How I met Joe.

How I met my friend Joe




In the younger days of my youth I would ride to the BMW rallies when they were within a days ride or 10 hours. At this point of my life I was a owner of a metric bike and that was fine because I could afford it. Sometimes the Family would go and other just myself.



This machine was easy on the pocket book and therefore since I was raising up a Family of teenagers, my budget was controlled by this fact. So, I had to save just like everyone else and buy a used machine. So, it came down to “how much”?.



I bought a 1983 Honda 750 c.c. black and no extras on it. It was a good bike and I enjoyed many miles on it. I would ride to these rallies with my buddies whom had moved to Beemer’s now and that was their interest and I was invited to go.



So, our first rally was only a 8 hours away and that was perfect. Only problem was these guys now rode at 120 klicks and I was left behind. And because the bike I rode was not fuel efficient at higher speeds, I had poor gas mileage so I stopped more. So, I decided to ride at my own level of comfort, aka “see you when I get there”.



As luck would have it there was a small pack of riders that were riding at the legal limit and I fell in behind them. When we pulled in for gas, guess what,they were women. I asked if they minded if I rode with them and I was ok with being the tail gunner,(last rider). No problem and that was the best ride ever, no hurries, no worries.



The only problem I had was keeping my mind on the ride, I was thinking its time for a Beemer as all these gals were riding them expect one. Anyway we made it and the guys were waiting and they were not laughing when, I pulled up with a posse of gals.



Sure I got ribbed that was ok because it was a the spirit of the ride and now there was a story to told and retold. The women were camped close by, so I asked to help them set up only if that was ok. Then I smelled gas, somebody was leaking.



It turns out it was my bike, and it was a seam separation in the front, small but still not tolerable. So, I had to go look for a shop to fix it. Saturday is a rough day to find a garage to help. I was given directions to Joe’s Shop because he was always open and he says come back on Monday.??



I had to explain that was “not from here” and I needed to have repairs done soon, because this was all the wheels I had. Well, ok, but you have to get the tank off yourself and then I will repair it. So, I parked the bike in the shade and it was already 90 in the shade and humid. It was off in a hurry and then we boiled the tank in hot water and it scratched my tank, Joe said this could happen.



So, while we were doing this I had to help him with a Dodge camper and remove the rad on it and then reinstall it. It was a hot and dirty job and I was not expecting this to happen. Then the gals came over to see if they could help and Joe says, No, thank you, but come over for lunch.



Soon all repairs are done and its 4 in the afternoon and we finally had lunch. The gals didn’t stay because of shopping but wanted to be sure the bike was ok. So, we had a nice chat Joe and I and he was going to get a bike too. He needed a new hobby. He was working too much. I mentioned my Family, he didn’t say anything about his.



When it came to pay he didn’t want anything. I said we should a cold beer and I went to get some, his friends came over and they had beer too. They never really closed the shop that day, The fact that he could help and I was appreciative was enough for them. I said I needed a calendar so I could send me a thank you card for his help and he wanted to know I got home ok.



Joe is now 80 yrs younger and has decided to put on sidecar on the Harley, his legs are getting weak. Well, the boys at the Hog shop aren't making any light bikes so you have to adapt.

True story , I am not, Judge Judy, folks !.

Hi Joe and Family:

Trusting this finds you well and well steeped in the Christmas preparations. With the kids, it’s the school plays and Claus parades and we have many lights in our town. True story, again and it involves my kid and the privileged delinquent next door. Looking for mischief.(rumour has it, he maybe moving in the near future, on the far side of town, even rougher out there.).

With the fresh snow fall comes fresh problems. The younger kids make little forts and snow people political correctness??. Hell, it’s a snowman., Merry Christmas, Good tidings and good will to you and Happy New Year.

When ,I said Merry Christmas to “peter da meter reader”, what did he say, ”back at you”, wtf, I said to him and I ranted for 30 seconds and I said the next time he steps on the property, the Ninja Cat has his name. No mercy, none. “is that back at you enough for you” ?.,butt head..

Did I digress?, the older kids, the imbeciles, stupid-mutts, wreck havoc on the little guys creations. Across the street is the former neighbour family, why, because one of my kids, an older one, with a big oral cavity said for her to “go to hell and mind her own business”, opus, not what to say to a mom in front of her little kids and …!!.
.
Well, in the real world, this could been handled right there on the spot. Now, with the political awareness group, it’s a fiasco. This lady comes over a blaring, yelling, turning blue and exhaling all over ,even I, Zbig-e-nuff, the biker was afraid. It was a honest rant.

“Yes, I know, but I ain’t Judge Judy, it happened over there. You handle it, write a letter to editor, don’t yell at me, its not polite, you offend me, I have rights too.! Yes, they are my kids, “make them beha

Make them behave,sure,whatever you want.!

ve”?. Look whom is speaking, yelling at the top of your voice, wanting to inflict physical damage to a certain person.??” Finger pointing and arms flailing.?? Yes, very dramatic.

“Make them behave”, Are you really, really pissed off, please call the police. Press charges, get your name on the record. Go to hell,??, Then,. please send them home And fret not.(Judge Judy says so).

Whatz, up??. Short story, the kids are not allowed to play over there……ever.!! Any toys we left over there were promptly returned. So, that’s where that went.!!. Her husband comes over and mumbles, sorry,??, no its me that’s sorry, my younger kid like to play there. NO, more kids playing with my kids, please.!! We shake hands. DONE.!!.

Since this happened, her kids are no longer visible nor can I hear them playing outside. She must be tres’ pissed,. My kids still play outside but not near the “high voltage compound”, stay away OR ELSE.

Gotta go, the washer has buzzed, the sheets are done, time for the dryer. Housework, bah, humbug.!!

Seasons Greetings to you all politically correctness bunch and A Very Merry Christmas to the rest of you all. They have taken many things away from our core values, saying a prayer before meetings, singing God save The Queen and now messing with the Christmas spirit of people. Whose rights are being offended, non believers or the ones that still hold onto traditions steeped in our pioneer fabric.

If was good enough for them, its ok with me too.!!

Festival of Northern Lights - It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Time, vanished in the Mist

Time, vanished in the Mist


Its two whole years since Mom has passed,

That time has gone, vanished in the mist.

Why is it time, sometimes drags,

And other times its just zooms in a blink.



There isn’t a day that goes by and we reflect,

About Her and I know she is fine.

I wonder if She looks in on us, She must,

To see how we are doing.?., always caring.



The mantle on the fireplace is now full,

Of pictures of relatives that have passed on.

I am having a solitary memorial in this room,

Might as well, I can toast them, they are all here.



The pictures are positioned, Elders first,

Not in any unique order, just placed by Families.

There is Great-Grandma, Great-Grandpa, all special,

There funny stories still retold time and again.



Then Grandma and Grandpa, they are still fresh in mind,

Time has slowly eased the pain of their departure, slightly.

But a small twinge pokes your heart when you gaze,

At their pictures, smiling, twinkles in the eyes, eternal, now.



What disbelief that so much time has crept away,

Where has it gone, just like its yesterday.

The words, that echo, “I can’t believe they have gone”,

As you sip to their memory, “here’s to you all”.



You, finish looking at the pictures, your lineage ,

You sit and gaze from a comfortable chair.

Content, to sip and remember them, your folks,

When you were small, then they grew old, mellows you.



Soon, your drink is done, they are properly respected,

You say a prayer for them and hum a special song.

Soon, the warmth of the alcohol, makes you drowsy,

You nod, fall into a restful sleep, into Dreams, from somewhere.



Its, been two years since Mom has passed,

That time has vanished in the mist.

Bruce Nuckowski

2012


The Thrill of Living

To watch the sun set in the west

Without regretting;

To hail its advent in the east-

The night forgetting

To touch the cup with eager lips

And taste, not drain it;

To woo and tempt and court a bliss

And not attain it;

To fondle and caress a joy, yet

Hold it lightly;

Lest it become necessity and cling

Too tightly;

To smother care in happiness and

Grief in laughter;

To hold the present close – not

Questioning hereafter;

To have enough to share – to

know the joy of giving;

to thrill with all the sweets of

life – is living.


We miss you,Mom.



This women’s lovely face.

As I was looking for a piece of paper to do with my passport app and a picture fell into my lap. The picture ended face up and I gazed at this women’s lovely face and I wondered whom she was.

Slowly I turned the picture over as our eyes seemed to be fixed in a stare that I can call curious, why are you here.? Then I read her name, it’s the same name as my wife’s name.

How could this be, was it indeed the Grandmother I heard about for over 45 years.

I called out and asked if the name meant I had found the long lost picture of Grandma on her fathers side.? Well. that was a sudden change in plans, my quest was to find out whom I had found. Suddenly that little file cabinet had a lot traffic.

Sure enough after a few moments it was verified that indeed this picture was of her and nobody knew where it came from. I had an idea so I voiced it and it was for me to search and report back and everyone went back to the important stuff of the day.

So, to make a short story, this picture was in a box that came from her Dads estate along with a Family bible full of dates of marriages, births and deaths. And it was put in the steel filing cabinet to be sorted thru later. So, its now years later, this picture had worked its self to the top the pile and made its appearance.

This picture along with some other cards was sealed in a zip locked bag, so how did it get out.? , did someone look thru the pictures and forget to reseal it?. Who knows, but in this bag were other pictures of people that are related thru marriage and many post cards.

Cards were cheaper than paper letters so these were sent more often. These cards were from 1900’s and the postage was 1 cent and not much of an address, but they got thru.

If fact some these cards were please read and write back letters and poems.

I sorted thru them and placed them in a photo album and then all can see them and they were protected. For the age of them these are in “mint” condition. Luckily, Grandpa wrote on the back of the cards so you knew whom the picture was of and then you marvel at the person.

A lot of history, soldiers from the WW 1, early Canadian farmers, young children, babies all unknown and now mostly forgotten and no body to continue the search of the ancestry, for now, maybe somebody later. The majority of these people are deceased and all there is, are pictures and letters. The Grandkids are in their 60’s, so what’s the chance they might have an interest.?.

p.s. this has started a Family search thru history and from these two names the list includes over 70 names of different people that we are related thru marriage and relationships. The stories that I have learned about can fill another 300 page book,easily.

Thank you, you are not forgotten.!!

http://www.countrygirlstore.com/contestantgallery_0003.htm

http://www.countrygirlstore.com/contestantgallery_0003.htm

School Days 1961-London,Ontario




School Days 1961
Holy Rosary Catholic School
London,Ontario
Some, but not all seem to be having fun.!
Bittersweet?

 

Every time as I gaze at this picture I forget more of whom you are.
But, it was a good year, for some than others and I hope, it got better for you. 

All of you should be Grandparents by now,
with a few notable expections of course.

 I was sweet on most the girls in my class,(I bet you are still as beautiful) ,but I am sure you had  boy friends,such is life.

I salute you people for fond memories and laughs,
this is one of many milestones for the rest of your life.

Thank you all.

wait I have a , p.s for you,
when you stare long enough, a thought come to mind.

P.S.,

I found a old picture from public school and as I was looking at all those kids in their final year of care free living as a kid and taking a step into their own future, my mind began to turn and generate all kinds of scenarios that they could have chosen or befallen them in the next 50 years.

Of course I am in this picture as well and you know I feel like an ageless wizard, as I look at these faces I see their life’s flash before my eyes. I know everything about them, all the joys, the achievements, the sadness and in some cases some of them pass before their time as their faces fade away from view while others remain.

 I get this theory from my life as it has unfolded and developed and so using this same analogy I presume they had similar paths. And if I have offened anyone, I am sorry,its a story.

As I gaze at all these fresh young faces I wonder,

Definitely, you have been thru a lot ,

and now some of you have your grandchildren in your custody.

You are separated from your spouse,

You are remarried and a new set of kids,

Your spouse is still your best friend,

You and your spouse lead separate lives, my money,your money,

You are living alone, and happy about,

You are living alone and not happy,

You feast like a king or queen,

You eat like a hobo,

You are living in group home,

you are living with your kids,

your kids and their kids are living with you,(because you need each other),

you are living with your parents and caring for them,

your parents are living and caring for you, (happens), of course,

you are candidate for a nursing home,

you are on welfare or supported income,

you have a winter home and go there for 6 months,

you haven’t retired, you work at a fast food place,

you are retired and own half of your home town,

you drive a exclusive SUV its new and its black or white,

or you drive a heap, its older and rusting,

or you don’t own a car, even better,

your kids don’t care about you and you don’t care a shit about them,

your best friend is the pet cat or dog,

you love your grandchildren, no conditions,

you are glad to be alive and still able face each day with a smile

what you did all night, takes all night to do and in your dreams,.

you will drink a glass of wine and enjoy it for its character, at any time..

You enjoy watching the BBQ shows on YouTube ,……well, stretching ??

You are glad about all lot of things, especially, that you can write this to share.

Thanks, call you later,

Bruce the Moose.