Category: Characters

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The joy of getting on a bus

Every now and then, a scene—an observation–brings a big smile to my face. This morning was one of those as I drove through town to meet friends for coffee.

The school bus was coming towards me, and slowing down. I assumed it was going to stop to pick up a student. I slowed also with plenty of clearance to the bus. First the flashers came on, then the red flashers and stop sign extended out from the side. I rolled to a stop and looked for children.

Out of a car parked on the side street stepped a school girl, maybe 7-years old. Maybe 8. She had a pink backpack and was wearing a pink mask. She ran towards the bus, arms waving in the air as if to say “hi” to someone or everyone on the bus. She behaved absolutely joyful to be getting on the bus and seeing friends.

It brought a big smile to my face. The innocence of kids. The joy of seeing friends or going to school. Absolutely magical.

The bus flashing lights turned off. The stop sign rolled back to the side of the bus, and it began to roll. I waved to the bus driver. She waved back.

See you on the highway.

Brent

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Four-leaf clovers speak to her

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I have never seen anything like this. My wife can be walking along at a fairly fast clip, and she will stop, bend over and pick up a four-leaf clover. Amazing.

On a recent walk, the same thing happens, and I turn on the recorder. “How do you do it?” She puts the clover into her blouse like a flower or corsage.

I try to capture the moment with a photo, but we go into this dance like two birds spiraling around each other, flirting, yet not. In the blur of a moment, I capture the spin, her big smile and the prize adorning her top.

As in the past, she claims she does not know how she spots them, but I think she is keeping her secret to herself. As we find four-leaf clovers on our walks, we’ve been known to give them to passing neighbors or strangers. It always makes them smile. They feel lucky.

I am the lucky one.

See you on the highway.

Brent

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Interview with Melissa Holbrook Pierson

Buena Vista, Virginia

Melissa Holbrook PiersonWhen I learned Melissa Holbrook Pierson was attending the Moto Guzzi National Rally, I set out to see if I could arrange an interview.

Pierson is the author of The Perfect Vehicle, and her most recent book, The Man Who would Stop at Nothing. She has also written two non-motorcycling books. The Perfect Vehicle is about her start into motorcycling, finding and buying a Moto Guzzi. The latest book, The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing, is about her mentor, a long distance rider. The Perfect Vehicle is one of the first motorcycling books I purchased. It’s a good read, and I am re-reading it … again!

In the morning, we found a quiet place to talk about her books and travels.

For more information, and/or to purchase her books, visit Melissa’s web site.

Coming up next: A ride to Washington D.C. and mission to the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial.

Brent