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For The Month Of July 2021

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Grandma1956

The lady behind the hugs….Our “Official HDF Hugger.”
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MOM: Grandma1956

Daughter: Spring

Grand Daughter: Brooke

Grand Son: Tripp

Husband #1

Husband #2

Husband #3

Husband #4

Husband #5

Husband #6

Husband #7

Husband #8

Husband #9

Husband #10

Husband #11

Husband #12

Husband #13

Husband #14

Husband #15

Husband #16

Husband #17

Husband #18

Husband #19

Husband #20

Husband #21

Husband #22

Husband #23

Husband #24

Husband #25 TBD (Pending Qualifications.)

(Obviously, the “qualifications” are loose.)



Story By: Grandma1956

Executive Producer & Composer: BuzzCap7

Professionally Edited By: Cheffie

Thread Started By: Sarah93003

Managing Director: Robb S.

MOM Created By: HDF Staff

Filmed in front of a live studio audience.
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Never in the history of HD Forums have we had such a fun-loving, heart-felt, motorcycle-riding Grandma. She also happens to be our first female MOM. And a true lady, in every sense of the word. As well as someone who liberally gives hugs and loving to anyone and everyone.

To know “Grandma1956” is to literally love her. As evidenced by…..well, she will soon be loving and working on her 4th husband. (I think she is going for the Guinness Book of World Records.) But I am ahead of myself.

Allow me to bring you back to the beginning……. Fourscore……….. ooops, too far back….. Terrie (aka Grandma1956) was born. Her name is often misspelled by those who are forever forgetting the “e” to her name or calling her Theresa. She is not a Theresa, she is simply “Terrie” with the “e” at the end. My goodness. It is her freaking name, guys.

“Terrie” was named after the milkman. Literally. Now, don’t you get ahead of me. And get your mind out of the gutter.

Terrie was born in 1956, in the age when milk was delivered to homes by the proverbial milkman. No matter how many children were fathered by milkmen, Terrie was not one of them. (We think.) It just so happens that Grandma1956’s parents’ long-time best friends were their milkman and his wife. So Grandma1956 was named after their milkman’s wife.

Grandma’s 1st husband……….and before you ask, yes…..yes, we are going to need to enumerate all of her husbands. We may use up all of HDF’s disk space so let’s get started.

Grandma’s 1st husband lasted 3 years. Ok, “meh”. Or, it was more like “yuck” to describe that relationship.
Husband #2 lasted a wonderful, ok, not so wonderful 17 years before an end had to be put to that union.
As the saying goes, “three’s a charm” and it really was in this case. Husband #3 was a gift from heaven (after being punished twice) and this made-in-heaven, deeply loving marriage lasted for 22 “off the charts” BEST EVER years of Terrie’s life. When husband #3 passed away, it was a devastating blow to Terrie. As of this writing, it has been three years since his passing. The toll it took on our Hug Lady was so severe, that the first year after Husband #3’s passing is not even in Terrie’s memory. (If that is not pain, then I don’t know what is.)

After the passing, Grandma1956 rode, rode, rode, and then rode some more. She rode solo for two years. As time went on and her heartfelt pain dulled a little, Terrie started riding with groups. She is not partial to group riding since most of the riders were strangers. Ideally, riding solo, with her family, or friends is more in her comfort zone.
After three long and painful years as a widow, our Hug Lady recently began allowing a long-time friendship to advance as a possible Husband #4. They have a lot in common. As a bonus, this beau rides. And if that is not enough, he rides a Harley. A Road Glide to be specific. Another happy bonus is that Grandma1956’s family likes and approves of him and his family approves of her.

Grandma1956 has one daughter from her first marriage named Spring. Spring is married and has 12-year-old boy/girl twins named Tripp and Brooke. Spring’s husband Max has always ridden bikes.

Years back, Grandma1956 left her ’91 Softail at Spring and Max’s house so Max could ride it regularly. He not only rides it regularly, but he (interestingly enough) is quick to tell others the Softail belongs to his mother-in-law; as he scoots off quickly around the corner.

Grandma1956 was having some issues with the Softail when she rode it one day so it was replaced by a Road King. After putting several hundred miles on the RK, it just was not comfortable enough so the RK was replaced (errr, aaahhhh, was going to be replaced) with a Heritage. You see, Tripp started whimpering at the thought of losing the RK and The Hugger could not bear the thought of this. How could she do such a thing to her? As a loving Granny would do, she kept the RK for Tripp (and Max), and purchased a Heritage for herself. She has the Heritage to this day. Granny’s grand-daughter Brooke (my goodness…..you really need a freek’n scorecard here) was afraid of 2-wheelers so of course, leave it to our ever-so-loving Grandma1956 to purchase a Tri-Glide for Brooke. :icon_doh

Being no fool, Granny has a plan. You’ve heard of the TV show “Man with a Plan?” Well, this is “Granny with a Plan.” She figures that by the time she is not comfortable on 2 wheels anymore, she will just switch bikes with her grand-daughter Brooke. Now, that is a good plan.

Terrie purchased the Tri-Glide from an HDF member who lives in the “Hill Country” of Texas who listed it here in HD Forums. Brooke loved the Tri-Glide so much that she rode it most of the 200+ miles home. Brooke allowed her brother to ride for less than an hour, then she was back in the saddle.

Currently, Max and Tripp ride the Road King. Spring and Brooke ride the Tri-Glide and Terrie rides the Heritage. (Do you have a headache yet? I do in writing this up.) Like I said, with Terrie you really need a scorecard. Possibly 2 Valiums and a Xanax as well. Maybe this edition of MOM should be called “MOM in Novel Format.” Awww, I jest. We all love it.

In the last year, Brooke has gained more confidence and began riding 2 wheelers. Therefore, Brooke and Tripp switch around with whichever parent, or Grandma they’re riding with. They are an amazing motorcycle-riding family. Happiness, Joy, Love, Fun, EVERYWHERE and at every turn.

Whenever possible, Terrie rides her Heritage to Tripp’s local BMX races. One time when Grandma1956 rode up to the event, there was Brooke standing and talking with her friends.

When Brooke’s friends turned and saw an older lady, a grandma riding up on a motorcycle, their eyes darn near popped out of their heads, wondering who she was and how she could possibly be riding a motorcycle. Brooke laughed and said “Oh, that’s just my grandma.” To which they shockingly replied, “Your grandma rides a motorcycle?” (You know, with an upturned ending to the sentence but with a Texas twang.) Brooke shrugged her shoulders and said “Of course. Doesn’t everyone’s grandma ride a motorcycle?” Brooke was very blasé about the whole thing.

Brooke loves to cook and sew. Some HDF members may remember when Brooke was making facemasks last year for anyone who needed them, totally free of charge. Terrie is very proud of her grand-daughter’s efforts. To date, Brooke has made 1,000+ masks for private individuals, medical staff, emergency responders, and law enforcement departments.

Brooke is now taking horseback riding lessons and loving them.

Terrie’s work history includes 20 years in the NUCLEAR industry. Due to the nature of her work, high government clearance was required. After obtaining this clearance, Terrie worked with an Engineering and Construction Company for oil, gas, and chemical refineries. After 23 years there, she sadly was forced to retire last October.

Her first two jobs were on construction sites of nuclear power plants. On the first construction site referenced above, she witnessed the domes being put on the reactors. It was absolutely amazing to see the cranes lift the domes in sections. They looked like flying saucers she said.

At the second power plant, she was there during the initial fuel load which is a critical time. She worked in the Records and Vault department. All of a sudden, the loading of fuel came to a total standstill. It just stopped. She was sought out for documentation which was in a separate records vault. She hastened to make copies for the workers since the entire process froze to a standstill and it was critical to get it going again quickly.

As a reward for her efforts, the next evening when Terrie came to work, she was escorted into the reactor room to watch the fuel rods being placed into the core of the reactor. This was not only an awesome sight to see, but a very, very rare sight only a privileged few ever witness. And a privilege it was.

Her third job was at a nuclear weapons facility run by the Department of Energy. After her tenure there, Terrie claims that she glows. LOL

As far as her riding history, when Terrie was a teenager, her neighbor had motorcycles. Terrie’s parents would not allow her near them. No motorcycles. Not going to happen. No way. No how.

Terrie’s 1st husband rode a Honda Goldwing and she would ride on the back. Since Husband #1 would drink and ride, Terrie did not want to ride behind “pillion style.” If she wanted to go with him, she had to get her own bike. Well, her first bike was when she was 22 years old in June of ‘78. So that makes it (hmmm, carry the one) yes, 43 years riding to date. Her first bike was a Honda Hawk II 400 cc.

She loved riding so much that in no time, Terrie was straddling her husband’s Goldwing. This is how her riding career and life-long love of riding bikes began.

Starting from then, this is how it all lays out.

1. 1978 Honda Hawk II 400 cc (Sold)

2. 1992 Honda Shadow 600 cc (Traded for Harley Softail)

3. 1991 Harley Softail Custom (Sold January 2021)

4. 2017 Harley Heritage Softail (Currently Owns)

5. 2017 Harley Tri-Glide (Currently Owns)

6. 2018 Harley Road King (Currently Owns)

In the #1 spot for her favorite was the 1991 Softail Custom until her ’17 Heritage came along. This ’17 Heritage presently gets the greatest workout of all the bikes. On this bike Terrie said, she sits in it, not on it. And for those of you who know, that is a big difference. In addition, the lower center of gravity makes it easier and more comfortable to maneuver.

Her most memorable ride on this bike was the first time she rode eastward out of Houston almost to Beaumont (about 85 miles.) She then turned off the interstate and headed to the coast. The road on Bolivar Peninsula runs 27 miles ride along the water’s edge (which is gorgeous) of the Gulf of Mexico, and being a peninsula, there is water on both sides of the road. THAT was really nice!

The road ends at Bolivar Ferry crossing to Galveston Island. The ferry ride is 5 miles long and takes about 20 minutes. It is absolutely beautiful, along with the dolphins you always see when crossing by the ferry. This part of the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay is the entrance for the Houston shipping channel. There are always ships waiting their turn to enter the shipping lanes. A beautifully majestic sight to see.

Terrie’s overall most memorable rides were on her 1991 Softail Custom.

.At the time Grandma was living in Colorado with Husband #2. They went to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs. They went through the zoo and up the mountain side. It was really nice.

About a year after divorcing Husband #2, and while still living in Colorado, Terrie went on another memorable ride with a couple of other gals from work who also rode. Grandma was invited for a Sunday ride where they were to meet at a bar that was owned by one of the gal’s husbands. Upon arrival, there were many bikers. It was unknown to Grandma that this was a biker bar and they were in for a “Sunday Ride” which was actually an annual biker run and rally.

She found herself in the middle of hundreds of bikers traveling up I-25 to the northeastern corner of Colorado. There were several stops at biker bars along the way. It was a huge amount of fun. She noticed that her friends’ husbands watched out for her, being a single female friend of their wives. It was a wonderful and welcoming feeling.

On the “hobbies” side of things, Terrie used to raise Appaloosa show horses when she was married to has been Husband #2. Terrie loves horses. However due to an inner ear imbalance, she does not ride very much anymore.

She used to raise and train Appaloosas from the time they were born until their first day of professional training. By the time the horses went to a professional trainer, the background work was done, thanks to Grandma.

Her own horses were always in the Appaloosa National Top 10 in Western and English riding and Pleasure Driving.

After convincing her ex-husband to let her do “Pleasure Driving,” she started to get into more of what she enjoys.

Grandma personally trained one Appaloosa for Pleasure Driving with limited showings. During that time, this horse finished #2 in the national standings for Appaloosas. And that my friends, is one honorable and profound accomplishment.

In 2003, Terrie’s third husband and she began adopting retired racing greyhounds. The last Greyhound they adopted was “Greta” the year before husband #3 passed away. Greta has been, and still is a great comfort.

When Husband #3 passed away Greta became very protective of Grandma and the house, which is very unusual for a Greyhound. Greta will be 13 years old (91 in human years) this coming October. But nonetheless, Greta still does her “zoomies” around the house and in the backyard. LOL

Grandma always enjoyed fishing with (preferably) or without her father. She may not land the biggest fish, but she is typically the first to catch one. Be it freshwater or saltwater, it does not matter. Someday she will try salmon fishing. It’s on her bucket list.

Camping out? Absolutely. While being married to Husband #1, Terrie tent camped for an entire summer. It was magnificent. Now that she is a “senior citizen,” her idea of camping is a very comfortable hotel room with daily washed linens, a made bed (by someone else), and a supply of fresh towels every day…. and with good restaurants nearby.

Grandma’s shooting is pretty good. To her, it is more a skill to acquire than a hobby.

Her earliest memories of shooting are from when she was five years old. Terrie and her older brother got a .22 caliber rifle for Christmas. (Now is that Texas living or what?) They would go out to their aunt and uncle’s farm for target shooting. And as she recalls, she was a darn good shot for a five-year-old. Her last shooting rounds were with her late Husband #3. Her first three shots with a Glock 9 mm were almost in the same bull’s-eye hole. She’s thinking….yup. “I’m a pretty good shot.”

Upon asking Grandma to brag a little bit (other than what I have shared above) she said she really does not brag. She does not claim to be a “biker,” and she was never involved in the “biker world.” The HD Forums have taught her a lot. She considers herself to be an average gal and grandmother who happens to enjoy riding Harley Davidson motorcycles.

She is not particularly technical and does not repair her bike herself. Ironically though, when she was having mechanical issues with her 91 Softail, she went to the internet and this is how she learned about HD Forums.

Reading through the Forums, Terrie noticed how helpful and nice everyone was (boy did we fool her, LOL) and after a few months of work and after a few months of lurking, she decided to sign up and join HD Forums. Terrie considers that to be one of her better decisions. It has allowed her to make online friends and to enjoy conversations which helped pull her out of her shell and grief after the death of Husband #3.

She adds, “A while back, I was bestowed with the title of ‘Official HDF Hugger’ which was completely unexpected. Now I can offer hugs without second thoughts.” { I changed your quote a little bit so it flows better. I would be happy to change it back if you request.}

Our ever so loving Official Grandma1956 Hugger would like to make it clear, that she is grateful and will always be glad to have found HD Forums and developing new friendships there.

Picture Gallery
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'juss some toys.

Bolivar Galveston Ferry.

Bolivar Peninsula.
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Brooke giving a thumbs up.


Grandma1956 & Tripp. Thumbs up.
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Brooke & Terrie.
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Mother's Day. Mom and Spring.
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Spring & the twins.

Boyfriend & Terrie at Galveston beach.

From The HD Staff
CONGRATULATIONs Grandma1956.
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If you would like to recommend a future MOM, please PM BuzzCap7. Thank you...

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