D. Brent Miller

February 22, 2023

Walking with my Best Friend

Walking is one of those shared experiences that builds a relationship. That’s how our friendship started and continues to this day.

When Lin and I started dating nearly 40 years ago, we’d go for walks. Walk to the park. Walk to the ice cream store. Walk with the kid in tow. Walk the trails of the state park. We’re still walking and still dating.

Much has been written about walking as a benefit for a healthy lifestyle. Good for the heart. Burns a few calories. Experience the outdoors and fresh air. Lots of benefits.

But walking with your best friend, there are a whole lot more benefits. Time to talk. Discuss the day. Hold hands. Strengthen the friendship. Intimacy. Yes, intimacy. It’s like taking the time to sit and have a cup of coffee together. Intimacy.

See you on the highway… or a walking path somewhere.

Brent

February 15, 2023

Eagle Cam is Mesmerizing

Last year, Lin and I were mesmerized by an eagle camera near our home. A little over one mile away, as the eagle flies, the Little Miami Conservancy installed a camera above an eagle nest. From Winter into Spring, we watched a pair of eagles build up the nest, lay two eggs, watched them hatch, and raise the two eaglets until they fledged and disappeared on their own journey.

And now, the eagles are back. The camera is live. And, one egg was laid on Feb. 11, and a second egg laid on Valentine’s Day … captured on camera of course. It’s fascinating. Mesmerizing.

We live in a world where cameras are everywhere. We carry them in our pocket. Not much escapes the scrutiny of a camera somewhere, including our front doors. It’s like a George Orwellian fiction come true.

But, if you are interested in a mesmerizing view of nature, take a look at the You Tube live camera of the Little Miami Conservancy, and the wonder of the eagles.

See you on the highway. Don’t forget your camera.

Brent

February 8, 2023

I Need Some Helmet Time

Winter means less motorcycle riding, and that means stress or anxiety can build up a little bit. A good fix for that is some helmet time—good for the head and good for the soul. Unfortunately, that little rodent in Pennsylvania has told the world it will be six more weeks of winter, so actual helmet time might be a ways off. Yeah, right.

Let’s not overlook the fact that sometimes helmet time is not a good idea, especially when you’re on a roller coaster of emotions. Wait for the roller coaster to stop. Then ride.

Everyone who rides a motorcycle knows that riding is good for your mental health. Well, nearly everyone. Recently, there was a scientific study conducted by Harley Davidson that concluded riding decreases the stress factors, and there have been other studies. It’s not like I’m under a lot of stress. I think it’s just good preventative maintenance.

For me, it’s motorcycling, but there are other stress reducing activities. Golf. Fishing. Hiking. Bicycling. All good for mental health. It’s all personal choice and action to keep us out of the therapist’s office.

I never winterize or put a motorcycle away for the winter. There will be days that are good for a ride, like the other day. The temps got into the 50s. The sun was out. Roads were clear, and my Guzzi V7 sat waiting its turn for some exercise. I had not ridden the V7 for several weeks, but one push of the starter button, and it roared to life.

It is hard to describe this motorcycle, my 2020 Moto Guzzi V7iii Rough. No other motorcycle has ever moved my soul like this bike. I don’t know if it is the vibrations or the sound, but it just resonates with me. It is an old-school standard motorcycle with modern technology. Not a speed demon, but plenty of power and torque. The Perfect Motorcycle. Easy to throw a leg over and easy to ride. It is so flickable, handling the curves and twisties like it was made for that. It was! It was made in Italy for riding in the Alps.

I can be watching a You Tube video of a Guzzi V7, and I can feel the vibes just sitting in my office chair. I follow a few You Tubers, and sometimes, I just feel like I want to ride along.

With jacket and helmet on, gloves snugged tight, I straddled the V7, pulled in the clutch and shifted into 1st gear. Releasing the clutch, I pulled away from home, headed down county roads to places I have been before with dreams of going farther. Resonance.

I rode my planned route, but it was not enough. I rode some more. Helmet time does not come every day in the winter.

See you on the highway.

Brent