Every part of this day sucked except this one. #dogsofbluesky

I've taken that ferry a few times.

I'm plowing through what I hope will be the last (hah!) pass through my #WIP. To stay motivated I'm using my cover mockup as my laptop's background screen. NB: No AI was used in its creation; I got the image free from Unsplash, and an actual human graphic designer applied the text. #amwriting

Sophie is occasionally unclear on the concept of toys. #dogsofbluesky

...creating a *temporary* air chamber inside the tire separate from the inner tube. It's not airtight, though, and when the tire loses enough air to break the bead you're riding on a true flat. I gave me enough time to make it to a safe place beside the road. Your mileage, as the say, may vary.

On the anniversary of the first moon landing, I'm reminded of the beginning of the introduction of "Rolling Stops," my motobiography, available through my website (jerrysmithauthor.com). You've been warned. #motosky

Here's the tube that came out of Friday's flat tire. It split completely apart, but the pressure went down slowly, over about half a mile. A friend's hack for tube-type tires probably saved my butt. #motosky

We should start a club. This was on Friday.

Here's the screw that resulted in yesterday's ride ending on a flatbed truck (hex socket for comparison). Dead center of the tread, straight in. It's so long I'll be surprised if it didn't nick the inside of the rim when the tire went flat. #motosky

Unlike me, the couch doesn't let go of the ball. Sophie fought it for 15 minutes then gave up. She's napping now, and probably dreaming of dragging the couch across the room and declaring victory. #dogsofbluesky

1. How it started. 2, 3. How it ended. #motosky #motorcycle

Back on the pizza wagon tonight. You say you can get one delivered in 30 minutes? I can make my own in that much time for about $4.00 (for the premade crust, sauce, cheese, and some fresh ingredients). No charge for extra toppings. Wildlife documentary included.

The cleated off-road pegs that came with my KLR hung up on the soles of my boots during shifting and braking so I eBayed a pair of used rubber-coated stock pegs. Much better. If I ever head for Deadhorse (hah!) I'll put the cleated ones back on. Until then they're wall art. #motosky #motorcycle

I never get tired of this movie. The librarian rolls her eyes every time I check it out. I really should buy a copy.

The first meat (at least that's what it said on the package) I've eaten in two months. Thought I'd miss it. I don't. It was too intense, like listening to heavy metal after hearing wind chimes stirred by the evening breeze. Back to veggie pizzas. Sophie will have pepperoni treats until it's gone.

Gearing up the KLR was the right move. The engine is less buzzy and pulls strongly, but at lower RPM. On the highway it no longer feels like the piston's going to explode through the cylinder head. Keep your five-digit redline, give me low-end torque every time. #motosky

The opening salvo of the twice-annual Velcro Dog Night has been fired. Sophie is helping me watch "Deadwood" while sitting on my feet. I know it's serious when she won't budge even for a cookie. #dogsofbluesky

I'm still not an off-road guy but lately I've been venturing farther afield and finding some very pretty country off the paved county backroads. The KLR bops along, indifferent to the stutter bumps and potholes so big they have potholes in them. It's a lot tougher than its rider. #motosky

I promised myself a ride today and I'm a man of my word. I found a neat road through a pretty valley east of town. I stopped to change gloves and some of the locals gathered around. "Are those leather? Was that anybody we know? We think you should go now." #motosky

Went on a self-esteem rollercoaster ride today. Worked on my KLR, about which I know a lot, then watch an IT guy troubleshoot my home wi-fi system, about which I know absolutely SFA. The former made me feel confident and capable, and the latter made me feel incredibly stupid and useless. #motosky

Two thousand words on the #WIP this morning.

My first jacket was made of naugahyde, humanely harvested from free-range 1960s car interiors. It matched the seat on my Kawasaki Bushwacker. I was ahead of my time even then.

Taking a dog to places like stores and ballgames (where allowed) helps socialize them and get them used to crowds and noise. You'll see trainers with service dogs do it often. Sophie and I have been invited into coffee shops. Everyone loved it. The barista even gave her bacon.

Apparently Bluesky's TOS requires you to post at least one photo of a homemade pizza or face a permanent ban. This was a proof-of-concept pie, made with a minimum of toppings (cheese, mushrooms, green pepper). Still very good. Not the last one I'll make.

Five minutes of furious scratching and snuffling then boom--out cold and snoring. She hasn't moved in 20 minutes. She's also blocking the door to the motorcycle gear closet so I don't go off and leave her alone for hours. "Let sleeping dogs lie, right? Well, I'm sleeping. Let me lie." #dogsofbluesky

The gateway drugs that made me the person I am today. The first hit was free. #writingcommunity #bookskychat

Break time on today's ride. Since getting the KLR I've thoroughly explored the gnarly backroads I avoided on my old bike. Fresher territory is a 45-minute road ride away so I'm thinking of gearing up for lower highway revs. I don't go offroad so the lack of low-end grunt doesn't matter. #motosky

I had one, the model year after this one. Great bike.

Roasted veggies. Potato, carrots, cauliflower (shown), and on occasion green pepper, mushrooms, and onion. Top with BBQ rub and/or BBQ sauce on the side. Cheap, filling, and well suited to my limited culinary skills.