One Nickel on Valentine's Day

Today is Valentine's Day. While we share our profession of love with those in our lives, we also continue with our normal lives. As such, I found myself out in the garage looking at the sad state of my pipes.

I ended up burning some of my gear onto my pipes the other day. For those that know me, understand that my gear is designed to keep me safe - very safe. As a result, it is pretty hefty. I am not sure how, but I imagine that I threw the pants over the seat and in my haste, left them on the pipe. It was not until several days later, that I realized my mistake. There on my pretty chrome pipes, were several big blobs of black melted - no not melted, WELDED onto my pipes. Nothing was getting it off. I used all the tricks in my bag, WD-40 on hot pipes, fine (very, very, very fine) steel wool - nothing. Not even the slightest change. Then I found out about the secret of the nickel.

I doubted the validity of this, but figured what the heck - they are ruined anyway right? So on my cold pipes (yes, cold), I started to work, peeling off the globs of black junk. To my amazement, it started peeling off, and left the pipes in tact!
So for those that "ride for the freedom - and dress for the road", here is a secret. Remember the power of a nickel. It can save you a great deal of money, time and effort.

Kind of like life - the simplest things in life, gives us the most joy.
Happy Valentine's Day !

Another buff gone

I have my last buff away this week. It was to a woman who was just going through chemo and could not stand having a hot on her head due to the hot flashes. When I gave it to her, I told her to remember this: "This was given to you by a member of Gray Lady Riders, a crazy woman who rides motorcycles, but remember, that life itself, is like a motorcycle ride - it is all about the journey and nothing about the destination." Then I hugged her and left. I don't know if she will ever wear the buff, but the important part is that I cared.

I just got my next shipment of them in. This time I have 5 more to give away. That means that I will meet five more women that have lost their hair to chemo. I rarely know what type of cancer they have, if it is curable or terminal, just that they are going through a tough time. I don't give one to every woman I see, just those that have a tiny little handkerchief, or nasty, ugly scarf (one that looks like it would hurt to wear on a sensitive head.) Then I give it to them, and tell them the same thing I did to this woman. That life will go on.