Another Christmas Story The Conclusion

Pig Writes:

Later that night Christmas Eve, we sat by the fire sipping on some Christmas cheer.

I felt depressed and let down for the old craftsman.

I felt an empty hole deep inside of me.

But then my old friend spoke up and said “There is more to Christmas than just presents, Pig. I knew before I even took that toy box over there she wouldn't like it.”

Then why did you do it? Why go through all that trouble and expense?

A smile came across his face, one that warmed the room. I could feel peace in the air. “I learned a long, long time ago you came never outgive the greatest gift ever given” he said.

Christmas is not about presents, or trees, lights and decorations. Christmas is about the one present God gave each of us, His son, Jesus Christ. That is the greatest gift ever given.

It says in John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only son for those who believe in Him will have everlasting life.

That woman has spent her whole life busy trying to keep up with the Jones. She has lost any clue as to what Christmas is all about.

I built that toy box for my nephew, not for her. What she wanted was a high dollar piece of furniture to make her house look good. But it was not for her.

A hand made present has more meaning than any store bought present ever could. It means that you care enough about that person to spend time doing something nice for them.

I have received lots of Christmas presents through the years. Right now I cannot remember but only a few of them. But what I do remember is the Christmas gatherings and time I spent with family and friends. That means more to me than any present ever could.

Christmas is about our love for one another. It's not about all that psycho baloney “Oh, I didn't get the G.I. Joe with the kung foo grip for Christmas and now I am scarred for life and it's all your fault”.

There was a pause as we both took a good long drag off of our Christmas cheer.

Then he said, “Pig, I want to learn to live your life by three little words.”

“OK, hit me.”

“Live, Laugh, Love” he said to me.

Live your life to the fullest each day as if it was your last.

Laugh with all of your might at everything funny.

Love with all your heart and all your soul.

There was another pause as I soaked in the words he had just spoken to me.

I looked at him and he smiled back at me. “Does this mean you won't like my Christmas present to you?”

“What did you buy me Pig?”

“A six pack of beer.”

“Well then break it out and we'll share it together my little pink friend” he said with a boisterous laugh as he gave me a hug. I have to admit, sitting by the fire with my best friend just talking and laughing. Well, that beer tasted pretty darn good to me.

Merry Christmas Everybody

Ride HARD or Stay Home

Pig

Another Christmas Story Part Three

Pig Writes

“You know that if I screw this up – you will be the one who will have Hell to pay”, the craftsman informed his wife.

It was decided to forgo the stars and stain on the toy box. It would look much better painted.

Over the next few days the craftsman toiled with wood putty and sandpaper.

The final product was smooth and soft to the touch.

Touching the wood with my fingers I could feel the love and devotion hard work makes.

Finally painted and finished the toy box looked good. It looked professional.

Only the person who crafted this work of art knew where his flaws were.

Yet one lingering question remained.

Would the toy box be good enough for the sister in law.

Christmas Eve had come. It was time to load the toy box in the sled and deliver it to the nephew.

Before the man and has wife could pull away I sneaked into the back of the truck. I wanted to see what the reactions would be. I wanted to see for myself what I had hoped would be a miracle.

The craftsman was on his way to meet his nephew. He would hold him in his arms for the first time. He would be able to show his nephew what he built for him.

In the driveway of the sister in law house, the craftsman unloaded the toy box from the truck. It was placed gently in the garage.

I watched from the rear window of the truck as the sister in law walked around inspecting the toy box.

It was the moment of truth.

She did not smile, she didn't so much as nod her head.

She gave her brother in law a halfhearted hug for all his effort. You could tell it was a fake.

The craftsman and his wife returned to the truck and we all drove home.

Along the way I had to ask a question I already knew the answer to. “Well, did she like it?”

The craftsman never said a word, his wife only said “Nope”.

Not another word was spoken the rest of the way home.

Part four: the conclusion of our story will posted on Christmas Eve.

Ride HARD or Stay Home.

Another Christmas Story Part Two

Another Christmas Story Part Two

Pig Writes

A whole week went by and the materials sat there in the shop. Not a tool was pulled off the shelf nor a pencil sharpened.

His mind raged on in battle as to why he must face this task.

A task for a nephew he never met, for a sister-in-law he could not tolerate.

She cut him down in the past for his beliefs forged in the “old school” ways. He learned it was better to keep the peace, to mind his own business and keep to himself.

Now he is tasked to build something for the one person he despised the most.

The plan to build the toy box was simple, a few cuts of wood, a dab of glue along with a few screws and the toy box would be put together in a few hours. Yet he could not bring himself to the shop and start the project.

His heart was not in it.

His heart was not in it for all the wrong reasons.

It wasn't the nephew's fault.

But then Friday came with news of a horrible tragedy.

Twenty children and six adults would lose their lives to a madman.

The laughter silenced. The joy gone.

Those left behind will bear great pain for their loss.

Something changed inside the man's mind. There was now movement in his heart.

Early that Saturday morning the work had begun. The tools of his craft were dusted off, cleaned and oiled. Blades were sharpened. Everything was ready to go.

I watched off to the side as the man got busy with his work. What he did once before as a young man now was a bit harder for him to do. The paunch of his fat belly strained his back, his tired eyes required prescription glasses instead of safety glasses. It was most certain he was not the same young man as long ago.

I watched as he toiled to make measurements and cuts. His written plans and drawings were more like notes scratched on paper to serve as reminders to him. The plan in his head being transferred to his hands. It didn't take long before the raw materials began to take shape of a toy box. He continued working throughout the day. Only stopping for the occasional smoke break and a drink of his Dr. Pepper.

I asked him once during the day why he was going through all this work if he really didn't want to. His only reply was “I have my reason.”

Singular.

That meant only one reason why.

I pondered as to what that one reason was.

At the end of the day the mans wife came out to the shop to see the progress made.

A smile grew on her face for she was pleased in what she saw.

Before her stood a grand toy box and shelf.

The wood was bare, the edges were rough-like the man who built it.

She loved him with all of her heart.

After a pause, the wife looked at her husband and asked “Where will the stars go?”

“Stars?”, the man & I looked at each other, “What stars?”

Ride HARD or Stay Home

Pig.

Another Christmas Story

Another Christmas Story

Part One

Pig Writes.

Long, long ago there was a young man who had desires to be a woodworker.

He was creative. He learned many things from his father.

He learned how to use tools safely and how to care for them.

He learned his craft true and straight like the cuts he made into the wood he used. Better yet, like a true craftsman, he learned how to hide his mistakes.

The young man made all sorts of things, from wooden toys to shelves and even furniture. For he was good at his craft.

People from all around wanted him to build things for them.

But then one day, he put his tools down and stored them away. People had changed. They didn't want to pay him what he was owed for his services. They all seemed to take advantage of him for his craft.

The love of his craft was gone. The young man no longer enjoyed what he did.

That was many years ago.

Recently there was a birth of a nephew in the family and Christmas would soon arrive.

The man was asked by his wife to build a toy box for the new nephew as a Christmas present.

At first the man said “No!”. But his wife knew how to push his buttons to convince him to say “Yes”. The poor guy never stood a chance. Broken down and ashamed I heard him mutter “OK, I'll do it”.

He would agree to build a toy box for the new nephew, but not for the sister-in-law who could not bear to stand in the same room as him.

What was going through his mind at that moment, I would not know.

I wasn't sure as to why he would agree to build something his heart was not into.

I would learn why soon enough.

Ride HARD or Stay Home

Pig

Where Have You Been Pig?

Hey Piglets

Yeah I know it’s been a while since my last blog. I guess you could say I am guilty as charged for not writing. So sue me.

For the week of Thanksgiving, Rainman and I completed what was an epic journey by motorcycle from San Antonio to St. Louis. A ride that was a mire 2148 miles. Call it a journey in search of the World's Largest Ball of String. But it was more than a journey, for us, it was an adventure of a life time. The places we seen, the food we ate, and the people we met along the way, made our adventure all the more interesting and memorable.

What we enjoyed the most was some of the comments we got from people along the way.

Heard this one from a guy at a gas station in Atoka OK. “Hey, that’s a nice looking bike you’ve got there, Oh wait, that's a Honda motorcycle isn’t it?”

-Yeah, it would be a Honda.

Got this from a lady at a restaurant in Hillsboro TX. “You look just like my brother in that outfit.”

- Only thing is I’m more handsome than him.

“You don't publish names do you? I don't want my ex-husband to find out where I live.” This from the front desk clerk at one of the hotels we stayed at in Bentonville AR.

“Bet you boys could use some coffee, huh?” I heard from the waitress in Shelly’s Café in Cuba MO .

No thanks, my teeth just like to imitate a jackhammer.

“I wish I was going with you” Said the nurse on her way to work at the hospital. – That’s funny since most people in the medical field tell us to “Get out while you’re still alive”.

Don’t you have warmer transportation than that? Had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing at the old grandma at the gas station in Rolla MO.

We were drinking coffee, having a conversation with an old man at the Waffle House in Rolla MO. When all of the sudden he says in a yelling voice, “Who the F… are you to be talking to me.”

- OK, the people in Rolla MO are starting to scare me.

Eat your bacon Pig, don’t let it go to waste.” Breakfast one morning at grandma’s house.

- I think grandma & I need to talk.

“Hey everybody, he’s not nuts, he’s a writer for a magazine”, replied a waitress in McAlester OK. She was proud to announce it across the whole restaurant after she learned who we were.

-Can we please get out of Oklahoma now?

I swear this next one really happened. It was at a roadside diner called Mom’s Home Cooking in Vinta OK.

“Hey you’re a cute little pig” said the waitress. I looked up at her to respond and I saw she had four breasts protruding from her sweater. All I could say was

- Mama, Mama.

“Did you know you have a pig on your motorcycle? Around here we keep our pigs in a pen.” Said the smartass punk at a stop light in Gelena Kansas.

- Shame on you for imprisoning your pigs like that and stop romancing the sheep.

The absolute best one I heard was from Rainman himself. We were just outside Bourbon MO. We were going uphill fast and hard to pass a semi-truck when all of the sudden, everything got quite. Real quite. And then all I heard was “Oh Shit, the bike ran out of gas.”

Ride Hard, and fill the gas tank.

Have a nice day.

Pig

Chili Cook-off

Greetings All,

Yeap, I'm back.  I know it has been a while since the last post.  I've been a little busy.

Here is my latest article that posted on the web-zine

Enjoy

Pig

Rainman Gets Arrested

Pig Writes:

Hey there Piglets, yes, yes, yes, it’s me again. I have a new update for you. Are you ready for this? Here we go. In my last post I told ya’ll how Rainman (in his age of wisdom) forgot to renew his Texas drivers’ license. And now it is time to tell you what happened at the DMV As ya’ll know, at the DMV they have state troopers hanging out in the back room. They wait for dumb butts who walk in with warrants on their records and try to renew their license. They also wait there for the ones who drive up with a expired license too. And since Rainman has been driving for the past few weeks on an expired license…

I wanted to go with him over to the DMV just to watch the show. You know the one; it is where the cop gives you the demonstration of how to properly apply his baton to the back of Rainman’s head. That happens just before he properly applies the handcuffs. Having personally been in that situation, I knew I would enjoy seeing it happen to Rainman for the first time.

Now I know what you all are thinking. “Shame on you Pig for wanting to see your best friend be treated like that.” Yeah, yeah, I know. But it’s like this, Rainman is always telling me to behave. He never wants to let me get into trouble. There is no fun in good behavior. And once, just once, I would like for him to see and feel what I go through. OK, now with that said, here we go.

That day I went to work with Rainman and at lunch time he would head over to the DMV. Along the way there, I convinced him to stop and get me some lunch since once he was arrested; I knew it would be a while til I get to eat again. When we got to the DMV I stayed out in the truck while he went inside. I could see through the window he would be waiting in line a while so I finished my burger.

When it was his turn, I went up to the glass to watch. I would have gone inside but the sign on the door said “No Pets”, I didn’t want to push my luck. Chewing on some now cold fries, I watched and waited for the state trooper to come out as Rainman went to the front counter. He handed the girl his expired license. Yeap, any minute now that cop will come out.

Instead the girl handed him the card back with another piece of paper to fill out. They must wait with the cop to give Rainman a chance to fill out the “What to do with the dead body” form.

Rainman walked over to another table and began to fill the form out. This was much better, that must be where they will arrest him, it is right in front of everyone there. It was perfect to make an example of him.

I waited, still no cop yet.

Then Rainman went over to another counter. Ahhh, so that’s where they will do it. He was greeted by a smiling lady. That’s a trick they use. They smile at you to make you feel at ease for the coming doom.

Wait for it…

Any minute now that cop will come busting out the door and smack him on the head. I was on pins and needles waiting.

Wait for it…

Now he is looking in something that looks like a microscope, he is still talking to her.

Now he is pulling out his wallet. Maybe he has to empty his pockets.

No, now he is handing her money, OMG he’s paying her off to stay out of jail. Wait a minute, that sure is a cheap payoff.

W.T.H. She just handed him back his license along with another piece of paper. He’s still smiling. Here he comes. But…, but…, where the cops?

“Come on Pig, we’re done here.” He said walking to the truck.

“Hey, what’s the deal here?” “Why weren’t you arrested in there?”

Pig, I tried to tell you before, I only needed to renew my license, Come on Dude, let’s go.”

Awe Man, where the fun in that?

He Warned Me

Pig Writes:

Hey there Piglets,

Everyone knows Rainman just turned 50 couple weeks ago.

He warned me not to blog about his birthday this year.

He told me not to joke about it either.

He even went as far as to warn me to leave it alone.

Rainman was oh so worried about turning 50 that it passed by quietly.

So what is the big deal about all that.

I'll tell you what the big deal is.

This morning I was routing through his wallet looking for some beer money, when I looked at his drivers license I saw that it was EXPIRED. The dumb-ass was so worked up about his birthday that he forgot to renew it.

You should have seen the look on his face when I showed it to him.

I'm still laughing my ass off over it. Mr. Straight Lace forgot to renew his license.

Mr. Perfect messed up big time driving without his T.D.L. I can't wait to see what they do to him at the DMV.

I hope the cop uses the baton.

Writers Block

One of the great things about blogging is you get to be creative as you want. One of the bad things about blogging is you can also acquire a mean case of writers block. That last one is what I have been going through for the past month. One mean case of writers block. But thanks to my good friend and follow blogger, Leanne Shirtliffe~ironic mom, my blockage is healing much better. If you have never read her blog before, I would suggest you pop on over and check it out.

A few weeks ago she posted about two young fellows using a word that one would never expect for them to use. Thanks to that post, it gave me an idea to get my creative juices flowing once more.

Today I am going to take a word and see how much I can write about that one word. This might be interesting. If it works I will give full credit to Ms. Leanne. Since this is the first time I am doing this I will keep it simple. Leanne, I hope I do you proud!

Ready?

Here goes

I think I'll call this “ For The Love Of A Pig”

What is love?

Where does love come from?

What is loves purpose?

Love serves me laughter, like foamy bubbles tickling my nose.

Loves taste is bitter sweet.

Love starts out cold.

If left alone love becomes lukewarm.

Love comes in many shapes and sizes.

Love is powerful. It gives me the strength of 10 pigs.

Love is hurtful. It can bring me to my knees.

Love can make me sick.

Love can also make me happy.

A shot of love can brighten even the darkest day.

Wait a minute...

Did I use the word “Love”?

Damn it!

I meant to use the word “Beer” This is great, now I screwed it all up. Sorry everyone, sorry Leanne. I guess I need to go back and try again. I guess I'm not fully recovered from the blockage. Good thing this isn't a homework assignment.

Bike Nights and Block Parties

Greetings Pigletts,

Pig here, just wanted to let you know that my editor at Thunder Roads Texas Magazine was graciousness enough to post my latest article.  If you are interested in reading it, you can click on the link here and it will pop you on over.

Thanks again for reading my blog.  I hope to see you soon on the road

Ride Hard or stay Home

Pig

I'm Back Again

Pig Writes:

Greetings to all my lovers of pork out there. Yeah buddy, I'm back. I know that you had missed me a lot knowing I was injured so badly. I just needed a little time to heal up. I'm all better now, I took the bandages off last night and I have very little scarring. I want to thank everyone for their concerns and get wells sent to me. I really appreciated all of you sentiments. And now I guess it is time for me to come clean. Let me explain.

Yes, I was attacked. Yes, I was beat up. And yes, I did know who did it. But your really gonna laugh about this when you hear it. That night after I went to bed, I was lying down on my shelf. One of our cats, Bailey,

 decided she wanted to lay down with me on the shelf. Well, when she does that there is not enough room for the both of us. Plus she always ends up clawing me in the middle of the night. So, wanting to get some undisturbed sleep, I pushed her off of me. It seems that she wasn't going to comply with me wishes, so she fought back.

The crashing sound Rainman heard that night was the two of us wrestling and tumbling over the edge of the shelf. Yes I did hit my head on the next shelf going down. Yes, I was knocked out cold. And yes, the someone or something Rainman felt move by him was Bailey running from the scene of the crime. The crime being that bitch got the best of me by fighting like a girl (all the hair pulling and clawing she did). OK, Y'all happy now? There, I admitted it. I got beat up by a girl.

Bad thing is, if Rainman wouldn't have freaked out and posted on-line that I was attacked, I wouldn't be in the position I'm in now. Thanks Dude, mighty white of you”.

So I spent the rest of the week resting and getting healed up. Well, it was more like grounded from my computer. I found out that our other cat, Blue, ratted me out on what had happened. Saturday, we had the Sentinels MC fundraiser I wanted to go to. So I had to watch my P's and Q's around the house.

Saturday finally came and I was ready to get out of the house. Mom made sure since I was grounded that I had plenty, and when I say plenty, I mean PLENTY of chores to do around the house. 

 I was getting on the bike when Rainman took no chances with us riding over to Buck's Saloon.

Once we got there I was able to have a beer or two and just chill out with some of my kind of people.

They even had live music from Jack Ruby Tuesday. They are a pretty good band that play a lot of biker kind of music (a mixture of classic rock). The Sentinels MC fundraiser was for the Bair Foundation and the Wounded Warriors/Fisher House Program. They had brisket and sausage plates for sale along with raffles and stuff. I gotta tell ya this, the brisket kicked butt. The boys started cooking that stuff around 4PM the day before. They cooked all through the night and that morning. That was some mighty good brisket. I couldn't eat the sausage though, if it had any pork in it, that might have been my cousin Wilbur, we all know he ain't no damn good.

After a couple of beers for pain killers, I decided I needed to get laid. And a little while later, I was getting laid more and more. I really enjoyed it. Thank you ladies.

Well, it looks like all is well now. Mom is resting, Rainman is making homemade chicken and dumplings for dinner,

I'm back to do my writing thing and the cats are busy with their naps. Life is good, especially when you have loving family and friends who care about you. Thanks to all of you once again. I love you all. But I will love you even more if you show up with cold beer to share.

Ride HARD or Stay Home

Pig

B.T.W. SHHHHHH! Rainman turns 50 in two weeks.  

Pigs Interview

Pigs Interview

Rainman Writes:

For those of you who are wondering, Thunder Roads Writer Pig is recovering nicely and the culprit(s) still have not been caught.  Pig hasn’t said much, he sort of mumbles gibberish while on his pain meds.  Two things I have learned about Pig:

1.  Never try to teach Pig how to sing.

2.  Never try to talk to Pig when he is “high” on his pain meds.

Both are a waste of time and annoy Pig.

I was able to get a few questions answered when I handed Pig a beer.  He shotgunned the beer, sat bolt right up.  His eye popped open and he was his normal drunkard self for about five minutes.  I still need to know what he remembers about that night.  It is the only way we can find the culprit(s) who did this to Pig.  So quickly I fired off as many questions as I could.

RM:  “Pig, what do you remember after going to bed?”

Pig:   “I was dreaming of beer and boobs.”

RM:   “Who’s boobs?”

Pig:   “Big ones.”

RM:   “Pig, what happened when you were assaulted?”

Pig:   “I was asleep, then someone sucker punched me in the gut.”

RM:   “Then what happened?”

Pig:   “It was dark and I couldn’t see.  I started to fight back.  I was swinging wildly and I kept feeling something cut me.  I remember putting the assailant in a headlock.  We tumbled and I remember falling.  Then nothing else till I woke up in the hospital.”

RM:   “Do you remember anything at the hospital?”

Pig:   “I remember seeing cleavage and two big soft boobs.”

RM:   “Did you see your assailant?”

Pig:   “No Dumb-ass, I told you it was dark.”

RM:   “Do you remember anything else, any smells, feelings, ECT?”

Pig:   “Yeah, I remember bad breath, someone needed a Tic-tac.”

RM:   “Pig, before you had mentioned Bacon and Sizzle, what do those words mean?”

Pig:   “Not sure, I remember someone saying those words in a sentence.  But I cannot remember who it was that said it.”

RM:   “Do you have anyone mad at you?”

Pig:   No answer, Pig fell back asleep.

Here are the facts of what we know so far:

1. The room was dark.
2. Pig was sucker punched.
3. He was knocked out hitting his head on the self falling to the floor.
4. The assailant (one) had bad breath.
5. He remember someone possibly threatening to cook him.
6. Pig likes nurses with cleavage and big boobs.

All right folks, spread the word.  See if anyone knows anything.  Let us know ASAP.  You can leave a comment here or on Facebook.  Lets help Pig find justice while he rests.  We need him back writing as soon as he can.

Ride Hard or Stay Home

Rainman

Anothr Pig Update

Another Pig Update

Rainman Writes:

Hey everybody, we have great news.  Pig is now home from the hospital.  I got a call yesterday evening from the vet’s office and they said for me to come get Pig.  Seems that he was doing much better and was ready to come home. 

I got there as quick as I could.

I think Pig was ready to head home.  Along the way home I asked him who beat him up?  He wasn’t able to answer me very clearly since he was still on some pain meds.  However he did tell me “Bacon Sizzle”.  I have no clue as to what he meant by that.  Other than maybe he assailant might have threatened him with that.  Has anyone heard Pig being threatened with “Bacon Sizzle” or maybe “I’ll sizzle your bacon”?  Please let me know if you had, it just might help us to find who did this to Pig.

I got him home and decided since he had been through so much that he could sleep in our bed for the night.  I guess we will have to see how he feels later today.  I’m not sure when he will be ready to write again.  But hopefully it won’t be too long.

Thanks again for all your concerns and “Get Wells”  I will make sure Pig sees them all as soon as he is able.

Side note:  When I got to the vet’s I was able to figure out why Pig kept saying Ta Ta’s over and over.  The nurse who was caring for him was wearing a low cut shirt and everytime she bent over pig he was looking in her shirt at the tops of her twins.  I just knew they would take good care of him. 

It’s great to have our little buddy back.

Rainman

Pig Update

Pig Update

Rainman Writes:

For those of you who may not have heard, our dear friend, Pig, was brutally assaulted last night. Shortly after 10:00PM, after I had gone to bed, I was startled by a crashing sound that came from Pig’s room. I ran down the hall in the dark and as I entered into his room I felt something or someone move past me. When I turned the light on I found Pig. He was face down on the floor unconscious.

Pig always sleeps on the 2^nd level of his book shelf. 

 Well I rolled him over and saw several SCRATCHES AND CUTS all over his body. I tried to wake him up, but it was to no avail. I quickly rushed Pig to the animal hospital. There the Dr. worked on him to save his life. I was forced to wait outside in the waiting room.

At 1:00 AM the Dr. finally came out with some news. It appears that Pig had been in some type of altercation. The cuts and scratches are consistent with claw like marks. The bruising shows blows to the head and body. The bump on the head must have been from him hitting one of the shelves on the way down to the floor. I asked the Dr. if he (Pig) could have done this falling off the shelf. No way, this was a full on fight for his life.

Pig was still unconscious, but was out of serious danger. I was told to go home and let Pig rest. I called the Vet’s office at 9:00 AM this morning, Pig was out for the night but his vital signs showed good and strong. They told me to call back around 3:00PM and for now let him rest.

I am very upset that someone or something came into our house and attacked Pig. We did call the police, they came out and checked over the house. There was no evidence of a forced entry. The only witnesses to the crime were our two cats, Blue & Bailey, and as of right now, they are not telling us anything. The cops said there isn’t much that they can do at this time without any evidence or witnesses.

Whoever had done this had planned it carefully to not leave a trace of evidence. This dastardly act of cowardness cannot be allowed to happen without justice for Pig. I am asking each of you if you know or have heard anything as to who might have done this to Pig, please come forward. If you don’t know anything please spread the word to others to find the lousy S.O.B who did this to Pig. Anyone with information can post it onto Pigs Page on Facebook. At this time we don’t have anything to offer for a reward other than a 12 pack of beer.

Together we can bring justice to Pig. Please keep all the “Get Wells” coming to Pig. He will need them when he gets home. I’ll keep you all updated as I know anything new

Thanks for all you love and support

Rainman.

May I Quote You On That.

Greetings to all my Piglets out there,

For today’s post I wanted to share with you a few twisted rambling thoughts. You already know how I love to write and to tell stories of my and Rainman’s adventures out there on the road. I also love to collect quotations and use them in some of my stories. Writers, enthusiasts and people of character will use quotations by famous people in their writing all the time. I, for one, have even used a few of my own quotes as well. No, it does not mean I have become famous yet, but one day I just might. Want to hear one of my soon to be famous quotes? Here goes: “I shall fear no beer.” - Pig Pretty cool, huh?

Do you have a favorite quote you like to use?

Quotes help enable the writer to get their point across by using people of authority to validate the written word. I find that it also makes the writing a little more interesting.

In the biker world, quotations can be used to describe many situations or circumstances we bikers may face at any particular time. Example: “If you could kick the person responsible for most of your troubles, you would not be able to sit down for six months.” – Unknown

We are the one responsible for our own situation. In order for me to fulfill that quote, well, to be honest, I would first have to pick my ass up off the floor from being kicked.

Quotes are great for describing things in regards to a particular journey in your story. Let’s try: “We cannot discover new oceans until we have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Muriel Chen

That could replace my quote of “No bar is too far for this Pig.” – Pig

Sometime I get a little writers block and using a quote from someone famous can help lengthen short writings. Here is the long version. “Security is mostly superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller

And now the shorter version “Famous last words of a biker – watch this.” – Unknown

Quotations can even be used to describe a person’s thoughts as they are doing something. Example: “The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man’s foot enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher.” – Thomas H. Huxley said the Pig as he climbed upon the top of the large vat of beer.

When you must take a stance with your feet planted firmly on the ground as serious action is about to take place you can use something like this: Peter Drucker once said “There is the risk you cannot afford to take, and there is the risk you cannot afford not to take.” Hey! We’re out of beer and Flaming Hot Cheetos – someone drive me down to the icehouse.

It's funny how some people quote themselves so much that they have become predictable. I know mom’s favorite quote has always been “If you don’t get in there and clean that room, I’ll beat you with a switch.” – Mom

Some quotes have the ability to remind you of what is important. I really like this next one. “The great tragedy of life is not death, but what dies inside of us while we live.” – Norman Cousins yeah, I can dig that.

I asked earlier if you have a favorite quote. What is it? I would love to know. Drop me a comment for all of us to enjoy. If I get some really good ones, I'll see if I can use them in my next story. Giving you full credit of course.

In closing I would like to leave you with a quote that I use on a regular basis. It is a great quote from a man who faced opposition everyday. But he had the courage to look past that opposition to see what wondrous prize was awaiting him on the other side. I keep this quote on a sticky note next to my keyboard to remind me to never give up, to never quit. That quote is:

“Great spirits will always encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds.” – Albert Einstein

Ride HARD or Stay Home

Pig

The Importance of Bike Night

Hey Piglets,

Yup, it’s me again.  Just wanted to let you know my next article in Thunder Roads Texas is out on the streets.  This time I wrote about Bike Nights here in San Antonio.  If you haven’t had a chance to see it yet you can view it on line here.  If you would like to see the whole magazine then just click on the Thunder Roads.

You know one great thing about writing for a magazine is you get free copies to hand out. Last Saturday I gave a copy to a friend for her birthday.  In that issue I had a photo of her and I posted in it.  When she saw her photo in the magazine she started jumping up and down shouting “I made the magazine, I made the magazine.”  I don’t think she has stopped jumping up and down yet.

As always,  Ride HARD or Stay Home

Pig

Independence Day

Hey Piglet’s,

Yeah It’s me again, time now for another oink session with the Pig.

The fourth of July is here once again and we all know what that means.  It means B.B.Q., potato salad, fireworks and lots of cold, cold beer.

Can anyone tell me the reason why we celebrate the fourth of July?  Other than B.B.Q. & fireworks.

Yes, that’s right, it is the day we observe the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our great nation. 

But what is the Declaration of Independence?  What does it say that makes it so important to have a holiday named after it?

It says: A unanimous Declaration of 13 colonies (United States) signed by 56 men listing the reasons why they no longer wished to be governed by the King of England.  It also says that they declare themselves to be free men.

Free from the oppression brought onto them.

They stated they would no longer be pushed around.

They stated they would no longer have unfair laws placed upon them.

These brave men said “NO MORE”!

They signed this “Declaration of Independence” from the King.

They signed their own death warrant.

They declared that they would be free or they would rather be dead. 

When was the last time you read the Declaration of Independence?  If it has been more than a few years ago, I would suggest you may want to read it again.  How do you find a copy of it you say?  That’s easy just click right here.

Read it, take in each word it says.  Feel what our foundering fathers felt in their hearts.  Honor each of them by taking a moment this holiday to realize what it was that those brave men did for you.  And after you read it, pass it on to the next person and have them read it.  It is the right thing to do this Fourth of July holiday.

Ride HARD or Stay Home.

Pig