THUS these recent months of dead air. Just regular life going on.
There’s a 12-minute riding video at the end of this post if you want to skip down to that. But just so you know, that’s not very interesting, either.
Work in Vermont has tapered off for now, we won’t resume until the middle of next month. Often, these days find me reading by the woodstove, where it’s tee-shirt weather.
Here’s a frosty non-tee morning for you, at John and Ann’s place in North Kingstown.
Motorcycling in winter is always a judgment call. I can’t say mine was the best on this particular day a few weeks ago. I probably should have waited another hour for the sun to get higher.
That ring of salt on the sidewall tread normally gets scuffed off in the turns. But when the road feels as loose as it did that morning… Yow…
A few weeks ago, high winds knocked the top off a maple tree in the wooded ravine behind our neighbor’s house.
I’m always on the prowl for free firewood. I offered to take down what the storm had left standing, saw the tree into stove-length rounds and remove it.
It’s a workout, pushing wheelbarrows of wet maple through the woods and throwing it over a 6-foot fence. I’ve been splitting the rounds that are too heavy to heave over the fence in one piece.
Most are straight-grained. They split nicely with a steel wedge and a 10-pound sledge hammer. That is, as long as you cut a shallow kerf to get the split started. Otherwise the wedge will likely bounce no matter how hard you introduce it to the hammer.
The tree was starting to rot from the ground up but almost all the wood in the top was sound. I was thinking of finishing up today but it’s going to be 60F… a bit on the warm side for working in the woods.
A historic hotel in Harlowton, Montana, burned to the ground in recent weeks. Our friend Robyn sent these pics.
Fire destroyed the town’s main drag in 1907. The Graves Hotel was built two years later and now it, too, has gone up in smoke. Sic transit just about everything here on the third rock.
I’ve walked by the Graves Hotel plenty of times. Harlowton’s a usual stop for me on cross-country rides. I like to sleep on the ground outside the rodeo arena, mooch the free wifi at the public library, chat people up at random, find out what they know…
Here’s a GPS track I’ve cobbled together, a dual-sport route from rural Rhode Island to the Vermont town where the kids are building their ski retreat.
I think it’s about evenly split between dirt roads and quiet country lanes. Definitely the long way to get there, around 300 miles.
The highway route is 164 miles, three hours door to door. Off-road I imagine it’s a long day. Or two easy days if you want to bed down out in the weeds somewhere.
I’ll ride it this spring on the 650 and let you know.
I have no idea whether I’ll be going anywhere interesting on the big bike, but I’ve bolted the top box onto the rack, just in case. Call it a rain dance. And if you look closely you’ll see a camera mount on the headlight nacelle.
Most of the motorcycling videos I’ve posted in the past have been looking over the tank & through the bars, like so…
Below, see a test video I made Saturday, just to see how things look with the camera mounted on the nacelle. I shot about a minute of suburban footage followed by 11 minutes of highway, this on my way home from hanging out with John and Larry in John’s winter woodworking shop. Not to be confused with his open-air summer shop, the one where we address sawdust issues with a leaf blower.
Typical Saturday afternoon traffic at 70mph & up. On workdays and beach weekends this road is jammed but typically moving just as fast.
The Boston-to-D.C. megalopolis, baby!
That’s about it for what’s going on.
Little D1D2 turned 4 in recent weeks. She’s been riding a two-wheeler bicycle without training wheels since she was 3-1/2.
Sunday we enjoyed dinner-&-a-movie night here at the humble manse with our friend, Amanda. She brought along Elmer the dog. He wasn’t too interested in the movie (Being There, Peter Sellers, 1979) so he slept in his favorite chair. His favorite chair when he’s here.
One of these days I’ll scribble an update on Phantom matters. This long daily story we’re into has the character in an unprecedented fix. I’ve got an idea where things might be headed but he’s fooled me in the past, too, so…
Whatever happens, it’ll be a satisfying end if readers are left with two questions: How did this happen? followed by Of course this had to happen—how could I have not seen it coming?
The readers who get it, I think, will be the ones who’ve already seen that inductive reasoning—basically just keeping your eyes open—isn’t enough, and deductive reasoning is too static. The Phantom has situational awareness, he responds to evolving circumstances; the minute you think your theory of the narrative is being borne out he’ll do something your deduced theory can’t contain.
Everything we’ve seen the character do so far has been about weighing risk in the realm of moral action. That suggests to me his reasoning in this case is almost entirely abductive; that, in the end, he’ll adduce a course of action from the range of probabilities remaining open to him.
Tony DePaul, March 21, 2023, Cranston, Rhode Island, USA
Kirsti and I loved the video you sent for Kirsti’s 70th. We watched it up at the cabin, Aural, Norway. The photos (1979-81) sparked laughter and then tears. Your comment about my moustache giving me the look of a British officer back from the Somme was taken as a compliment. (If I can’t be sangfroid, at least I can look it.) And good point about Rob Mumbling: perhaps his soft voice was a ploy to keep students attentive and friends confused. Please stay in touch.
Pam and I had such fun making that little film clip, Bill. So glad to hear that Ingrid had thought to include us.
So are you coming here to visit or are we going to the Kingdom of Norge?
Hi Bill,
What fun the walk down memory lane was for us! I searched album after album and box after box for photos to include. I think I might have more on slides! We think of you both often and the good times we had when we were all in Orono, Maine! So glad to be a small part of Kirsti’s birthday celebration!
Pam
Hello Tony,
Great to hear from you, as many others here have said. I’m glad to know you’re getting in some riding along with the wood cutting/splitting! The backroads GPS route you laid out there looks very interesting, maybe I’ll make it up there to ride it with you.
As for the video; it looks and sounds good, no problems with audio. Your video was good enough that I found myself talking out loud to drivers in the left lane as they passed you. I was checking out YouTube, there are several videos on how to hook up an external mic for my GoPro Hero 3 Black, not sure what model yours is?
By the way, pretty cool your grand-daughter is riding a two wheeler already, a chip off the old block, huh? Anyway, keep up the writing; I still have to hunt up the dictionary whenever I am reading your latest post, lol!
Hey, Will. Thanks for following the scribble. The audio’s not too bad, I guess, but I think mostly what I’m hearing is the front tire’s contact patch, though the OEM Dunlops are by no means a noisy tire. The camera’s encased in a foam cover, that’s supposed to cut down on wind noise. If what I’m hearing is air flow then I guess the cover’s not completely effective.
Yeah the older GoPros (I’ve got one of those around here, too) they had a microphone jack. The later models don’t. This new one’s just a few years old, a GoPro 8. I haven’t used it all that much.
Saddle up your bike and take a run up here anytime, Will. You’re always welcome!
Hey Tony,
Another fine scribble. Always enjoy your stories as well as your style. And I learned a new word. Kerf. Once I fired up the googles, I knew exactly all the different ways it is used. Just never knew the word. I thought I knew all the really solid 4 letter words. Added one. Greatly appreciated. Much love from me to you and yours. I’m flying solo these days. Long story.
Uh-oh… I just said a word that’s not in the dictionary. Or it never was when we were kids. Which I know, because… never mind…
Poop. Crap. Knob. Kerf. Tell the bride I appreciate her time.
Will do, man. Hang in there.
Good to hear from you, I was beginning to wonder. I’m sitting here in the Victoria BC airport reading you latest missive. A light drizzle is happening. Folks here are mowing lawns, cherry trees are in blossom and daffodils are popping out of the ground like weeds everywhere. I see from watching your video that you don’t have any of the white stuff on the ground either. But in a few hours I’ll be back in sunny Alberta and shoveling snow. Enjoy the ride!
Sounds lovely, Bill. The Victoria part…
I haven’t been to Victoria yet. Thought about hopping the ferry over from Port Angeles the last time I was there. One of these years I will.
Hi to the family.
Tony, you handled that Stop sign on your street with such aplomb! True Rho Di Lander.
Ha… Stopping for a stop sign in RI is a good way to get rear-ended.
Coincidentally Tony, my car got rear ended last week, by a motorbike when I stopped for a pedestrian who had just started walking across the zebra crossing. I’d looked at my rear view mirror first before braking and saw nothing, so the thud came as a total surprise. The bike must have been already on my blind side when he rammed into my rear indicator lights. He on his part said he hadn’t expected me to suddenly brake, and he hadn’t seen the pedestrian I’d seen on the zebra. Neither of us was moving fast so all’s well.
Glad to see you in great health, riding again and building too. Warm regards to Pam.
Ooh… I don’t know which one’s worse, Vincent, getting hit by something on a motorcycle or hitting something on a motorcycle. Have experienced the former and have the scars to prove it! Hope to never do the latter, though I have come awfully close. An antelope in Montana, couple of deer in Nevada…
That was one of the most natural feeling riding videos I have seen. The sound and leaning sensation was real. Brilliant idea where to mount the gopro.
Am leaving for Havana, Cuba in the morning, meeting up with the sidecar club for photos and a story. Then a photo workshop in Old Havana.
Bueno, amigo! Fantastico!
I haven’t talked with you yet about your Baja journey and here you are off to Cuba.
If you happen to ride by Guantanamo Bay, pop in and say hi to Eric Sahara for me. He’s a Phantom foe in custody, awaiting further adventure. You might find him registered under his nom de guerre, The Python.
Thanks for the update on how you’re doing. I was beginning to get worried.
The hotel story is one of many such sad stories. I wish this country could take seriously the benefits of reclaiming its history rather than just letting it go up in smoke. I mean economic benefits, as well as educational and cultural ones.
I’m enjoying both Phantoms, daily and Sunday, especially Diana slamming the Chronicle volume shut and Kit’s frustration about being outwitted by Mozz!
Take care of yourself!
Thanks, Stephen. I’m always looking for opportunities to write those wordless days where the art alone carries the story. Mike got the look on Diana’s face just right. She’s no drama queen, but now that she knows what she knows…? you can see her wheels turning.
Tony, I dunno what happened. I used to get your blog and then it went away. Kathy P. mentioned it and sent the link to read… so refreshing! As it always was… sign me back up please. Glad you are still at it.
Hey! Hi, Denise. It’s all-too-easy to hit the unsubscribe button by mistake, readers often do. As an anti-spam safeguard, mailchimp won’t let me resubscribe readers from here. You can sign up again on my home page, though.
Kathy so appreciates having you nearby, Denise. I miss my old pal Johnny Danger… almost five years now…
Wondering where u been.
Made me dizzy, but I have had Vertigo, and I’m Dyslexia too. Without handle bars it was confusing to me. Could only watch a couple minutes.
Tough bag set, top box full looks like it will make the front wheel light.
Did u really drill a hole in a Harley headlight ring. Keep a eye on water leaks.
Still riding the E-bike on sunny days no matter temp, helps me keep within the Center of Gravity.
Like u I imagine rides from the sunny chairs, but nothing planned.
Glad to hear u are on the better side of the big C too.
Hey Tim. Good to hear you’re out riding the fat-tire bike. I enjoyed the spin I took on it the last time I rode through IL.
The camera mount is a few inches aft of the headlight ring. All I did was remove the spear, that trim piece off the top of the nacelle. There’s a space in the casting where the spear fastens to the nacelle, just enough to sneak by with a 1/4×20 bolt for the camera mount.
All good lymphoma-wise, thanks. It doesn’t go away but so far it hasn’t regrouped for a counterattack. The doc tells me they watch it closely for two years post-chemo with the type I have. Sometimes it’ll get aggressive and find a new place to hide; move out of the lymph network and fort up in the bone marrow or the liver. I’m three years out now… no sign so far of a new insurgency.
Regarding The Phantom, I am still finding that Capt. Savarna Devi is one of my favorite characters despite her ruthlessness showing itself more and more. Not that she wasn’t always fairly ruthless, but it is really coming out in this story. Regardless, you’ve made a very compelling character in her.
Thanks, Ryan. Savarna could headline her own book, I think.
I once heard from a Phantom fan born in India, now living in Turkey, who wanted me to know that when his little girl misbehaves he calls her Savarna.
Hey, Tony!
Perhaps on your way up or down from Vermont, take a detour into the beautiful (but right now, very snowy) Monadnock region of New Hampshire. It’s sugaring off time here and the sugar houses are running full blast. The sow is melting, but when you’ve got 32 inches in the back 40, it doesn’t melt very quickly!
They had a big snow dump in central VT about a week ago, Linnea, I imagine you got it where you are, too. I might be headed to Vermont on the bike the second weekend in April. If so, I’ll check in with you for the report on road conditions in your town.
Nice camera mount, very stable. smooth video, including blowing through that stop sign at the beginning. :-}
Oops….
But is there not enough motor sound? The GoPro has no audio jack… can’t run a microphone wire to the back of the bike to pick up more motor.
Hey Tony, loved the bike video on the headlight. I’m 79 two new shoulders and one knee so I’m on an electric bike now and sometimes up to 30mph. But still on the road, I know the feeling gotta have the wind in my face. So glad you are beating the big C. Phantom my favorite comic.
Thank you, Jim. Kudos on getting out there in the wind as an undefeated bionic man. I keep thinking when I’m 99 I’ll be that guy made out of beef jerky riding up to Tuktoyaktuk on a bike with a 49cc chainsaw motor on it. But no, you’re ahead of the curve… it’ll be electric.
Good to hear from you. “Winter” (Texas version) doldrums here, too. Been strangely busy with gallery stuff, as Duane knows, having your own business is 24/7. Spring is here, so hoping to have some fun in some way as I turn 75. Not sure how that happened. Cheers.
Very true about running a business, Brad, or so I gather from others. On our drives up to Vermont it’s always interesting to hear my son-in-law Jonny managing his construction business by phone. Most days he’s got something like 26 guys working. I imagine one needs to have a talent for compartmentalizing.