I had such a good ride today. It almost didn’t happen, and I suppose those often are the best rides. It’s amazing how often life can get in the way of living. But wet rainy days are hard to come by in the sonoran desert so off I went. The weather cooperated so well with interspersed sections of warm sunshine cutting through the raining clouds. It really did make for some good times on the bike…to be sure.
I took time to stop on my ride today. It’s one of the things I enjoy so much about the sport. It can be equal parts sport and therapy. I stop and think about the people in my life, what they want, not only from me but also from themselves. Everybody wants something, and everybody gets what they want. It’s true. When I got my divorce I didn’t think I wanted that. I found out later that weather I wanted it or not at the time was irrelevant. I needed it. It needed to happen for her and for myself as we wouldn’t have met some of the people that we’ve met, nor would we have learned the life lessons that only losing everything could teach. We both knew we needed the finalization in order to reconstruct our lives in the manner we saw fit. We needed to live the type of life we actually wanted. And that’s what we got…just what we wanted. Of course maybe I was just stoned.
Back on track…South Mountain was glorious today. The dirt was at once tacky and Velcro like (as one rider I met on the trail described it) and at the next moment slicker than snot. But those slick sections had that same Velcro feel just under the surface. It was kind of cool, you’d be going around a turn or on some kind of off-camber section and a wheel would slip out sideways for just a moment, only to catch on the “good dirt” waiting just underneath.
Everything was wet and clean, fresh and rejuvenated. It’s truly amazing how much a little rain affects the plants in the desert. It’s such a harsh environment and the life that exists must be equally as harsh. I mean take a second and actually stop and look at desert life. It’s intense man!!! Big plants take root and grow in the shadow of other smaller plants for protection from the relentless sun. Those plants grow big and return the favor to the smaller plants and also to the smaller animals that in turn feed the larger ones and on and on.
I’m kind of rambling hear so I’ll get back on track. I just Love the desert so much, my mind starts to race at all the beauty and I get lost in thought. So…here we go, back on track…again.
Later that night I prepared a delicious meal. I call the meal Jason because it’s cheap and easy but leaves a good taste in your mouth. Spinach, wild rice, chicken breast and pesto sauce. Like a I said, cheap, easy and delicious. If you want the recipe let me know I’ll send it to ya’. But basically put the spinach down, then the rice, then the chicken and cover in pesto. Couldn’t be cheaper, easier, or tastier.
Taking a young lady to a holiday party followed dinner. At the party there was a black jack tournament with everyone competing for door prize as opposed to playing with actual money. I’m not much of a gambler per se, but I do find it funny that I started with a fake $250.00 and wound up winning what would have been $8000.00. Let’s just say that’s a bunch of bull shit right there. I wanted my fake money!! I don’t think I could do that well with real money. If I ever have the opportunity to try it out I’d like to do that.