i was
so excited
to buy
my brand new
townie bike
it was
cream-colored
and fancy
and
i imagined myself
riding on a beautiful sunny day
into town
carrying spring flowers in my basket
looking at all the sights
along the way
waving to neighbors
i named it
‘white lightning’
because
of it’s beautiful color
and
because
i would ride fast on it
with the
wind at my back
i rode it out of the store
and
because
i’d been in spin class
for a while
and
feeling free
and confident
i took off like a rocket
into the parking lot
and quickly
lost control
and
slammed into
my daughter’s shopping cart
i’d forgotten about
the
‘balance factor’
and
we laid in the parking lot
laughing our
baskets off
as
people walked by
probably
thinking we were drunk
in the middle of the day
but we knew
it was only
the beginning
of
many
bike adventures
to come.
—–
image credits: schwinn.com, flikr.com
yes – indeed – every word is correct and valuable!
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thanks, mih )
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Thankfully you’re ok? How’s the bike? Loved laughing our baskets off 😋 These old style bikes are right back in again over here, yay to spin classes ergh for slamming the trolley 😧
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oh, yes. all good. only thing hurt was my pride and i quickly recovered from that. )
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If you are okay, this story is hilarious. :0)
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all good, jaded. so now you can openly laugh without any guilt )
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Reblogged this on Writing Out Loud and commented:
Delightful!
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thanks so much for the reblog, and happy you enjoyed it )
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I actually have a guy’s bike – but it is just a tad too tall. I do want to get a bike I can ride…
Anyway my friend this is for you (inspired by you):
https://juleslongerstrandsofgems.wordpress.com/2015/01/04/the-rind-grind-1-3-for-ksbeth/
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time to trade it in for one that better suits you. and just be careful ) i loved your poem in response to the orange challenge )
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Skinned knees after the age of 20 ARE suspect. No bad bruises, I hope. ❤ ❤ Is the bike still okay?
😀 😀 😀
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yes, and especially when it happens way, way after 20 ) no bad bruises, on me or the bike. )
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{{{ ❤ }}}
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I got mine last year and haven’t dumped it yet. But there’s still time! Glad you’re fine! “Laughed your baskets off!”
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keep up the upright streak and ride free!
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LOVED IT! I’ve been there.
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ha! good to hear. sorry )
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Knowing that you are okay, other than a slightly bruised pride, makes this a most enjoyable image! Take out the spin class and change the daughter to a son, and this sounds like something that could happen to me, which is why I plan to reblog, with your permission. 🙂
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thanks, tyna, i’d be honored with the reblog. glad you could identify with this story )
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Thanks! Look for it tomorrow!
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They say once you crash in to a shopping cart drunk during the day, you never forget.
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this is so true, there is no going back.
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Mark Twain was ever so right. And laughing when crashing in to shopping carts is the best way to crash in to shopping carts!
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I think it’s the best option )
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Be careful! Very funny post!
>
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Too late! ) thanks, roy –
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Fun story Beth – given you’re OK. The picture of the cat on the bike is so perfect. Cats are such natural explorers. Great flowers in your basket.
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thanks, paul. and you’re right about cats )
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Lovely and funny moment and yes, you’ll love riding bike. It will give new perspectives, I hope.
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i know that you’re right, connie, it will )
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A wise decision!
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thanks, wendell –
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Full … full of life … and that connects with a phrase from Twain’s quote: ” … if you live …” So full … laughing with your daughter … profoundly important for a parent.
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thank you, and i think it is one of the best shared experiences. laughing, not crashing –
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Reblogged this on Other Side of the Trees and commented:
I can’t put the words to why I am reblogging this post, other than it is worth reading, and full of life. Soak this in.
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ha! thank you )
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so happy that the cart
wasn’t coming at you 🙂
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me too!
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how cool is that! bring on summer. 🙂
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it’s right around the corner, we’re heading towards the summer solstice as we speak )
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and oh, do I have drunken bike stories…not me drunk nor the bike (misplaced modifier)…but dandy don…sharing! what a pic! =^..^=
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i see why you are a match made in heaven, susie )
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yeah, well, HE is Teflon don…and I I I I get caught with my pants down…like Abbott and Costello? now picture that if you will…what a sexist and sexed up world! (censored?) who’s on first, huh? 😉 may need to click translator for this post?????? actually I am the GOOD one but you’d never know it. and the much better biker!
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it’s always the one you don’t expect. and somehow i did understand this, susie. uh-oh!
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So riding a bike is not “just like riding a bike.” I haven’t done it this year. I’m glad you got a chuckle out of your spill!
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my thought exactly, kersey. and i did too )
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LOLOL It’s good that you got that out of the way immediately. Now you can stay on top of the bike, rather than under it:) Have fun on your rides:)
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Thanks )
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What a vivid picture, Beth..love this bike story! Will you be adding baseball cards and clothespins for style?
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i was thinking, maybe some sparkly streamers coming from the handlebars )
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OH OH OH OH OH OH…I am without real words.
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oh!
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Oh?
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eau.
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Sorry about that. I premature bicycled.
Wait….oh.
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uh. oh.
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I am so embarrassed. Give me five minutes. I will be ready for another ride.
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Take care on that bike, rocket girl!
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the horse is out of the barn )
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Fantastic! So visual and fun (now that I’ve read that you’re ok). Congrats on your new wheels!! Enjoy every minute and be safe!
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thanks, and i’ll try really hard not to crash from this point on –
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Love it!
I learnt to ride a bike quite late in life. The first time I “took off” I forgot to put my feet on the floor as the bike slowed down, and the bike and I slowly fell sideways into a bush.
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i can only imagine the scene, rhys. hilarious )
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Luckily nobody saw me 🙂
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Pingback: “get a bicycle. you will certainly not regret it, if you live.” ~ mark twain | I didn’t have my glasses on…. | It's Hard To Be Ladylike
Do be careful. You don’t want to end up like Bono.
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ah, yes –
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Do training wheels still work after our Beddian Birthday, Beth? I think you and White Lightning will have a long and happy relationship. ))
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i may need something before long and i sure hope we do )
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That’s almost as hilarious as the time you went to get the car services. 🙂
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thanks, rachel )
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As a Dutch person: Amen.
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))) ah yes, annie –
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Reblogged this on Natasha's Memory Garden.
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thank you so much )
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I loved this. All of my bike adventures are going to stay in the spin room. 🙂
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thank you. and i understand )
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I love the way the shape of the poem suggests a bike ride over gravel… almost a regular beat, but as varied as the stones in the country road.
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thank you so much for seeing this )
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You scratch it, you own it. LOL
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Too late anyway, i think )
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For a woman who can slip under a car, you are taking your chances! LOL
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I know, just livin’ on the edge!
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Trader Joe’s has lots of flowers, perfect for your basket. 🙂
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They do!
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Reblogged this on WomynVision.
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thank you for sharing this )
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