Early Tuesday morning I was graced with an opportunity to see several riding buddies off as they embarked on a journey of a lifetime. Several months ago these “Mild Hogs” began talking about taking a five week trip out west to explore the beautiful country of Colorado, Nevada, California, Oregon, The Dakota’s, and all places in between. Their attitude reminded me of a line from the 2007 movie, Wild Hogs, when John Travolta’s character, Woody, said; “A road trip: just us, the wind, the road to the Pacific. If not now, when?”

This group of motorcycle enthusiasts is made up of five, fairly normal guys. Their fun loving and adventurous spirits make them a delight to be around, and often gets them into a little trouble, as I am certain their wives would attest. Here they are…

left to right: Dan, Jim, John, Ed, John,

The morning send off was held at Castle’s Country Restaurant, just outside the small town of Westville, and the mood inside the diner was one of anticipation, and raucousness. At one point Dan, pretending to take a call from his wife, ended the phony conversation by saying he would talk to her in 5 weeks then proceeded to snap his phone in half! Everyone was stunned! Of course it was all a ruse and we had a great laugh.

After a hearty breakfast of eggs, and sausage gravy, and some even heartier farewells, this band of brothers headed west to live out their dreams. See you in five weeks my friends!

The week leading up to Father’s Day evoked a great deal of emotion for me.  My father died three years ago, and for some reason, my feelings of loss were very pronounced this year. So today I took a solo ride to visit the places that were important in my dads life, and spent this Father’s day remembering him in my own way.

 Stop One:  The cemetery, about an hour east of Springfield.

Stop 2.  The home he grew up in.

“I remember thinking this yard was so huge when I was a child”.

Stop 3:  His High School, Senior Class President.

“The old school is being razed to make way for a new one.  Glad I got this photo!”

Stop 4:  A place he worked.

“Close to my grandmothers home, my dad would often let us visit her while he went to work.  A lot has changed in that neighborhood.”

Stop 5:  A place we fished.

“We parked here and walked the tracks to a fishing hole full of big bluegill.  Great times!”

My father was not a perfect man, but he worked hard, and loved me and my siblings a great deal.  I regret not telling him more often that I loved him, and that I was grateful he was my father!

Today my sons Jonathan, and Ethan, will complete their tech training as crew chiefs for C130’s.  They will say good bye to Texas, which has been their home since December 2008, and be stationed at Little Rock, Arkansas for a brief span of time before heading home in late June.

Once upon a time, a guy asked a  girl; “will you marry me”?  The girl said “No”!  So the guy lived happily ever after and went riding a lot. 

 THE END.

By: Ron Kendall

Ron, thanks for us such an inspiring tale to brighten our Holiday season.  This lovely story may become a Christmas tradition around the Slark household.

Fathers Day around our house turned out to be a Super day!  After completing a chore, or two, we joined Michelles’ mom and dad for lunch.  Then the boys and I headed out for a ride.

We jumped on St. Rt. 68 heading North, travelling through a couple small towns, Urbana, and Bellefontaine, and a couple even smaller ones called, West Liberty, and Russell’s Point.  We soon arrived at the lake and simply hung out.  We sat at McDonald’s watching the boats pull in and out, caught up on the latest happenings in one another’s lives, and laughed a lot.  Nothing flashy, No ties, but good stuff!  

PS

Although not much was said, thoughts of my father were ever present in my mind!  I miss you so much dad!

Recently I have been thinking about the greatest job a guy could have, and I think I may have found it.  The job?  Hosting the Food Network show, “Feasting on Asphalt”.  Yes, in my humble opinion Alton Brown has the best job in the world universe!

If you have never watched this show I recommend you give it a try.  Here’s, the plot…  Alton, and a few buddies jump on their motorcycles and ride all over the country looking for little diners, donut shops, and other types of eateries.  They then sample the burgers, fries, pies, hot dogs, chicken fried steaks, jump back on their bikes and head to the next town. That’s it!  That’s his job description!

• The guy gets to ride all  day.
• Travels all over the country.
• Hangs out with his buddies.
• Eats free food.
• Gets compensated well to do this.

What could be better than that?  BIKES, FOOD, HANGING OUT!   One question, “How do you get that job”?

In recent days I have had significant opportunity to observe more than one woman looking extremely uncomfortable on the back of a motorcycle. I’m certain there are many woman who love being on the back of the bike, and enjoy it immensely.  However, it seems a great number of woman are simply trying to do something to appease their significant other, and not because they enjoy it.   The pained look on many of their faces seem to indicate they would love to be anywhere else but here.  Can’t say I blame them…

• You sit on a 4″x5″ foam pad.
• You have very little if anything to hold on to.
• Peer pressure to look the sexy biker chick fantasy.
• Your hair blowing in your face, eyes, everywhere else.

I know it’s not really any of my business, but I have to say, “I felt sorry for many of these woman”. 

him:  I’ve tried everything!

me:  do you have fuel?

him:  I’m not stupid!

me:  what is it doing?

him:  “explains noises”

me: you’re out of fuel.

him:  NO I’M NOT!!

(later with gas can)

him:  IT’S NOT OUT OF GAS!

me: pour it in Damn it!

him:  hmmm,  out of gas I guess

me:  love you son!

by Randall Friesen

This is a time in our western civilization when we are becoming more fragmented and disconnected as people.
Oh, we say we are more connected than ever before with our cell phones and txt-ing and emails and blogs and on and on it goes.
But the truth is we are still separating ourselves from others at an alarming rate of speed.
It might be that a new job opportunity moves us away from home. Or we work longer hours and hours that take away our opportunity to be with people we care about. Maybe we feel like people are busy with their own lives so we don’t fit in with them any longer.
Whatever the reasons, we are simply coming to the place where there are less and less significant people in our lives on a daily basis.
Doctors are saying that this is one of the reasons we are increasingly living with low level stress in our lives. That leads to physical ailments, emotional problems and relational breakdowns.
It also leads to spiritual deadness.
Paul reminds us in Colossians 2:19 that we are joined together in Christ’s body “…supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.”
The ligaments and sinews and some translations include “Joints,” are the connecting points of the body of Christ. They are the places where two parts of the body meet together, where they “Relate.”
Since we as followers of Christ are part of Christ’s body, we are growing in Christ as we connect and relate to others in his Body. If we separate ourselves from others, then how can we grow in Christ?
Indeed, if we are cut off from his body we will die.
So these days I’m thinking about whom I am connected to. Who do I have relationship with, who do I invite into my life and share life experiences with?
I need friends in my life who will walk with me and challenge me and grow with me because that is what causes me to grow.
Who are the people in your life who have access to your heart? Maybe spending some time cultivating relationships is the best and most spiritual thing we can do for a while?
Build something eternal and gracious and life giving in your relationships. Start by calling somebody up and go out for coffee, and welcome them into your life.
Then pay for the coffee.

Two months ago Becky was diagnosed with a small cancerous tumor. Tonight she passed away! Be at peace!

Good Sunday Morning! The coffee is strong and hot! I am to meet a couple friends for breakfast, then together we will head to the meeting place for this years 29th Annual Toy Run. The organizers are anticipating some 900 bikers to be present for the charity event.

Ethan played his last home game Friday night. They have one game left but it is away, and on Saturday afternoon. He has had a nice four year H.S. career, and it is sad to see it end. Yet soon we will have the chance to watch him step into a new season of his life. Here’s a few photos! Have a safe Sunday!