Blog Archives

I kissed the pavement this week...

11/21/2010

Last Saturday night, I posted that it had been an eventful week and weekend. We still had a Sunday full of events ranging from a birthday party to the monthly LAHBW meeting. All of Sunday's events went smoothly and were a lot of fun. However, Monday was coming....On Monday morning, we got up with rain in the forecast. As always, I planned to ride Haze to work. Besides, I have leather & Frogg Toggs. Old Socks urged me not to ride, but to ride in the cage instead. Being head-strong, as I have been told that I am, I rode anyway. I arrived at work before any rain began, so all was good, or so I thought. That evening, I left work around sevenish after a quick call to Old Socks to tell him I was heading out. He and David had taken the trailer to Malvern to try to meet up with a guy for David to buy a project bike. When I left work, it was raining, but not too terribly bad. I got on Haze and headed home, the 'back' way. I made it almost to Pinckard and the rain had almost stopped. As I neared the peanut mill right outside of town, a coyote ran out in front of me. I got on the rear brake hard and I felt the back end sliding around to the left. I DID NOT like what was happening, and got on the front brake harder. You guessed it, I was headed down. I went down VERY HARD on the right side. I don't remember anything until trying to get up off the pavement, which took four or five tries. A guy came up to me and was already on the phone with 911. I asked him to take my phone out of my pocket and call Old Socks. I asked him to tell him that I was OK, but to come and bring the trailer. Then, I remember asking him to help take my gloves and helmet off. The next thing I remember, Old Socks and the boys were there. They had me sit in the ambulance and get checked out. They released me with my signature and the Trooper did the report. We then came home to check out my wounds and to see just how badly Haze had been banged up. As for me, I had road rash primarily on the right side of my face and my face was extremely swollen. I had a black eye on the right side as well. My right wrist was swollen as well as my left thumb. The gloves had torn and a couple of knuckles were scuffed up. I had an abrasion on my right forearm and right knee. Otherwise, I was good. As for Haze, I was worried. To go down that hard with no crash bar was not going to be good, or so I thought. Amazingly, Haze only suffered a little. She had a 1/2 inch corner ground off the brake master cylinder and as much off the right foot peg, a small skid scratch on the front fender, a few scratches on the windshield, a small hole in the seat, and a skid scuff on the top of the right rear turn signal. Sadly, my Frogg Toggs did not survive. They were torn up pretty badly, but thankfully, the leather I had on underneath them kept my arm and leg safe.
I did work the rest of the week and am blessed to have teachers to come in on their days off to cove me so all I had to do was lesson plans and supervise. Needless to say, I have not ridden Haze since Monday night because of the wrist. However, be rest assured, I WILL ride her again. I am not quite sure I will ride in the rain anytime soon again, and I might not even ride at night for a while.
This morning, Old Socks preached at our new church home, Campground Baptist. I rode Pearl with him...boy, that felt a little weird to be riding in Queen's Seat ;) Old Socks preached in jeans and leather vest. We are blessed to have a church home where we can simply be who we are and not feel like we have to 'become' anything for anyone!
Needless to say, I feel blessed to be sitting here posting this blog. Our Lord is great and mighty and I owe all that I am to Him. I hope to see you all back here soon. Until then, ride safely and watch for the coyotes ;)

3 Comments

What a week.....

11/13/2010

1 Comment

I sit here totally exhausted on a Saturday night. Why, you ask? For starters, I had an exceptionally trying week emotionally. Dana went to Mayo Clinic for tests on Monday. When she met with the doctors on Wednesday, she was informed that she would be having surgery on Friday. That, in itself, took a lot out of me mentally and emotionally. We pray for this kid and are ever constantly hoping that she will be healed. The surgery yesterday was long, but Casey says that the doctors came out 'feeling good about the surgery', which is a first during these six surgeries. Dana did get to come home today and we are also thankful for that. Other events of the week also left me mentally and emotionally drained. I do so love my sons, but sometimes, I swear that they will be the death of me. Of course, they say I am too over protective. Regardless of what is really the case, I do probably stress and worry about them and their well-being a bit much. However, the way I look at it, they are my only two sons and it is my right to stress and fuss over them ;)
In other events of the week, our friend, Angie (Gore) had to have a kidney stone removed by laser....it was 6mm in size. Needless to say, she was in a bit longer than anticipated. We are thankful that she is home and recovering also. This morning, we got up and ran to the mall for a couple of errands. We then rushed home and leathered up and headed out to ride on the Veteran's Day Poker Run. We met friends Mr. T and Ms. Ro there and David & Alayna met us there. The ride was a nice 80 or so mile ride. On the last stop before heading back to the River Lounge, we met up with more friends, Angel & Barbara. While on that stop, we were TOTALLY blessed to meet up with a former student of mine, Dustin. Dustin is a good kid who was in my first group of students at DCCS. This is not the first time we have had the pleasure of being at an event and seeing Dustin. Many years ago, when he had a cruiser, I was up on stage for a tat contest & he comes bouncing up there to give me a hug....how odd was that? At first, it was totally odd, but as the day and night went on, it became apparent to me as to the purpose of it all. He had come to the rally with some people he was not really comfortable to be at the rally with nor a part of what they were doing. So, he spent the afternoon and evening with us. I often think back to that weekend and thank the Lord that He allowed us to be there for this kid that weekend. For whatever reason, the Lord chose to have that same kid spend time with us at the last two stops today. As a matter of fact, we spent a very long time together at the River Lounge. We laughed a lot and spent time catching up on the past few years. It was truly good to see him. Also, while at the River Lounge, a couple we had met at the previous stop won the 50-50 and for reasons beyond my understanding, they, at the prompting of a mutual friend, gave $40 for "whatever (I) was doing". Anyone who knows me knows that all I am really interested in is making a difference in the lives I encounter. Hopefully, that difference will be for the Kingdom. How? In our 'secular' jobs at Wiregrass Hospice and A+ Academic Services, in every relationship we have, and in ALL that we do in LAHBW. To this couple, I say, 'thank you' and want you to know that the gift will be put into the LAHBW account and will be used to further the ministry opportunities of LAHBW.
WOW, the weekend isn't over yet! Of course, we have church in the morning, a birthday celebration for a dear man from LRBC, and LAHBW Bible Study and meeting tomorrow evening.
Today was a good day and a better bookend to the week than the week actually was. I am looking forward to tomorrow and all of the possibilities that it holds. Until tomorrow, ride safe, my friends!

1 Comment

Where did my weekend go?????

11/7/2010

0 Comments

Here it is Sunday night and as I sit here, I am desperately trying to figure where my weekend went. Let's see...on Friday evening, we spent time together as a family because David did not have to work. That was good. I got up early on Saturday morning and went to work on the coldest morning we had had up until then (it was 37 degrees). It was a bit chilly on the fingers, even through gloves, as I rode to work. I told Old Socks that I usually go into 'slow-drag mode' when I am riding to work and approach a red light. However, on Saturday morning, I found myself blazing right up to the red light, stopping & grabbing the jug of the engine to warm my hands. WOW, did it feel good! Thankfully, it had warmed up into the fifties by the time I had gotten off work ;) I came home and unpacked some more of those boxes from the move. David and I ran to the grocery store and bless my boy's heart, he got called in to work early. He had already realized that his twelve hour shift would be thirteen with the time change, but with just one phone call, it was extended a little more. Old Socks, Mike and I spent a quiet evening at home. Of course, I had another one of those less than restful night, and it was then time to mount up and go to church. This morning was a bit colder than the ride to work yesterday, but it was a short ride and quite pleasant. Even though the weather is not frigid, it does leave me wondering how it is we go from HOT weather just a few weeks ago to such cool temperatures now. I won't complain though, because we have the wonderful opportunity to live where the weather is beautiful more than it is not and we even had a better snow last year than our hometown in Northeast Georgia did. After a quick lunch, David had to go back in for another sixteen hours of work. We, on the other hand, spent another restful day at the house and were blessed with a visit from Ryan and the kids this afternoon....hate it Angie had to work.
I know, sounds like a boring kind of weekend to some. I don't really care. We have been so busy for so long, a semi-quiet weekend is needed more than it comes around, you know? Besides, next weekend is all planned out with the Vet's Ride on Saturday and LAHBW monthly Bible study and meeting on Sunday evening. If you live in the area and we don't communicate regularly, contact me if you want more details, time and place, etc. of Sunday's meeting. Since it is not an officer's meeting, anyone is welcome to attend. Until next time, ride safely, my friends, whether on two or three wheels or in a cage.

0 Comments

Are you hiding behind a stained glass curtain?

11/3/2010

0 Comments

Ugh, what a week it has been. I have had one of those weeks that makes me wanna look to the Father and say, 'You go get 'em, Dad.' You know the kind of weeks I am talking about. It seems as if a million things happens and a million people have a million issues. Some of the things happening are understandable and some of them are simply NOT. Some of the people are reasonable and some of the are NOT. Really, not many of these issues are issues which really amount to much, but you still just want to call out to the Lord and ask Him to 'deal' with the issues. These issues could be anything from the person who enrages you as you ride/drive to work, to co-workers, family, or friends. Sometimes, we legitimately have a reason to have a little heartburn, but often, we are maybe a little too sensitive or are overreacting. I find that many times, we look at things through rose-colored glasses, or, in keeping with the Billy Joel thought from last night, "The stained glass curtain you're hidin' behind never lets in the sun..." Ok, my lyric change: The stained glass curtain you're hidin' behind never lets out the SON...
In other words, in my personal opinion, we often view things like the whole world revolves around us. For example, that person who enrages you on the ride/drive to work. Maybe they cut you off, but was it because they were an @$$ or because they have a burdensome load and are distracted by whatever they are going through? True, that doesn't change what they might have done (like cutting you off), but maybe instead of flipping them off or the like, it would be better to pray for them. What about that encounter at work or with a family member or a friend? Face it, MANY of us are hiding behind a stained glass curtain of one kind or another. Every day, we encounter many people with many struggles and burdens. The first person we encounter each day is usually our spouse as greet each other with that first kiss of the morning, ourselves when we step in front of the mirror, or our children/parents, etc., depending on who we live with. Have you ever thought about it like that? That we might be our own worst enemy or our loved one's own worst enemy just in how we interact with one another? I don't know, maybe I am way off target, but I think we ALL, myself included, should think before we speak, act, or react. Much like an earlier post of the week, some things can't be recovered. It is my desire to make a positive impact in the lives of my loved ones, friends, and those with whom I interact, whether at work, on the road, or at the store, etc. What is your desire? It only matters to those with whom you interact. Make the decision to be positive and to not hide behind any stained glass window, never letting the SON out....what do you say? Sound like a plan? Until tomorrow, ride safely & step out from behind the stained glass window to let the Son out.....

0 Comments

Laugh with the sinners or cry with the saints....

11/2/2010

0 Comments

For the past couple of days, I have pondered a line from Billy Joel's Only the Good Die Young. The line: "I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints". Have you ever pondered how the world views people....as either sinners or saints? Many people look at church attenders and see them as 'saints'. However, lets get real....there are NO saints. However, some people want the world to think they are. Admit it, you know some people just like this. They want the world to think they are saints and have more skeletons in the closet than some serial killers. On the contrary, they think if they keep them in the closet, they are ok. Or, they want to compare themselves to others, or even think that just because they know scripture or hold a revered position in their church, that makes them saintly. Truth is, we are ALL sinners and nothing more. The difference in some of us is that some of us understand that we are not saints and that it is only by His grace we stand. An understanding of His grace doesn't give us a 'free ticket' to 'sin' at will. The problem is that many people don't understand that sin is viewing anything differently than God does. This means that it is not about breaking one of the 'Big 10' or doing something that 'the church folk' view as unacceptable. Of course, we should not break one of the 'Big 10', but there is so much more to pleasing God than that. His word is full of so much that is cut-and-dry. Then, there are areas that should be left up to personal conviction. Too many people in the church want to play Holy Spirit and tell someone what they are doing is wrong, when actually, it may or may not be. One prime example is the view of to or not to have a glass of wine before bedtime. Many people say there is ABSOLUTELY NO Biblical basis for anyone to do so. Let's think about this for a moment...if we say God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent, yet want to say that the 'wine' mentioned in the Bible is ONLY a reference to grape juice, what does that say we believe about God? If we say He is omniscient, yet imply that He didn't direct the writers of His word correctly and that the word is 'better translated' bla, bla, bla, we are belittling His word and His power to direct the writers of it and its infallibility. I only use this as ONE example, but there are MANY. No, I am not encouraging anyone to become sloshed, which is a whole different thing. I realize many may or may not agree with me. I am not asking your permission or approval. I am simply making a point. What is the point? Simple...I would rather laugh with the 'sinners' than to cry with the 'saints'. I love my life and my friends and am ever thankful that those whom I call 'friends' are real and not fake. In my circle, no one has to put up falsehoods or pretend to be something they are not. We are striving just to know Him more and to be more like Him, not what the 'saints' have told us for too long that we should be. So the question is simple. Would you rather laugh with the sinners or cry with the saints? Until next time, ride safe & be real!

0 Comments

Four things you cannot recover...

11/1/2010

2 Comments

As I sit and wind down from the day, I am reminded of something I read that is a friend's favorite quote. I would like to share it with you:
4 Things You Cannot Recover:
The stone after it's thrown; the word after it's said; the occasion after it's missed; and time after it's gone.
I had not really considered these in depth until today. Today has reminded me that these four simple truths are paramount to us as if we truly want to shine His light. Furthermore, these are paramount to ANY strong, meaningful relationship and we should remember them as we look at our lives and relationships. Of course, the stone after it is thrown can be symbolic for what we say, but here, let's take it as a literal stone, or say a punch/fist. Sometimes, we can be made so angry that we want to settle a dispute with our brawn. Yes, men and women alike are guilty of this...ALL of us have been enraged to the point that we have either strongly contemplated or straight out gotten into a physical altercation. In hindsight, many will tell you that they wish they had held their temper and cooled off first. Secondly, the word after it is said. This can be in a positive light or a negative light. Often we will reciprocate kind words when we actually feel otherwise. By the same token, oft times, we will lash out in anger with words. Neither can EVER be taken back once they have been said. Thirdly is the occasion after it has been missed. Many occasions have come and gone and there are yet more to come. Sometimes, we miss things and events for good reasons and often for reasons which are beyond our control. Some of those occasions are of no big deal, so-to-speak. Yet other occasions are monumental and come around only once in a lifetime. I remember Old Socks telling me that he once heard that if a pastor misses his son/daughter's ballgame, play, etc. for a deacon meeting, then the pastor was in the wrong place. He was ALWAYS at David's basketball and baseball games and at special programs both David and Mike were in. Some may not agree with this mentality, but I do urge you to at least consider where you go and what you do and if you are doing it for the RIGHT reasons. The last thing is the time after it is gone. While this can be applied to the occasions, there are other applications. Let's consider the time we spend with loved ones or the time we COULD be spending with loved ones. As I look back at lives that have ended much earlier than I would have liked and look at those around me struggling with illnesses, I am ever reminded that once we are not able to spend time with someone for whatever reason, it is too late to wish we had more time. NONE of us are promised tomorrow, or even the next breath for that matter. I have loved ones who have lived in and do live in this reality due to a terminal or possible terminal illness. However, there doesn't have to be a terminal diagnosis for life to change FOREVER in the blink of an eye.
My challenge is simple tonight....consider your actions and the four things you cannot recover. Until tomorrow, ride safely and choose wisely.

2 Comments

Author

My name is Sonja. I am known as Road Rash, for obvious reasons. I have been a member of His Blood Warriors since 1996 I served as Secretary of LAHBW since the charter began in February 2002. In October, I became International Secretary and currently serve in that position.

I kissed the pavement this week...

What a week.....

Where did my weekend go?????

Are you hiding behind a stained glass curtain?

Laugh with the sinners or cry with the saints....

Four things you cannot recover...

Author

Archives

Categories