Assurance

Friday while having a phone conversation with my regional manager, he said that one of our salesmen in California, David, turned in his resignation. This news was a real shocker because David and I keep in touch on a fairly regular basis. We just spoke a couple of weeks ago and he didn't mention anything about leaving or even being unhappy.

(Depoe Bay)

Five years ago I had the privilege of mentoring him when he started with the company. Since then we've had a good friendship that's evolved over the phone and through email. Most discussions center on business but we usually talk about our faith in God.

After hanging up with my regional manager I was hit with a feeling of loss. I wondered how this would effect our friendship. Was I going to lose a friend?  David would probably be going to work for a competitor and that might change things a little. After pondering the situation for about ten minutes I decided to call him. After one ring it went right to voice mail. I left a message wishing him well and saying that whatever his reason for leaving, I'm sure it's the right decision for providing for his family. I said how much I appreciated our time working together and that if I don't get to see him again in this life, I know I'll see him in the next one.

That last statement might sound arrogant but it's not meant to be. It's stated with the utmost humility because it's not rooted in anything that I've done. There aren't too many things in this world that give us assurance. Life is getting more complex and with more uncertainty each year. We all know this and we all have doubts and struggles. But if you believe in God and have read or heard anything from the Bible then you know there is one sure thing that we can count on, and that's the fact that God keeps His promises. The assurance of going to heaven is not based on anything we do but on what a loving God has done for us through His Son. Realizing this truth and accepting it gives great comfort and confidence.

(Depoe Bay)

What does all of this have to do with riding? Having assurance of eternal security gives life a new perspective. The risks involved with riding are still there but once the issue of our eternal future is secure, there is far less to lose.

David called back and we had a good talk about things. He's going to work for the competition and a previous manager we use to have. We agreed to keep in touch similar to the way we have but with less talk about business.

(Nehalem - Nehalem Bay)

As a side note, I went to the jail Friday afternoon. The inmate I mentioned about a month ago who was defending himself had his trial. I happened to see him and he told me with a big smile that he won. He was found innocent on all counts. He was released later that afternoon. I can't imagine the burden lifted off of his shoulders. Defending yourself and being found innocent is extremely rare. He's a blessed man and I wish him well.

I've used some images taken Thursday and Friday while working at the coast. I can't help but be amazed at the beauty of our world. Think about its vastness whether viewed from a microscope or a telescope. Hope you got to view it this weekend over your handlebars.

A Simple Afternoon

This is one of the offices that I frequent as a traveling salesman on a motorcycle. It might not look like an office. In fact it's "The Atrium" at Emanuel Medical Center in Northeast Portland. This is what I like to refer to as the Northeast Field Office. Before I started riding the Vespa last year, the car was the field office. This is a great place to have lunch and get caught up on things after seeing people in the morning. This office has Wi-Fi and food nearby.

This one doesn't. This type of office just flares up when needed. A spontaneous office needs to have cover over it as this one does. Sometimes finding a spontaneous office is a challenge. This office is simple though.

We have a complex called World Trade Center in downtown Portland. It's a group of three buildings connected with an A-frame catwalk and protected with glass. Tuesday I had a meeting with a customer in one of the buildings. The architecture is interesting but not simple.

A view of downtown before the meeting.

This is after the meeting. We call this "Oregon Sunshine" because it happens a lot. 

I still had time on the meter so I walked a couple of blocks to Lownsdale Square across from the courthouse. The rain had stopped. It was a nice autumn afternoon downtown.

On a quest to notice simple things, the park is a good spot to practice.

Before getting back on the bike I walked a couple of blocks to a bakery for an afternoon snack. This is not the bakery. Earlier I was experimenting with what I thought might be simplicity as I left Emanuel Medical Center. I managed to get a few interesting looks while doing this. In this case I think intended simplicity turned out complicated. Something to watch out for.

Just riding and thinking.

Greater Love

A thought for this Veterans Day.

"GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE THAN THIS, THAT SOMEONE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS."  (John 15:13)

Simple Things

The simple things in life are grabbing my attention these days...

Usually too busy to notice I walk right on by.  I must be missing a lot.

Portland Leaf Status

We're more than halfway through fall and not all of the leaves are down in Portland. In the early 80's we lived in Connecticut for a short time. I remember most of the trees being bare by Halloween. It seems here in the Northwest the changing of the leaves is a slower process than in the East. Our milder temperatures probably contribute to that.

The beauty in the scenery this time of year mixed with the long shadows produces quite a few photo opportunities. All of this comes together so quickly it can be easy to miss unique moments.

It's a call to those who enjoy taking pictures to keep a camera handy at all times. Which reminds me of a recent post by Chuck Pefley who took a camera to his dentist appointment. You wouldn't think you'd find too many photo opportunities at the dentist, but he got a great shot of a high-flying window washer doing his work right outside the window.

On the ride to the county jail this morning in the crisp fall air, I think I got a slight scent of bacon cooking while I was passing by a house. A little further ahead I smelled smoke from a wood burning stove. And shortly beyond that a couple of wedges of Canadian Geese were flying over the Jackson Bottom Slough. They were coming in for a landing, arriving I think from Bobskoot's area.

Enjoying little experiences like this makes me grateful for recently re-discovering the joys of riding. I was starting to waffle on riding everyday because of the weather turning colder and wetter. But I've decided to ride as much as possible as we head toward the dark days of winter.

The above photo was taken a few years ago in Corvallis. The age of the car and the neighborhood gives the feeling that it might be the 50's. Not that I would know...I've only seen cars from the 50's on TV. Okay I was around in the 50's.

Seeing all these leaves makes me realize I need to rake.

Meeting Irondad

Yesterday was a great day!  The forecast called for rainy, windy weather but I knew that at then end of the 70 mile ride to Corvallis I'd be having lunch with Dan. I was really looking forward to meeting him. We've been kind of thinking about getting together for a couple of months. It turns out that we know some of the same people in the line of work that we each do.

We met at a Subway sandwich shop at noon and didn't part ways until almost 2:30. For me that time just flew by.

 

From the moment you meet Dan you can tell that he's a great guy with a big caring heart. He's passionate about riding and sharing his knowledge to help others. But of course all of you who have followed his blog through the years already know this.

 

On the way back to the Portland area I stopped by my favorite off-the-road spot when coming back from Corvallis. The rain that we were suppose to have didn't materialize until evening.

I'm new at blogging and fairly new to riding. Dan offered tips in both of these areas. On the trip home I even managed to keep my nose pointed in the direction of the exit on a couple of turns and hold it there. It really works! More stability and confidence!

Thanks Dan, it was good to meet you. See you out there again soon.

A Visit to Northwest Portland

Portland is divided into four quadrants. The Willamette (Will-AM-ette) River separates the east and west sides of the city while Burnside St. divides north and south. When people describe a location of something in town they usually say, "It's in Northwest" or "Southeast",etc.

Northwest Portland is west of the river and north of Burnside and is probably best known for it's quaint neighborhoods with turn-of-the-century Victorian houses.  There are a lot of trendy restaurants and assorted retail shops on Northwest 23rd Avenue (pictured in the two images above).

The Nob Hill area of Northwest, which is around NW 23rd, is one of the most desirable areas to live in Portland. From here it's easily to take a bus or train a short distance to downtown. Papa Haydn's is a favorite restaurant on NW 23rd.

The hills of Northwest have some of the most expensive homes in Portland. Many students live in the area because the University of Portland and Portland State University are both fairly close.

And then there's Powell's Books in the Pearl District which claims to be the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. It occupies a whole city block with over 68,000 square feet of retail space. This is a very interesting place to browse.

This little unassuming place is the Stepping Stone Cafe home of the Mancakes. I've not eaten here yet but I hear it's pretty good. And since I love pancakes this is on my list of places to go. Check out the video below and decide for yourself.

In a few weeks I plan to re-visit Northwest in the early evening after the Christmas decorations are in place. By then I might have some of those Stepping Stone Mancakes. Stay tuned.