Old Fools Journal: Latest Flight

I could fly until I was about 11 or 12 years old. I soared, I swooped and I would glide above the poor lesser beings that live down in the mud and dust. At least I was convinced I could if I could just figure it out or better yet find “The Secret”. Well it turned out that I never did do it successfully. I flew but it was so very short a flight and the only direction I could control was down and once started that was not very well controlled. A successful flight was one in which I did not break any bones and there was no blood. Fortunately the Gods of Flight let me down slowly until I became, as most children do, like the afore mentioned “poor lesser beings who live down in the mud and dust”. With it went the ability to become invisible, x-ray vision and talk to animals. Fortunately at about the same time I discovered the magic wand where my legs came together so I became busy trying to master that instrument and did not mourn my other losses.

It was much later that I realized that during those years of magic that I learned some real magic such as how to use a rope as a tool, catch a horse and convince it to let me ride. I couldn't snap my fingers and make fire but I could make fire with and without matches. I could find my way in the woods with out a compass using many different indicators that did not include a compass. When I obtained a compass that was a whole new magic.

When I wasn't busy with my magic wand I travel to the stars, far into the past and far into the future. I did this by opening the cover of books that resided in that magical portal “The Library”.

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I flew again today. First time in a long time. I have this 1973 Peugeot that I put a new set of 35c
tires and tubes on today. This is such a nice machine and such a joy to ride however it has a 57c seat post (22 inch). When I am in the saddle I cannot reach the ground with my tiptoes. When I stop I have to get off. I easily average 3 to 5 mph faster on this bike than any of the others and without any extra effort. I love riding it but today while trying to dismount I took a short flight into the mud. Made a nice landing. A one pointer with a short roll out. Missed the wheel of the car with my head by an inch but an inch is as good as a mile. While I was down there I checked the underside of the car as there was no reason to make the trip for nothing and besides the cats were watching and I wanted them to think that I did it on purpose. Glad I didn't hurt the car as I will need it tomorrow to take my granddaughter home.

I didn't break anything but I expect some of these little sore spots are going to hurt tomorrow and I'll be grumpier than ever. I don't remember these flights being so traumatic when I was a kid. I also don't remember it taking so long to get up. Hmmm It would probably be prudent to get rid of this bike.

I had forgotten but you know the world looks a lot different from the mud and so distant.

Pictures are of the launch pad. The handle bars are from a 1976 Schwinn and the seat from a mid 1970's Chinese road bike. The seat was the only thing I could salvage from that bike and it was really grungy but it cleaned up really nice. It is quite comfortable on the launch pad when I'm in it. It's the getting in and out that's the problem. The handle bars were to thumb my nose at the french.