The Calm Before the Storm

Day 318:

Probably the last really pretty day of 2012, Conor, today would have temperatures in the mid-60's, mostly sunny skies, and a whole lot of motorcycles on the road, including mine...  I charged out this morning to take a good long ride through a vast stretch of Northern Virginia with good friends, old friends, and new friends... 150 miles or so in all and each one of those were consumed in deep thought. Motorcycling is therapy for your old Dad, Son.  And the inevitable end to yet another season would leave me wanting more.  But there's always time for another ride, Son.

Meeting up with 7 other guys at 9:00am this morning, then maybe 30 more later in the morning, we'd be heading out on a Poker Run, Son.  I'd explain in detail but the gist is simply, ride to 5 stops, pick up a card at each stop to gather a full hand, high hand wins the pot.  I had three 10's (all 'Hearts' at that), though had to leave early to get home and relieve Mommy while taking you out to run a few last minute errands in so far as getting all we would need to whether this storm...  I never did find out if I won but it's less important than why we were raising the money in the first place.  All proceeds would go to the St Jude Children's Research Hospital, a charity I would have donated my winnings to anyhow...

When I got home and showered I scooped you up and we headed for Home Depot for a few last minute necessities giving your mother a much needed break...  Batteries, fuel, a lock and chain to lock up the generator, and a few other things... When we got home it was time for us to bring Mommy over to Uncle Paul and Aunt Jen's so she could go out for a girls night and we boys can hang out with the crew of "Dads with Kids"... After finally getting you to sleep I was happy to simply take it easy with a bottle of wine shared amongst friends and kick back on Uncle Paul's couch to watch "The Endless Summer 2", a documentary movie about surfing; another activity I've loved that has long since passed me by...

A nice and easy night, Conor.  All the while you're snoozing away in the Pack-n-Play and here I sit, writing your blog.  Relaxed, a bit worn out from a hard day's ride, and happy to be writing to my Son...  The calm before the storm indeed...

I love you, Conor.
-Dad