The original email Dad sent with this:

A Walk Down Memory Lane:

My first ride on a motorcycle occurred in 1952 on the gas tank of my Daddy's 1952 Harley-Davidson K-Model. You could have one in '52 for $750. You could also have a new Chevy for just a few bucks more. We got the Harley first, the Chevy came later.......priorities, you know:) So what's new with Harley pricing............nothing. The housing market was booming after The War and you could be the proud owner of a three-bedroom with a 75 by 150 lot for a paltry 10 grand. We grasped the American Dream in '58 on 1001 Newton Street in Prattville, Alabama. What a proud day for us all. Thank you, Dr. Newton, for the creative financing.

I was six years old and what a thrill it was to split the wind with my Father. He would let go of the handlebars and the bike tracked on fast and true. I wasn't worried. After all, He was My Daddy. There was no danger, but today some idiot would cry foul; stupid bastards. The thrill is still there.

Theodore Lawrence Baker rode the old bike to and from work every day; rain or shine, cold or hot..........he was a RIDER. The love of the modahsickle that I enjoy today comes from him.

One day, on the way home from work, a bulldog ran out in the road and Daddy hit him a glancing blow and went down. He was knocked unconscious and awoke to the dog licking him in the face. He gave the dog a good petting and picked up the K-Model and rode on home. I like that. He rode on many miles and years after that.

Thank you, Daddy.

James Lawrence Baker

P.S. I wish Daddy had passed on his name to me, as I did to my son, Jim, but Daddy always said he wouldn't name a dog "Theodore." Proud name in my opinion. If I had thought about it, I should have named my dog, Dude, Theodore.........he has the same proud spirit. Dude already possessed his name when I got him..........maybe he'll come to TheoDude.