Monday, January 1, 2018

Happy New Year - 2018!!

We've had a very nice holiday week here; hope that you have as well.  I worked 3 days last week and will again this week and it would be so nice if it were the New Norm.  Already very comfortable with the longer weekends, they could continue as far as I'm concerned.

It was very cold in Fargo last Wednesday morning at 6:30 AM when I got to our customer's location.  After 2 days, it was nice to return to (then) balmy southern Minnesota.


Not much family traveling for us this time, lots of home time which is always a preference.  Eating was conducted with vigor and our traditional Christmas Eve marinated chicken wings quite possibly the best ever.  Both grandmothers were expected though neither made it, both of them hoping for warmer and healthier weather.  Two of our daughters made it and it was wonderful to meet Katlyn's new friend James.

My favorite Christmas present was from daughter Lauren,  her rendition of me on a gentle slope....


Between sorting and cleaning out mom's house, the holidays and what seems like almost any and everything else, there has been NO garage time so far this cold season.  I vowed a change on that front this week and only during the very last couple of days in '17 did it happen.

Cam chain tightener parts where they don't belong....


Carburetor parts getting some ultrasound waves, first rinse.


I just today finished up my annual holiday read's, Roughneck Grace was this year's last of the three.  I read it in small bites, a couple of columns at a time to savor it, taking most of December to do so.

Roughneck Grace: Farmer Yoga, Creeping Codgerism, Apple Golf and Other Brief Essays from On and Off the Back Forty

This morning's weather report, very closely resembling tomorrow's predicted weather report, though we are looking for some moderation mid-week.  The wind hadn't started yet when I was out to feed the cats.  It picked up later and unless you were in sheltered sunshine, it felt about like this all day.


Rides, rallies and recreational enjoyment plans for the season have begun and if you haven't tried it as a way to make winter pass more quickly, give it a go.

Wishing everyone...visitors, friends and family the very best in 2018!!

10 comments:

  1. Happy New Year to you and yours Coop...

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    1. Thanks so much Dom, hope your New Year has started off in great fashion!

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  2. I am and will follow your advice! Big plans for Arizona in March are coming together.

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    1. Eric, your plans sound like great fun. Really looking forward to hearing about (and seeing evidence) of your trip down there!

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  3. .... 2018....continued discoveries.. adventures... Great family.... :)

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    1. Mike, we're going to make it a good one, of that I'm sure.

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  4. Happy New Year! I don't envy your temperatures. We've had 29 and freezing fog. Not great, but not as cold as you so no cause for complaints.

    May you have a wonderful 2018 full of riding and family and happy days.

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    1. Thanks Brandy, hope you and Brad get some more miles in this year. We've had a few more days, just as cold but things are finally looking better for Sunday

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  5. Happy New Year.... It's a few days late, but I'm just now catching up on a ton of long past due blog reading!

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    1. Thanks Erik, to you and Nancy too! I keep thinking that I'm going to get caught up and it isn't happening. It's time for me to sit down and make it happen.

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