I'm not a pet guy. Sounds strange to hear, I can imagine. What with the flock of chickens, dog, endless stream of amphibians, reptiles and aquatic life that come in and out of my life. Why do I have to live like Noah? Life is so much simpler without having to worry about animals. No doubt I enjoy them, but the hassle factor needs to be considered.

So last weekend we came home from Minnesota. While the wifeage waited for the bags to come tumbling out the carousel, I went with the boy to retrieve the car from the long term parking lot. When I returned to baggage claim to load up the goods, there the wifeage stood with a cage and two Gouldian finches. You have got to be kidding me, I thought. I turn my back for 15 minutes and suddenly, more pets. She said that some lady came up to her and told her some Sally sob story about not being able to fly with the birds so she had to give them away. So much for the wifeage not caring one iota for threat level orange and the common knowledge that you don't accept anything at the airport from total strangers. I mean, those birds could be strapped with (insert the deity of your choice here) knows what. She said that applied to those giving you stuff as you go in, not as you go out. As I looked them over, I could only think that I had two more mouths to feed. The kids quickly named them Mango and Red Top.

Last night I came home and the girl started in on me about some story involving the backyard, mom, Red Top, no cage, and a lie. Upon getting in the house, I confront the wifeage and she confesses. Apparently, finches like to live in pairs and Mango (stressed out from the travels) croaked shortly after we got him home. Which left Red Top solo. Having exhausted all avenues of finding a home for Red Top and when the kids weren't looking, the wifeage put the cage in the backyard, opened the door, and away flew Red Top. With that, she told the kids that she found a wonderful home for Red Top at a nice old ladies house in Danville. Little did she know that Red Top actually likes our house and 45 minutes later flew back into our yard. The girl ended up finding her, placed her back in her cage and brought her back into the house all the while casting a very leery eye toward the Mama. Looks like Red Top is here to stay. Lucky me. Hope you are well.

Johnny GoFast

I know what you're thinking, 'cause I'm thinking it too. This posting stuff is getting out of hand, but I've got the itch lately. Don't get used to it though, because I'm leaving on Tuesday for an extended fishing trip in the Canadian wilderness where no technology can reach. (Now wiping up the drool that has escaped my mouth at the thought of all those walleyes filling up my belly.)

Anyway, I was out for my noon time ride yesterday which included a couple of 25 minute moderate climbing pieces up the mountain. They went well and the weather was glorious. So, I was riding back to the rock pile and feeling pretty good with the afterglow of the effort still fresh within my legs. As I approached a light, one of those hipped up fixies went zooming by me in spectacular fashion. As I admired his Schwinn Madison model, a big truck roared up along side of me to do one of those cut off rights that we are all so fond of. I slowed to let him do his thing. At the exact same time, he slowed to let me get to the light and then he could get in the right turn lane. I quickly accelerated to get out of his way and he let fly with the horn, reved engine, and flying profanity. What a joy. As he turned, I looked in his direction, but held my breath. Didn't stop him from calling me the typical names we all get. I reached the light as my adrenaline started to settle and noticed the fixie there waiting for the light to change. He had some choice words for the driver as the monster truck sped off and instantly, I had gained and lost a friend. We chatted about how sometimes it's like we are dodging dragons out there and why it is that they can't see us as human beings, fathers or daughters or parents or husbands or wives or friends. Forever the impediment to somebodies progress to someplace more important than my skin and bones. But the fixie guy was cool and we talked a little about track racing and the like. My boiling blood settled and I got back to my warm afterglow. I'll call it even on the ledger.

Johnny GoFast

Greetings from the Minnesota Northwoods. In my family, we fish. As far back as I can remember, I've been fishing with my Dad and brothers. When any of us come off the water, it's customary to go near anyone that didn't catch a fish and give a big sniff. With that, whoever the unlucky fisherman is will say, "what...you smell a skunk or something?"

Well tonight it happened to me. The boy kept hammering 'em. (Excuse alert!) No doubt, he kept bringing 'em in faster than I could take 'em off. I'd bait his hook, put the fish on the stringer and no sooner said than done, he'd be cranking in another one. Back in '73, my Dad started taking me and my brothers into a place called the Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario just over the Minnesota border. My Dad would be in the back of the canoe working faster than a monkey on crack. Barely ever getting to dip his lure in the water himself. And that's where I am at this point in my life and it warms my heart. I'd love to catch myself, but instilling that which my Dad for me is the way of things. Outstanding!

This morning we went to a horse riding place and the family did a whole trot together. The girl was on Bullit, the boy on Trevor, the wifeage on Shadow and yours truly on Dude. We got to canter for a while and did some stream crossings. I was on the tail end of things with the boy just in front and we went a little off the menu every chance we got. If there was a fork in the trail and the string was going one way, we went the other. The wifeage was less than pleased with our rule breaking, but cowboys got to roam. Hope you are well. Plenty of pictures to post and they'll be up next week when we return to reality.

Johnny TrotFast