Honoring Memorial Day With Poppies

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

Moina Michael...1915

Ever wonder why there is a little red flower on those little cards you get from the Vets when you donate in front of the supermarkets?  The tradition of wearing a Poppy on Memorial Day in honor of those that had fallen was Moina Michaels idea way back in 1915. She decided to sell the flowers with the proceeds going to servicemen in need.  The idea caught on worldwide and was eventually taken up with a program called the "Buddy" Poppy program with artificial Poppys being made by disabled Veterans.  Til this day, they use them.  How do I know that?  I get one every time I donate.

So each time you see a Vet with a Poppy in the lapel, now you know.  Give freely to stay free.

I Thank You my Veterans for your commitment to freedom and this Country.  You've made me proud!

In Honor of Memorial Day
KaTy Did

Joining In A Formation

I received this question on my Facebook  from a good friend who just started to ride.  Its a good one.  A lot of peeps really don't know what to do.  Here is the question and then following is my answer that I gave him:

Question:  "if I'm on the highway, and there's a formation of bikes is it impolite to join them in formation if your going to same way? Or should you keep a polite distance."

My Answer:  "It depends. If it is a Club... abide by their road rules, which are you normally don't pass. Most clubs will pull aside or give you a thumbs up to pass them. In saying that... you ride with your own safety in mind. I have passed "groups" of riders without even thinking twice about it.  In saying that, if you want to "join" a formation, put yourself at the back. Don't even try to slip in the middle any place. If you want to ride with them, just follow them at a safe distance and pull over when they do and kick up a conversation with them. More than likely they won't mind. I don't find too many head trips on the road....."

Personally, I don't want to join in someone else's formation.  I don't like riding in a group scenario... a large one anyway.  Just too many things can happen, so I do pass up when the situation calls for it.  But sometimes I can't, soooo.   Ultimately there are a few different answers to this question that is worthy of anyone knowing.  Pass them on.  I would like to know if I am even right in my own thinking. 

Formation Trailzzz
KT Did

Ride Peeving.

Pet Peeve.  Not a major or overwhelming peeve.  I don't lose sleep over this.. but wondering:

Am I just crazy or does it count to ride to a rally anymore?  Look, I am not saying I will never trailer... but what I won't do is say I rode to a rally, and didn't.  Hence comes my pet peeve.

On my Sturgis, Arizona & Laughlin rides I saw a lot who dropped their bikes and rode in for the last 100 miles or so.. that's okay.  I have no problem with that.  I don't have a problem with trailering.  I know a few that do and they prefer to relax and ride there, set up camp and enjoy the RV part of the rally too... great! Love that...use the rally and all it's offerings.

But, I just don't understand why people are embarrassed to leave that out of a conversation and lead others to think that they rode. 

I'll take this one step further:  Is this a gender thing?  I know men who trailer too... they have no problem telling the tale, as I see it.  Is it just women?  What do you think?

Riding The Peeving Trailzzz
KaTy Did

Late Center Line

I know this doesn't count and its a day late, but ...

As much as I wanted to, I just couldn't get a pic of a centerline yesterday.  Laughlin was full of bikes, trailers, and vehicles on just about every road with a yellow centerline.  I gave up... here's a pic of my hot tired, swollen, non pedicured feet in flip flops on the parking line where my bike was parked....