I have known people that wouldn’t wear anything unless it was a name brand, but thankfully that never bothered me. For that same 100 dollars they spend on one pair of jeans I can go to a thrift store and buy 10 outfits and usually they still have the tags on them. I love thrift stores and a lot of the items are even name brand and it doesn’t bother me in the least to repurchase someone elses outcasts and rewash them of course. Of course some items I wont purchase like someone elses underwear and shoes although I did buy a pair of new Harley boots once for 10 dollars.

I wasn’t prepared for the cold wind blowing up my pant legs yesterday while riding the bike so Bill stopped on the side of the road and folded my jeans over and pulled my socks up over them. That worked great until the fold started pressing in on my shin bone and I thought my leg was going to break in half. Thank goodness we were almost at our destination so I gratefully pulled and yanked till I released the pressure. 20 years ago that wouldn’t have phased me, but my body tends to let me down the older I get.

We looked around for some of those leggings that pull up over your clothes, but Battlefield didn’t carry them. The closest to anything we saw we’re some sort of rain gear for men that pulled up over your boot over your calf  and cost around 45 dollars because of the Harley logo, I don’t think so! It was a bit warmer going back home so I didn’t bother tucking my pants in my socks again. We stopped at an after market leather place further down the road and found exactly what I needed for 17 dollars, I love a bargain and they worked great.

Beautiful day we had yesterday after all the cold and rain. I played hooky from the computer because Bill took a 4 hour vacation day. We took the trike over to be worked on and then we rode for several hours it was lovely. Winter for us gets kind of depressing when we can’t get out and ride. Bill has heated gloves for those days that are really cold when we ride otherwise his hands turn white and  go numb with regular gloves. Yes, we do ride occasionally when it’s really cold and yes people look at us like we’re nuts.

It really would be nice if Bill could retire this year, but he says he just can’t afford to. We’ve seen many of our friends retiring only to find them working in weird odd jobs just to supplement their Social Security. It’s a shame that the majority work hard all their lives and when they think they might be able to enjoy a few years of leisure they can’t afford to. If you retire before you’re 65 and decide you can’t make it and get a job then you’re only allowed to make so much otherwise they cut your benefits if you go over the limit.

Of course if you are able to work til you’re 65 then you get your full benefits and can make as much as you want on the side without having to take a cut. Many retirees find that they have no clue what to do with all that leisure time after a few months though and get bored. I’m afraid that might happen with Bill because other than his bike he really doesn’t have other hobbies. I think he would be fine for a few months until the novelty of doing nothing wore off and then he would need structure again.

I have the computer to occupy my mind, but he isn’t interested in this sort of thing so maybe it’s a good thing that he’s decided to continue working. With all the companies that are shutting down around here we’re surprised that the small company he works for is still standing actually. If it closes then I’m sure he would retire instead of looking for another job since he’s been there over 40 years it’s like his second home. We would like to travel some, but I really don’t think the dreams of retirement are all they’re cracked up to be.

On another note  the York Harley Davidson plant is considering staying put, but it hasn’t been decided for sure. They did announce that the workers may have come up with a viable solution that would keep them here and Gov.  Rendell is offering the 15 million incentive to keep them here also. I guess we will find out in December what the final decision will be hopefully they will stay otherwise our local economy will take a beating. Bills’ Son works for a company that makes Harley skids and if they move that plant will be in jeopardy also. So many jobs dependant on one company.

As far as I know the following are the states that have a full helmet law, meaning everyone must wear one. So if your traveling by motorcycle and you’re use to not wearing a helmet in your state make sure you are wearing one in any of the following: Alabama, California, DC, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.

Of course like everything else the above list is subject to change so most people to be on the safe side always wear their helmets. There are pros and cons that many people argue over when it comes to the individual having the right to choose for themselves. I personally hate helmets they give me a headache and I was glad when PA passed the no helmet law for people over the age of 20. Of course I have people preach at me all the time, but they are just wasting their breath, for now it’s my choice.

Over the years I’ve seen many accidents involving motorcycles and some were wearing helmets and some weren’t, I’ve seen them die with and without. My Son always referred to a helmet as a bucket to carry your head in which sounds gross, but that’s the way many riders feel. As far as I know there are 3 states that have no law what so ever for any age and those are: Iowa, Illinois, and New Hampshire. I’m sure everyone has their own idea about these helmet laws, but personally I like having the choice to decide for myself however if I had a young child I might rethink my choice.