OASIS TOO! (Two)

OASIS TOO...TWO

While riding south on U.S. Route 27, I came upon a place
named Sebring, Florida.
Had no intention to stay
Wanted to be on my way.
Now, in my third day here---
In 55 words:
This is how it went down:

My "55"

Stopped here two days ago for a drink (water!).
Starbucks, McDonald's--Panera bread
Lady--at motel--Indian princess--said
Stay awhile. Rest a bit. For you, Friend of Bill

We have
Special rate
In this state

Visit meetings
Receive greetings
Of  Peeps
Who have not drank
Since last they sank
into that sea Of oblivion.

--steveroni 

If you wish to write some kind of story in exactly 55 words, let the G-Man know about it and he will respond. Then visit other 55-writers (there are many...) Go HERE

"55"-WORD FRIDAY--RIDE ON, STEVERONI

 THE CRICKET CHIRPS, THE KETTLE SINGS

NOTE: 

Fri., Sat., Sun., riding south on I-95 

toward St Augustine FL

THURSDAY:

 Riding EAST (my deepest apologies, Mr G-Man!) across the state of Virginia toward Norfolk, I felt suddenly Tired, Hungry, Lonely--but NOT Angry ("H.A.L.T.")...three out of four, though, is NOT good for this alcoholic. I blinked once, and there before me stood this little old building--beckoning, only one U-Turn away.

Inside, two women owners became immediately the friendliest of friends. Another of those "on-the-road" connections--blessings--on which I thrive. I was introduced to every trucker, logger and deer-slayer (Ugh!) who stopped by, as "this alcoholic violin-playing scooter rider from Naples Flow-reeda".

More to this story will just have to be posted another time, but my "55"-word Friday was thus inspired. See MR G-Man, if you are interested in writing one of these. It is simple, and fun:

LIZ--MAKING STEVERONI A POT OF BREW

 Out of gas--almost
Out of song
Out of energy--
Been riding too long

Vision appeared
Just west of Emporia
Place called "Woodruff"
Highway 58! Virginia

Chicken salad
Gasoline
Laughter
Stories for blogging
Men been logging   
 

Will remember always
Liz and lifelong friend
Happy faces
Happy places

Oasis of giving
Day of living
Ride on

--steveroni

SCOOTER RIDE--YESTERDAY AND TODAY

 

 

 

DAYTIME TUESDAY:

First I heard the sirens, wayyyy behind me, approaching. Since I was slowing from about 80, they were not coming up on me--public servants don't "do" 80...at least on the job.

A few cars and a moving van were stopped...then I saw it with my eyes, a motorcycle sort of crumpled up. All by itself, the bent front wheel still circling itself. Maybe caused by the breeze out here on the Interstate.  It is Tuesday. I've been out a week from Naples. Nearby the bike is a body, . Apparently a young man lost control of his two wheeler machine, got into sand on the side of the road, and wound up--as it turned out--quite dead.

I sat in the roadway and recalled feeling as if in a trance--near the lifeless, as crumpled up as his bike. As I looked around, I noticed the little unevennesses in the rocky asphalt, those slight street-indentations. In these places were little spoonsfull of blood, like miniature puddles of unevaporated red rain.  The sirens were getting closer now, and I sat contemplating a tire valve stem cap, some old cig butts,  gravel-sand and a string of marching ants carrying whatever. I moved as the officials took over. They discovered I had nothing useful to offer them.

Peeps were trying to revive the obviously dead corpse, and while walking at the pace of a land turtle back to my own scooter, I realized something. This is the second time today, that I have received a message from outside myself. I stopped in a Starbucks at Exit #123 (Is it the real number?) to write this while it is fresh.

TUESDAY NIGHT:

Two hours I spent at the home of my granddaughter, her mother, her husband and my one-year-old great grandson.  L had prepared a lovely dinner.  I had let them know only 24 hours earlier that I'd be coming through their city. It had been one year since we'd seen one another.

In near darkness I continued my ride (won't do that again--ride at night). Before long the big trucks had regaled themselves in thousands of beautiful Christmas-tree-like running lights. Every speeding 18-wheeler appeared as a rolling circus to these tired old eyes. Real darkness set in...and the cold, the biting cold had my hands shaking as I held the handle bars. The Christmas trees began to slow a little at a time. In truth I thought maybe a police roadblock ahead might be the reason. After many miles it seeped  through my thick skull that we had been climbing a mountain. All the while, the scene from earlier that very morning kept flashing through my head

Just before midnight I succumbed to nature. Tired, sleepy, and fffreezing cccold, I checked into the settlement's inexpensive (only) motel, built on a hill high above the village's only gasoline station. Morning arrived and it was clear (and cold--grin!) that I had spent the night at the top of a  mountain, in "Fancy Gap", Virginia.

WEDNESDAY MORNING

While packing the scooter to move on, I met an old Alkie-type guy. he was sweeping, emptying trash, and installing new TVs in room units. We talked. He looked just like the old Alkie guy who had checked me in at midnight. He was. And he IS! (Ya never know!)

He suggested I take the Interstates wherever I was headed. But I chose a US highway #58 East. So happy. The sounds, the smells, the views, the "visions" all made this my BEST travel day. Earlier that morning I had been phone-counseled by a Peep friend who several years ago rode a scooter 22,000 miles--by herself--for world PEACE.  Thank you Alix!

I was a bit scared for a while, riding so close to the edge of (the world?) with very little--if any--railing-guard protection. The answer is "Focus, focus, focus"...but NOT on the scenery.

Again, the awesome sights, precious sounds and fresh smells which adorn the many crowns of nature as I ride my Suzuki 650 Burgman through the mountains are indescribable. Delicious! Tantalizing! Tempting!

Maybe I'll just write a 55-word-Friday for tomorrow night/Friday. A "short one". Does anyone believe THAT?--grin!

Writing this--with its inherent memories, made me reflective and tired, so good night...

--steveroni

NOW and THEN

UPCOMING SCOOTER TRIP

Early next week
I go to seek
God and his peeps
And in my blind'
What do I find?
A toll booth!

"Get off this red Highway
Drive on the "Blue" By-way
Make it to the Maker
--Be giver, not taker"

These words said
By Flex my Angel
And One other, too:

"I LOVE YOU!"

--steveroni

Flash Friday Fiction 55 (click HERE) is hosted by the G-man. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. And let HIM know!

THIRD DAY OUT--WOW!!!

MOTEL IN WATERSBORO, SC
WHERE I WAS TREATED LIKE
A VISITING APOSTLE (LOL, LOL)

DAY THREE

ANOTHER MIRACLE DAY

After what some insomniacs might term "a good (four hour) night's sleep", I found myself at a 7 AM meeting in St Augustine FL. You know how it is when I (we) say to myself, "I'll just skip this 7 AM gig, there are more important things to do, gotta get on the road, etc.

Well, you've probably guessed already, that the meeting I got to was SO good, it was one of those "knock-your-socks-off" meetings, topic 9th Step and responsibility.

I'm so wiped out on "How do I stay sober for the next five minutes" meetings. I needed one "just for ME" meeting. This one filled the bill. The best that St Augustine had for me, and I was blest to have got myself there. I just KNEW God was pushing this morning. So whatever happens the rest of this day for me, will be tainted with responsible spirituality.

Sure I must change, peeps. I have to remember though, it is GOD Who will be changing me. All I have to do is cooperate. Sound easy? It AIN'T!

I have a disease which included in its diagnosis a growing spiritual cancer. This began long before I was a drunk. and this malady kept growing and stayed with me long after I stopped drinking. And we have found a cure for this cancer--discovered nearly 75 years ago (actually, before that!). That answer is our wonderful, lovely, Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.

God IS taking care of us. God DOES love us. God DOES want us to care for, and love each other. God IS watching over me on this trip, and seeing that it is a worthwhile happening, and that I am blest to be out here, experiencing different peeps, and differing viewpoints (although not too different!).

In fact, TWO people in St Augustine asked for my email and blog address. And for once in my life--I remembered to get THEIRS!!!

If this happens to become my blog for Wednesday, I'd just like to add here that sobriety for us all is my prayer for today. And God, if You can mix in a little love, tenderness toward others, sanity (for me!), Peace, even a bit of "happy?"

ONE FUNNY: When asking the construction office on the road, if they might know of a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, the lady directed me several miles down US-1 to a corner, where, she said with a straight face, "On the right you'll see a STROUD'S LIQUOR STORE. And on the left, you'll notice an ABC Liquor Store...and that's where you'll turn. To the RIGHT!" Then realizing how she was quoting me directions, we BOTH laughed!

It is still WEDNESDAY...6 Hours later...I am sitting in an unnamed berg, "he" tells me it is Watersboro, SC. Stopped here to get off the road, I was fatigued...read: ZZZZZZZZ! So I pulled into this little motel, asked the manager if I could pay for an hour of Internet time, because I'll be moving on after that. He said, "NO!" Told me I can use his access for FREE!

PLUS, right now he is making me the second of two (I can't have more!) ESPRESSOS with milk! He said I'd need this to stay awake for a few more hours riding. I could not have been more surprised, how nice he is/was. PLUS a beautiful PEACH, I mean, a prize winner!

People EVERYWHERE just go out of their way to be nice to me--my "whole outlook" on my fellow mankind is changing RAPIDLY. So, it is another clue for me that God is here on this trip, guiding my steps, even as to where I get off the road to find a coffee, and Internet Access. Praise You, my God (as I understand You)! You are caring for and showing Your Infinite Love for ALL your creatures.

If any of you peeps are suffering tonight with ANY thing, mental, physical or spiritual...please PLEASE join me in letting our Higher Power handle it HIS way...not mine, or yours. Especially when it comes to staying sober. We CAN do that today--if NOTHING else. Right? Amen.

Peace.
Love.
Steve

This will be my Thursday blog, posted earlier than usual. Okay? Sorry i cannot get to write many comments, but I'm trying to read as many as time allows. I love you ALL!

Wonder if the peep who reads this blog from Columbia, SC, would contact me: fiddlemn@gmail.com please. I'll be there in about two weeks or less, and have a question about the university there. I'd sure appreciate it. TIA.
Steve E

GOD THE DOCTOR

TV DOCTOR HOUSE

BOTH GOD AND THE DOCTOR SAID.........

Monday I had a "regular checkup" doctor appointment. There is one medical problem which has worsened considerably since the last visit. I had decided to not mention this to the doctor (Like shhhhhh! don't tell my sponsor!).

You see, I have a scooter trip planned, and I was pretty certain doctor would say, "No. You cannot go". I did not want to let you bloggers know I was too old, too sick, too this or that--to behave like a forty-year-old. Well, Peeps, I "bit the bullet".

For several months I have been planning (in my head) to get on my Suzuki motor scooter and just "ride, ride. ride". To justify the fulfillment of this desire (whim?) I decided to take to the Blue Highways (colored "blue" on street maps), stop in towns along the way to anywhere, and visit meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous. As my evolving "dream" inched closer to reality, I realized I'd like to visit blogger peeps along the way for coffee and possibly a meeting.

The next inspiration to hit me, was that I might stop in for a face-to-face with the Peeps at TSR (The Second Road) "Where Everyone Knows Your User Name". TSR is fast becoming my favorite place (Blogs and Chat) to "hang out" on the 'net. Of course it is recovery based, but not "all AA". I thoroughly enjoy the diversity--I had to "learn" that.

Then, a couple weeks ago I learned that one of my granddaughters was to have (did have!) a baby August 11 (can you say "Great Grandchild"?) in North Carolina.

DIGRESS HERE:

The 7AM AA Monday meeting's topic was "Let Go And Let God", a familiar phrase in most recovering minds.

So, on my ride to the doctor's office, I actually said this: "God, if the doctor tells me to stay home, I will consider that it is against Your Will for me to go, and I will just let people know what happened. My trip only matters to me, after all. Everyone has their lives to live." I--still so full of myself--continued fighting this great ego-deflation thing. I mean, how can YOU all NOT be completely immersed in my doings? Hmmmmmm?

Confession: I did ask God to please allow me to go--but don't tell anyone...Okay?

A GREAT PEACE CAME OVER ME. Peeps, this was "huge" for me, to finally realize exactly what "turning it over" means. Ride or not ride is insignificant, I begin again to see that God's Will is what reigns always and forever. Praise God Who knows what is best for us all....

TIE UP LOOSE ENDS HERE:

1. Doctor said, "Go, have a 'God-good' time. Be careful out there!"

2. My wife Prayer girl does not wish to "ride" for a number of personal reasons.

3. A. Miles of TSR sent two beautiful saddle bags for me to use. May God bless Peeps like A. Miles and Jinx (of TSR), not as much for the welcomed saddle bags, as for the prayerful thoughts behind every act they perform to be nice to a fellow human. I learn from these people. My thanks and prayers are for and with you and yours, J., and A.

4. Let us seek to do what is the next right thing. I know what that is when I become still...and know that He is God--not me. Also I can see things when I'm looking through a non-drugged mind--and yes, I believe "Pride" is also a drug.

5. I'll get to hold my (very Irish) first great grandchild. I SO desire to be given that spiritual moment.

6. Please God, bless us all, and Love all us Peeps!
I love you, Bloggers!
And I will stay sober with you today...

Steve