That'd Be Nice

I just checked my powerball numbers for the $1.6 billion jackpot.  I didn't win.

Bummer.

Justice for Junior?

The setting sun, swallowed by gray, low clouds on a misty July evening, turns the trailer park dark. Burning marijuana, along with frying chicken and spilled motor oil, wafts amongst the trailers. Loud televisions, louder voices and cheap aluminum doors being slammed jolts Junior. 

He's only eight months old.

Dr. Dirt

Grumbling, I wiggle and stomp my feet into filthy, dirt encrusted sneakers while questioning my intent for a trail run.  Mud chunks slab off the uppers like glaciers calving into the ocean.  With each step, dust and dirt fall to the ground and I'm highly annoyed by the mess that usually is ignored. For whatever reason, today I am Mr. Cranky Pants.

I Deserved It

Fresh snowfall piled heavy on limbs and smothered the ground in a thick layer of fluff.  Getting a late start, other trail users had already pounded a worn path through the powder, to include fat-tired mountain bikes.

Nature's Way

A sunny afternoon suddenly had an explosion of magpies squawking around the house.  Like a scene from some weird horror movie, they fluttered all around and I stepped outside. Black and white feathers darted in every direction and quick movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention.

Best Buy

What was that? Something had caught my eye out in the middle of nowhere from a poorly maintained, dusty county road. Was it a reflection from within the sagebrush choked landscape? An unnatural shape boldly standing out?  Bright colors contrasting so vividly that it brought attention to itself even through my poor color vision?  I eased over to a wide spot in the road to turn around.

Humbled

Gasping for air, I fully recognize my endurance has suffered by resting a relentless IT band issue. A racing heart compliments my rapid breathing as I console myself while gazing at the trickling mountain stream and the few remaining leaves bravely clinging to the trees.  But, I suddenly hear footsteps from behind and quickly spin.