Daily Inspiration

As I enter my "run" I shift my attention from my aching knees, years (over forty, good lord!) of running has brought me to this plateau. I try to concentrate on the visuals; my run through Niles and then to the countryside. The pain generally ebbs by the time I am halfway in. Eight miles, not bad. It is catching up, however and I am now training between my mountain bike to help strengthen the joints.

As I was saying, I run out into the country, I love it there. I love the vast stretches of fields of corn and soybean. As the seasons change so do the colours of the crops. Although I am only 3-5 miles distant from town there is still a sense of solitude that embraces my soul as I enter my "runner's trance". It is there I can reflect upon my life past, present and future. It was there also, I ran with the "heartbreak" of my impending and now completed divorce. The running helped me through those times. Not an idea what would've happened had I not tested my body and mind. I dare say it did help keep me from the "barscene" nightly! I digress to a time now past. My apologies, dear Readers.

This morning I was preparing for my run and administering the normal routine of stretching, bending and applying massive amounts of muscle rub and Ben Gay to the knees! As I started from my apartment the pain radiated up into my brain. "Dude! What the fuck are you doing to us?!" I limped back and was preparing the mountain bike. And then it struck me, "No. I am going to run. I just have to work through the ache for the first two, or three miles and then all will be well." So, much to the complaints of "right and left" kneecaps, I limped out of the parking lot and into the streets.

Concrete and asphalt are a runner's worst enemy. The constant pounding on pavement is detrimental to feet, knees and lower back. I try most times to stay on the grassy edge of the sidewalk and during autumn the piled leaves that are scattered atop the walks. It then becomes my goal to eliminate the pain through a conscious effort of visuals, or thought. Today was good...much to think about. I am readying myself for the "greatest concerted effort" to bring to fruition those "goals" I have dreamed about for so many years. I do have to say that my divorce was the "stimulous". I have to "take care of myself", my retirement, my life! Karma! I can now say had this divorce not happened I do believe I might still be "trudging along" dependent upon another. So, I am happy to announce, dear Readers, this body has enrolled back into a University to get the Bachelor's degree I left behind decades ago. I also have to say with much enthusiasm, I have began to administer the necessities to bring my Art Show to a reality! Another painting went to the framer yesterday. And finally,

my Logo! I have sat on this for almost fifteen years and it's time is come. If marketed right it will be bigger than "No Fear" and I daresay with some reluctance (but still optomistic) maybe even a possible equal with Nike! It is "my baby". It could possibly even be my retirement as well as others whom I am wanting to bring into the picture.

So there you have the latest update from the "World's most Unfamous Artist". But! I need to tell you something that happened to me on my run today. As expected the pain left. My pace picked up and I was in the "zone". I LOVE to run! With a passion! No greater feeeling of physical accomplishment! As I was at the halfway point, dear Readers I came upon an elderly woman painting a fence with stain. "Eh?" you ask. Well, this was just no ordinary scenario. As a matter of fact, I was well acquainted with the painting of the fence and was of great interest to me. You see, this elderly woman had been painting the fence now for over a month! It was on a farm and had three horizontal rails and spanned no less than a third mile on one side and a quarter mile on the other and she alone had been doing the painting.

So there she was nearing the last three, ten foot sections and I had to stop to tell her how impressed I was by her fortitude and dedication to the fence. She told me she had hoped to finish the fence before the snows came. I expressed to her that seemed doabled since she had approximately thirty feet left. She responded with, "Oh my, no. I still have to paint the Otherside!" I was floored! I laughed and apologised for my outburst, but the sheer magnitude of this project being done by one, elderly woman just impressed the shit out of me! She could see my amazement to which I responded to her, "It must be a labour of love." "I love the outdoors and I love to be busy and my horses love to be near me when I work." she said. I told her, "You have inspired me. Thank you." She smiled back and said, "Do stop by anytime you see me out here, you humor me."

As I ran away I thought to myself, this is what keeps us alive, goals and aspirations. Without them, we are useless to ourselves and therefore unfortunately, somtimes rely upon others to take care of our needs. As I set forth into my "new life" I know, "I am the only one who can accomplish what I need to do. No one, absolutely no one could possibly do it better than me." I am a happy man, dear Readers. Truly, my wealth is in my hands and my soul! And should that wealth turn into something of a material nature, "I will spread it like butter!"

Thank you for listening through these months of trials and tribulations! Your support and thoughts have been "treasures" to my well being. I love you, my friends!

Inspriration can come from the most uncanny source sometimes! I bid you all a good life, my dear Readers! More to come.