time unless you have time to waste. It was probably as bad, if not worse than Eyes Wide Shut.

Another Birthday...Argh!

Wow...these birthdays roll around faster as you get older. I remember being 13 wishing I was 16 and then I was 16 wishing I was 21. Now I'm turning 37 and I'm wishing I was like 25. I loved 25. It was a great age. Really I'm not too depressed about 37. I'm still 3 yrs away from 40 and I feel like I just continue to get better with age. I'm like a fine wine...he he! I think when you hit your 30's you are finally growing up...finally becoming the person you are going to be for the rest of your life. Being a 20 something for me was chaotic. It was quite a learning experience for me. You think you know it all in your 20's. Now that I'm at the end of my 30's, I know I don't know it all and there is so much more out there that I need to do before life passes me by. Live like there is no tomorrow and laugh as much as you can. Life is what you make it and I'm not going to let 37 get me down. I'm going to live like I'm still 25 and have a damn good time doing it! Happy Birthday to me!

The Poppy

Today I went to the grocery store and the VFW(Veterans of Foreign Wars) members were selling poppies. I purchased a couple like I always do because of my respect for them serving our country. As I walked around the store I thought to myself...I need to actually thank those men when I leave the store. I wrote about thanking them on my blog and I just need to do it...need to tell them Thank You! I walked out of the store and the Vet that I had purchased my poppies from was sitting alone...I'd say he was about 75 to 80...I put my hand on his shoulder and said...Sir, I would just like to say thank you for the service you gave to our country. I appreciate what you did very much. He looked at me, smiled and said...you are welcome. I think it made him feel good, at least I hope it did. I know it made me feel good for saying it.

Thank You for Your Sacrifice

November 11th is Veterans' Day. No matter what you feel about the war going on now in the Middle East or the wars of the past, we need to thank our Veterans and our troops serving now, for the sacrifices they have made for us. We are the luckiest people in the world! We can live where we want to live, have our own religious beliefs, buy whatever we want to buy, Vote, get an education...the list is endless. Can you seriously imagine what it is like to live in terror every day of your life that you may die because of a suicide car bomber or because of your religious or political beliefs? I don't think you can. We are spoiled and lucky as Hell that we are able to live in this country. I thank God everyday that I was born here and that I am so lucky to live the American Dream! And I also thank God everyday that we have Men and Women who sacrifice so that I can live this life by keeping the USA safe! The Toby Keith song American Soldier touches my heart everytime I hear it......

"American Soldier"

I'm just trying to be a father,

Raise a daughter and a son,

Be a lover to their mother,

Everything to everyone.

Up and at 'em bright and early,

I'm all business in my suit,

Yeah, I'm dressed for success from my head down to my boots,

I don't do it for money, there's still bills that I can't pay,

I don't do it for the glory, I just do it anyway,

Providing for our future's my responsibility,

Yeah I'm real good under pressure, being all that I can be,

And I can't call in sick on Mondays when the weekends been to strong,

I just work straight through the holidays,

And sometimes all night long.

You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door,

Hey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady, hey I'm true down to the core,

And I will always do my duty, no matter what the price,

I've counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice,

Oh, and I don't want to die for you,

But if dyin's asked of me,

I'll bear that cross with an honor,

'Cause freedom don't come free.

I'm an american soldier, an american,

Beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand,

When liberty's in jeopardy I will always do what's right,

I'm out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight.

American soldier, I'm an American,

An American,

An American Soldier

Thank you to all of our Veterans, Past and Present. Thank you to our troops serving now, here in the United States and all over this world! Thank you for the sacrifice that you make so that I can do whatever I want to do each and every day of my life. God Bless the USA and God Bless Our Service Men and Women!

What should I do with myself?

There is a song in the movie Crazy/Beautiful that fits me so well. The chorus goes like this:

It shouldn't hurt me to be free
It's what I really need to pull myself together
But if it's so good being free
Would you mind telling me
Why I don't know what to do with myself

I'm coming up on my 37th birthday in November and for the life of me I don't know what I'm going to do with the next 37 years. It has to be more than I've done. I need to hurry up and do the things I keep say that I'm going to or I'm going to be staring down 74 and saying to myself why didn't I do that when I was younger?

What I want to do:

Film a documentary
Sky Dive
Fly in a Fighter Jet
Ride across the USA on a Harley
Build a Habitat for Humanity Home
Go to a NFL game
Get a tattoo
Travel overseas to Italy
Go to Daytona Bike Week
Build a motorcycle
Visit Washington State and San Francisco

I better get busy!

Black and White - Foggy

Black and White - Foggy, never colorful and clear.

Strange but real dreams of old boyfriends, old friends, people currently in my life.

All jumbled together in my mind.

Sometimes I wake with tears, other times I wake with wonder;

especially when I dream of someone I have no real interest in but mysteriously shows up there.

Dreams of Harleys, romance, sex, famous people.

Dreams of being a child and laughing.

Dreams of lost loved ones who come to me with advice or to tell me they are watching over me.

Being chased by dogs, being kissed by a tall dark stranger.

So many dreams all in Black and White - Foggy.

Things that make me go...What the F**K!?!?

People who pull in front of you and then decide to turn.

People who don't wash their hands after using the restroom.

People who stand at the corner of Merle Hay and I 80 with signs begging for money. (why would you want to be homeless in Iowa anyway, especially in the winter)

People who use the 12 items or less line when they have 20 items in their cart.

Crotch Rocket riders who pop wheelies at speeds of 80 miles per hour.

Sex Offenders (they need their own island far away from us all!!)

People who don't take responsibility for their own actions.

Having to stop at every stop light in town, especially when their are no cars coming from the other direction.

Celebrities that are found "Not Guilty" for crimes they did commit.

Gas Prices

Did you forget the words to "Melt"?

As predicted I cried when they sang Skin. It is truly a touching song. Here's to You, Broken Road, Mayberry...they sang them all and sang them well. The crowd was pumped. The encore came...I'm thinking they are going to end with Melt. I love the song...what a great encore. Pour Some Sugar on Me, You Give Love a Bad Name, Born in the USA...all great songs but is this a cover band? NO...It's Rascal Flatts! The fans come to hear their songs...I was hoping to hear Melt. As a fan I don't really care if you are tired of singing it. I paid to see you and I want to hear it. Other than that disappointment, it was a very good show. Blake Shelton rocked...I'd love to see him again. He's funny, talented...oh and very tall and good looking. And newcomer Blaine Larson was good too. Here's to You Blaine, Blake and Rascal Flatts...thanks for a very entertaining evening, even though I didn't get to Melt!

Music

Tonight I'm going to see Rascal Flatts. So excited. I love their music. I'm all over the board on music though. I love country but I'm also into classic rock and I enjoy jazz and blues. I've always loved music. My parents used to play the radio at night before they went to bed. To this day I can hear one of those songs from the 70's and can sing along. I'm the kind of person that listens to every word and feels those words. For the most part people hear a song and they are like...oh that's a sad song...but they never get a tear in their eye or really show any emotion. Totally different story for me. I feel the music deep in my soul. Music moves me. Tonight at Rascal Flatts when they sing "Skin", I know I'll cry. It's one of the most touching songs I've ever heard. Better take some Kleenex!

Harvest Moon

There was a harvest moon tonight. It rose from the horizon larger than usual, with a light orange hue. I sat watching it until it was large no more and the light orange hue had disappeared. It was normal again, something you just glance at quickly and think...oh the moon.

Artist Group

I belong to an artist play group that meets every Monday except for the first Monday of the month. It is made up of the most amazing women I've ever met in my life. They all inspire me to be a better person, not just more creative. They are the best friends you could ever ask for. I have always felt honored that they invited me to join the group since I'm not a professional artist like many of the women that belong. We get together and have a potluck dinner, have a fun warm up activity, and then we work on whatever project we have in the works at the time. I've been out of sorts lately and wasn't as active as I should have been. They all stuck by me and let me have my moment and welcomed me back with open arms when I was ready to return. Tonight they all made me feel like the most special person. I recently moved into a new townhouse and as you know when you move into a new home people sometimes give you house warming presents. Each one of them (6 total) painted me a picture and framed them in matching frames. 3 of the pictures have a motorcycle theme, 1 was a very beautiful piece of painted furniture, another was a beautiful abstract piece, and 1 was a painting of one of my favorite artists Frieda Kahlo. I had to hold back the tears. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful group of friends and now I have 6 amazing original pieces of artwork made especially for me. How lucky am I? LUCKY!

Bikers

You know...I love being a biker chick! It gives me confidence and a little attitude. I think that most bikers have that quality about them. Maybe it is from years of being outcast. Generally bikers are good people. There are the very few that have slightly tarnished the way for us and for the most part I think motorcycle gangs were just a big hype. But than I didn't live back in the days of the Hells Angels. I grew up in a town where the Son's of Silence had a compound. The thing is, you never really saw them out and about, they pretty much kept to themselves and didn't bother a soul. I do have to admit that rallies are a little wild but it's all good adult fun. Nobody gets hurt and the men get to see a bunch of naked breasts. Really the rallies are just an added bonus to the biker world. The best part about being a biker is riding your motorcycle. There is nothing like being out on the open road. The wind blowing through your hair. Being able to smell, feel and sometimes taste(bugs-yuck!) the elements is amazing.

I went to the Sturgis bike rally in 2004. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I think made me a stronger woman. I went with my good friend Kristen. We stayed at the Buffalo Chip campground, which if you have ever been there isn't full of amenities. I'm a little bit of a tomboy but for the most part I'm a girlie girl. The lack of privacy was very different for me and took a little adjusting. Anyway...on our way to Sturgis we experienced the most amazing act of nature I've ever seen. We were riding toward the town we were going to stay in for the night and it started to storm. The wind was intense as we made our way down the highway. To my left hand side there was a rainbow in the sky, in front of me was lightening and to the right of me was the most beautiful pink sunset I had ever seen. It gives me chill bumps just thinking about it. Even though at times I was scared out of my mind that I was going to blow over and I kept praying to God that we'd make it to our destination, I couldn't believe how lucky I was to be experiencing such an event. In a car it would have not been the same experience because you are not out in the elements feeling it and smelling it. I'll never forget that part of the trip. We went to Rushmore, which I now appreciate. When I was young and was on our family trip it was just a big rock with faces carved on it. Needles Highway was breathtaking. The rides were more than I ever wished for.

Kristen and I hung out at the Full Throttle Saloon everyday searching for Billy Lane. We are both fans of his and we made it our mission to meet him and get our pictures taken with him. For me it was like a spiritual experience of some weird kind. I tried to talk to him but the words just came out very softly. I was shaking as he moved in for the picture and after it was all done and I walked away I started to cry like a little girl. I had met him...the artist who makes the most amazing choppers that I've ever seen. And an added bonus is the fact that he is so incredibly good looking and such a bad boy!

There are so many more stories which I might share later. I don't want to go on and on about Sturgis in one Posting. If you ever get the chance though, go to Sturgis at least once in your lifetime and experience the madness and the rides. Live to Ride, Ride to Live!

Wine

Watched Sideways again tonight and had a couple bottles of wine. I love wine. Have you ever just sat and drank in the smells of a great wine? The feeling you get from just inhaling the aroma is tantalizing. There are so many combinations...oak...cloves...flowery aromas. The next time you open a bottle of wine, don't just drink it, experience it. My favorite scene in Sideways is when Miles says he's not going to drink any "Fucking Merlot". I used to be only a Merlot drinker until I took a leap and tried Pinot, Sauvingnon Blanc and Cabernet, Syrah, Shiraz. There are so many wonderful wines out there other than Merlot. Even a good Chianti can tickle your taste buds. I don't think I'm a wine snob though...I just enjoy smelling and tasting wine. It's sensual in a way, even sexy. Bottoms up and good night.

Is it seriously almost 2006?

I can't believe that summer is over and the Iowa motorcycle season is coming to an end.(some years you can ride into January but it's a little nippy) You know as you get older life just starts to fly by so darn fast. I can't believe it's going to be 2006 in a few months or the fact that I turn 37 in November. YIKES! I know, I know...it's just a number but that number is freaking me out. I think that's why I call myself HarleyGirl because I still feel completely young and actually I still look pretty young, at least in my mind. Question - do you ever start feeling like an adult around your parents or for your entire life do you feel like a kid? When they are 80 and I'm 53 will I still feel like they think I'm a kid? Someone please tell me you feel the same way that I do about that!

IowaHarleyGirl's first posting...OH MY!

Welcome to my blog! Don't worry, I'm not going to just blog about Harley Davidson motorcycles. I'm going to blog about everything that interests me or makes me go "HUM". I've wanted to do this for so long and I finally am. How exciting! So welcome...visit as often as you like and leave comments if you so feel the need.