First day of ‘School’…for Ruger

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First day of 'School'...for Ruger

As I get back in to the writing groove, bear with me as I talk endlessly about my puppy. It’s never hard to write about something so cute and endearing as a puppy, so, here is the puppy update of the day:

Ruger had his first day of ‘school’. As part of his socialization at this age, I introduced him to daycare yesterday. As a mom, I am not unfamiliar with the butterflies in the stomach, the slight twinge of anxiety as we drop our kids off for their first day. I was rather puzzled and surprised that I would feel that way about my puppy! (Yes, Mia went along with. I felt she deserved a day of respite with some other friends, away from the annoying pestering of her housemate.)
Just as a responsible mom would, I sent lunch, and discussed his needs and quirks with the staff prior to leaving.

Then I ran errands, lots and lots of errands. I was so productive during my extended time of freedom! I picked up the carpet from the repair shop on the other side of town (the one our foster puppy Jada chewed), ran to the warehouse for staples, was able to unload and put away the supplies, IN PEACE, and even got in a much needed dental exam.

Then, finally, back to pick up my precious littles. Little man got an ‘A’ report card, and Mia was happily exhausted. Back home, they both drank, ate and Mia settled in to sleep. Little man, however, seemed restless. No, it wasn’t that he had to go potty, he had eaten, and tanked up on water. He kept whining and roaming around his kennel…which was closed.

So I opened the door to his kennel, he promptly crawled in and passed out. And snored.

I’d say, little man had a big day.

I’m BAAACK!

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I'm BAAACK!

Well, I’m kinda sorta back! Ruger is quite plainly an example of what I’d LOVE to be doing currently after my hiatus. (yes, he really does sleep like that)

I’d love to say that during my sabbatical from Rockinthemomrole, I was relaxing and doing my best lounging lizard impression, but instead I was getting my girls off to college (and cleaning up after them), holding a garage sale, winterizing my not so small garden, trying to potty train this adorable but stubborn little beast, trying to maximize the last moments of good weather, and valiantly fighting a grunge that settled in my lungs and has clung like Gorilla Glue for weeks.
A quite unintended side effect of taking some time off, is the potential (and consequence in this case) of developing a writers block. Following a week, then two and three plus, I repeatedly asked myself, “What should I say first?”, “Where do I start?”. So much has happened where does one start?

Procrastination is a curse of mine that after 50 years I should have mastered already, and so I refuse to let this bane get the best of me. I can’t think of a better way to dive back in than to share a picture (albeit a bit fuzzy – thank you Apple for the awful new upgrade – my camera now has as bad of vision as I do) of my cute puppy sleeping so joyfully.

It honestly is what I’d love to be doing. But, alas, winter is coming. The lovely days of fall are coming to a close I fear. So, time to strap on the fortitude and keep marching.

Maybe, when he wakes up, he can join me.

Halleluja’s, Excuses, and One Word

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Where, you might be asking, are the posts about the Harley Davidson 110th Anniversary extravaganza in Milwaukee at? 

Well, shortly after arriving home, unloading the bike, and getting everything stored away, hubby and I discovered the pocket camera to be missing. We searched everywhere  to no avail. I immediately called the hotel and asked that they look for it in our room, as we had the night before we left, but neither of us remembered packing it for check out. I was heartbroken. Not for the physical camera, although it is a nice one, but for the pictures. I had taken photos with my camera, but many times I didn’t waste the data space because I knew hubby had the better lens.  A return call later that evening brought sad news that it was not found. 

On a hunch, Monday, I called and talked with the manager asking that they really search the room, as I felt it might have fallen out of hubbys pocket and bounced under a dresser or bed. After they went and checked again, I was told, no, it was not there and no one had turned one in. I honestly was crestfallen and trying to figure out how to share my experience with limited photos of all the cool stuff we had done! Hubby listed it on Craigs list, hoping some other rider had found it and was looking for the owners. As the days ticked by, we lost all hope of having it returned to us. I know there were days prior to cameras, where people relied on memories and the telling of tales, but we have them now and I LOVE being able to look at the photos. All the cool stuff we saw inside the H-D headquarters, all lost to just our brain cells. 

Then Friday I got the phone call that made my day…..they had found our camera!!!! HALLELUJA! Oh HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY DAY! LET THE PRAISES RING! I’ve no idea, and they didn’t offer to share how it was found, but found it was!!

So, if my readers will be a little more patient, as I await the FedEx truck to be delivering my camera back to my anxious little hands, I promise I’ll share our experience of a lifetime in the arms of the Harley family. 

And that……is my EXCUSE. 

Here is just a teaser:

When you walk in to headquarters, you are greeted with what it means to be a HOG (Harley Owners Group). I think this ONE WORD nicely sums up both what the open road means to H-D riders, but also embodies the American spirit. Notice this isn’t any flowery, whimpy, ‘gee isn’t this kinda nice’ expression of the word. No, this is bold, cutting, expressive of determination, hard work, fiery grit and tenacity. This is the fierce, vibrant, living freedom embodied in another of their brand symbols – the bald eagle. Freedom isn’t earned easily and when it’s achieved, the pride in achieving it is rightfully brandished like a badge of honor. I bet some out there are mystified at the loyalty and attraction to the brand. But, when a company’s product so fully embraces and embodies the spirit of what it means to be American, and the American spirit, exceptionalism, and success seem under attack in this day and age, loyalty is earned by treating your client right and providing something of value for the cost. There are plenty of other great motorcycle companies and motorcycle designs out there. All have their attraction and place in the market space, and I in no way mean to diminish their contribution, with those who love the open road. There is just something simply unique about Harley’s, from the rumble of the thunder, to the camaraderie of the riders.

More to come…

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