ok, we want to hear it from you all, how do you feel about International Female Ride Day? We have heard some express it’s awesome and brings us all together and then we hear some with the take that they don’t like being singled out, don’t want to be treated any different than any other rider…. What are your thoughts?? Please add your comments below.
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Hey all you Slackers, Progressive is giving you another chance to SCORE
For all you Slackers…………
Progressive Suspension is giving you another chance to SCORE… so get off your ass and order a set of either the 940 or 440 series shocks and you’ll end up with a FREE set of their Progressive rate fork springs, stock height or lowered….. umm, what the hell are you waiting for, go get ’em!
GRETEL
Hello – Gretel here. There are three things I really want in life: 1. Nice long walks in the evening; 2. Naps on the couch; 3. Belly rubs! And not necessarily in that order.
Yes, things are pretty simple for me. I’m an adult dog, and I’m one of the members of the distinguished Red Collar Society. Smart people like yourself surely know that mature pets can make the best companions.
I’m already crate-trained and I’m getting over my old issues. I do need to go home with another dog, though to help me adjust. I’m looking for a nice, quiet home to move into, maybe without young children. Want a buddy to relax with? Come down to Animal Friends and meet me!
Ultimate Biker Makeover Prize; Year Subscription To Iron Works Magazine
You’ll have no excuse now for not being up-to-date on anything motorcyclin’ with your free years subscription to Iron Works Magazine. IronWorks is always featuring the latest and greatest and bringing you lots of “DIY” tech tips you can do in your garage. Hurry up deadline for entries to win the Ultimate Biker Makeover is Monday May 10th 2010. Click here for all the info, remember winners must be present at Carlisle Summer Bike Fest to claim all their prizes!
Laura Klock’s “Any Road”; Austin’s Gift of Life
It’s an interesting story how “ANY ROAD” came about…one that I’ll share at some point, but since that is the title of my presentation, the theme of the talks I give, even the license plates on my car… it seems fitting that I start today with reference to a road in life I recently traveled. I’ve learned that you can map out, plan and try to control the “roads you will travel”, but we’re really not in control of any of it. You don’t always know when you’ll encounter a pothole, a storm, a flat tire, a detour. You can and should hope for things, but you never know where all the awesome fresh smooth pavement and rainbows will show up either! God chooses all of that for us. I’ve learned to find the courage to travel down ANY ROAD that is put in front of me, because sometimes it’s in the detours that the biggest blessings lie!
The other day I was on a road in South Dakota that was leading me to a meeting in a town a couple hours from us. In the last year, something extremely special was placed in the town I was headed to. Since that time, I’ve been to this town for a few of these same business meetings, but I wasn’t ready for anything but the financial meeting I was headed to. Until this trip. It was time. I was going to take a left and go there. Go to a place that I’m not sure anything along the road of life can prepare you for, and I’m also not sure that I’ll find the right words to describe. After my meeting, I was going to meet Larry, the man that received Austin’s heart in a transplant. Austin was my best friend Janell’s youngest son. Austin died in a motorcycle accident.
The road to the death of a child is one that I don’t think any of us would choose to travel. I received a call on May 23, 2009 from Janell that her 20 year old son Austin had been in a motorcycle accident, and it wasn’t good. Austin called me his “South Dakota Mom”, and Janell is the kind of friend that simply inspires you to be a better friend. The kind that never misses a birthday, or a chance to give you a smile or a word of encouragement, always right when you need it most. She’s also the kind of mom that inspires you to be the best mom you can be. I CHERISH her. Janell has 3 sons, and Austin was the youngest. My special connection with Austin was motorcycles. He LOVED them and couldn’t wait to get his own. He loved that our daughters, Erika and Karlee, and I all ride, and that we have a motorcycle shop. Austin would send us emails from college asking questions about bikes and gear. Janell and I have been close friends for many years, and wow have WE traveled some interesting roads together! Our kids are like siblings, and this trip wasn’t going to be easy for any of us. Austin was in Minnesota, I was in South Dakota, and Janell was in Kentucky. Karlee and I got in the car and we started the 5 hour drive to Minneapolis to meet Janell there. There was no question that we would go down this road by her side, and we didn’t have any idea what we would find.
Austin had his helmet on, jacket, gloves – all the right safety gear, and was on a friend’s bike just taking a quick ride. He wasn’t speeding, wasn’t on a dangerous road, and the weather was great. He stopped to have a sandwich and on the way back, lost control of the motorcycle. It could have been the dip in the road, it could have been a number of things, we will never know, but he hit a guard rail and was caught enough to be pulled off the bike and in that moment, the road of life for him and more people than we can ever dream or imagine, changed.
Austin had shared with his mom Janell that he’d recently taken a class about organ donation, and he was excited about being a donor. So there was no question that this young healthy boy was going to touch the lives of many. He had in life, and now he would keep right on doing that after his death. That ended up being a ray of light in a dark situation for Janell. Austin had a very dynamic personality – he talked alot, always seemed happy, and was really getting into playing guitar along with writing his own songs. He had dreams of heading to Nashville some day. So many dreams and plans that would make you smile as he’d talk about them because nothing was a boundary or barrier for him. He dreamed BIG. Austin’s dreams didn’t die with him, they are being lived out now by many organ recipients who cherish him, his family, and his dreams.
I walked up to Larry’s house and his wife Kelly walked out to greet me first. There were tears even before we hugged. We went inside. Larry came out and we stood embraced in a hug for many many minutes, not sobbing, just crying, just holding onto each other. What can you possibly say in this moment? What word could describe this? Then I asked him “can I listen?”. He said, “of course”. I laid my ear against Larry’s chest and I listened to the heart beat. I listened to LIFE. Life that Larry, who was in stage 4 heart failure previous, could now LIVE because Austin had died. How tragic and happy in the same moment. I was humbled. How could I be so blessed as to hear this heart beating life? I was there when Austin’s death was pronounced. Why did you choose me today God to be present in this? The why’s don’t often get answered, but I sure wasn’t going to waste one second. Brian and I sat and talked to Larry and Kelly for almost 2 hours. At first it was a little awkward, none of us had ever been in this type of setting or conversation, and then we shared our stories.
One of the crazy ironies in life is this…when you are on an organ transplant waiting list, and you are praying for a donor, there are moments when you realize that in order for that to happen, that in order for you to live, someone else will die. Stop for a second and just try to wrap your mind around that thought.
Janell has made contact with many of the recipients of Austin’s organs. I told her from the beginning that I knew that she would have so many new friends because there was not a chance that if they were willing, she was willing and she wanted to meet each and every one of them. I travel alot and at different times in different states, there have been people around me or in the car with me when I’ve received and shared about the calls from Janell… “I talked to the kidney recipient today!” or “I talked to the lung recipient today!” Because of the way that she’s embraced something amazing from something tragic, she is inspiring people all around the world with this story. That is Austin. That is dreaming BIG and making a BIG impact.
Because I represent motorcycles and the motorcycle industry, and that was my special connection with Austin, I wasn’t sure what I would walk into when I arrived at the hospital. He died doing something he loved, yet there are many that would ban all motorcycles and never even dream of getting on one by just hearing that someone had an accident, let alone pass away. Riding isn’t for everyone, and there is risk involved. If you ask me, or I bet if you asked Austin, we would tell you that you’re right, it’s not for everyone, we each have that special thing that God has given us that makes us giggle – and it’s different for each one of us. I would also tell you that yes, there is more risk involved in riding a bike than in driving a car, so take the safety course, and do it right. But does that mean that something like this will never happen to you? No. It doesn’t mean you won’t get in a car accident either. We have to LIVE LIFE and Austin was an example of that. I often feel him with me when I’m out riding, I often ride FOR him or dedicate my ride to him because I know he loved it so much. And I didn’t walk into anything unforeseen that day. I walked into my best friend’s family grieving, but clinging to their faith and believing that God had a reason for this too. Cherishing that they got 20 years with Austin, and embracing every thought of every recipient that could live because Austin died. And they welcomed me in as family.
While I would have never chosen this part of the ride, not in a million years, I can’t even explain what I’ve learned and gained and been blessed with because of it. Don’t be afraid to travel down ANY ROAD that is put in front of you.
House of Kolor
House of Kolor is supporting the Garage-Girls Ultimate Biker Makeover yet again for 2010! If your planning on shootin’ your bike or car soon, you gotta check out the best Kolor’s first. We’re sure you’ll find the perfect Kolor for your ride.
GEM
This gorgeous longhaired gray cat named Gem is definitely a jewel of a young cat. Gem adores being with people, and she isn’t shy about hopping up onto a lap for some petting and cuddling. No amount of affection could ever be too much for this lovable little lap cat.
But Gem is practically a kitten, and she still has that fun-loving and curious spirit in her soul. This pleasant gal loves to play with any kind of cat toys, ranging from a laser light to a catnip toy mouse to a fluffy feather toy. And when you watch this fluffy ball of gray fur moving so fast on her playful feet, it will be hard to tell whether you or Gem is having the most fun.
We think Gem would be happiest in a home with adults and older children.
If you’ve been looking for a cat who is perfectly precious, our Gem may be just the girl for you. She’s pretty, she’s affectionate, and she’s fun. And Gem’s love is truly priceless and far more valuable than the finest gold or diamonds. There is no question that our Gem will be a treasure to the lucky family who adopts her. Visit Animal Friends to see her!
Ultimate Biker Makeover Prize: A Hook up of parts from Kuryakyn!
Were tellin’ you the Ultimate Biker Makeover is ULTIMATE, how would you like to get a ton of parts added to your bike from Kuryakyn! Were talking, grips, pegs, lighting, etc. Here is your chance to hit the jackpot during the Ultimate Biker Makeover. Better hurry up deadline for entries is Monday May 10th 2010, winners MUST be present at Carlisle Summer Bike Fest. Saturday July 24th to claim their prizes. Click here for all the info.
Küryakyn has been in the business of improving and beautifying motorcycles since before many of today’s riders “ran ‘er through the gears” for the first time. Küryakyn innovation; well thought out parts that work, fit, and most of all, look great!
Ultimate Biker Makeover Prize: A Technology case from Otterbox
Thats right if you are selected winner of the Ultimate Biker Makeover you will receive a gift certificate to Otterbox for a technology case of your choice. How about a sturdy case for your ipod or blackberry?
OtterBox was created in 1998 and built upon fundamentals of hard work, creativity and perseverance. Otterbox cases are dedicated to all the klutzy, spontaneous, chaotic, graceless individuals who have broken a device or valuable due to their active lifestyle, these cases will keep your stuff safe! HURRY up deadline for entries for the Ultimate Biker Makeover is Monday May 10th 2010. Click here for all the info on how to enter.
CLAY
Can you believe that someone could abandon such a handsome dog? That’s what happened to Clay, until our Humane Officers rescued him and brought him. And boy oh boy, was he happy to see them! He wiggled his way right into their van and right into our hearts. Clay is the perfect doggie age. He’s past the crazy puppy nipping, he has a calm presence with his handler, but still can play and romp with the best of them.
We have learned so much about Clay since he’s been going to a specialty training class with one of his favorite volunteers. When Clay first arrived, he wasn’t fond of his dog neighbors. But now after 2 months of classes, Clay has realized that being around other dogs isn’t so scary. He has learned to respond calmly to other dogs by wearing a Gentle Leader and has even become the “example” dog in his class. The newbies follow Clay’s lead to see how they’re supposed to behave! This guy does his SITS like a champ and is very attuned to the person at the other end of the leash, especially when that person has a yummy treat. It’s amazing to think that someone left such an obedience star behind, You should see how Clay runs over the agility course and follows the commands of his leader with confidence and ease.
Aside from his mastery of obedience, Clay is also a snuggle bug. He’s so confident in is manhood that he readily confesses to enjoying kisses on his forehead from the ladies. If you look closely, you can sometimes see a bit of lipstick left behind! Please visit Animal Friends to inquire about Clay!