For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for February 06, 2020

Hmmmm…. did Elly also veto John’s wanting a motorcycle when they were dating and got married?

My husband had a motorcycle – a Fat Boy. He sold it after seeing a friend get killed. He saw a friend ram into a semi-truck bed with metal panels on them. He lost his head. My husband still has nightmares once in a while. He realized while riding motorcycle feels like ultimate freedom and being one with nature unlike being inside a vehicle, it has a huge downside. He even used the cheap gas and insurance debate but knew not even that was worth owning one. AND I am glad because I know if he had bought one, I would be constantly worrying about him every time he rides it and he knows it. Now at 50, he came into money and he told he once again thought of buying a motorcycle but decided to buy an off-road jeep instead so I could ride with him. I’ve enjoyed riding in that jeep with him. We got to see real nature going off the paved highways.

I am single, and have no balance. I want a trike.

I like the way she says, “I thought we were going to present a united front on this” as if they had actually talked about it before. One of the joys of marriage is when your spouse actually has their own opinion and does not simply agree with everything you say just because you say it. Right, Mr. Howtheduck? He agrees.

My parents let my brother have a motorcycle, but they wouldn’t let me. Boy, were they smart!

I have a lousy memory. Has he bought the sports car yet?

Get him a Moped.

I suppose Michael will suddenly win the lottery…

I hit enough deer with my Dad’s car. Hate to think what it would have been like on a cycle.

John’s got some good points, both in a boy having a dream, and in knowing Michael will not be able to afford a motorcycle until he’s grown up. Knowing his reasoning, I’d say he handled it well.

Elly would like all the children to stay at home, locked up in a basement until feeding time, and never grow up. Many mothers, not all, are like that, must be part of their makeup. While I don’t disagree that motorcycles can be dangerous, there are plenty of them that don’t die or don’t get hurt and become useful productive members of society if you learn how to drive them properly and always watch the others on the road, cause you never know what they might do, and you can enjoy riding. Contrary to the old belief you don’t always turn into an outlaw biker looking to join the local chapter of Hells Angels if you ride a motorcycle.

John as a father should stand by Elly and tell Michael no motorcycle.

I was stationed in Scotland and I had one, sold it when I got to the States. In Scotland people had respect for people on bikes, in the states they are just targets for their kamikazee sortees.

Got a 125cc scooter this year, 30 years after I came off a bike on a newly surfaced corner, probably not a good idea!

You can only have one love.

I never wanted a motorcycle. I saw my Dad go straight up in the air on a small motor-scooter and land on his back in the street (thankfully with no serious injury.)

Of course, he was a at a greater disadvantage than I’d have been. He’d never ridden a bicycle as a kid, because his mother was too frightened of them. I always felt bad about that.

I had one for several years when I was first married. It was my only transportation. 8 degree weather going to work was a character builder, but you do what you gotta do to put food on the table.

Why such a worry wart about hospital bills? The Pattersons have OHIP.

Some guys on my otherwise quiet street love to vroom vroom their bikes up and down the block at all hours. Really annoying! And turns out one of them is a state cop, so probably not a good idea to call the police, eh?

My motorcycle days came to an end when my brother-in-law was killed on his Harley. Not my decision – my wife’s.

My ex wife made me make that choice when we were dating. As you can tell I made the wrong choice.

one our first date I knocked over my hubby’s motorcycle. He married me anyhow

A few years ago when we were driving to visit our parents we passed a couple riding on Harleys each with a side carriage. One was blue the other pink. Each driver was dressed in leathers, even the helmets, to match the bike’s colors . They looked so fine! It was a sunny day and a perfect one for a such a trip. That’s the only way I can imagine having a motorcycle …

The girls want to be Batgirl or Black Canary.John found an acceptable substitute in a seriesof sports cars,including that “Woodie” open-air thing that Elly had a sense of humor about.

Though, sometimes the cycle wins, but not very often when hitting a deer (re above comment) Father in law claimed he once ran under a horse and the windshield cut the horse open, killing it! Luckily, he survived, but the horse didn’t. Another time, he was hit in the eye by a june bug and was barely able to maintain control until stopping.

John, Do Not say that out loud!! You will be sleeping on the couch for a month!

When I was 15 in Minnesota, you could go to the Police Station and buy a motorcycle license for 50 cents. I told my parents that it was no different than a bicycle that pedaled for you. My dad asked me if I wanted my bicycle taken away.

One of my high school boyfriends had a motorcycle. I loved riding with him :) Honestly, I’m still puzzled that my parents let me.. LOL! I always wanted one of my own!

What’s in that package? Those were my hopes and dreams. I had to put them away when I got married. Wow. How long ago was that? How old are you?

Variations on a theme by Bo and Hope Brady…..

John wanted an Indian but ended up with a Ball&Chain!

Good for you John – some things are better left unsaid….