SEAT-OF-PANTS DIMENSION

In earlier days of flying, pilots used to brag--upon failure of their navigational instruments (or not having instruments)--that they flew "by the seat of their pants". In a way, this was true. I flew once in one of those little 'sit-behind-the-pilot' planes. It was constructed with a little wood, some metal, and a paper-like covering of the fuselage. Kinda flimsy, but it felt completely safe to ME!

Having been 'brutally' lied to and denied a plane ride when I was age 7...now by age 10-- I was READY! When we got up there (what, a thousand feet? Woo-Hoo!) I noticed that even a slight movement of my hips, or any body-adjustment, altered the handling of the aircraft. If I scooted in my seat one direction, we'd begin a slight turn. So...flying by the seat of your pants was NOT just a bon mot.

OKAY, that background brings me to this day. Whoever has been reading my blog for a time, knows that  I simply LOVE riding my Suzuki Bergman 650cc Motor Scooter (rain or shine, cold or warm!). A few days ago, I finally realized why. It is the same sensation as flying that itty-bitty airplane. I twitch the hip and the machine drifts the way I intended. Jiggle a little...and the bike responds accordingly. OH! the feeling of that 'personal' power! The ONLY difference is that these days when I stop. I put my feet on the ground.

The aeroplane used a different set of rules: no feet on the ground before the wheels were on the ground. Let's see...first the wheels, then  the feet. Wheels number one, feet number two. Wheels.....feet. It is a good thing I never became a pilot--grin!
 
"Oh, stewardess--which is first on the ground, the feet or the wheels?"


AN ADDENDUM:

ATIYANNA WATERMOON
Several years ago I met in these blogs a very young newly sober mother who lives in B.C. We have not made a connection for more than a year, until two days ago. Atiyanna just commented on an old blog of mine (steveroni), to say that she is now sober FOUR YEARS March 16, 2011. I cannot tell you all how happy I am to read this news, and share it. Atiyanna Watermoon (earth name Tammy), formerly a regular contributor in our blog world, wrote that she may begin again blogging. Her blog (still 'dormantly' active) is HERE. I believe she would appreciate some encouragement to start writing again....

Recalling...I remember that Atiyanna was/is very active in AA, has a sponsor, works the steps, and I am proud to have known her--I joked in comments that she was "my favorite witch". I had never had any connection with a 'real witch' prior to that, nor since. I feel a part of her sobriety, as we ALL are a part of one another's trip to recovery.

Thank you, Atiyanna, for showing me and us--it only gets BETTER!