No Thinking Tuesday

[FR4N]

Been MIA the past couple of weeks. My mother collapsed a couple of Sunday nights ago. She has aggressive Big C which has spread to her spine which finally paralysed her. She's now settled into an end of life hospital and receiving palliative care. So I've been on "Dad Duties", leaving work early and driving him every afternoon into the hospital to see Mum. Today is her 86th birthday, and my two sisters flew in last night from Qld and NSW to spend the remainder of this week with our parents. This gives me a couple of days break, if you can call it that, from the emotional drowning of it all. Sounds awful but needed for my own sanity.

I have the day off work today, so this morning I took off on the bike for a quick short ride before taking Dad in to see Mum this arvo. I haven't ridden for two whole weeks (OMG how do you guys who get snowed in in winter cope!!??) I thought I'd try on my old leather pants seeing as I've lost a bit of weight. And they fit!!!! That got my spirits up even before hopping on board the beast.

Relive it here: https://www.relive.cc/view/rt10006353299#

And pics to go with it.....

In the beginning, just up the road from home:



Quick stop-off at Serpentine Dam. Great to see the water level up due to the wet start to winter we've had.



On down the scarp, along the SW Highway then back up the scarp to the Jarrahdale General Store for a quick hot chocolate and pecan pie. There I was sitting out the front admiring the brilliant glow of yellow wattle ....



.... when one of the guys in the group sitting further up came up and we got chatting bikes. Got an invitation to join them. Seems they're all retired and meet up there every Tuesday. Four of several:



Gorgeous lineup ....



Anyway, before I knew it, it was back down the Highway and home



Yeah, a good, albeit brief, hour out of it all.

[Martin_D]

[FR4N]

Thanks so much for your kind thoughts, Martin. She's in the right place and is getting terrific care. And she's in a very good headspace. She's led an amazing life and climbed most of the major mountains (except Everest), and has no regrets. I am very lucky to have her as my mother and inspiration.

[justjoe]

I am sorry your mom, dad and yourself are going through this hardship. It sounds like she is a remarkable woman. May her remaining days be peaceful. I hope your ride brought you some solace.

[Susan]

I am very sorry to hear about this. Your Mom sounds like a wonderful lady. Take care, try to get some rest and know that we are here for you.

[aviator]

Fran, sorry to hear about your mother's fall and subsequent predicament.
Will pray for all in the family. Glad you were able to get out for a bit.

[Capnrip]

My best to you and your family Fran. Sounds like your Mom is quite a woman.

[Loggiebone]

Yep...sorry about your mom, Fran. Hope her remaining days are peaceful and comfortable for her and your family. A ride always is a great stress reliever. Glad you could sneak one in!?

[FR4N]

Thanks guys (and Susan). Your kind words mean a hell of a lot to me.

[cabnfvr]

Sorry as well to hear this. You have a beautiful bike, glad you got to take some time out on it!

[Flyboy]

Best wishes...were big advocates of Stand Up For Cancer and support numerous causes. All one can ask for is innerpeace, pain free and loved ones during hospice.

[jargon]

[Martin_D]

.... when one of the guys in the group sitting further up came up and we got chatting bikes. Got an invitation to join them. Seems they're all retired and meet up there every Tuesday. Four of several:

Hey young lady , for someone not liking having her picture taken , me think you missed this one ...
Looking good by the way !

[jargon]

[Susan]

I had noticed that. Fran is a beautiful lady!!!

[FR4N]

Awww Martin, Jargon, Susan ... *blush* thanks. 10kg down, with 10kg to go.

[Doctor350]

[FR4N]

Thanks JB for your kind words. Re Relive: It was a long "quarter mile" - can see it on the link @ ~16sec. Backed off a bit just before a bend. I just got the standard version app. My iphone died on me and I lost everything: contacts, apps, etc etc. That's why I've disappeared from you oz guys. If you want me back, I think Mat had my number. Now with Samsung G10+. Downloaded the relive app, logged on and this was my first trip using the new app. Perhaps they've given me a freebie look at pro, because I certainly haven't purchased it .... yet.

[Doctor350]

Hi Fran,

How did you add music to the Relive? Mine just comes out silent.

I'll let Mat know about the Whatsapp thing. I thought you were still there but shaking your head at some of the rubbish that gets posted and the language. Guilty as charged. Do you want back in?

[Martin_D]

What do you mean by rubbish ??? ?

[justjoe]

When you say "back-in", is that Oz slang for sexy time?