Rough Cut = Rough Times

The migration towards the higher country offered bigger rewards than expected. I just sensed that I was in for a treat but what I witnessed was truly magical. Brick Red Scrub Oak, Green & Yellow Aspen Trees Groves, and Mighty Evergreen Trees standing erect amongst the color palette provided by the Centennial Divide. Sign Me Up

I arrived a day earlier because I had the time and needed the mental break from daily chaos. Plus, it was really nice to escape the smoke filled skies. The Valley took a hit again by the California wild fires. What appears to be cloud cover in the above photo is actually a smokey haze lingering about. Sucks

This is what awaited me on my free day. The ever so soft breeze plucked these golden leaves from their perch and into the air they went. Those little guys floated down towards me in a seesaw swaying motion but the sound they produced while airborne was so special. More than just a rustling sound but more of a comforting blanket of reassurance. Right Here, Right Now 

No trail running these days but the casual hike presented a full on blissed out experience. The leaves crunching beneath my feet, The Crystal River cascaded rushing like sounds off the mountain sides, and one hell of a glorious sunset awaited my stumbling old body into the open space of clarity. Let's Problem Solve 

I carried along the trail and pleasantly never crossed paths with another human. Might have crossed paths with a soul or two but no knuckleheads this trip. YES

The shift of crisp clean evening air was a gentle reminder that my noodles are uncooked and my sauce is still in the mason jar. Would love to have continued on but the hunger pains scrum my walking dreams. Thankfully, boiling water doesn't take all that long and my Full Moon tomato sauce only needs a slight moment under the burner. Best Meal Ever 

ROUGH CUT:

A number of you fine folks knew of this style of material and quite a few asked for some photos. I thank you, I heard you, and I present to you my 9 hour day of manual labor. As The Great Comedian Steve Martin Once Said," I get paid for doing this." 

The ends are stain free because of cracks, splits, or future cuts for fitting to size. My pattern of production consisted of staining each side first and then laying them flat for their first coat. After a few hours, flip over, stain the backside. In this arid climate of about 12% humidity, these boards are dry within about four hours. 

Check out how that massive saw blade chews into these boards like butter. A few 14 footers, a majority of them are 12 footers, a number of 8 foot boards, and then 8 4x2's for trim work around the door, corner edges, and windows. And that there my friends, is about $450.oo of rough cut lumber with about the same dollar amount of oil based stain. Yah00000ooooooo 

The photo below, check out the 4th and 5th boards from the left. A shinny steal bandsaw blade rips these boards to the desirable width but leaves pretty cool markings in my opinion. Hints, rough cut lumber and think leather gloves for my sissy paws. But before applying the stain, those boards smell so good. Totally Raw 

Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fur, and Blue Spruce for mixing and matching the board & buckle style. Fingers crossed that these bark stripped beauties will start going up before the first snow fall. Time Will Tell

On a good note, really enjoyed working outside. Is this what I want to do?? Sh*T No. But it is work and my office is surrounded by amazingly color changing Aspen Trees, Blue Jays & Crow calls echoing through the lush forest landscape, a perfectly timed light breeze produced by Mother Nature to cool down my core, and clean fresh air surrounds my muffled thoughts. Not a bad combo when rolling out gallons and gallons of stain. So Thats Cool

ORTHO:

There was an Ortho session this week that went well and worth a mention. A client from way back forwarded my contact info and their friend had a jacked up knee issue. They pitched the idea of a backyard session at their place with a dinner afterwards. Dinner It Is 

I set up my table under their Ash Tree and we got to work. I started with the good leg and released the foot, realigned their Tibia / Fibula relationship, and released their Psoas Muscle. On to the "injured" knee / leg. I was simply checking the Cuboid / Talus relationship and a huge clunk "popped" in their ankle. They obviously felt it and looked down the table at me. No Pain, just a very noticeable clearing of a blockage. 

I moved up through the lower leg and nearly address the actual knee. Broke up some fascia throughout their quad by working with Langer's Lines and points. Went on to balance their Pelvis, Sacrum, and Ilium. The rest of the session was basic clearing of Chakras and light key Reflex Points. Throughout dinner, they continued to rave about how great they feel. Ortho-Bionimst, Do Nothing Better 

 

LAST DIP:

My last dip of the year in The Crystal River took place as the water has become painfully cold. The beautiful black sandy underwater beach there still remains inviting but that clear mountain water has a bite. I was dripping with sweat from that back breaking elbow grease job, dropped my clothes as if they were on fire, and slinked myself into the shockingly low currents of The Crystal River. 

All in one walking motion, I submerged myself next to that larger slab of marble. Refreshing as all get out, I only lasted a short few seconds. Like 3 seconds tops. My breath vacated my body just as the last hair on my head slipped under the surface. To once again be free from my own salty minerals, legs & feet rinsed of all brush/roller splattered stain, and wide awake from head to toe I quickly trotted myself back towards the bank completely rejuvenated. By the time the UV Rays hit my butt white skin, my knees, ankles, and toes almost ached from the impact of that chill cold water ways. Not Complaining 

And check this out, a mini rock slide had just happened within the month of September. The soil still appears to hold some moisture content and its hasn't rained in like forever. So I was sort of paying attention but just relaxing in the sun when I noticed this bone projecting from the fresh hillside. Hope its an older deer leg or animal bone of some sort but kinda freaked me out. HALLOWEEN Is Just Around The Corner 

GOALS:

1. Hike The Monument During The Meteor Shower
2. Road Ride If The Air Quality Is Healthy Enough
3. Lift With Purpose & Stop Whining About The Smoke 
4. Hustle Winterizing Projects For $$$
5. Sleep In Past 4:30am
6. Edit & Add To My 'Inspiring Blogs That I Enjoy' List 

BONUS:

This blew my mind. So I have been corresponding by blog with The Hummingbird Tribe for awhile now. Very creative folks over there and they upload award winning photos as well. They offer up art projects, sunset photos off their deck overlooking the lake, and various random events from around their neck of the woods as well. 

I followed their simple instructions and this happy little boxed arrived. With pure excitement, ripped into this sucker and smile came across my face from ear to ear. So Thoughtful 

Completely made with love, this is a handmade bar of Goat Milk Lavender infused soap/salve with a little hint of local honey. This bar of happiness will bring life back into my desert dry cracked skin. I tried my best to stage this photo with natural lighting as to showcase the molded stamped goodness. Very Creative 

So ya see, there really are good people in this world still. Never give up because a damn good samaritan just might be lurking around the next corner of hope. What Else Is Possible 

Stay Strong & Think Of Others First,
Cheers