Winter closing in?

[bluejag]

So today started out a little crappy looking so a quick very early mall run with wifey got me some time

after lunch,warming up and brightening skys got me out for some xmas shopping(things for Mrs bluejag) It was very nice to again be out on two wheels this late in the season (No.. we will not have a repeat of last year no such luck) as I was returning I met up with our good friend Asphalt Junkie,who was sadly getting his last ride in running his FJR up to a secret location for winter storage.

(Paul I should have called a little earlier LOL) With winter closing in the Bluejags would like to extend to all, a very happy holiday season to enjoy with friend's and family. Happy Holidays Bluejag's

P.S. I fueled up just in case global warming takes a stand here in the northeast very soon!

 

[El Toro]

I awoke today and found the frost perched on the town
It hovered in a frozen sky, then it gobbled summer down
When the sun turns traitor cold
And shivering trees are standing in a naked row
I get the urge for going but I never seem to go

I get the urge for going
When the meadow grass is turning brown
Summertime is falling down and winter is closing in

I had me a man in summertime
He had summer-colored skin
And not another girl in town
My darling's heart could win
But when the leaves fell trembling down
Bully winds did rub their faces in the snow
He got the urge for going And I had to let him go

He got the urge for going
When the meadow grass was turning brown
Summertime was falling down and winter was closing in

The warriors of winter they gave a cold triumphant shout
And all that stays is dying and all that lives is getting out
See the geese in chevron flight flapping and racing on before the snow
They've got the urge for going, they've got the wings to go

They get the urge for going
When the meadow grass is turning brown
Summertime is falling down and winter is closing in

I'll ply the fire with kindling and pull the blankets to my chin
And I'll lock the vagrant winter out and bolt my wandering in
I'd like to call back summertime and have her stay for just another month or so
She's got the urge for going and I guess she'll have to go

And she gets the urge for going when meadow grass is turning brown
All her empires are falling down
Winter's closing in

Joni Mitchell

 

[PhilJet09]

Happy Holidays to you too, bluejag!

El Toro, great lyrics, I'm going to save that somewhere.

 

[El Toro]

My favorite version of it is sung by Tom Rush. I first heard it during the 60's on a bootleg tape from one of the Club 47 shows in Cambridge.

Tom changed the words so that he had a girl in summertime with summer colored skin, but otherwise it was more or less the same.

Tom was at Bull Run in Shirley, MA last night, and I'll bet he did the song. One of the reviewers of his work many years ago remarked that he was the only guy who should be allowed to sing Joni Mitchell songs.

In any event, I've always loved the poem ... and I enjoyed hearing Joni do it to music, but when Tom sings the song, it stirs my soul.

 

[FJReady]

I was wondering about the length of the riding season today. After finishing the annual cleaning of the gutters (signifying the official end of the raking season) the sun came out and I noticed what a fine late autumn riding day we are having. So I geared up and took a very pleasant ride along the NewHampshire seacoast. (all twenty something miles of it. Notlong but some of it it breathtakingly beautiful) The low angle of the sun cast a very beautiful light on the Isle of Shoals today.

I sure hope that wsn't my last ride this season.

 

[bluejag]

I'm truly hoping the same thing Russ, It's amazing how deep into the landscape you can see without the foliage, not nearly as spectacular as the other seasons just different. The shoreline ride near you was my first choice but too late of a start.

If at all possible I will be making that ride for my pre xmas gift card run to Woodmans (and others) soon! Happy holidays see you soon JAG

 

[Fred W]

I think all of us in northern New England can relate. We all get the Urge for Going with winter closing in.

Great post, John, and even greater follow-up to capture that feeling, Toro.

Still... at the risk of jinxing it, so far so good weather wise. Was also able to get out for a nice December tag ride yesterday. Ran up Rte 3A past Newfound Lake as far as Rumney, and then down 118, 4 and 114. Poked around for a while in Sutton Mills on some back roads that I've never seen before, and found one in particular to revisit next year, Corporation Hill Rd. It is dirt (of course), quite steep rising out of town, and had a light frozen snow cover, hence the need to go back next year. Even the 'strom wasn't keen on riding that.

 

[Bungie]

3" fell last night and it's suppposed to be -20C tonight.

FML.

 

[odot]

Snowed here in the dfw metromess. Rode to work this morning....didn't look like anything stuck to the ground.

 

[TouringRider]

Back on the road next spring.

 

[Eric L]

Well it was 21 degrees on the morning commute. Kinda chilly. But it was dry and sunny. I am hoping global warming kicks in.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Snow is bad for riding motorcycles, no doubt about it. But it's the most beautiful decoration for any landscape and offers its own wide range of fun and recreation opportunities, so don't knock it too hard. And to counter El Toro and Joni's view of winter, I offer Robert Frost's.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening


Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.


So as Bill Murray put it, ". . . standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter." Look on the bright side.

And don't be distracted by the fact that I got the hell out of Syracuse and moved to California.

 

[bluejag]

Very true Mike .. My sister, a very good semi professional photographer (before her early passing from cancer at 54) had her best works in print of this very season. as she had said to me before "ya it suck's getting there( some remote winter shoot) but the subject,lighting, contrast and final product can't be beat period! seeing some of her work I understand what she was trying to convey, it IS breathtaking.

Yes and with snow a day or so away I skipped out of work early and got out for a nice ride/gift cert shopping today VERY nice afternoon! I hope that it's a short forgiving winter for all of us jag