Desert Messenger

12 www.DesertMessenger.com January 6, 2016 Traveling with Gypsy Jane by Jane Finley writer * artist * teacher (stretching, exercise, relaxation, meditation) I decided to be a motorcycle babe Quartzsite, AZ 12/17/15 I was at the X Saloon in Lake Havasu, listening and dancin' to a great band called Mojo (whatever that means). When a guy sat down on a stool two down from me, I noticed his leather motorcycle jacket right away. "Sturgis" was in huge letters on the back along with a picture of a very buxom woman. That's when I remembered the story I wanted to write: "I Decided to Be a Motorcycle Babe." I really liked the title; it made me smile. I just hoped I had a story to go with it. It started a couple of years ago. I was in one of the thrift stores in Quartzsite, when I heard a male voice say, "Did you miss me?" I looked back over my shoulder to see who he was talking to; it sure couldn't be me, but it was. For once in my life, I was speechless because the only contact we'd had was a nod of recognition when I visited the store. It was a conver- sation starter however. After chat- ting for a few minutes, he said, "Do you ride?" "Ride what?" I asked. "Motorcycles," he said. "I never have," I replied, "but I'd like to." So the scene was set. He invited me to ride with him on his mo- torcycle to Alamo Lake about 60 miles down the road. Right then and there, I decided I wanted to be a motorcycle babe. When he hadn't contacted me about the ride to Alamo Lake, I stopped by to see him a couple of weeks later. "About the ride to Alamo Lake," I said. "Is that THIS year?" He laughed, and that's all. The Alamo Lake trip never happened, and I have to admit I was disappointed. On subsequent visits to the thrift store, he never once asked me "if I missed him." I didn't. WHAT WAS I THINKING?" For one thing I don't have any "mo- torcycle" clothes: no leather and Nature's Nuggets BUYS & SELLS GOLD Nuggets - Jewelry- Coins- Sivler Call Richard 928-927-5479 • 435-730-3388 In Quartzsite over 20 Years! GOLD SHOW Feb. 12-14 2016 Quartzsite Licensed Business not a bandanna to my name. And most of all: no tattoos, no makeup, and natural dishwater-blond hair. Besides I can't stand motorcycles! They're very, Very, VERY loud. And as for Sturgis (the Mother of all motorcycle rallies some place in the Midwest), I could just imagine all those motorcycles, all that noise, all that dust.....not to mention huge, sweaty guys in lotsa leather. Sorry, Charlie, that's definitely not for me. ******* Life may begin at 30, but it doesn't get real interesting until about 150. (Motorcycle quote, author unknown ) ****** Jane's book is WANDERINGS: Liv- ing the Ordinary Extraordinarily (Stories from the Road). For an update on Jane's travels and writ- ing, visit her website (janefinley. com) and/or read "Traveling with Gypsy Jane" and "Poems from the Road" in The Desert Messenger (desertmessenger.com) beginning March 5, 2014. Dave's DIESEL DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE David Atherton 605-999-0720 • Pat Atherton 816-797-5460 Located at Quartzsite Marketplace 50 E. Kuehn WELDING & FABRICATING SERVICES Mobile Shop - Machine Shop Services - Hydraulic Hose Repair - THRIFT STORE Benefitting the La Paz County Animal Shelter in Parker Supported by your generous donations! 455 E. Main St. Quartzsite Open Tues. thru Sat. 9-3 928-927-4223 DESERT MESSENGER Quartzsite's FREE Community Paper Proud to be a Quartzsite Licensed Business 928-916-4235 O� T��� E���� T��� Founded by Walt Akin October 1, 2004 P�������� �� P���� R��� P��������� C�. P.O. Box 3185 Quartzsite, AZ 85359 P�������� ����� � ����� 1st & 3rd Wednesday Sept. thru May with Special Summer Editions June, July & August EDITOR/PUBLISHER Shanana "Rain" BearCat CONTRIBUTING JOURNALIST Joanne Winer GUEST COLUMNIST Jedidiah Free GUEST COLUMNIST Gypsy Jane Finley CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Starr BearCat NAME PLATE LETTERING Paul Winer www.DesertMessenger.com www.MyQuartzsite.com E-mail: Editor@DesertMessenger.com Copyright 2013 Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Desert Messenger. LIKE US on Facebook.com/ DesertMessengerNews FOLLOW US on Twitter @QuartzsiteRain

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