A Beautiful Blazing Peach Sunrise

 

Song:  Look Into The Future

Group:  Journey

I had awakened rather early this morning...

as I had fallen asleep rather early last night.

As soon as I had exited my room...

I looked out the great room windows.

I saw peach colored clouds...

and I just knew it would be a sunrise to remember.

By the time I had gotten my camera and put on some sweat pants...

and then stepped out onto the 2nd floor deck...

the colors had richened some.

I stood in the early morning chill...

barefoot, in a t-shirt, and in sweatpants...

but as the colors progressed...

they were so mesmerizing that I really didn't feel the chill in the air.

Rays began extending across the horizon.

And there began one of natures most beautiful displays...

a mixture of pastels...

and brilliant and vibrant colors being illuminated by the rising sun.

The included song has always been one of my favorites...

as when I was in high school...

I used to get up before 5 AM to go jog for many miles along the top

of a riverbank near home.

On the way back...

I used to be treated to beautiful sunrises as this, then, new song played in my head.

This song also played in my head during our early morning runs in Basic Training

when I first entered the Army just out of high school at 17 years old.

This song leads me into introspective moments that I have during beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

It often still plays in my head during these times...

even now...

as it did this morning.

Just before the sun rose...

the sky then turned mostly amber.

I always feel so purified inside after seeing another so...

so beautiful sunrise or sunset.

It is one of those deeply moving moments in life that just makes everything so rich.

A beautiful sunrise or sunset...

simultaneously motivates and causes deep reflection.

It makes me so grateful to be alive...

and gives me such hope for the future.

Nothing else matters in these moments...

but the rapturous and resonant feelings so deeply felt...

and always remembered.

-----------

I am a cloud watcher.

I not only love the clouds themselves...

but as I have always observed them throughout life...

I am pretty good at predicting a beautiful sunrise or sunset based upon

the cloud formations themselves

(although this morning's sunrise was pure luck...

I just happened to awaken at the right time).

When the mind perceives great beauty before it...

and the music of the mind seems to match your surroundings...

the flow of the shapes and colors of the scene blending in with the melody...

and the beat of the music in synch with the wind upon your face...

it is, of course...

not nature bending to the will of the mind...

but of the subconscious matching the music to what the senses perceive.

But...

this just goes to show how the mind works...

and how you can have it work for you.

Just as negative thoughts can warp the view of the person...

of how it saps energy and will...

of how it paints a gloomy future...

and so...

destroys hope...

great beauty inspires a person to dream...

and sets the drive to walk that path to achieve those dreams.

It makes one so deeply moved and appreciative of everything in life.

---------

As I have said many times before...

living life by the basic four primes the soul:

(the conglomerate of the body, intellect, and emotions).

Delicious and Nutritious Diet

Exercise

Deep Restorative Sleep

Living Life With a Passion

(having a creative passion in life)

These four work together.

A delicious and nutritious diet sets the framework for the body to exercise.

Exercise resets the pleasure threshold so the senses 

perceive deep pleasure at a much lower level of stimuli

(walking through the fires of hell to reach heaven on the other side).

Deep restorative sleep allows full recovery...

so the process may be repeated.

Living life with a passion not only gives such meaning to life...

it is a natural result of the first three being adhered to throughout life.

Litmus test:

If when you are presented with great beauty

(such as a beautiful sunrise or sunset)...

you don't feel deeply transformed...

almost god like in energy and sensory levels...

where you feel colors, shapes, tactile input, and the music of the mind all blended into one

as your surroundings bless you with a wonderful sonata...

and of which hold you utterly mesmerized and in deep awe...

which then transports you to your beautiful inner world of the best of the past...

of your deepest dreams for the future realized...

and of serenity in the present...

then something in your life needs to be corrected.

Your default mode of operation should be one of deep inner happiness.

With a dream to realize...there is hope for the future.

When you are walking that path to a better future...

you enjoy the present.

When you have hope for the future...

and are walking the path to its fulfillment...

the past no longer matters.

Most often...

it is in the lack of exercise department where so many fail.

Never strive for mere quantity of life.

It is always about the quantity of quality.

Without a quantity of quality exercise...

true quality of life can never be achieved.

(conversely...if you are exercising heavily and you don't feel deeply happy inside...

it means you aren't allowing deep enough levels of recovery).

But...

as I have already covered this topic in earlier articles...

I'll just leave this as a reminder.

----------

I will leave you with this...

truly observe your surroundings...

there is great natural beauty all around us.

Make time for beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

They will transform you...

for you will then enter your surreal inner world of the flow.

And it is only in the flow where you may experience

your deepest and most sacred feelings and understanding of yourself...

and so...

the world around you.

And then...

and only then...

do you truly appreciate all of the grand beauty of life...

and of all the great simple pleasures within.

Phase I - Boar Spear Wrapping

 

Song:  Immigrant Song

Group:  Led Zeppelin

As I am still awaiting my black high strength para-cord to firmly secure 

the spearhead to the shaft...

I decided to lay down the underlying friction tape of the final wrapping of the spear.

My wide angle headlamp will arrive tomorrow...

and the para-cord should arrive by the end of next week.

The spear is perfectly functional now...

but I want to be certain it is as solid as can be.

I have a large supply of athletic tape for a variety of reasons.

It is the perfect tape for this spear.

As you can see...

the hard wood of the shaft had come with a thick layer of lacquer to protect

the wood from the elements.

However...

this makes the wood rather slippery...

especially with sweaty or bloody hands.

And so...

I wrapped certain parts of the shaft using a cross hatch style of wrapping.

I had first wrapped the area over which I will wrap the spearhead 

to the shaft.

This will provide plenty of friction for the para-cord to securely grip the shaft.

I then measured my handholds on the shaft for optimum placement.

I wanted these two spots...

the top most for my lead hand...

and the rear most for my rear hand.

The reason for this particular placement is to allow distance

from the snapping jaws of a large predator...

while allowing the rear forearm to lock the spear to my lower lats.

This way...

I will have optimum distance without sacrificing the security of the spear...

as large predators would attempt to wrestle the spear out of my hands

by biting down on the shaft and shaking its head...

using its whole body weight.

I left the center portion smooth by design.

There is a particularly fast and repeatable strike...

a cue strike...

where I would allow the spear shaft to slide back and forth inside of my fore grip

as I thrust forwards with my rear hand

(for fast shallow strikes to vulnerable areas such as the legs or neck...

not for deep penetration).

So...

I want to have a smooth surface in the middle to allow for this.

The rear hand I would never relax...

as in the retracted position...

it would lock in the spear.

Each handhold is optimally placed for full extension and retraction in mind.

I will be ordering a butt end for the spear.

I will hopefully be able to find a pointed end...

as pack predators will want to surround their prey.

This way I will be able to attack in two directions...

forwards and to the rear...

in rapid succession.

It would also prevent a predator from biting down on the rear end of the shaft.

And for use as a walking stick...

I could plant the end firmly in place before placing my weight upon it...

preventing it from sliding out of place...

and me...

from crashing to the ground.

It will be especially valuable on icy ground.

----------

Although we have had some very beautiful days...

lately...

it has periodically lightly rained for but a very short while...

but once this happens...

I cannot cover the decks until I have several days of sunny weather.

And so...

it may be a while before I can complete the second deck.

However...

as always...

I have many mini projects to work on...

good weather or bad.

Maggie's Restaurant - Pure Heaven On A Plate

 

Song:  Calypso

Artist:  John Denver

After ordering...

the above song came out on the speaker system in the restaurant.

They softly played easy listening music...

one of my favorite genres.

-----------

As it was Tuesday evening...

I decided to go to my...now...

 favorite restaurant...

Maggie's in Cripple Creek.

Every Tuesday...

they have 50% off every entree.

And so...

I have been going there every Tuesday.

------

I am a man...

and as a man...

I can tell you that there are few things in life that give us 

so much pleasure than does a fantastic meal...

and this one goes down as the absolute best.

After eating the BBQ Rib plate at Maggie's...

I am positively jazzed.

I can now cross off eating at the best BBQ place from my bucket list.

Even though Maggie's is a restaurant which serves everything 

from steak and seafood to BBQ...

I just had the BEST BBQ ribs I have ever had in my life. 

As I was eating these great ribs...

the above song played in my head.

It had just so perfectly accompanied the floating feeling

I had gotten from each and every bite.

My inner child was jumping up and down with pure joy...

and my inner dog was wagging his tail wildly

as I had the flavors of the perfect char mixing in with the spices used...

and with the super savory BBQ sauce making my salivary glands go into hyperdrive.

-----------

I was on my way down my mountain towards town...

and to what would be my evening of a grand feast...

a delight to my palate that will forever set the bar for excellence...

for it was the very best.

I was almost to the main road here.

Although I was not ravenous...

I just couldn't pass up 50% off night (every Tuesday)...

at Maggie's Restaurant in Cripple Creek

(but a short 15 minute drive from home).

I decided to order a full rack of BBQ Ribs.

It came with a soup, veggies, mashed potatoes with gravy...

and a HUGE rack of ribs.

It is a cozy restaurant...

one which I will be going to many...

many times in the future.

First off...

these ribs were not only huge...

and super thick...

they were super tender throughout...

so deliciously spiced...

and so masterfully cooked.

I had never had such delicious ribs in my life...

not even from dedicated BBQ places.

I had tasted a piece of heaven from a Master Chef.

The chef had fire roasted the meat and veggies (I loved these veggies so much)...

and the spices used were so spot on...

so outrageously delicious...

my mouth is still watering from such a deeply pleasurable meal.

There were a total of four large sections of meat to complete the full rack.

When I say the meat sections were thick...

I do mean...

THICK 

(at least two to three times the thickness of anywhere else I had ever tried...

and yet...super tender, super flavorful, and super JUICY).

And they had just the right amount of fat in the meat...

each of which had been partially rendered in the open flame...

of which had so perfectly charred the meat and veggies.

The meat had been expertly seasoned...

and then the uber delicious BBQ sauce had just the right amount

of tang and sweetness.

I have eaten in many a restaurant...

but I had never had the meal of such a talented chef...

a true master chef.

I say again...

he (or she) had served up pure heaven on a plate.

The whole meal was just so unexpectedly excellent...

only because the restaurant is on a street off the main drag...

and it wasn't a featured ultra expensive restaurant in an upscale casino in town.

Even the mashed potatoes and gravy were so good...

just so flavorful.

And...

the whole entree...

a whole large rack of ribs...

with all of the side dishes...

just $13.

With taxes and my drink...

just $16.

This is the Cripple Creek must go to restaurant.

Heck...

even at full price...

it is such a bargain...

as you will never taste such a perfect meal...

anywhere.

And...

as delicious as they were...

I could only finish one of the four sections of meat...

so I took the other three sections home.

I am so happy...

not only to have such a perfect restaurant just 15 minutes from home...

but the best one I have eaten at in my entire life.

What even makes it even better is the 50% off every Tuesday...

my day to eat there.

On my way home...

I passed by this small herd of deer just grazing in town.

They were also grazing right next to the town Post Office.

The Donkeys of Cripple Creek also roam freely in town during the warmer months.

I will be visiting them in their winter grazing field in another month or two.

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

I cannot stress this enough...

Maggie's restaurant in Cripple Creek...

is a MUST go to restaurant.

I plan to try some of their steaks in the future...

as well as other iterations of their great burgers.

And...

with the 50% off on Tuesday nights...

it need not be a guilty pleasure...

it shall just be one of pure eating pleasure.

The Coyotes And The Boar Spear

 

Song:  Baby Blue

Group:  Badfinger

I had started out this morning with some warmed up Mountain Man Pad Thai.

Bandi also loves it mixed into her kibble.

Bandi waiting expectantly for her meal.

She pays rapt attention whenever she sees food being prepared.

One of Bandi's favorite times of her day...

Yum Yum Time.

The colors of the Aspens on my property are still darkening.

Just outside one of my garage doors...

there is a numerical keypad to remotely open it.

This way...

I don't have to open the garage from the inside whenever I am not in my car or trike

(and so, just using one of my remotes...one in my car...

and the other in my triking jacket).

My first short project of the day was to water and check on my Japanese Maple.

I had initially installed a water dam around the drip line of the tree.

However...

it had proved to be worthless...

as my drainage is so good...

the water just soaked in faster than I could water it.

So...

I just took it away.

In a few weeks...

I expect all of the leaves to fall off...

and at that time...

I will winterize the tree.

Just last week...

as I was taking Bandi out for her last bathroom visit of the night (just after 10 PM)...

as we were out in the dark forest...

only partially lit by my handheld flashlight...

Bandi suddenly alerted and began to growl.

Within seconds...

I then heard a fairly nearby pack of coyotes just across the road from us...

and down a little ways from the top of the ridge.

Although they had initially howled out...

after a few seconds...

they all went silent.

Anyway...

after Bandi finished...

we rather quickly walked back inside the house.

It had gotten me thinking.

I needed to have something on me which would allow me to take on

a large pack of animals should they attack en-masse.

I would also need to be able to take on the largest of the predators

in case of attack by one of them as well

(Bear...Mountain Lion...Coy-Wolf...Wild Dog...etc).

Bandi is like a child to me...

and I will fight to the death to protect her

(with the right weapon...the predators' death).

I am a man...

and as one...

two of my main prime objectives in life are to protect and to provide...

and as such...

I would not desert Bandi to save myself...

and so...

I need to be prepared.

For this...

I would need something with quickness, reach, and terminal results.

As coyotes travel in packs as large as several dozen...

even were I to shoot some...

my .357 only holds five rounds...

and my shotgun holds 8 shells...

with another four in the stock.

But...

with no time to reload using a revolver...

and in the case of being attacked by a large pack...

I would need something I could wield to fend off all of them

(although...as I age more...I will just carry a semi-auto handgun

with enough rounds in spare magazines to take on any number of predators...

as carried on a chest holster with extra magazine holders.

I am also a fast and accurate shooter...through years of training).

But, until that time that I get one...

this spear will do just fine.

I had long admired the Cold Steel Boar Spear...

and it was high time to order one to accompany Bandi and me 

on each and every trip out into the forest...just in case.

This particular spear is NOT a non functioning replica.

It is very sturdy in build and design.

It is made to kill any North American predator if necessary.

The spear is the deadliest of the non ballistic melee weapons...

more so than the sword, mace...

or any other weapon of war of days of old.

Even though I am 65 years old...

I am still fast

(because I am smooth and efficient in motion).

I know how to wield melee weapons...

and...no...

not just from watching movies  :)

And...

as I age even more...

it will serve as a forest walking stick as well  :)

This spear has reach...

and the shaft is very solid...

hardwood solid.

For now...

I will keep it just to the inside of the door so I can easily retrieve it 

on my way out to the forest with Bandi.

I am thinking of somehow mounting it to the wall...

to the left of the door...later on.

The edges of the spear are also very sharp...

so I may thrust or slash with it very effectively.

I am going to order some leather lashings or paracord to securely attach the spear head

to the shaft (even though it has some included screws)...

I will also cap the butt end so I may use it as a walking stick...

and I will use some sports tape for a sure grip along much of the length of this spear.

I will need to order more knife all weather protectant...

as I will be out in stormy weather...

 as well as in good.

I will also be ordering a wide angle beam projecting headband light...

as I will need to keep my hands free as I carry this spear.

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

Is it really that dangerous living up here?

NO

But...

I always like to be prepared for worst case scenarios.

Last week had shown me a scenario for which I hadn't been prepared...

and so...

I am now prepared...

for now.

Again...

within a few years...

I will be packing a semi-auto with plenty of spare mags in a vest I will keep by the door...

and which will be worn every time I take Bandi out to her bathroom in the forest

(10mm loaded with hard cast bear loads).

After that...

the spear will make for a nice wall decoration.

Why not do that now?

What is life without a little excitement?  :)  

In all seriousness...

I know my body and my capabilities.

I am still quite capable...

and I am quite comfortable with justified violence.

However...

I also know that as I age...

my capabilities will wither with time.

And so...

when that time comes...

a semi-auto will be the prudent choice.