Yesterday @ 5 pm it was 40 degrees. The long, icy fingers of winter are finally tightening their grip on the polar north. As the winter creeps into my life two things have become more concrete. First, it is evident that every time I go for a ride may be my last up here til spring. Once the snow falls it is all over for MCA rides in Logan, unless I get a Pugsley. The second thing is my return to the tradition of drinking mate.

I’m not one to eat or drink things when they are hot. I definitely don’t like hot drinks during warmer months, but once the mercury begins to fall I bust out the mate. There is something special about sipping down green bitter water. I think it is more the social aspect of sipping mate that appeals to me. Drinking mate properly can only be done among friends. Those friends should be sitting in a circle and the mate should be passed around while conversation bubbles from the over stimulated participants.

There are a few things I believe can really change the world. The first is obvious, the bicycle. The second I haven’t talked much about but should be as obvious, conversation. We, as humans but especially as Americans, need more time to sit down, pass a mate, peace pipe or bong around and talk. Yes, I know it is insane and mind blowing to try and comprehend, but people need to converse. It is much easier to understand others when you actually talk to them.

Anyone interested in having a mate with me, just stop by the shop. I’m always here and always open to bringing more people into my dark, anarchist lifestyle.

Peace.