Jerry Smith, writer, motorcyclist, Sophie's dad.
@jerrysmith6559.bsky.social
Freelance writer/editor, motorcyclist, motojournalist, dogfather, optipessimist. jerrysmithauthor.com
The human worked all day so Sophie got acquainted with her new blanket. Do golden retrievers have their own tartan? #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
January 19, 2026 at 3:44 AM
The human worked all day so Sophie got acquainted with her new blanket. Do golden retrievers have their own tartan? #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
I need only one more small part to mount the rear shock and get my KLR back on the road and it's taking FOREVER to get it here. (I'm talking to YOU, Progressive Suspension.) #motosky #motorcycle
January 18, 2026 at 4:59 PM
I need only one more small part to mount the rear shock and get my KLR back on the road and it's taking FOREVER to get it here. (I'm talking to YOU, Progressive Suspension.) #motosky #motorcycle
Added another name today to my list of authors whose body of work consists of one book I really loved and a lot of others I DNFed. Hey, you win some, you lose some. #bookskychat
January 18, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Added another name today to my list of authors whose body of work consists of one book I really loved and a lot of others I DNFed. Hey, you win some, you lose some. #bookskychat
"You're saying things about me on the internet again, aren't you?"
Only nice things.
"You said I weigh 80 pounds now."
Well, you do.
"Keep fat shaming me, old man, and I'll post a picture of you."
Wow. OK, message received.
#dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
Only nice things.
"You said I weigh 80 pounds now."
Well, you do.
"Keep fat shaming me, old man, and I'll post a picture of you."
Wow. OK, message received.
#dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
January 18, 2026 at 6:01 AM
"You're saying things about me on the internet again, aren't you?"
Only nice things.
"You said I weigh 80 pounds now."
Well, you do.
"Keep fat shaming me, old man, and I'll post a picture of you."
Wow. OK, message received.
#dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
Only nice things.
"You said I weigh 80 pounds now."
Well, you do.
"Keep fat shaming me, old man, and I'll post a picture of you."
Wow. OK, message received.
#dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
While I wasn't paying attention closely, Sophie grew up. She weighed 10.5 pounds at seven weeks of age; today, at her annual physical, aged 5, she tipped the scales at 80. I guess I have to stop calling her Little One and Small Dog. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
January 18, 2026 at 12:25 AM
While I wasn't paying attention closely, Sophie grew up. She weighed 10.5 pounds at seven weeks of age; today, at her annual physical, aged 5, she tipped the scales at 80. I guess I have to stop calling her Little One and Small Dog. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
Before installing the oversize front brake rotor and stainless-steel line I had to drain the brake fluid. The cap screws must have had red Loctite on the threads. Easy-outs did the trick, followed by a trip to the hardware store for new screws. Tomorrow I start over... #motosky #motorcycle
January 15, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Before installing the oversize front brake rotor and stainless-steel line I had to drain the brake fluid. The cap screws must have had red Loctite on the threads. Easy-outs did the trick, followed by a trip to the hardware store for new screws. Tomorrow I start over... #motosky #motorcycle
"No, you CAN'T have just five damn minutes to yourself. You gave that up when you got a golden retriever. Now, pick one and throw it." #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
January 14, 2026 at 8:23 PM
"No, you CAN'T have just five damn minutes to yourself. You gave that up when you got a golden retriever. Now, pick one and throw it." #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
Before the first crewed mission to Mars, which could last up to 2.5 years, someone has to decide how many toothbrushes to take along. Somewhere on the ship will be a crate of them, taking up space and using fuel. I'd like to be at that meeting. I'm underqualified for anything else.
January 14, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Before the first crewed mission to Mars, which could last up to 2.5 years, someone has to decide how many toothbrushes to take along. Somewhere on the ship will be a crate of them, taking up space and using fuel. I'd like to be at that meeting. I'm underqualified for anything else.
Pharmacist: You don't need the shingles shot if you never had chicken pox. Did you remember if you had chicken pox when you were a kid?
Me (turning 74 next month): Are you kidding? I don't remember why I came in here.
Me (turning 74 next month): Are you kidding? I don't remember why I came in here.
January 14, 2026 at 1:33 AM
Pharmacist: You don't need the shingles shot if you never had chicken pox. Did you remember if you had chicken pox when you were a kid?
Me (turning 74 next month): Are you kidding? I don't remember why I came in here.
Me (turning 74 next month): Are you kidding? I don't remember why I came in here.
Belated advice for the guy I just shut the door on: Never begin your sales pitch with a question that can be answered "No."
January 12, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Belated advice for the guy I just shut the door on: Never begin your sales pitch with a question that can be answered "No."
Sophie just got home from a toga party with the pit bulls next door. Someone brought catnip and now she has the munchies for a can of tuna. I'm going to get some Milk-Bones down her and put her to bed. She won't remember any of this in the morning. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
January 10, 2026 at 5:23 AM
Sophie just got home from a toga party with the pit bulls next door. Someone brought catnip and now she has the munchies for a can of tuna. I'm going to get some Milk-Bones down her and put her to bed. She won't remember any of this in the morning. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
Hurrah for anti-itch meds. Sophie's still tired tonight, but from playing, not scratching. I won't run out of those pills again. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
January 9, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Hurrah for anti-itch meds. Sophie's still tired tonight, but from playing, not scratching. I won't run out of those pills again. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
Meet The Itchiest Dog In The World (TM). Her schedule has been scratch, nap, scratch, nap, chase tail, nap ever since I ran out of her daily anti-itch meds last week. We're waiting for a refill, which arrives today. I expect more napping as it takes effect. The poor pup's exhausted. #dogsofbluesky
January 8, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Meet The Itchiest Dog In The World (TM). Her schedule has been scratch, nap, scratch, nap, chase tail, nap ever since I ran out of her daily anti-itch meds last week. We're waiting for a refill, which arrives today. I expect more napping as it takes effect. The poor pup's exhausted. #dogsofbluesky
I hate it when a book I'm reading bogs down in unnecessary detail or too much exposition, or in some other way fails to hold my interest. When I notice that I'm bored with my WIP I know I'm going down the wrong road. My tenuous attention span is finally paying off. #amwriting #bookskychat #author
January 8, 2026 at 12:49 AM
I hate it when a book I'm reading bogs down in unnecessary detail or too much exposition, or in some other way fails to hold my interest. When I notice that I'm bored with my WIP I know I'm going down the wrong road. My tenuous attention span is finally paying off. #amwriting #bookskychat #author
I just got a high-dose flu shot. I'm not sure what "high dose" means with respect to side effects, nor did the pharmacist, but I'm sleeping in tomorrow and goofing off all day anyway, just in case. Good excuses are hard to come by.
January 8, 2026 at 12:34 AM
I just got a high-dose flu shot. I'm not sure what "high dose" means with respect to side effects, nor did the pharmacist, but I'm sleeping in tomorrow and goofing off all day anyway, just in case. Good excuses are hard to come by.
Writing a new novel feels like getting back on a motorcycle after a few months' layoff. A little wobbly at first, but after the first few corners your brain calls up all the old instincts and you're right back up to speed, cruising along happily, putting the miles behind you. #booksky
January 7, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Writing a new novel feels like getting back on a motorcycle after a few months' layoff. A little wobbly at first, but after the first few corners your brain calls up all the old instincts and you're right back up to speed, cruising along happily, putting the miles behind you. #booksky
More evidence that some people want to sound smart without putting in the effort to learn stuff: Two guys at the next table arguing heatedly about something they could easily look up on their phones, which are RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF THEM FFS. We're so screwed.
January 7, 2026 at 8:52 PM
More evidence that some people want to sound smart without putting in the effort to learn stuff: Two guys at the next table arguing heatedly about something they could easily look up on their phones, which are RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF THEM FFS. We're so screwed.
I'm writing a scene in which a writer and his agent are discussing a popular (fictional) series of YA books. I came up with the dumbest-sounding, most unlikely combination of genres to describe the series, and then, on a hunch, I did a search--and it's actually a thing. #amwriting #booksky
January 7, 2026 at 5:13 AM
I'm writing a scene in which a writer and his agent are discussing a popular (fictional) series of YA books. I came up with the dumbest-sounding, most unlikely combination of genres to describe the series, and then, on a hunch, I did a search--and it's actually a thing. #amwriting #booksky
I can't decide whether I should keep outlining my next book or just start writing certain in the knowledge that I'll blow off the outline about two chapters in. #amwriting #author #Booksky
January 4, 2026 at 7:50 PM
I can't decide whether I should keep outlining my next book or just start writing certain in the knowledge that I'll blow off the outline about two chapters in. #amwriting #author #Booksky
I meant to hike the price back up to the original $15 but it's cold and rainy and I'm stuck in the house and bored and I just can't be bothered. Missed Shifts is now $10 in paperback and will be for the foreseeable future. My ennui is your gain. #motosky #motorcycle
www.amazon.com/dp/1719235317
www.amazon.com/dp/1719235317
January 3, 2026 at 10:36 PM
I meant to hike the price back up to the original $15 but it's cold and rainy and I'm stuck in the house and bored and I just can't be bothered. Missed Shifts is now $10 in paperback and will be for the foreseeable future. My ennui is your gain. #motosky #motorcycle
www.amazon.com/dp/1719235317
www.amazon.com/dp/1719235317
While I was in the shower every MS Word doc icon on my desktop changed to one I've never seen before and my heart is still going about 300bpm. Hey, Microflop, warn me next time, OK? #amwriting
January 2, 2026 at 8:14 PM
While I was in the shower every MS Word doc icon on my desktop changed to one I've never seen before and my heart is still going about 300bpm. Hey, Microflop, warn me next time, OK? #amwriting
I had planned a NYD ride on the KLR but yesterday I pulled the rear shock. Today I ordered lowering links and it's not worth putting it all back together until they get here. Also, it's cold and raining and the house is warm and dry, with a dog. Next year for sure. #motosky #motorcycle #klr650
January 1, 2026 at 1:37 AM
I had planned a NYD ride on the KLR but yesterday I pulled the rear shock. Today I ordered lowering links and it's not worth putting it all back together until they get here. Also, it's cold and raining and the house is warm and dry, with a dog. Next year for sure. #motosky #motorcycle #klr650
I don't know or care how many books I read this year. But I wrote a book this year, and a few days ago an agent asked to read it. That's what I care about. #booksky
December 31, 2025 at 5:32 AM
I don't know or care how many books I read this year. But I wrote a book this year, and a few days ago an agent asked to read it. That's what I care about. #booksky
The KLR's mystery shock turns out to be an older Progressive Suspension 465 series. The previous owner installed it backward, blocking the 5-position damping adjuster. I took a half-inch out of the preload and left damping at 3. I'll grease all link bearings before reassembly. #motosky #motorcycle
December 30, 2025 at 11:31 PM
The KLR's mystery shock turns out to be an older Progressive Suspension 465 series. The previous owner installed it backward, blocking the 5-position damping adjuster. I took a half-inch out of the preload and left damping at 3. I'll grease all link bearings before reassembly. #motosky #motorcycle
The KLR is full of surprises, and not always good ones. Look closely under the bottom adjustment ring and you'll see there's only one collar holding the spring down. Thanks, previous owner. I needed another project. Anyone got a spring compressor I can borrow? #motosky #motorcycle #klr650
December 30, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The KLR is full of surprises, and not always good ones. Look closely under the bottom adjustment ring and you'll see there's only one collar holding the spring down. Thanks, previous owner. I needed another project. Anyone got a spring compressor I can borrow? #motosky #motorcycle #klr650