It’s been a little over fourteen months since Nancy left on her own journey. I decided to stay in our house in Washington Crossing, PA. One of my friend’s wives told me I could go somewhere else and make new friends, but my tribe is here—the people I grew up with, went to school with, and care about. So I’m staying in the same house I’ve lived in for the last 36 years.
I’ve done some work on the place: new garage doors, some windows including a large bay window. A wood-burning insert and solar panels should be going on the roof soon, although the township has been giving me a hard time about placement. Apparently they can be seen from the road. Yeah… I live on a corner lot.
I traded my 2010 Ford Raptor for a Honda Ridgeline. The Ford was rotting out and I was tired of driving a big truck that got 11 MPG. I love the Ridgeline. I thought I’d keep Nancy’s Audi A5 convertible, but it just sat in the garage. I sold it to a woman who wanted a sporty convertible and was tired of driving a minivan. She absolutely loves it, which made that one easier.
I also sold my K1600GTL. There won’t be any more two-up riding. There’s really no market for those bikes anymore—dealers quoted me anywhere from $1,700 to $3,600 on trade. I sold it privately for $6,000, so I guess I did okay.
Nancy had bought new riding gear for our planned Norway trip. I gave it to one of my motorcycle friend’s wives—Lisa—who is one hell of a rider and puts me to shame. She took the new boots, and then found a divorced woman who was starting her life over and wanted to ride. Everything fit her perfectly. She was riding a small Honda but plans to upgrade soon. That felt good… and at the same time it really drove home the fact that Nancy isn’t coming back.
Living alone hasn’t been easy, but I’m lucky to have great neighbors and friends who helped me so much while Nancy was sick. They bring me food, invite me to family events, and get me out of the house. I invite them to Nancy’s Hanukkah celebration each year—this was the second one. (She was a Jewish girl… I fell in love with her — yes, the Ariel song.) I made matzo ball soup and latkes. They all said it was good (liars). I’m learning how to cook and grocery shop. The meatloaf came out decent, and I even ate some broccoli. Nancy always told me to eat green things. Still learning. She was a great cook.
My mom is 93 and in a home. She has no memory anymore, but she still recognizes me. She was put on hospice two months ago. I have a sister who lives in Georgia—who I didn’t always get along with—but she helped by sending things to Nancy, and now we talk a lot more. Still, I often feel like I have no family left. I have a couple of cousins who’ve been there for me. Others didn’t even bother showing up for Nancy’s celebration of life.
I booked another tour with Celtic Riders—the Wild Atlantic Way tour of Ireland. I leave May 7th and return May 24th, with an extra day in Dublin to explore. I’m really looking forward to that. I also ordered a 2026 R1300GS about six (maybe more) months ago. It finally came in and I picked it up on January 10th. Of course, it snowed the next day, then the deep freeze hit. The bike’s sitting in the garage for now. I want to ride it badly, but it’ll have to wait.
I haven’t gotten rid of Nancy’s clothes. She had her own closet and bathroom, and I still find it very hard to go in there without getting emotional. She also had a room for her crafts and sewing, and all of her photography equipment that I thought I might learn how to use. That’s not going so well.
I try to live my life in a way that would make her proud. I talk to her every day. I miss her greatly. I still wonder sometimes—is this it? Will I be alone for the rest of my life? For now, I just live one day at a time and try to enjoy what I have left.
I turn 65 in a few days. Medicare will help—I've been paying $1,345 a month for health insurance, and the last payment jumped another $400. I’m healthy, at least according to the doctors. But you never really know.
So tell the people in your life how you feel. Tell them you love them. Ride, live, and enjoy life while you can.
I’ve done some work on the place: new garage doors, some windows including a large bay window. A wood-burning insert and solar panels should be going on the roof soon, although the township has been giving me a hard time about placement. Apparently they can be seen from the road. Yeah… I live on a corner lot.
I traded my 2010 Ford Raptor for a Honda Ridgeline. The Ford was rotting out and I was tired of driving a big truck that got 11 MPG. I love the Ridgeline. I thought I’d keep Nancy’s Audi A5 convertible, but it just sat in the garage. I sold it to a woman who wanted a sporty convertible and was tired of driving a minivan. She absolutely loves it, which made that one easier.
I also sold my K1600GTL. There won’t be any more two-up riding. There’s really no market for those bikes anymore—dealers quoted me anywhere from $1,700 to $3,600 on trade. I sold it privately for $6,000, so I guess I did okay.
Nancy had bought new riding gear for our planned Norway trip. I gave it to one of my motorcycle friend’s wives—Lisa—who is one hell of a rider and puts me to shame. She took the new boots, and then found a divorced woman who was starting her life over and wanted to ride. Everything fit her perfectly. She was riding a small Honda but plans to upgrade soon. That felt good… and at the same time it really drove home the fact that Nancy isn’t coming back.
Living alone hasn’t been easy, but I’m lucky to have great neighbors and friends who helped me so much while Nancy was sick. They bring me food, invite me to family events, and get me out of the house. I invite them to Nancy’s Hanukkah celebration each year—this was the second one. (She was a Jewish girl… I fell in love with her — yes, the Ariel song.) I made matzo ball soup and latkes. They all said it was good (liars). I’m learning how to cook and grocery shop. The meatloaf came out decent, and I even ate some broccoli. Nancy always told me to eat green things. Still learning. She was a great cook.
My mom is 93 and in a home. She has no memory anymore, but she still recognizes me. She was put on hospice two months ago. I have a sister who lives in Georgia—who I didn’t always get along with—but she helped by sending things to Nancy, and now we talk a lot more. Still, I often feel like I have no family left. I have a couple of cousins who’ve been there for me. Others didn’t even bother showing up for Nancy’s celebration of life.
I booked another tour with Celtic Riders—the Wild Atlantic Way tour of Ireland. I leave May 7th and return May 24th, with an extra day in Dublin to explore. I’m really looking forward to that. I also ordered a 2026 R1300GS about six (maybe more) months ago. It finally came in and I picked it up on January 10th. Of course, it snowed the next day, then the deep freeze hit. The bike’s sitting in the garage for now. I want to ride it badly, but it’ll have to wait.
I haven’t gotten rid of Nancy’s clothes. She had her own closet and bathroom, and I still find it very hard to go in there without getting emotional. She also had a room for her crafts and sewing, and all of her photography equipment that I thought I might learn how to use. That’s not going so well.
I try to live my life in a way that would make her proud. I talk to her every day. I miss her greatly. I still wonder sometimes—is this it? Will I be alone for the rest of my life? For now, I just live one day at a time and try to enjoy what I have left.
I turn 65 in a few days. Medicare will help—I've been paying $1,345 a month for health insurance, and the last payment jumped another $400. I’m healthy, at least according to the doctors. But you never really know.
So tell the people in your life how you feel. Tell them you love them. Ride, live, and enjoy life while you can.
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