Five Quotes From Ernest Hemingway

When I was a young and impressionable man two writers in particular had a great effect on my life: Jack Kerouac and Ernest Hemingway. Like them or not, they both had their own style of writing and didn’t follow others; individualism, I believe, is a virtue hidden in all of us but we often stifle it, these men did not. And a little known fact about Ernest Hemingway was that he was a velophile…I love the above quote by him. Below are two photos of him on bicycles as a young man (found here and here). I find the one on the right particularly interesting; it’s a photo of him on a bike carrying a rifle during WWI in Italy. Sadly, it was fifty years ago today that he put the barrel of a shotgun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.

All good books have one thing in common – they are truer than if they had really happened.

Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut. 

Fear of death increases in exact proportion to increase in wealth.

I know now that there is no one thing that is true – it is all true.

I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after.
. 

Five Quotes From Ernest Hemingway

When I was a young and impressionable man two writers in particular had a great effect on my life: Jack Kerouac and Ernest Hemingway. Like them or not, they both had their own style of writing and didn’t follow others; individualism, I believe, is a virtue hidden in all of us but we often stifle it, these men did not. And a little known fact about Ernest Hemingway was that he was a velophile…I love the above quote by him. Below are two photos of him on bicycles as a young man (found here and here). I find the one on the right particularly interesting; it’s a photo of him on a bike carrying a rifle during WWI in Italy. Sadly, it was fifty years ago today that he put the barrel of a shotgun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.

All good books have one thing in common – they are truer than if they had really happened.

Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut. 

Fear of death increases in exact proportion to increase in wealth.

I know now that there is no one thing that is true – it is all true.

I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after.
. 

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#328 & #329)

#328 (top)…an empty cardboard box, and extra bike, and an extra helmet.

#329 (bottom)…a cardboard box containing approximately $32.00 in groceries, and a Fender Stratocaster in a hard-shell case.

These photos were taken from the same trip–to and fro–here’s the quick story behind it.

I had to pick my son up from his guitar lesson (his mom took him there), and much to his chagrin I told him I would be picking him up by bike…he new what that meant (it’s bad enough that his dad rides this “weird bike” but then he drags another one with him…ahh, the angst of being a teenager). I also needed to stop for a few groceries so I attached the empty box to the front rack. On my way to pick him up I stopped at the Co-op for a few groceries. Then I purposefully arrived early so I could stop off for a couple pints at the bar which is conveniently located directly opposite where he takes his lessons (and yes, I used my fancy new lock). When he came out of his lesson I switched his bike for the guitar and rode home. Simple and fun.

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#328 & #329)

#328 (top)…an empty cardboard box, and extra bike, and an extra helmet.

#329 (bottom)…a cardboard box containing approximately $32.00 in groceries, and a Fender Stratocaster in a hard-shell case.

These photos were taken from the same trip–to and fro–here’s the quick story behind it.

I had to pick my son up from his guitar lesson (his mom took him there), and much to his chagrin I told him I would be picking him up by bike…he new what that meant (it’s bad enough that his dad rides this “weird bike” but then he drags another one with him…ahh, the angst of being a teenager). I also needed to stop for a few groceries so I attached the empty box to the front rack. On my way to pick him up I stopped at the Co-op for a few groceries. Then I purposefully arrived early so I could stop off for a couple pints at the bar which is conveniently located directly opposite where he takes his lessons (and yes, I used my fancy new lock). When he came out of his lesson I switched his bike for the guitar and rode home. Simple and fun.

Front Yard Wheat

This is a picture of a continuation of two previous posts (click here and here) regarding my garden experiment for 2011…front yard wheat. It’s only a small patch to see if it would grow–it is–so maybe next year there will be more. There won’t be nearly enough to make enough flour for a loaf of bread (my goal) but there will still probably be enough for me to harvest and boil for either a side dish or salad. Pretty cool.

Front Yard Wheat

This is a picture of a continuation of two previous posts (click here and here) regarding my garden experiment for 2011…front yard wheat. It’s only a small patch to see if it would grow–it is–so maybe next year there will be more. There won’t be nearly enough to make enough flour for a loaf of bread (my goal) but there will still probably be enough for me to harvest and boil for either a side dish or salad. Pretty cool.

The Importance of a Good Lock (continued)

This of course is a continuation of this previous post. Firstly I just want to say thanks to everyone for their comments, stories, and suggestions. I really enjoy hearing what others have to say. And the beauty is that with the Internet we get to hear what people have to say from across the continent and the globe. Anyhow, after a bit of deliberation and minor research I purchased the above (rather expensive) lock and chain. I know a few of you use these and they seem pretty hefty. If I have to lock my bike(s) for any length of time I plan on using this in conjunction with a u-lock; cables will be for tires only. It’s a shame that we have to go to these lengths to make our bikes more difficult to steal. But such is life in the modern world. Thanks again.

The Importance of a Good Lock (continued)

This of course is a continuation of this previous post. Firstly I just want to say thanks to everyone for their comments, stories, and suggestions. I really enjoy hearing what others have to say. And the beauty is that with the Internet we get to hear what people have to say from across the continent and the globe. Anyhow, after a bit of deliberation and minor research I purchased the above (rather expensive) lock and chain. I know a few of you use these and they seem pretty hefty. If I have to lock my bike(s) for any length of time I plan on using this in conjunction with a u-lock; cables will be for tires only. It’s a shame that we have to go to these lengths to make our bikes more difficult to steal. But such is life in the modern world. Thanks again.

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#325-327)

#325 (above)…two pre-cut 4ft stair stringers, 2 hangers (for the stringers), an overhead ceiling fan, 20ft of collapsible wire fence (32″ tall), three cable locks and a u-lock, four slices of pizza, and an Artvoice paper.

#326 (below)…three plastic boxes filled with lettuce and one box filled with two full sandwich loaves (all of which was on it’s way to Friends of the Night People), a u-lock and a cable lock, and a cardboard box containing a canvas bag with books and other items, an extra shirt, and six chicken fingers.

#327 (bottom)…four small butternut squash plants

If you’d like to know what sandwich loaf is, click here; for a recipe for sandwich loaf, click here (but you can use whatever fillings you like). To learn more about Friends of the Night People, click here.

Click here to go home.

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#325-327)

#325 (above)…two pre-cut 4ft stair stringers, 2 hangers (for the stringers), an overhead ceiling fan, 20ft of collapsible wire fence (32″ tall), three cable locks and a u-lock, four slices of pizza, and an Artvoice paper.

#326 (below)…three plastic boxes filled with lettuce and one box filled with two full sandwich loaves (all of which was on it’s way to Friends of the Night People), a u-lock and a cable lock, and a cardboard box containing a canvas bag with books and other items, an extra shirt, and six chicken fingers.

#327 (bottom)…four small butternut squash plants

If you’d like to know what sandwich loaf is, click here; for a recipe for sandwich loaf, click here (but you can use whatever fillings you like). To learn more about Friends of the Night People, click here.

Click here to go home.

The Importance of a Good Lock (and how I learned a valuable lesson)

The above are the locks I use for my bikes, and I try to switch them from bike-to-bike, depending on what one I’m riding. My two regulars are the u-lock (which is about 20-years-old) and the six foot cable, which I attach with a heavy padlock. The other two cables are brand new and have not been used yet…but more on those in a minute. First I have a quick story to tell.

Last week I was at a service at our church when the usher came to me and said I’d better check on my bike, that he just scared away a guy who he said looked like he was about to steal it (yes, even while at a church service…is nothing sacred). He told me he saw a guy with a pair of bolt cutters; I thought he was exaggerating. Anyhow, I had ridden the Mundo that day and as is often the case I attached both the u-lock and cable lock. The u-lock was down low so the potential thief probably did not see it in his haste. And unless he was able to cut the u-lock he would have had to dismantle the fence it was locked to in order to take the bike.

Today when I was locking up my bike at a store I happened to notice the cut in the cable (pictured below); the cable is cut on both sides and nearly through…he wasn’t just looking at the bike he had the cutters on the cable.

Lesson learned.

Though the Mundo, and any bike for that matter, is just a thing and easily replacable…it is still personalized and I would have been very sad (and angry) if it was stolen.

I’d like to hear what others have to say about this. What types of locks do you use. Have you ever had a bike stolen (I hope not), and if so were you able to get it back.

The Importance of a Good Lock (and how I learned a valuable lesson)

The above are the locks I use for my bikes, and I try to switch them from bike-to-bike, depending on what one I’m riding. My two regulars are the u-lock (which is about 20-years-old) and the six foot cable, which I attach with a heavy padlock. The other two cables are brand new and have not been used yet…but more on those in a minute. First I have a quick story to tell.

Last week I was at a service at our church when the usher came to me and said I’d better check on my bike, that he just scared away a guy who he said looked like he was about to steal it (yes, even while at a church service…is nothing sacred). He told me he saw a guy with a pair of bolt cutters; I thought he was exaggerating. Anyhow, I had ridden the Mundo that day and as is often the case I attached both the u-lock and cable lock. The u-lock was down low so the potential thief probably did not see it in his haste. And unless he was able to cut the u-lock he would have had to dismantle the fence it was locked to in order to take the bike.

Today when I was locking up my bike at a store I happened to notice the cut in the cable (pictured below); the cable is cut on both sides and nearly through…he wasn’t just looking at the bike he had the cutters on the cable.

Lesson learned.

Though the Mundo, and any bike for that matter, is just a thing and easily replacable…it is still personalized and I would have been very sad (and angry) if it was stolen.

I’d like to hear what others have to say about this. What types of locks do you use. Have you ever had a bike stolen (I hope not), and if so were you able to get it back.

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#324), and a couple comments

A large double-wide wicker chair.

Every so often I wonder if it isn’t over-kill to a certain extent that I ride a 7ft cargo bike as my everyday bike (though it still is my most comfortable). Then I come across treasures like this and remember why it is so handy to be riding a cargo bike. I was on my way home from the health club and I saw this at the side of the road for trash pickup. It looked nice but I was hesitant to stop because I thought it would be broken or severely worn…it isn’t. The only blemishes are that the front of the arms are a little scratched (they must have owned a cat), other than that it is in perfect condition…perfect for my porch, I thought. I was a little leery because I didn’t have any tie-down straps with me, only bungees. It is heavier than I thought it would be but the real problem was it’s awkwardness. Riding into the wind the back of the chair acted like a sail and I had to downshift. The best part was all the comments, which were–thankfully–all positive. Everything from someone yelling out a car window that it was awesome and a couple on a tandem yelling nice load, to the guy who though it was a rickshaw and asked for a ride (and even agreed to pedal). But the best was when at a stop light a young women asked if she could take my picture. Before I said yes I asked if she were going to post it on Facebook. She simply replied, “Hell naw…I just want to show my mom a picture of a guy carrying a couch on a bike.” Click either of the pictures for a larger view, click here to go to the Yuba Mundo site, click here to see other cargo bikes, and click here to go home.

Bicycle Boulevard 18mph / 29kmph

A friend of mine who was recently in Albuquerque, NM posted this picture and I thought I’d share it with fellow velophiles (thanks Sean!). 18mph / 29kmph…not bad. With the ever increasing popularity of bicycles as a viable form of transport maybe we’ll start seeing more of this (I have my fingers crossed).

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#323)

A canvas book bag containing both real and electronic books, 2 bags of dog food (4lbs ea.), a live fern, and a cardboard box containing 2lbs. of chocolate covered pretzels and sponge candy (also called honeycomb toffee by my British friends…correct me if I’m wrong).

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#323)

A canvas book bag containing both real and electronic books, 2 bags of dog food (4lbs ea.), a live fern, and a cardboard box containing 2lbs. of chocolate covered pretzels and sponge candy (also called honeycomb toffee by my British friends…correct me if I’m wrong).

Anticipation…

I was pleasantly surprised when I went to the garden tonight to snap a few photos. It was the evening and the sun hits the plants “just right.” Because of my late start this year I did not expect any flowers or fruit yet, but upon closer inspection there is plenty. I ate beans as I lifted leaves and snapped the photos (and yes they are nice and sweet). But it’s the tomatoes–my favorite–that I am really waiting for.

Comfort Food

I really believe I can–and have–eaten nearly any vegetable cooked in olive oil and garlic (and chicken broth) and tossed with pasta. This is one of my favorite comfort foods. Below is the classic recipe with broccoli, but tonight I made it with fresh fava beans, caramelized cauliflower, and whole grain penne; I also added a few fennel seeds. Use the basic recipe below and adapt it to whatever you like. It’s fast, easy, nutritious, and super flavorful. Click here to see other variations of this same dish (which includes better photos and informative directions). Click here to go home.

Spaghetti alla Aglio e Olio con Broccoli in Brodo

(Spaghetti with Garlic, Oil, Broccoli, and Chicken Broth)

                                        Yield: 4 servings
3/4 pounds spaghetti
1/2 cup virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon crushed hot pepper
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 cups chopped broccoli florets 
2 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheese
Cook the spaghetti and drain it. Heat the olive oil in a heavy skillet with the garlic and hot pepper flakes. When the garlic just starts to change color add the chicken broth and salt. Cook the broth for one minute, until it reduces by half, and then add the broccoli. Toss the broccoli for a few minutes. Add the cooked spaghetti, and stir it until thoroughly coated with the other ingredients. Stir in the cheese just before serving.