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Monday, May 6, 2013

A Picnic, a Peony, & a Pussycat

While winter is trying to hold on to its death grip on some parts of the country, Oregon has decided to kiss the sun.

We are experiencing record breaking temperatures in the high 80's.  Last week we saw nothing but blue sky and sunshine and the forecast is for more of the same for this week, although not quite as warm.

Yesterday was the second annual spring picnic for our local motorcycle forum.  There is also a fall picnic.  Yesterday was also the warmest picnic we've had.

A fairly big group turned out, but we didn't get too many pictures.  A lot of people drove since they were bringing the family and or coolers or crock pots of food items.

(3 out of 4 founders of the forum - RickRick, Wiley & Troubadour)
(A few of the rides)
(Even the kids were having fun)
(a few more bikes)
(A Harley, a Nighthawk 250, and a few VFRs in the background)
It was approximately a 25 mile ride each way.  A popular route through the back roads we take all the time and it was nice to get out on the bikes while the temperature was warm.  Note to self - your mesh jacket will be cooler without the rain liner in it.  Should have checked that before we left, not after we got home.

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With all of the warm weather the plants and shrubs are blooming like crazy.  The news is telling us allergy season has arrived two weeks early.  I believe it.

A lot of our trees have already bloomed and are done but the tree peony is just getting started and opened it's first bloom this week.






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And with the warmer weather our fluffy Basil is doing what he does best - napping.


And sometimes he'll wake up and survey his kingdom.




Before going back in the house and falling asleep on the sofa.



Life is good.

- Au Revoir

"Fun I love, but too much fun is of all things the most loathsome.  Mirth is better than fun, and happiness is better than mirth." - Thomas Carlyle
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32 comments:

  1. Beautiful flower!

    If Basil knew you take his picture while he's napping he would not be amused. Looking all royal and distinguished while surveying his kingdom, and just cute and adorable (like in awww) when sleeping.

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    1. I do believe you are correct, Basil would not be amused. He doesn't have a chance to put on his grumpy face when he is sleeping.

      Delete
  2. What fun to get together with the group! Always a good excuse to go ride, or just get out with the family in the sun.

    As for Basil, one always needs a nap after spending time in the sun. Even if it was napping in the sun. ;)

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    1. It was the perfect day for a moto-picnic.

      Basil seems to be pretty good and coordinating napping time with feeding time.

      Delete
  3. Looks like a lot of fun was had by all! Basil is adorable!

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    1. The problem with Basil is he knows he is that cute. You should see him batt his eyes when he wants more tuna.

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  4. Looks like it was a much warmer ride than our last! Snuggle Basil (against his will if necessary) for me :o)

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    1. Much much warmer than our last ride. What a difference a week or so makes.

      And don't worry I'll pick Basil up and squeeze him until he pushes away and begs to get down (all of 5 seconds)

      Delete
  5. I noticed that the Corvallis weather was showing temperatures in the upper 80s and wondering if it was going to be too warm to ride! Looks like you had a nice Spring picnic. Did you take the dirt bike? And nice photos of the flower

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    1. I think we had 86˚ yesterday and Newport and Coos Bay both broke 60 year old record high temperatures. It was 84 in Newport yesterday. Pretty unheard of at the coast.

      It was pretty warm but a good breeze was blowing. If you look at the 4th photo down you can see Max in the middle and just to the left is the XT. Brad rode the XT. Need to let him have some fun without the weight of the Tiger holding him down.

      Thanks for the compliments on the peony. I am liking the Olympus camera so far.

      Delete
  6. Very nice Trobairitz. Reading that post that just radiates bliss is a good stress reliever. Something Basil obviously knows nothing about.

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    1. I don't know why but seeing pictures of Basil always makes me smile. I am glad I could share and that you enjoyed it.

      Delete
  7. Love the photo's of the Pussy Cat.
    We have a Rag Doll called Jamba, you might seen some photo's of her
    on my Facebook wall, she is very good.

    TT

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    1. Hey Tony. I have seen the pictures on Jamba on facebook. A good looking kitteh.

      You had me thinking for a minute who this was Good thing you signed it TT.

      Delete
  8. great pics! fun ride! gorgeous peony! and oooooooooh that look on basil's face, precious!

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    1. Thanks m'lady. Basil seems to be pretty popular these days. I could not get him to look at me when he was sitting there on the deck smelling the quince. He'd look left and right and over me but he refused to look at me - little bugger.

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  9. Trobairitz:

    Looks like everyone had a great time. Riding is such a solitary activity even in groups so it was nice to just relax and mix for a few hours. You are lucky to have some tree cover to keep the temps down. It is very hot in the sun, at least it was here

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast

    ReplyDelete
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    1. It was a good picnic. Funny thing is we had volleyball, and horseshoes among other games and they were never even taken out of the bag. We were all enjoying each others company (and food) too much.

      It was quite hot in the sun. I think that is why we were all in the shade of the picnic structure and trees.

      Delete
  10. The perfect reason to go for a ride, looks like it was fun.

    Always love pics of Basil ... He really is cute but don't tell him that I don't think he'd be impressed.

    Lovely photos of the peony, looks like you've got the hang of the camera already.

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    1. Basil knows he is cute that is part of his attitude I think. After 8 years he's perfected it.

      So far I am enjoying the camera. The really close in shot of the peony was taken with the 'super macro' feature, but the others were all on auto.

      Delete
  11. Basil looks so content. Life is good.

    That looks like a very good day and that peony is magnificent. I adore them. Barely showing from the ground here.

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    1. Life is good, can't really complain. Or rather shouldn't I guess.

      Before you know it the peonies will be bursting. Ours seemed to come up quick this year. Mind you it is unseasonably dry. The news said we hadn't had measureable rain since April 19th. Now that is odd for Oregon.

      Delete
  12. Obviously a fun event and a great day, nice idea, one I'd like to borrow, to include the S.O.'s and families.

    Regal and napping.....life looks pretty good.

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    1. One of the reasons for starting the picnic is so that significant others and families can join in. They are always welcome at Saturday coffee but rarely stop by. This way wives, husbands, and kids can see who their family members are hanging out with and know we aren't just a bunch of hooligans up to no good shenanigans.

      It is also nice to put faces to the screen names and avatars of people you haven't met in person yet.

      Delete
  13. Certainly looked like a beautifual day! Everyone including the car loved it!

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    1. It was a beautiful day. We are being spoiled with this sunshine and dry weather. I think the whole state is waiting for the other shoe to drop (so to speak). Just waiting for the rains to return and take revenge.

      Delete
  14. My goodness there was a lot of "P's" in this post :^)

    I'm thinking that stepping stone must of been nice and warm. My goodness, just think how lucky we are to have the internet. Before the internet people mostly kept the photos of their cats to themselves. Now they've become stars.
    ~k

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    1. I had to get creative and make it semi-interesting since we didn't take many picnic photos.

      Basil is no Grumpy Cat but he has his fans I believe. Without the internet we'd have to keep photos of our cats in our wallets, lol.

      Delete
  15. Ah, to be a cat ... but then you'd have to have a really specialized motorcycle!
    Love peonies - my favorite flower because it usually blooms here on my birthday. The white ones smell the best but the deep pink ones are the prettiest. I could live in a sea of them (but I don't!)

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    1. I don't think I'd trust Basil on two wheels. He is pretty reckless. Mind you he's lazy so he wouldn't go very fast.

      We also have a white peony but the buds haven't opened yet. I will make sure to take pictures for you when they do. And so far just the one pink one has opened. I think we need more than just the two plants of them in the yard.

      Delete
  16. What a wonderful day! Glad you all were able to get together to eat, relax, and enjoy the day.

    Basil seems to know what's what..."kingdom" is right!

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    1. Thank you Deb - it was nice to get out on the bikes in the sunshine.

      Basil does put on airs doesn't he? Seems to always be looking down his nose at the KIngdom. Cute when he is snuggly though.

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