My Bit of Earth

A Scooter Ralley

Let me start by saying, I'm not a car girl.  When people start talking about engines and brakes and models and what-have-you, my eyes glaze over and I want to throw things.  I like cars that are pretty colors, and that's all I know or want to know.

But the scooter thing is a bit different.  Maybe it's just because they're cuter than cars.  Maybe it's because they at least seem to not have as many complicated parts.  Maybe it's because of the type of people who are drawn to ride them--lotsa fun, but always a little quirky and non-conformist.  Whatever it is, they're great, and--although there's been plenty of good natured teasing involved in the process--I'm glad Sweet Husband has dragged me into the wide world of scooters.

To further my immersion, I joined Sweet Husband yesterday afternoon and evening at the Mad Toto Scooter Club Tornado R'ally (he stayed the whole weekend, but I hung out at home to tend to the doggies).   It was pretty cool just to see so many different kinds of scooters all in one place--from several that were just very pretty, to a few that were awesomely weird:

I got there after most of the organized "rides", but we did zoom around just a little with a smaller group of scoots.  After it got dark, the organizers set up an obstacle course called a gymcanna.  People (not including Sweet Husband, just FYI if either of our mommies are reading this) rode their scooters along balance-beam like rails, in and out of obstacles, over ramps--you name it!

If it feels like a scene from some sort of motorcycle gang movie, that's because it was!  And while that part of it is definitely not for me, the day did leave me with a definite hankering to perhaps, just maybe, think about doing some shopping for a scooter of my own.

A Wonderful Weekend AND ASPARAGUS WEEK!

Do you ever sit down on a Sunday evening and think, "Holygosh, this has been the greatest weekend ever....?"

Friday night started with a walk downtown for friends and sushi and Sylas and Maddy's homemade ice cream.  'Nuff said.

Then yesterday, I went to visit Nice Grandma and Nice Other Relatives.  While I don't want to discount my visit with them--which was quite nice--Wamego (the teensy little town Nice Grandma resides in) is becoming a joy to visit in-and-of-itself.  Not only is there a yarn store and a pottery gallery, but there are three wineries.  And one of them is a winery/photo gallery/law office!  (Truly, I walked in a little dazed--I did not know such a magnificent combination was even conceivable!)

While I was visiting and tasting, Sweet Husband was A) working on jewelry for his upcoming sale (more on that later!) and B) going on the inaugural "Douglas County Scooter Demons" scooter ride. 

By the time we both got home, we had our very first severe weather of the season.  

A common phrase in Kansas this time of year is, "Well, I hate the destruction tornadoes cause, but....did you see the storm last night?"  (That last part in an awestruck and Christmas-morning-excited voice with a blissful smile to accompany it.) 

Truth of the matter is, if you don't get just a little turned on by the electricity in the air...the smell of the wind...the drop in air pressure...that moment the sky turns green...you won't make it in Kansas very long.  And last night was incredible!  Sweet Husband and I had the windows open and the news on, and  oh it was awesome!

Then, last but not least, this morning, we got up early and went to Pendleton's for some asparagus pickin'.

About a month ago, I got this crazy idea that I should have an "Asparagus Week" when my little, spindly, green friends came into season.  Sweet Husband--being the lovely, indulgent man that he is--concurred.  So, without further delay, I'm pleased to announce that this will be ASPARAGUS WEEK at My Bit of Earth.  

That's right folks, we picked FOUR AND A HALF POUNDS of beautiful asparagus this morning, and every night this week I will be cooking it up in some extraordinary fashion, then posting the recipe the next morning.  Our pee will be stinky, but we shall be very well fed!

A Scooter Mention

I'm back-dating a little, but I just found this: "The Open Road from 'Behind the Scooter'".

Behind the Scooter

Some of you will remember that earlier this year Sweet Husband traded in his car for a scooter. At the time, I was really excited about it--thinking of the gas money we would save and how much more enviro-friendly we were being. But the truth of the matter is, after the first few "look how cute my new scooter is" rides, the "we" part kind of petered out. The brunt of the decision to downgrade from car to scooter--both good and bad–-has largely landed on Sweet Husband.

Or at least it had until this week, when Sweet Husband took himself and our remaining car out of town for a class and left me and "Beep-Beep" home to fend for ourselves.

So, how's it been having a scooter as your only means of transportation, you ask?

Beep Beep, Beep Beep, Yeah!

We've been talking about it forever, but got much more serious when gas prices started creeping past the $3 mark.  As of this weekend we're officially less a car, but plus one very groovy scooter.

And yes it is really as fun to drive as it looks like it would be!