A Few Of The Ways October Introduces Itself To Minnesota
There are many ways one can tell October has arrived in MY State besides looking at a calendar. The most obvious indicator is the weather, which was in the 40-degree range this morning. I had to wear a lined jacket for the first time since April, but I’m still stubbornly wearing shorts. Also since April, I haven’t had long pants over my legs for any reason. I think my shorts streak has lasted longer than my now-expired bike riding streak.
I seem to have gotten ahead of myself. Let’s go back to this morning when my friends brought me back to this world, thereby making this October 1st ride possible. Hopefully you recall from the last episode that I was reduced to a miniature size in my Magical Shrinking Machine just so I could play with my cartoon alter-ego at his level.
I could not wait to get out into the beauty that is October in Minnesota. My riding has been somewhat sporadic over the last week-and-a-half, due to me being a caretaker for The Feeshko after her knee surgery. Let me tell you, performing all of her daily tasks and running all kinds of extra errands and keeping track of her medications and helping her to be at least minimally mobile is a lot harder than I thought it would be . . . and it kind of cuts into my cycling time. My caretaking career should only last a few weeks, but it has given me a whole new respect for people like Laura who do it for years without complaint.
Now, in photo-documentary form, I’m going to resume the original subject of this post: October in Minnesota.
I missed the presidential debate the other night because I was still out of this world, but G-Three saw it and was disgusted by it and he was only too happy to get turned back into me via my amazing invention.
I get it. Minnesota, once a Democrat stronghold, is now considered a “battleground state.” I never thought it possible. As I rode back home today, I saw all the Biden signs and all the Trump signs. Then I saw that sign pictured above and felt compelled to turn back and get a picture of it.
For only about the second time in all these years, I got busted by the homeowner. She came running out the front door and said, “don’t worry, I wasn’t spying on you! I just saw you taking a picture of my sign because I work by the front window..”
“I wasn’t spying on you either,” I replied apologetically, “I just thought that sign was really cool.”
“Thank you! We bought it from a local artist for $20.”
“Really? I thought it was a homemade sign.”
“No, we saw it at an art fair and the artist told us all of her proceeds would be donated to an organization called “Women Seeking Election.” (To be honest, I can’t remember the exact name of the organization, but it was something like that.)
“Well, I think it’s great,” and I gave her a big thumbs-up as I started to ride away.
“Thank you, and I’ll be sure to tell the artist.”
“Awesome!” That exchange made my day. Bike riding is so much fun.
gregblood
Hi. My name is Greg and I ride my bike a lot. That is to say, I ride my bike almost every day. I go on long rides and short rides. Sunny rides, cloudy rides, and rainy rides. I like commuting, errand-running, day-tripping, overnighting, and touring on my bike. I ride on city streets, highways, gravel, single track, and snow with equal enthusiasm. Sometimes I ride fast and sometimes I ride slow. I try to keep my feet on the pedals at stop lights and I do not dismount when I hop up on a curb. I have a roadie bike, a mountain bike and a touring bike. I try to accept any challenge a bike ride can throw at me without complaint. But I don't like bugs.
16 response to "A Few Of The Ways October Introduces Itself To Minnesota"
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I like thar sign, too, and the multi-colored trees and that you got out of the washing machine!
Suzanne, you seem to have mistaken my Magical Shrinking Machine for a washing machine. My alter-ego and his girlfriend, and my alter-alter-ego, will tell you it is so much more than that.
Great start to October in MY town (I mean YOUR town), and I would love to have that sign!!
The sign is so cool in a way that does not diminish from Biden at all, in my opinion.
Glad you were able to get unshrunk. And we seem to have some of those confused north-flying geese as well. I’ll give another thumbs up for that sign.
Bob, only in the last couple of years have I paid any attention to goose behavior. Now I’m fascinated by it and you can expect more posts related to geese right here on Cycle365.
Beautiful colors up your way!
I like the political sign, there is a very disparaging sign regarding Biden/Harris that I am very tempted to commit vandalism on. Clearly crosses the line even in this dirty election.
Oh how I hope you do vandalize that sign. And when you do, please post a picture or video for us to witness.
You certainly saw a lot in 90 minutes. Great pictures. About the debate, some run their mouth better than they run their country. It’s just all a disaster. Covid on the rise in my state, protests and destruction in my city, ugly politics…it’s more than one should have to handle at one time. Loved the sign.
I see that Louisville is the new Minneapolis. I hope the presidential-endorsed Proud Boys don’t show up.
We had a few really bad weeks, but it has been calmer the last couple of nights. Today, they released the grand jury tapes, so wouldn’t be surprised if it starts back up. I don’t know what they call themselves, but the guys in black carrying long guns came and went. One shot another accidentally. Shows how much training in firearms they’ve had.
October in Perth means fruit trees blossoming, pasture going brown and magpies swooping.
Is there an election happening somewhere?
Once I had a crow swoop within a foot of my head. I’ve had redwing blackbirds try to intimidate me. But those Australian magpies sound like a whole different ballgame. For some reason I feel like I NEED to experience one of those things attacking me.
Amazing photos! I love the sign, also.
I sure miss fall…..thanks for sharing both the leaves and the great sign!!
Those are beautiful pics, Greg. Autumn was my favourite time of year in America. I really enjoy the changing seasons which you really get to experience more when riding. I am so sorry you were not able to do your tour this year, even an abbreviated one in autumn. I am very sad for you. Has anyone had a 2020 that wasn’t a disaster? I hope the Feeshko is recovering well, though, and that she’ll be in tip top condition once the weather turns and things get slippery. And yes, in my absentee vote, I voted for Kamala Harris and that guy that should have been her VP running mate, too 😉