What Is Happening In My World

It has been about four months since getting back from Florida and leaving my Harley behind. (Brings a tear to my eye) I thought I should at least write something just to let you all know what has been happening in my world, in case you are curious. Also, I wouldn’t want you to think that I fell off the face of the earth. It is hard to find the time to write for myself this time of year, between working a ‘day’ job and my other writing jobs. Which reminds me, I just finished an article, Custom Crystal Harley Davidson Softail is a Shining Star. Please take some time to read it. I had a blast getting to know Venus and Her Shining Star. 

Where has the summer gone 

A rare sunny day in August.
A butterfly enjoying one of my
favorite flowers in my backyard.

It is hard to believe that in a week we will be in September and autumn will soon be upon us. My teeth start to chatter just thinking about it. Believe it or not, some of the leaves have even started to change. The summer has not been ideal here this year, especially for me. A lot of rain, and at times I found it down right cold. 

Sometime in July I remember wearing shorts, but that was only once. Then by late afternoon I had changed back into jeans and put on a hoodie. We were lucky to see the sun two days in a row. I am dreading the inevitable winter, which around here can start in October.

I was also truly set on getting another motorcycle to ride here, but that fell through yet again and I have remained bike-less for another year. Sad but true. I probably sound like a broken record, I have been talking about it for a couple of years now. Next year, I swear that is definitely going to change. Even if I have to beg, borrow or steal, okay I would never steal. But I am not above begging and borrowing.

The Times Are A Changing
The BF and I have been discussing selling the house in Florida. It has been eight years since we bought the house and we feel it is time to go somewhere different. It would at least give us a chance to experience new things and see more of the world while we are still ‘young’ enough to travel.  Although, it would be bitter sweet for me to give it up, and there is something to be said for the familiar. I love Florida and really love having a home away from home to escape the cold winters, but the problem with having a vacation house is you are always stuck in the same spot. Not to mention, you also end up seeing and doing the same things over and over again. 

There would be another upside, I might get a chance to bring my Harley home to Canada. I have done a little bit of research on importing a motorcycle from the United States and it is doable. Obviously, it will end up costing a few bucks, doesn’t everything though. However, compared to buying a new or even used Harley it might be worth it. One of the mandatory requirements is that the speedometer must be changed over from miles per hour to kilometers. Everything else on our bikes is stock, so I don’t think there will be a problem with the exhaust or tail lights. They give you 45 days after importing the bike to make any necessary changes.  It is something to consider, and it would solve my bike-less predicament here. I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens when we head south this winter. 

Shutterbug

Nikon L340 Bundle
Taken with my Kodak Z740.

I have never considered myself a photographer, instead I refer to myself as an avid picture taker. Lately I am finding that my Kodak digital camera just isn’t performing as it should. After all it is over ten years old and was once caught in a torrential downpour in the Caribbean. Albeit ever since its unfortunate shower it has had a “hit and miss” tendency with the zoom feature. Even so, it still works when it is in the mood and can take great pictures for being a 5-meg pixel camera. However, I am upset that I have missed some great photo ops when on my motorcycle tours because the picture was too blurry when using the zoom mode. 

For over a year now I had been researching different brands looking to replace my Kodak. I even had set aside some money for it, yeah, I amazed myself on that one. I recently found a great deal on Amazon.ca for a Nikon Coolpix L340 (20 meg pixel). It is not the newest model available and it is still another ‘point and shoot’ camera like my old Kodak, but I wanted a camera that was super simple to use. I like simple. None the less, it is perfect for someone like me, who openly admits that most of the pictures I take turn out purely by coincidence.

The Camera included the lens cap and strap, but it also came with some handy accessories; camera case, a tripod, tabletop tripod, 32 GB SD card, SD card holder, USB storage stick, lens cloth, battery charger with batteries, and cables to attach direct to a computer. All that for $319.95 Canadian!  Please refrain from letting me know where I could have gotten a better deal. Now if it would only stop raining long enough for me to test it out!

An Upcoming Ride
In a couple of weeks, I may get the chance to see how well my new camera preforms and I will actually have something of interest to write about. It won’t be about a motorcycle trip (sniff), but I think it will be a cool experience, one which could also be in the literal sense too. I am praying for an “Indian Summer” that week. 

My BF’s mom and sister are coming to visit us from Germany and we have rented a houseboat for a few days to travel along Lake Temagami. The area is located 80 km north of North Bay and is about a 2 ½ hour drive from us. I have never been on a houseboat before, let alone camped out on one. I am not what you would call very sea worthy either, so I will be sure to bring my Gravol. Stay tuned, there will be an upcoming story!

In Closing…
Well that is what has been going on with me and why I have been so elusive on my blog. I really don’t lead a very interesting life in the summer but I just wanted to let you know that I haven’t forgotten about my faithful readers. See you soon.