LONGER, BRIGHTER DAYS AGAIN ;’-)

We change our clocks tonight (3/9) for the beginning of our longer seasons, meaning warmer spring days are very near, and summer is not far behind. Just a couple of days ago I told Susan that I was happy and proud of myself for riding through the wintry months. Though winter does not seem gone yet, the bitter cold has left! I hope.

Now I can abandon shortening my riding time each ride I get to do. Ahhhhh.

We were threatened with rain to start at mid morning on this day so I got out for my ride at 8:00 — yesterday that would have been 7:00 — this morning. Being Sunday, the roads were much quieter than they are on weekdays, so I enjoyed a pleasant ride as I cruised along some neighborhood as well as airport roads.

I took a couple of side roads that I have not been on in the past. I think maybe a road worker or construction person must collect these things, and found this festooned fence interesting.

On the same street and down the block this regal looking peacock caught my eye.

The day had a forecast of rain and the dark clouds above seemed to be a harbinger of that, so I moved on rather quickly. I did however stop for at least one more photo to fill out my day. There was once somewhat of a ‘craze’ of flocking people’s yards, I think as a greeting amongst friends. This might be a leftover from that time.

Someone would leave flamingoes in someone’s yard with a message “you’ve been flocked”. I don’t think that ever became a “craze” nor lasted very long as I have not seen any in a long time. This may be either a leftover or a revival of the craze!

I finished my ride so to miss the impending rain, but got home with no rainfall for most of the remaining day! That was ok though as I like riding early when the traffic is light and not many people are out doing anything.

I dithered about riding the following day, but knowing the rain is due very soon, I wanted to get in at least one more ride before days of wet arrived.

Susan had some fly fishing purchases she wanted to make at two different fly shops so we put my bike and gear into the van for a potential “drop off” ride to home. We left home when the temp was in the 30s and the sky held only dark clouds. Not too inviting for a ride.

By the time we finished up with errands the temp rose to the low 40s and there were some sun breaks. That’s better.

It was a new drop off area for me which afforded me some time to pull in to what looked like an interesting kiosk for a potential teaneurring stop when that challenge begins.

I could get a lunch here and either pack my own tea, or purchase from the coffee kiosk just across the parking lot.

It offers a nice covered seating area.

Moving along to more familiar roads and attractions, I stopped for a few photos of these things.

An old farm machine…

I really had to look hard for this one that was behind the farm machine. An old “surrey with a fringe on top”…well, maybe not a fringe 🙄.

And finally, the horse that was not far from either of these…

I took a few days off from riding as there was rain and wind and cold and I was a bit tired. Turned out to be a very good thing. For the first day, I napped a lot and for long stretches — which I never do. Another day I did some errands indoor and out so could check those off my to-do list!

I was ready to ride again and would do that on each of two or three days available to me before we would take off for our camping event. On this day I stopped for some photos that I have passed by before.

We have people around that have pampered pets, so I think this Doggie Doos & Shampoo does a decent business. Dog in a tub is cute.

Not far along I had to make the stop at the Children’s Dentist where I find this joyful mural.

In the space below the happy children is a playfield that has seen better days, but you get the idea. I had seen this garden in its earlier days and it was really cute. Now it is a little worn.

Not far from home, just around the corner from us is a “happy holiday” sign of sorts. I copied from google”

Ramadan Mubarak” is an Arabic phrase that means “Blessed Ramadan”. It’s a common greeting used by Muslims around the world to wish each other a happy start to the holy month of Ramadan.

That’s all I know. I see this every year, and one day would like to stop when someone is out in their yard and talk a bit about this holy Muslim month to learn more.

Something more that I learned on google relating to another sign I had seen recently:

Ramadan Mubarak:This phrase is more common and generally means “to have a blessed Ramadan”.
Ramadan Kareem:This phrase wishes someone a “generous Ramadan”, suggesting a wish for a Ramadan that is rich in blessings and rewards.
Both Phrases are Used:Both phrases are considered equally acceptable and are used interchangeably as greetings during the holy month of Ramadan.

I found this very interesting.

On my next ride I waited until 10:00 to start as the morning had a cold dampness due to the two previous days and evenings of rain. I was cold at the start but in not too long there were sun breaks and then full sun that warmed up the day.

It seems to have turned into an “animal” finding day. In the past I have done some what I called ‘animal safari rides’, searching for any animal statues, murals, pictures or real animals along my routes. I have not done that for a long time. The first animals for today were to rival the children’s dentist murals.

Equal time to the animals at our local Pet Hospital.

In all my past Safari hunts I had never come across a Pegasus 😳. Now I have ;’-).

I had some rather strong headwinds as I rounded through the other end of Boeing near home, and was happy to get home for a warm tea.

One more ride from home on this morning started a bit cold again at about 9:00. I could not wait for it to warm us as I needed to get home to shower and finish last minute packing for our SOTF camping outing at Kayak Point.

My route would be what I have named my “Shawna Route” that I have not done for a while. Winter has not yet released us, but this morning’s cold soon started to warm a bit when the sun appeared and I once again shed a couple of warmer things. I couldn’t dawdle on this ride as I had a bit of a deadline. I did however stop for at least a couple of photos.

One can never have too many loving hearts in their lives.