blog #016 >> a new bike

If I haven't mentioned it before... I am saying it now. Craig's List ROCKS!
I got this old yellow Schwinn bike FOR FREE! on Craig's List.
It came from a very nice lady in NE Portland who was cleaning out her garage.
And all it needs is new tires, new tubes, a new pedal, new brake wires, a new chain, and possibly new wheels and new handle bars... so that's practically nothing! It's a three speed with a very handy basket on the back, which I plan on painting blue. It should be ridable in... oh, a year or so.
But for FREE how could I go wrong. I already started fixing it up and getting the rust off. I used a box and a half of S.O.S. pads and worn out a bucket. You can see how much shinier the front fender is compared to the back, and see the now bright yellow frame.
Now all I need to do is remember how to ride one of these things. I haven't ridden a bike since I was sixteen and still have scars from that time. Oh, it also needs a helmet.

blog #015 >> i lost a friend

Today I lost a friend.
He was a good companion, always there for me and I always knew where to find him. We had so many nice evenings together drinking tea and reading. He was so comforting on those long nights when I was working late. But I'm sorry to say he's broken now and there was little hope in fixing him.
I'm afraid I have no one to blame but myself for the incident. He fell (actually I dropped him) and he shattered in the sink. Tragically both cup and saucer broke into bits (well in half). And, since there were missing pieces, (that fell down the drain) all the kings horses or all the kings men could put him back together again.
Now there is an empty space in my cupboard, (as well as my heart).
So long my fine friend.
You will be missed.