Snow / Two Days Of Recovery

 

Song:  99

Group:  Toto

(This song had come out...

and had quickly become one of my favorite songs

when I lived in Hawaii for four years...

from 77' - 81').

As I was driving back from today's shopping...

this song played from my play list in the car...

and it just fit my mood at the moment...

and so...

from Woodland Park...

all the way home...

I just kept repeating this song and singing to it.

As the weather was nice (50F or 10C)...

I drove with all of the car windows open

while Bandi hung outside one of the windows...

just loving the wind in her face.

---------------

I had taken it easy all day in bed yesterday...

as my body aches had returned...

because I tried to work outside while still ill the previous two days before.

I felt pretty good this morning...

but...

just as the first weather report had predicted...

yesterday started out with some mist on the mountains...

which devolved into a short thunder storm...

and then into a light snowfall.

So...

I couldn't do any more deck work anyway.

All day today...

other than for a quick food shopping trip in Woodland Park...

I will also stay in bed.

For the next few days...

the weather is supposed to be fine.

This should allow the light dusting of snow to melt...

and the water to evaporate.

Early next week I am supposed to get my wood repair epoxy.

I suspect it will take me a while to finish the repair work...

and then another day of allowing the epoxy to fully cure.

So long as there are not any more showers...

I should be able to resume the outdoor waterproof carpeting of the second deck soon after.

As you can see...

 the third deck protects the second deck.

I took Bandi out to her forest bathroom area before taking her 

on our car ride into Woodland Park for shopping.

A last pic just before entering the front door.

I quickly walked upstairs to check some things on the computer.

You can see the light dusting of snow on the trees.

And then Bandi and I got into the car to do some bulk shopping at Walmart.

This is just before the turnoff for Safeway...

my normal food shopping place...

except when I need to buy things in bulk...

then Walmart is just one mile down the road from Safeway.

I love seeing Pikes Peak from Woodland Park.

After completing my shopping...

I stopped in at my favorite taco truck in Woodland Park.

I always park facing Pikes Peak.

This way I will always have the best seat to enjoy my food and the views.

Their carnitas tacos are the best.

I ordered two...

but I should have ordered all of them as carnitas.

I had also gotten three carne asada tacos.

Although they are good...

the carnitas tacos are simply the best.

When you bite into the carnitas tacos...

and the succulent juices drip out both ends of the taco...

that is how you know the carnitas was correctly made.

The meat is just so tender and juicy...

and with their verde on top...

along with a full lime wedge squeezed over the top of each taco...

it is just the best.

I just love tacos.

As I was eating and enjoying the views...

I noticed a new food station had made its home in the same parking lot.

After I finished eating...

I walked over to see what they sold.

I couldn't resist buying a small pie.

Not only because I love blueberry pie...

but I admired the semi elderly lady running the operation.

She is following a dream of hers...

and I could see the excitement and pride in her eyes.

She had a softness about her that made me want to do something for her

(when a woman is soft...it automatically triggers the protective instinct in men).

She bakes at home using her own recipes...

and she is planning to supplement her retirement income 

with her self made operation.

I always like to support the small businessman or woman.

It takes great determination...

long hours of work, and risk.

And, most of all...

she is expressing a creative passion.

Again...

I cannot help but admire such a person.

So...

later tonight...

I am going to try her pie.

And...

every time I visit the taco truck...

I will be sure to stop in to buy something else from her.

I was leaving Woodland park and on my way home here.

I had just filled my belly with a delicious meal...

driving with all of the car windows fully open...

and the included song played on my car stereo about here as well...

and until I got home...

I just kept repeating it...

and singing to it...

with the wind in my hair...

and not a care in the world.

I was almost home here.

After unloading the car...

I made myself a large mug of peppermint tea...

which I am currently enjoying as I type up this article.

--------

As I still have some body aches...

I will just go to bed and try to rest.

But...

I have to tell you...

those great tacos really made me feel so much better.

A great taco is one of the great simple pleasures in life.

So...

here I sit with my appetite sated...

my peppermint tea just about finished...

my body feeling drowsiness overcoming it

(even though it is only 3 PM)...

still feeling slightly ill...

but enormously happy.

When the simplest of pleasures make you deeply happy inside...

you know you have done something right in life.

Eliminate worries...

so you will have none.

You then may enjoy everything all around you...

from the clouds, the sun, the forests and mountains...

and even the gentlest of breezes.

Even though it was a simple car ride into town to shop...

and then to eat a greatly satisfying meal...

well...

I had such a great day.

I enjoy the views to and from town...

having the freedom of the open road...

seeing Bandi enjoying herself so much as she hangs out the window...

singing to my favorite songs as if I were on stage

(yes...with the included theatrical movements of my free arm and head :)...

and then looking forwards to sipping a mug of my favorite tea...

my life...

while simple...

is filled with such serenity that I am certain that dreams do come true...

if we just keep them alive and constantly work towards them.

Look into the future...

and walk the path to its realization.

Be the ant...

and not the grasshopper...

it is worth it...

so very worth it.

----------

(after resting and then taking Bandi out to use the bathroom...

I saw this sunset almost in its final stages.

I rushed up to the loft to stand on the third deck to take this shot of a dying sunset.  

It was still so beautiful).

Yesterday...

I ordered a book on Eastern Philosophy.

I decided to incorporate the wisdom of some of Asia's greatest philosophers (Taoism)...

as well as the wisdom of the Western Philosophers (Stoicism)...

in my future book series.

I have much reading to catch up on.

No matter the weather...

I always have a carrot awaiting me.

To accomplish your dreams...

is to enjoy every day...

and so...

to never have regrets.

This is in the realm of serenity...

and of living a life well lived.