BLUE MOON & JUPITER: Tonight's Blue Moon has a companion: Jupiter. All night long, the giant planet will be located right beside the Moon. You can see them with the naked eye or, for a real treat, scan the pair with a backyard telescope. Behold the moons of Jupiter, lunar mountains and craters, and maybe even the Great Red Spot: sky map.

BONUS: Blue Moons are supposed to be absurd, but on May 21st, the Moon over Vecsés, Hungary, really did turn blue. "It was a unique and unforgettable sight," says photographer Ágnes Kiricsi who took these pictures: #1, #2, #3. The display was caused by a Sahara dust storm that filled the air above Hungary with micron-sized dust particles. Clouds of fine dust can act as a color filter, turning the Moon (or Sun) blue: more.

I really like that one DeJope Gaming commercial where the old farmer is trying to get the cow to jump through the ring of fire. Then the old lady says "How about the pig"? Ha ha! That's great.

We just can't seem to get any rain here. Last night they were talking about heavy rain and maybe 1 or 2 inches. I checked the RADAR about 10:00 p.m. and it sure looked like rain coming. Got up at 4:00 a.m. and let the dogs out and NOTHING! Not even a drop, that I could tell. So, I've been doing my irrigating again today.

Went to Coddington's True Value in Oxford today and got a timer for my garden hose. Boy, has that place got the stuff crammed in there! It's been awhile since I've been there. They have just about everything. If you're ever in Oxford, I suggest you stop in just to look around, if nothing else.

Summer is here! The flies are out and the cows have started whipping their tails to shoo them away. This morning it was time to trim the long hair from their tails. That long hair really hurts when it goes "SNAP!" across my eyeballs! Even after their tails are trimmed, they get me sometimes, but the "SNAP!" isn't quite so bad. It still hurts though. I tried wearing safety glasses once, but since the ventilation fans haven't worked in years, it gets really hot and steamy in the barn and the glasses fogged up all the time!

Endangered Species Protection Sought for Bigfoot

The man behind the petition was a Bigfoot enthusiast named Todd Standing, who claims to have definitive proof of Bigfoot but is withholding it until protection for the alleged animals is in place. “When I get species protection for them nationwide, I will make my findings public and I will take this out of the realm of mythology. Bigfoot is real,” Standing said. Full Story

SCIENTISTS have bred cows that produce skimmed milk and hope to establish herds of the cattle to meet the demands of health-conscious consumers.

The milk is also high in omega3 oils, claimed to improve brain power, and contains polyunsaturated fat. The saturated fats found in normal milk are linked to increased risk of heart disease. The cows, which have a particular genetic mutation, were bred from a single female discovered by researchers when they screened milk from millions of cattle in New Zealand.

Butter from these cows has the extra advantage of being spreadable straight from the fridge, like margarine. Full Story

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them. After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.
When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"
"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.
"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.
"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up."
The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog. After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.
"Excuse me!" he called to the man. "Do you have any water?"
"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in."
"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.
"There should be a bowl by the pump."
They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.
"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.
"This is Heaven," he answered.
"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too."
"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell."
"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"
"No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind."

I read in my stats from the other day that someone in Anchorage Alaska came to my blog after searching for "Polaris Hawkeye Hard Starting" so I'll touch on that a little.

At first it seemed like it might be hard to start. Once I figured out what it wanted for choke and throttle, turns out it's really not hard to start at all. It is very awkward to start, because of the way the safety features work and where the controls are located, but I've talked about that in a previous post. Here's how I start my Hawkeye, using the choke, throttle, or lack thereof:

When the engine is cold, I pull the choke all the way out, then push it in just a little if it's below 50F, or push it in about halfway if above 50F. I then turn the key and it starts right up (no throttle). I'll let it idle that way for a minute or two. The engine will eventually rev, and when it does I ease the choke in slightly to slow it down. Then I go riding! Once the machine is moving, I open the choke (push it in) all the way.

When the engine is hot, I open the throttle a hair, and it starts right up. Most of the time it would start without giving it any throttle, but sometimes it won't. I give it a little throttle every time when starting a hot engine and I don't have to mess around.

If all else fails and it still doesn't seem like it wants to start, whether hot or cold, give it a little throttle and it should start right up. By the way, the owner's manual is of no help when it comes to starting it. Trial and error is how I learned the best ways to start my Hawkeye.

Yikes! Had a little mechanical malfunction on my bike ride tonight. I was flying along on my old cruiser, a couple miles from home, when I spied some asparagus. I hammered on the brakes (coaster brakes=back pedaled) and the pedals jumped forward and nearly pitched me over the bars! The clamp that holds the coaster brake brace to the frame had broke and let the brace turn with the wheel hub. That forced the pedals to rotate forward with the hub.

Anyway, I cobbled it together enough to ride it home. I did ok until I got to the stop sign by my house. I forgot, put on the brakes, and almost over the bars I went again!

Nothing that a little plumber's tape couldn't fix, once I got home.

My last fire in the wood stove for the heating season last year was the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The fire is still going this morning, but maybe the last one until Fall? We'll see. If it's less than 75 degrees in the house (depending on humidity) I'm froze! I guess when it doesn't cost anything to heat your house, your level of comfort changes too.

I think today is the day that the Necedah bunch goes to Pray for pizza. Wish I could go too, but have to do the milking and chores tonight. Maybe one of these Mondays I'll be able to go on the Pray Pizza Ride.

I was over to my ex-brother-in-law's house the other night. He bought a little tiny motorcycle at a flea market for his son. It's a street bike type, but it almost looks like a radio controlled model. Only thing is you actually ride on it. Pretty cool. If I would have had my camera along, I'd have taken pictures of it. Maybe when I see it next time.

I went for a ride in the refuge today. It was a nice ride, 70 miles, and nice weather. I rode some places that I'd never been before (Orange and Cutler, I think). It was kind of neat, but since I didn't have a map of those routes, I turned around before I started to get lost!

I've almost broke the 400 mile mark on the new quad! I hadn't planned on changing the break-in oil until Fall, but might have to sooner. I've got all the stuff to do it, just haven't done it yet.

I saw several snakes laying in the sand, sunning themselves. I carefully avoided them all. I don't mind snakes. All they wanted was some sun and I had no intention of harming the little buggers.

Last weekend I got 20 miles to the gallon while riding the trails by Black River with my Hawkeye. Used about 4 gallons on that ride. Today on the easier routes, I got 30 miles to the gallon. Only used about 2 gallons. I think that's pretty good. About par with the previous quad, or slighter less mileage.

I was riding down the route from Finley, the one with the railroad tracks between it and 80 (I think it's 12th?) and I got the crap scared out of me! All of a sudden there was a train next to me! I don't think I have ever seen a train on those tracks before, at least not while riding next to them.

Besides the snakes, I saw a lot of deer and a few dead raccoons. I don't think there's much traffic on those roads, not that I've ever seen anyway, so the coons must set there a long time waiting to get killed. Dummies. Maybe they're trying to catch the snakes?

Does anybody know where around here to get one of those aviator-type canvas or leather helmets like the Harley guys wear?

Someone may be watching you

The DNR is using motion-activated cameras to catch people engaged in illegal ATV activity

A Minnesota man was found guilty recently of illegally operating an all-terrain vehicle in a state wildlife management area in northwestern Minnesota -- even though no one caught him in the act.

Instead, a motion-activated hidden trail camera snapped his photo, providing the evidence to convict him. Full Story

WASHINGTON -- America's lowest-paid workers won a $2.10 raise Thursday, with Congress approving the first increase in the federal minimum wage in almost a decade.

President Bush was expected to sign the bill quickly, and workers who now make $5.15 an hour will see their paychecks go up by 70 cents per hour before the end of the summer. Another 70 cents will be added next year, and by summer 2009, all minimum-wage jobs will pay no less than $7.25 an hour. Full Story

-Wow, $7.25 an hour? I'd feel like a friggin' millionaire! I'd be shocked if I even made the current minimum wage. Fat chance I'll ever see it. Fortunately, over the years we've learned to live with very little money and still have some fun.

We finally got a little rain! About 1/2 inch. It's not nearly enough, but it will help for now. Maybe we'll get more tomorrow. As long as it doesn't rain on Sunday, because I want to go riding or something!

We sure need rain! We've got even less rain here than the surrounding areas. I've been watering my sweetcorn crop everyday. Sounds like maybe this afternoon it will rain, although we don't need any severe weather. Tuesday I pulled a trailer full of water buckets around in the woods, watering the little trees that were planted. Looks like I'll have to do it again today.

What the hell is it with these gas prices? Record high again and it went up 10 cents per gallon in 24 hours? Fortunately I don't use much gas, but still, what a crock. They say that they had to take two midwest refineries offline for maintenance. I didn't even know there were any refineries in the midwest. And the refineries will be back online soon, but not until after the holiday weekend. Ha ha ha! What a joke. We all know what's really going on. How stupid do they think we are?

My 2wd truck gets 37 mpg and the wife's 4wd SUV gets 25 mpg. I wish she would drive my truck, because I rarely use it except when I go ATVing, but it's a standard transmission and she refuses to drive it. I have recently came upon a pretty good deal on a Chevy Astro van that gets a little better mileage than the wife's 4wd. It would be kind of nice to have a spare car with an automatic transmission that she can drive. Plus, my daughter will be driving in less than three years. And it has a trailer hitch! That's always great for hauling ATVs around. We are seriously considering it.

Looks like another great day! Summer-like weather on the way again. If it stays nice this weekend, maybe Sunday I'll go ride the routes, or somewhere.

Found one more morel last night. That makes two. Hardly worth it this year. The asparagus wasn't too plentiful this year either. Seems like it all went to seed right away.

I am really pleased with my DVD recorder! Every time I use it, I am more impressed. The digital receiver works great for getting over-the-air digital broadcasts and the recorder is simple and easy to use. I've been recording to DVD+RW and then if it turns out to be a show I'd like to keep, I use the DVD burner in my computer to copy it to DVD+R so I can reuse the RW disc. The recorder doesn't copy the disc itself, but would copy from a normal player etc. if the disc wasn't copyrighted. I plan to make copies of my old VHS tapes with it.

I'm afraid this year isn't going to be very good for morel mushrooms around here. Maybe they're a little late because of the crappy weather in the beginning of April, and some will pop up within the next week, but otherwise this year's crop sucks. That one I found a few days ago is so far the only edible one. Last night I found two little dried up ones about the size of my thumbnail. And that's it. On the positive side, I'm positive that I won't have to push the shutter button on my camera very much for morels this year! Ha ha!

What a ride, what a ride! I'd go do it again today, if I didn't have 100 chores to get caught up on. Millston (not too many years ago, that town's name was spelled with only one "L", I wonder why the change) to Black River Falls and back=80 miles. The sand was soft, the dust was thick, the mud was deep, it rained enough to put the rain clothes on for awhile but not enough to settle the dust, and the trails were rougher than a cob! All in all an excellent way to test the new Hawkeye on it's first real trail ride.

Since it was opening weekend for those trails, there were a lot of people out riding. At some mud holes, the ATVs were lined up in both directions for as far as the eye could see, all waiting in line for their turn to get through. And of course, many didn't make it through without a little help. The Hawkeye did though! But, mostly because I played chicken and didn't go through the middle if at all possible. I knew if the big dogs were getting stuck in them, I certainly would. And I don't like the "roar and hit the hole wide open" approach. Too scary. You never know what lies in the bottom of that hole waiting to ruin your wide open mud run, and your day. One guy on a two wheel drive sport machine did just that, and he ended up most of the way over the handlebars.

Well, no wheels broke off and the handlebars didn't twist off! I still plan on having the recall work done, when Polaris makes the parts available. Following are the only complaints I have after the first real trail ride of 80 miles with all the typical riding conditions:

• It appeared to vapor lock one time. We had stopped for a few minutes after some hard, hilly riding. When we took off again, it sputtered a little for about 100 feet down the trail before clearing out. But, I noticed my machine wasn't the only one to do this at the same time. I saw a couple others run rough momentarily there too, so I am assuming vapor lock conditions.

• My right foot gets really hot! The heat coming off the starter housing felt at times like it was going to melt my rubber boot! Temps were around 80 most of the day.

• It's too damn complicated to start! It either has to be in neutral, or you have to hold the brake lever. Then, you must turn the key and sometimes give it a little throttle. I don't like all that. The key is on the right side of the handlebar pod. It would feel more natural if it was on the left, since you need your right hand for the throttle. It also would help if it didn't have to be in neutral and if you didn't have to hold the brake if it wasn't in neutral. Yuck! Anyway, I think if it just had the old push button mounted on the left grip for the starter, that would solve the whole problem. Push the button while holding the brake and run the throttle with your other hand. But no, now I have to feel like a contortionist to start the damn thing!

Ok, that was the only bad stuff I could come up with all day! And I really worked the hell out of it. Just those few minor irritations, otherwise I was very proud of my little Hawkeye! It kept up with the big boys easily, except maybe in the deepest mud, which I avoided as best I could.

The ride is as good as the old Sportsman, except maybe the Sportsman handled the small stutter-type bumps better. I suppose because it weighed so much more and had bigger tires. But, I think the Hawkeye actually did a little better on the big bumps, and there was a lot of those. The front end never bottomed out once all day. The Sportsman would have complained in that respect. (The Hawkeye front springs are currently at their softest setting and the rears are in the middle.)

The Hawkeye thrashes around in the soft sand and mud a little more than I am used to. The lighter weight and smaller tires being the cause, I'm sure. Not a bad or scary thing, just different.

It had plenty of power for normal trail riding. I found myself a couple times with the throttle pegged, but it wasn't as if I needed more power. Wouldn't have even noticed if I hadn't been thinking about it. And those times weren't exactly normal conditions either! The clutching and gearing seem to be set up about right. It's powerband is right around, or a little higher than normal trail riding (about 30 mph) which is perfect. Normally I don't even trail ride in yesterday's conditions at 30, but when I was pushing it a little, the powerband showed up right there at the same time. The last stretch from BRF back to Millston we kicked it in the ass a little. I beat the crap out of it on that stretch of rough and sandy trails and it performed excellent. It was a little too much for an old bastard like me though!

I still don't know exactly what top speed is (not that important anyway), but I do know it will climb to 50 without any trouble. Takes a couple minutes to get there. And I'm almost certain that it would top out at about 60 with enough room to run.

Pictures? Yep, there'll be pictures posted (and maybe a little movie).

Eastern tent caterpillar

Distinctive markings: Prominent white or yellow stripe running down the center of back, small blue spots on side.

Behavior: This caterpillar constructs tents where branches fork in cherry, wild cherries, crabapple, and apple trees. These caterpillars feed in May and early June on the trees their tents are built in. The tents may linger into the summer before falling apart. Eastern tent caterpillars rarely cause significant damage, though people have done permanent damage to their trees by excessive pruning in cutting out the tents or the use of fire to kill the caterpillars. Instead, tree owners should wait until dusk, then wearing rubber gloves, strip the tent and the caterpillars out of the tree using their hands. The tent and caterpillars can then be plunged into soapy water, buried, or burned away from the tree.

Credit: Gerald Lenhard, Louisiana State University. Image 0795040. ForestryImages.org, November 24, 2001.

Credit: Tim Tigner, Virginia Department of Forestry. Image 0886010. ForestryImages.org. November 24, 2001.

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/gypsymoth/life.cfm

GREENSBURG, KANSAS: Photographer Mike Theiss is a frequent contributor of sky photos to spaceweather.com. A few days ago, he turned his camera from the heavens to Earth during a sobering visit to Greensburg, Kansas, a small town almost completely destroyed by a monster tornado on May 4th.

"The power of the wind from this EF-5 tornado was evident," says Theiss. "I documented a fork stuck in a tree, a Kansas license plate ripped off a car and stuck in a tree, millions of splintered pieces of wood and much more. There was amazing evidence of winds over 200 mph everywhere." (continued below)

"Every single vehicle I saw was peppered with rocks, boards and other debris," he continues. "The only safe place would have been underground, but I think that might not have been very safe either because I saw basements that were filled with tons of debris from the house collapsing in on itself."

"My experience at ground zero was depressing yet uplifting. Among all the destruction, the only reaction I witnessed among residents was positive excitement about how great the city will be once it's rebuilt. The entire community pulled together and began cleanup immediately. One idea being tossed around is to 'go green'--i.e., to use wind, solar energy and other resources at hand to power the reconstructed city. This would make Greensburg the first 100% green city in the USA. What an amazing idea!"

Greensburg Photo Gallery
[donate to the Green for Greensburg Fund]

What's with all the wood ticks this year? I've had more ticks crawling on me this year than I can ever remember before. I even had one stuck in my back, and that's unusual for me.

Still haven't found any more mushrooms. Just the one from the other night so far. Maybe tomorrow night, if they don't freeze!

Only here can you go from all the windows open and sweating one day to lighting the wood stove the next day! Crossing my fingers and hoping this is the last time for the stove until Fall! Otherwise, my pile of wood on the porch is dwindling and I don't want to have to move more up for the Summer and clean the chimney until Fall.

Oh Joy! Another calf this morning (see routine).

Found the first (and so far only) morel last night. It's a little early yet, but the main problem is it's so dry. Got a tiny shower last night, but still barely a tenth of an inch.

(Dale: This is about all the bigger they get around my place!)

Reminder:
The Filter's Blazing Saddles Tour, May 19th, 2007

Saturday we plan on meeting in Millston around 9:30 a.m. in the east lot and the gas station lot. We will be riding from Millston to Hatfield and back! We plan on stopping in Hatfield for a trail lunch of sub sandwiches. We should return to the cabin around 7:00 p.m. or so.

For more information visit: http://www.atvnation.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=17946

Had a great time riding the Omaha bike trail yesterday! Once the rain quit, it was pretty nice out. Not too hot. Only problem with the Omaha is that it's paved. Doesn't sound like a problem, but the pavement is breaking up and rough, so makes it more difficult to ride than the limestone screenings on the other trails. Still fun though, just a little more jarring on the hands and arms.

We rode from Elroy to Hustler and back. First time I'd ever been in Hustler. Now when someone asks me if I've ever been to Hustler, I can say; "Sure I've been there. I stood in front of the old hotel and farted." And that looked like about all there is to do in Hustler. Hee hee.

Yep, another calf born this morning. But by now you know my routine. Cow freshens, I milk cow by myself, cow kicks me, I land in the gutter, pants get soaked with piss and shit. Ah, this is the life.

Only a 30% chance of rain tomorrow. Looks like I'll go to the bike trail. We need the rain and that almost guarantees we'll get it! Or at least the bike trail will. I'll have to get my touring bike out today and check it over. Haven't took it out of the shed since last Fall. I just use my old single speed bike for everyday riding. It's more exercise than the multi speed bike. When I go to the bike trail I'm more concerned with the ease of sight-seeing. Therefore, I take the easy bike to the trails!

Found some early asparagus on my ride tonight. Not much and it was kind of spindly, but it'll get better. Now if I could just find some morels to go with it!

The sky was sure smoky today from that big fire in Minnesota. Could even smell it at times.

The CRFAC's new web site is beginning to be set up. In case you were wondering, the new web guy uploaded a copy of my old, slimmed down CRFAC page to the new web space. I was unable to check it out at first when I got the notice, so I just assumed it was all new and deleted all my CRFAC pages from my web space. Well, I didn't realize that the new guy had directly copied my page until later. Now all his (my old) links to the documents, membership application, etc. no longer work because the pages no longer exist on my web space. Oops! Sorry.

Anyway, I'm sure the web guy that the CRFAC hired will have it all fixed and looking slick in no time at all. I don't want to keep looking at the plain old simplified page anymore anyway. I want to see something shiny and new and fancy! And don't forget the #1 rule for returning visitors; frequently updated information.

OH MY GOD! Every time I see this tornado damage photo I just can't believe it. Absolutely incredible. And terribly tragic. One question I have is, why are the roads clear? And for as far as the eye can see? I'm sure this was taken very soon after the storm, but even if there had been time to use heavy equipment to clear the roads, it doesn't look like there is any debris piled up on the sides like what a snowplow would make.

SHOCK DIAMONDS: Recently, NASA engineers tested a revolutionary methane-powered rocket engine. A blue flame blasted across the Mojave desert, heralding a new kind of spacecraft that one day might roam the outer solar system, gathering fuel from planets and moons it visits: full story.

Many readers who've seen the movie want to know, what are those white shapes in the exhaust?

Answer: Shock diamonds. Also known as Mach disks, they are interference patterns formed by shock waves propagating down the engine's exhaust plume. Shock diamonds are formed when exhaust exits a nozzle supersonically and at a pressure different than that of the ambient atmosphere. The most famous photo of shock diamonds shows Chuck Yeager's X-1 rocket plane just moments after he first reached Mach 1 on Oct. 14, 1947.

Another beautiful day! Just got done planting my garden. It's a little earlier than normal, so I hope it doesn't freeze. Last year all my super secret sweetcorn ripened on almost the same day. I thought I would try to avoid that this year by having a few plantings a week or so apart, but decided at the last minute not to bother messing with all that. Late July or early August I'll have lots of FREE sweetcorn for whoever wants it!

Boy, I can't wait to go riding! I think I'll be riding the bike trails this Sunday, and finally the following Saturday I'll be on the ATV trails. Now I just need to figure out when I'm going fishing.

The ATV ride on the 19th sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun! I hope no wheels fall off and my handlebars don't break. :) I wonder what I can take to contribute to their sub sandwich lunch that won't be all gooshey and beat up by the time I get to Hatfield? I remember one time when Edselracer brought along a sub sandwich and by the time we stopped for lunch, there was mayonnaise and sandwich innards smeared all over! Ha ha! What a laugh we had. Those were the days.

Speaking of laughing, I watched "Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector" for the first time last night. What a funny movie. I loved it!

Been keeping my eyes peeled for morel mushrooms. So far nothing. Should be popping up pretty soon, especially if it stays warm and we get a little rain. Also should be finding asparagus now too. I forgot to look on my bike ride last night, but won't forget tonight.

:) Great news! I can now record South Park and no longer have to stay up until 1:00 a.m. every night to watch it. Well, maybe not that awesome, but it's still good for me! South Park is on digital channel 3.2 real late at night, every night except Sunday. I could get it on my digital TV, but the only thing I had for recording was the old VHS VCR and that didn't get digital channels. Well, Wal-mart had DVD recorders with built-in digital receiver on special yesterday (less than you can buy a digital TV). Besides now being able to record my favorite digital TV shows on disc, my TV in the den (or any regular old TV for that matter) can now get the digital channels! And I tried it out last night. It works great. Recorded Cartman while I was sound asleep.

Uh oh! Got a recall today on the new ATV. Strange thing is, it has nothing to do with any of the stuff I have read about elsewhere on the net.

"Polaris has determined......may have been manufactured with steering posts which may fatigue and break in the area where the handlebar attaches to the steering post......

.......may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of material thickness in the area where the lower a-arm and ball-joint are attached to the front bearing carrier........."

So no big deal, really. The front wheels break off and the handlebars twist off. What?! Could be a hell of a ride! Oh well. I'll make an appointment and have them replaced. Says the redesigned parts won't be in until the week of May 28th and not to ride it until they're replaced. Yea right, like I'm not going to ride it before then! I'm not afraid of a few sissy little parts falling off.

Took these from the driveway the other night! I thought the hair on my arms was standing up a little, but didn't know until I reviewed what was on my camera!

HALLEY'S METEORS: Earth is entering a stream of dust from Halley's Comet, and this will produce a meteor shower (the "eta Aquarids") peaking on May 6th. Bright moonlight will interfere with the display. Nevertheless, people who wake up before dawn on Sunday and look east might catch a few specks of Halley's comet disintegrating in Earth's atmosphere: full story.