The Adventures of The Big Dog Mountain Biking Club

     Mountain biking was a sport I took up in my 50's.  I had been a cyclist as a kid and I still owned a bike but mainly rode around the neighborhood.  My buddy John, well my future buddy to be exact, was the first to buy a mountain bike, which spurred me to do the same.  

     Mountain bikes were a new thing at the time and quite a few friends from work (McDonnell Douglas) also bought mountain bikes.   We started a casual club intending to have occasional rides, which ultimately turned into weekly rides for whoever could make it. Mountain biking was bonding experience with my son and friends. My son (Patrick) and John's son (Tony) were best friends so it was also a bonding experience for John and Tony.

     We had a group of regular club riders, which included John & Tony M, Jim & Pat L, Bill H, Chris M, Jon G and Al S.  We also had a group of guys that would make a few rides throughout the month but not every week.  These riders included Steve D, John K, Mike M, Chris C, Tony H and Mark Richmond (UK - our only international rider).  Bill Hewston and I gave our loosely formed group the name "Big Dog Mountain Biking Club". I'm not sure who came up with the name or why but it seemed to stick. We even had shirts and a logo made by a club member (Steve Dement). 

     Our favorite trails were Lost Valley, Lone Wolf Trail (Castlewood Park), Chubb Trail, Cliff Caves, and Berryman Trail (camping trip). It was always a fun and exhilarating experience as well as great exercise.  But it was more about guys hanging with guys doing guy stuff.  Patrick and Tony were the kids (youngest) but they fit right in with the group.  We were a group of interesting characters sometimes with odd habits like Al Smith who would light up a cigarette after we made a hard ride up a difficult incline.  No one really understood Al's smoking while biking but it never seemed to slow him down.

     As with any sport there were a few injuries both to our bikes and bodies but nothing major.  I remember one ride when Jon Grogg while trying to jump over a creek instead planted his front tire in the creek bed and went over his handles bars.  He landed right on his head and broke the helmet in half without any head injury.  Let me tell you helmets work.  I also took a header at Babler Park when I was jumping a log, broke my collarbone but it healed quicker than my ego.  

     One of the biggest turnouts on rides was the Berryman ride, which was when we would campout.   Male bonding plus a chance to act like kids.  All the trails were different and fun and I'm sure everyone had their personal favorite.  

     Bill and I had made up a schedule for rides, which included winter rides but these were scarcely attended.  I remember two winter rides; one was on the snow covered Katy trail in January, when we found a guy curled up in a sleeping bag. We didn't know if he was dead (frozen). There were about six of us on this ride and we were all standing around the sleeping bag when someone poked him to see if he moved.  He did, sticking his head out of the bag he saw all of us standing over him.  He probably thought he was going to be mugged.  We ask him why he was sleeping on the trail and he said he was on his way to California. Holy Crap, he had a long way too go, maybe he should have started in the spring.  He had an old beat up bike parked next to the trail and he seemed determined to ride to California, so we wished him well and went on our way. 

     The only other winter ride I remember was at Lost Valley Trail when just Bill Hewston and I showed up.  It was treacherous because there was very little snow but quite a bit of ice.  We had to be careful using our brakes because it caused us to slide and some parts of the trail were very narrow with drop-offs on both sides.

     I still bike today but I spend more time on my road bike.  I haven't been to our old mountain biking trails in 5 five years, so maybe I should gather up the guys for a reunion ride.  That could be fun. 

Friday Night Cards

     Playing cards was always something we enjoyed in my family.   When I was young (7 or 8) I loved watching my dad (Sonny), two uncles (Vic & Clarence) and my grandpa Roy play 2 deck Pinochle on Friday nights.  They always played in the kitchen, cigarettes burning in the ashtrays and the smell of beer in the air.  It just added a little more to the excitement of the game.

     I didn't know how to play but I was always entertained by their enthusiasm.  I didn't need to know all the rules to enjoy the game. One thing I did know is there was always a suit that was trump and when you played a trump card you won the trick, unless someone played a higher trump card.  I noticed that it was important how you played a trump card.  The proper technique was to pound your fist on the table throwing the card in the pile and yelling "Trump". Playing a trump card was the most exciting part of the game and grandpa Roy did it well.

     I never learned to play Pinochle but I did learn the love of cards.  My friends and I played penny anti cards at a very young age.  Poker was our game and we still play it today 3 or 4 times a year. It 's always fun time and just as entertaining as when I used to watch Pinochle.   Most everyone has now given up smoking and the few that do smoke are banned outside when they take a smoke break. We still drink a few beers and even though some things have changed others have not.  Poker is fun, the camaraderie is the good, the jokes are lame but we laugh anyway because there's nothing more fun than laughing like kids.

     It's best to leave your feelings at the door when you come to Friday Night Cards.  The agenda for the night is witty banter with a tinge of sarcasm so don't be offended.  You can't wear your feelings on your sleeve at our card games.  Anyone is open to light ridicule, you might as well expect it because it will happen but it's all in fun. It's a guy thing you may not understand.

Upbringing Trumps Biology

      I have often wondered how biology of your heritage affects your life.  Are there some behaviors that you can't control because of your biological roots?   My answer is that biology determines your looks, body structure and talents but beyond that your upbringing takes over.

     How a child is raised is more important than the biology of the parents.  In fact the true definition of a real parent should be person who raises a child shaping their life in a positive manner which many times waives your right to be the fun parent or friend to your child.

     The best family unit is two devoted/diligent parents (any make or model from the human race) but this is not always the case and I'm sure one devoted/diligent parent can make a difference.  I am referring to parents of the child not a grandparent because grandparents have earned the right to be the fun people in the child's life.

     I think much of the world problems stems from the lack of upbringing.  Being a good parent requires sacrifice but the results of that sacrifice bring joy.  Anyone can father a child or give birth to a child but that alone does not make you a parent.

     The answer seems obvious to me when reading the morning news or watching the nightly news that the trouble people of the world have not had a good upbringing.  They have had little or no positive reinforcement or guidance in their life growing up in a gangland type culture. It then becomes a cycle gangsters breeding gangsters.  I'm sorry if this seems harsh but I see it as today's reality.  The tragedy is that given the right upbringing some of these gangsters could actually become scholars.

     It's not an easy task being a real parent and it's harder for the financially strapped but your child's future depends on it.  "Just Saying...."

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My Dad and My Father-in-Law

     My father-in-Law (Ed) passed away recently.  A very sad occasion, he was admired and loved by his family and many others. His passing made me contemplate my Dad's passing almost 20 years ago. 

     Different as they were they both had the same wishes for their children to grow up strong, independent and kind but most of all be a good example for their children.  They both accomplished this well but in different ways.  Although they had different and distinct personalities they always put their families first despite their own personal desires.

     Ed was a piano player something he learned as a young child without any formal lesson.  He couldn't read music or even the notes on sheet music.  He played just by the sound, if he knew the sound, he could play it on the piano.  Ed couldn't explain his talent, he said he just heard the song in his head and it came out of his fingers.  That's a talent many wish they had.  

     My Dad (Sonny) painted and sketched many pictures.  Dad would sketch on scraps of paper, paint scenes on the basement walls or on canvas, he used whatever was available it didn't make any difference.  He had a hidden talent and passion to paint and draw. Dad loved painting just as Ed loved the piano.  

     Ed loved the attention he got when people complimented him on his musical talent.  He looked forward to playing the piano for others but he would also play even if no one was around, he loved to play.

     My Dad also enjoyed the compliments from others when they saw his drawings or paintings, but he also painted because it was satisfying for him.

     Neither, Ed or Sonny became a renowned pianist or painter. They would just have to be satisfied being great Fathers and that's not so bad.  I guess maybe they weren't all that different.

Little Things I’ve Noticed

   It appears most people don't want to be alone with their thoughts anymore otherwise why would they allow constant interruption of their thoughts by smart phones, iPod & electronics devices.  Let me add that I think these are great inventions which provide pleasure and entertainment but it's not a bad thing to just turn them off once in a while and let you brain wander.  In the past I used my iPod when riding my bike, cutting the grass or taking a walk but I haven't lately because I found it more relaxing to just take in the sounds and sights around me without electronic distractions.  Pushing the lawn mower is a boring mundane task so listening to music would help but I prefer to let my mind roam through random thoughts. The white noise from the lawn mower seems to help instead of being a distraction.


     Lately I have noticed more people that pull thru parking spots instead of backing up, is that because they don't know how to back up well?  Maybe instead it's the speeding cars driving down the lanes that won't stop to let you back out.  Sometimes cars pull through so they can easily pull out when leaving but occasionally they will end up going the wrong direction down the lane, which is irritating if you are driving down the lane in the right direction.

     It's interesting to me that some people that attend church park anywhere they want even despite designated parking spots which it makes it nearly impossible for some other car to get out of their parking spot.  That doesn't seem very courteous, kind or very church like.  I guess they came late or they have to leave early or maybe they just feel like they are special.  One other thing I've noticed in the church parking lot is the danger in walking to your car trying to avoid all the cars racing out of the parking lot, it's like they're saying I've fulfilled my obligation, now get the hell out of my way.

    Parents walking or driving their kids to the school bus pick up spot a block away.  I guess they are protecting their kids from danger, but in the evening the kids run all around the neighborhood playing with their friends.  So is it less dangerous in the evening?

    I cut the grass even though it's not my favorite job, but trimming the weeds is even less enjoyable.  Weeds grow wildly in odd places and get extremely long very quickly which make the lawn look unkept.  In my opinion eyebrow hairs, ear hairs and nose hairs seem like they take on the characteristics of weeds as you get older.  The growth of the hair on the top of my head has slowed dramatically and is barren is some places but these facial weeds I have seem to be in a youthful growth spurt.

    I see people walking in parking lots that seem to be oblivious of cars backing out of parking spaces.  The car can be 1/2 way out of the space but people still walk past without much concern that a 3000# vehicle is rolling toward them are they impervious to injury. Anyone that drives is aware of the limited visibility when backing out of a parking space, you head does not swivel 360 degrees.  I understand that the driver must be cautious but so should the walker.

     I have noticed a lot of crazy hairstyles on very young people some just little kids, now I assume if you are a young adult and choose a unique hairstyle (partially shaved) or color (bright multi colored) that you want to be noticed.  However, if you are a very young child it might be that your parents want you to be noticed. The thing is if someone ask about your hairstyle or color please don't seemed shocked or offended, after all you didn't dye your hair pink, green & purple to blend in to the crowd.  On occasion, I have been the person that asked but in a curious way.  I grew up in the 60's so I am familiar about youthful trends.  "Just Saying...."

King Kong Loose in St Charles

     Over the years I had a number of part time businesses, one of which was called "Riverfront Balloons".  I worked full time at McDonnell Douglas but in my part time business I would rent out advertising balloons.  I'm sure you have seen many of these, mostly they are hot air balloon shaped which I owned but in addition to those I had character shaped balloons.  Some of my character balloons included a panda bear, snowman, cowboy, Godzilla and King Kong.  

     Without a doubt King Kong was the most popular character balloon.  These balloons stood 25 to 30 foot tall and would be installed on rooftops or the ground depending on the situation and city codes.  I was contracted to install a King Kong balloon at a local carpet store, one of my regular customers, in St. Charles on Hwy 94 near Zumbehl road.  This was a ground installation because a roof would have been tricky.  

     It just so happened that I passed by the carpet store on my way to my main job at McDonnell Douglas so I would check to see if King Kong was doing his job when I passed by in the morning.  Everything was going well until one day when I looked over King Kong was gone, stolen or escaped?  I stopped at the scene of the crime and found only the 3 foot metal stakes and the security cable that had been cut, no huge footprints running away so I assumed he hadn't escaped but had been stolen, Crap!  I immediately called my wife (Mimi) to tell her about the missing King Kong, I ask her to call the police, which she did plus she did one better by calling Channel 4 News.  She quickly got a return call from Robin Smith and said she would come out and do a story if we gave her an exclusive. We agreed without reservation.

     Robin came out and did an interview with Mimi and said it would be on the 5 o'clock news that evening.  It was an excellent report and was picked up my many newspapers, which helped in our search for King Kong.  The Channel 4 news report started out with a clip from the black & white King Kong movie showing him hanging on the side of the Empire State building then faded to doing the interview with Mimi while she (Robin) held one of the 3 ft stakes that had been used to hold the balloon down.  We had video taped the news but over past many years the tape has disappeared. 

     The news report got us great attention everywhere.  At work a co-worker (Maria S-R) drew up a picture of King Kong on a milk carton which made me laugh, you've gotta admit that's kinda funny. I had a small pickup with a magnetic sign on the door advertising my balloon business and it seemed like everyplace I went someone ask about King Kong.

     King Kong was scheduled to rented the next week another regular customer (Pool and Spa company) also on Hwy 94.  Kent one of the owners at the spa company told me he heard King Kong was setup on the football field at Francis Howell, which I could never verify but it was helpful information.  I called Francis Howell and they were unaware of any event but they said they would investigate.  I had stated that I would not prosecute if Kong was returned in good condition.

     One day a week or so after the theft I received a call from Dave, the owner of the carpet store and he told me King Kong was returned by 3 girls claiming they found him in a ditch on the side of the road.  Well, I doubt that's what happened but I was glad the balloon was returned without damage.  I left a message with Dave at the carpet store letting him know that the blower was still missing and to ask the girls if they found that as well.  Surprisingly, the blower also showed up a couple days later.  The balloon was worth almost $4000 so these young girls saved me some money and more importantly probably saved their boyfriends from major trouble.

     That whole year, I would receive calls from people asking if this was the company that had the King Kong stolen, it seems they wanted to do business with me.  Wow, I guess it's true TV gets peoples attention.  Thanks to Robin Smith that was one of the best years I had in my balloon rental business.

Words are Powerful and Can Hurt

     I am saddened by news regarding suicides.  I think by now we all know that suicide is an illness that has devastating results if not treated.  Most recently it was the Missouri state auditor that chose to take his life, over what he considered negative words or comments about him.  Many kind words were spoken about the auditor but harsh words may have been the catalyst, which drove him to a tragic decision but these harsh words are not the root of the problem.

     Kids will get picked on by other kids, it’s true.  It’s not right but it’s a fact and thus is life.  I’ve never known anyone that has not experienced some type of harassment during his or her life.  It would be great if things like this never happened but that’s not the case and it likely never will be.

     If you are “Thin skinned” you will be hurt by words much easier than someone who has a “Thick Skin”.  This does not justify someone using harsh words or lying about you but it can be a defense mechanism against these lies especially for those involved in politics.  

     Here’s a lesson from my Mom at a young age, “Just laugh it off, if they see it doesn’t bother you they will quit.”  The more someone can get underneath your skin with words the more they take control.  There are times when you may need to verbally fight these harsh words but many times it’s best to “Laugh it off”.  The thing is you can't "laugh off" depression.


     Unfortunately, some people still believe there is a stigma in getting treated for depression but living with a stigma is still living.  Get Help, if you are thinking about making a life altering decision.  Suicide is a permanent decision that impacts many people close to you. “Just Saying….”

Snake in the Garage

     Back in the 80's we moved to a house in St. Charles County on south highway 94.  At that time there was not much around us.  We lived in Cedar Glen Subdivision with a small patch of woods behind us with only an Amoco Station across the highway.  Being so removed from a busy metropolitan are we frequently saw many animals roam through our yard like deer, turkeys, raccoons, fox, etc.

     One summer day I was in the kitchen about ready to go outside through the garage.  We had the kitchen door open to the garage but it had a screen door to let the breeze in.  As I was about to open the screen door to step out into the garage I noticed a snake laying across the step.  Now, my first thought was the kids were playing a joke on me, we had a toy snake about 4 ft long, I don't remember why I bought it but I did, so I first assumed it was the toy snake the kids placed on the step to scare me.  In fact I was 90% sure it was the toy snake but that 10% doubt made me hesitate.  I stood there watching the snake laying still on the step when to my surprise it suddenly moved, Ok! not a toy snake.

     The garage was the main place we entered the house so I knew I needed to get the snake to leave as my wife (Mimi) would not want to share the garage with a snake even though it was not dangerous.  Mimi has a snake scream that is instantly recognizable from any other scream: it's a high pitched scream or screech that will get the attention of any human or animal within a 3-mile radius. So my first instinct was to bang on the screen door to get the snake moving on the right direction, which was out of the garage. This worked somewhat in that he slithered over to the side of the garage where I store all my junk like others I'm sure, like fertilizer, lawn tools, old tire, golf clubs, etc.  I immediately went to the golf clubs and pulled out a 4 iron (my best club on most courses).  I could hear the evil snake moving along the wall bumping junk along the way.  I decided the best approach was to hook him with the 4 iron and hurl him out to the driveway.  This was a good plan except for the fact my car was parked in the driveway, but damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.  I hooked the snake just as I planned and with a mighty swing I hurled him right on to my car antenna, Wow! What a shot, not at all like I planned as it is with most of my golf swings.

     The snake is now curled up on my car antenna, not sure if this is any better situation than before but luckily he slid off on to the driveway and he is not very happy with me at this time, which I could tell by the hissing.  Although he is no longer in the garage he is still too close to the house so I figured one more toss ought to put him out into the yard at a safe distance so he could slither back into the woods.  I again hooked him and hurled him out into the yard but it was as if I was using a pitching wedge because he went high but not very far and now he was even more pissed at me.  I watched him for a minute and he didn't seem to be leaving so just like with golf it was going to take me 3 drives to get to the green.  Thankfully for him and me with my 3rd try I successfully hurled him a good distance and he retreated to the woods.  Marlin Perkins would be unhappy with my animal handling technique and Arnold Palmer would be ashamed for me.

No One makes you Mad, You choose to be Mad

     You make me mad when you do that!  Have you ever heard that?  Of course, who hasn’t?  I'm sure it is said frequently at home, work or just about anywhere you come in contact with others.  

     The truth is no one can make you mad or angry because this is an emotion that is only within your control.  In reality, you chose to be angry or mad and sometimes it's justified but you can always chose a more pleasant emotion.  We all experience things that trigger different emotions, which may seem to be an automatic reaction.  It's not, but we have reacted the same way so often it takes a conscious effort to change that reaction. 

     


     Over the past years I have noticed, at least in my life that displaying anger to a difficult situation usually won't get you positive results.  Sometimes getting angry or mad is the right response but not in most cases.  Many times anger toward another triggers anger in them whereas calmness deflates another's anger.  I personally believe that all our emotions are appropriate at different times and constantly suppressing them can be harmful to you.  That being said, I feel it's important to be conscious about your emotional choices by thinking before reacting.

     Think about it how many times you get angry in a day and what is it that causes the anger.  Is it really something that is worth getting upset about?  There are inconsiderate people we may run into everyday, which is frustrating but try ignoring their ignorance without getting angry.  Letting someone anger you over petty differences puts them in charge of your emotions.  Take back the control of your emotions by choosing the emotion that benefits you.  "Just Saying...."      

         

The Funny & Friendly People of Ireland - Day 1 thru 4

     Our trip to Ireland started on Sep 5th (Mimi's birthday), which is not a bad way to celebrate a birthday.  There were 4 of us on this trip Mimi and I, Ann (Mimi's sister) and her husband Tom (my cousin).  We had travelled together before so we knew this would be a fun trip.

     Sitting next to us on the plane was Julio; he was a friendly talkative guy originally from Puerto Rico but now living in Virginia. Julio was also on a vacation to Ireland but he was traveling alone. He had worked as a translator his whole career for the US government.  The plane ride was bumpy but it seemed to go fast since we spent much of our time talking with our new found friend Julio.

     Arriving in Shannon Ireland on time we left the plane with Ann & Tom and bid Julio farewell wishing him a safe and fun trip. Customs was a breeze, so we immediately went to get our rental car (Ford). We were driving from Shannon around the southern route to Dublin. Our 1st hotel (Oakwood Arms) was fairly close and since I was the only one to ever have driven on the opposite side of the rode, I took the wheel and drove to the hotel with out issues. Tom and I would be the drivers on this trip, Mimi & Ann were not interested.

     After checking in at the hotel, we ventured out to get a snack but staying close because we were still getting used to driving on the left.  As with any international trip it's important to stay up until the evening on the first day (jet lag), we knew Bunratty Castle and Folk Park was nearby, so we headed over to visit our first Irish castle. That night we ate in the hotel restaurant, the food and beer were good and the Irish people we met were friendly and fun.

     We woke up the next morning (Sep 7th - my birthday) and headed out to LaHinch, which was known as a surfers town but also with a nice golf course.  It was cold and rainy, we wore coats hats & gloves, not what I would call surfing or golfing weather, but despite what we might think the beach and golf course were filled with people enjoying the day.  After watching the surfers we decide to go see the Cliffs of Mohr, Tom and I were now switching off driving responsibilities and Tom picked it up quickly.  We were co-drivers in that when one was driving and the other would be navigating especially through the many round-abouts.  The rainy overcast weather prevented any view of the Cliffs of Mohr, we could barely see 10 feet in front of us but Mimi found a 4-leaf clove, Awesome! Once leaving the cliffs we drove to The Burren National Park, which is a huge field of rocks, almost looking like pavement (160 sq km).  This rock field used to be under a tropical sea 360 million years ago; all I can say is Wow!

     Next in our travels was the town of Liscannor where we stumbled into the Irish funeral of "Big Jack".  It was just as I imagined, his friends gathered around the grave covered with flowers spelling out "Big Jack" toasting his life with whiskey and beer taken from a wooden crate brought to the occasion.  Vaughns Restaurant was next door to the cemetery and it was around lunch so we went in to have lunch and the place was packed with people (mourners) celebrating Jack's life.  We had a great lunch and experienced a great way to celebrate a friend’s life the Irish way. Sitting at the table next to us were the grave diggers being treated to hardy lunch by the friends and family. On the way back to the hotel we stopped at couple of fishing villages, and ate dinner at Gallagher & JP Clarkes then back to the hotel bar for a Guinness. What a great way to spend a birthday!

     The next day was our last in Shannon and the weather was good so we decided to head back to the Cliffs of Mohr, good choice, it was awesome beautiful views.  The Cliffs are something not to be missed.  If we had been on a bus you we would not have had a second chance to see the Cliffs. Our next stop today would be Adare which had beautiful cottages with thatched roofs, picture perfect but we ran into a little trouble on the way when I ran into a curb a blew a tire in the town of LaHinch.  Talk about deflating experience not just the tire but also my ego.  I walked down to a service station to see if they had the right size tire, thankfully they did so Tom and I put the donut on the car and drove to the station. 100 euros later we were back on the road, Tom was now driving. The day in Adare was great, really neat town and friendly people; even saw a wedding party in town. A friendly waitress at a Sean Collins & Sons bar told us about a secret garden that hardly anyone sees because it's down the alley behind the bar in someone’s backyard, off the beaten path.  Not that we normally roam around in alleys when we're in foreign countries but this pretty cool.  We stopped at a fancy golf club and went to the Manor House just to look around, too expensive for us but impressive place.

     After a full day we drove back to the hotel bar to play cards, have some dessert and listen to the Irish band. When Mimi was ordering dessert from the bar she told him we were seated in the back playing cards, he had this look of surprise and said "Cards, Oh! that's not allowed". Mimi said "I'm sorry, We didn't know" then he responded "Nah! Just Kidding". Great start of a fun adventure with the friendly people in Ireland.