Today started with me loading 1500 fly sheets to be autographed by me for the initial release of ‘Been So Long…’
The mule... loaded with sheets to be autographed
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
A bunch of chores to do getting ready for this camp weekend at the Fur Peace Ranch. Then, since it was the first day that was warm while I was home, I was furloughed to go for a motorcycle ride.
Black Beauty has been waiting for a while for this day
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
Towards the end of my father’s life I asked him what he missed the most as his infirmity progressed. ‘Tennis,’ he said. ‘I miss playing tennis.’ I thought for a moment. ‘The would be as if I could no longer ride motorcycles,’ I told him. ‘Oh it’s nothing at all like that,’ he said without missing a beat. I looked him in the eyes. ‘Yes it is Dad. It’s exactly like that.’ Short rides or long… I love them all and my life would certainly be the poorer without them.
115 foot pounds of torque... barely adequate?
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
In another conversation with my father not long before he passed. ‘Dad, was there anything in life you felt you left undone?’ I had visions of, ‘I could have been a better father… we could have gone to more ball games together…’ Something along those lines. What he said was, ‘I always wanted a motorcycle.’ I hear you dad… I hear you!
Ride free to the edge of the world dad… ride free.
I did it today with you in mind!
240 mm of aggressive rubber!
Foto by Jorma Kaukonen
Always nice when you can squeeze a ride in….
🙂
Perfect !! Thank you Jorma . I am hoping to get a copy signed .Hopefully by the time you play the beacon we will know whats what with the signed copies .Nothing but good luck and best wishes Jorma .Peace
Back to the motorcycle riding—took a long ride all over the Northern Virginia horse country this past Saturday. The wife and I ride Harley soft tails— hers is a Deluxe; mine’s a Heritage Classic. Weather in the low 80s. Don’t even want to think about having to hang up the leathers for good.
Jorma i would cherish a signed copy of your book .Please let me know if i can order one directly or what the process for this is. Peace and love to all .May your book be as successful and loved as you are to us .
We will not be allowed to sell copies ourselves for a while… book sales don’t have an equivalent to Soundscan like music does. I’ll be autographing 1500 copies for ST. Martin’s Press and of course at shows and book tour events. This is still in the future of course… and as we all know, more will be revealed. Thanks for asking…
Jorma
You were lucky that you were able to have those conversations with your dad in adulthood. A lot to think about there. Glad you are still enjoying the ride.
Jorma, there is interesting documentary on the pbs” g. I. Jews ,Jewish Americans in world war 2”. Your father serve in the pacific and that part also in the documentary.
Dang, it’s a beautiful day today,
Happy #74 John William, and many mo’
Don’t forget to sign a birthday card to Jack
Jack Casady rules!
Just saw this add on TV after reading your blog
“Going up the Country” – Canned Heat
From Woodstock to GEICO Motorcycle Insurance commercials
Jorma how do we get an autographed copy of your book? I have been holding off on pre-ordering one because I wanted to first inquire about a signed copy from you . Please let me know when you get a chance
John:
By the way Jorma, congrats on getting near the finish line with the book release. Don’t injure those fingers of yours with all that book signing, and please do keep your lamps trimmed and burnin
That’s right. It’s April 13 – Happy Birthday Jack – you don’t look a day over 50!
Happy Birthday, Jack! And many more.
You are right on brother – there is no end. We just enter a new phase. I know that there is a higher consciousness because I’ve been there. And we move into that phase when we pass. We must be grateful for what we have and for being alive.
@Tom Fabry
Scooter season is upon us,it’s in the same timeline ( typically), as opening day.
My oldest son is a physician ,he cautioned me,I will NOT attend your funeral if you don’t wear your helmet.
Last year started wearing helmets for both the motorcycle and the road bike.
Ride on.
The backroads of Ky, are similar to the roads in SE Ohio
Ride the river roads,they’re cool at night.
Good morning and enjoy the weekend Jorma .Hope you get to have many beautiful rides while enjoying time home with the family ..Party on ..Peace and love to all !!
I think your Dad regretted not getting a motorcycle because he knew you loved riding and that was something he could have shared with you. Along the same lines of going to a ball game together.
Looking forward to my first ride of the season tomorrow in Hudson, NY.
Death is not the end. Great to think warmly and with gratitude for our deceased loved ones. Great to bless our parents who have gone before us… Bless them by living a holy and obedient life, in service to God and others.
As it says in the First Book,
The 2nd Book of Maccabees 12:46 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
verse 46
“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.”
PS – I have heard one gift we can give back to God is to have joy in this life. Enjoy the joy and good spirit at the Fur Peace Ranch. Rip it up too….in a wholesome, joyful kind of way.