My dad always used to say, “If you want to dance, you gotta pay the fiddler.”
Profound, I know, but accountability for my own actions and choices is the lesson that came with those words.
So this morning when I woke up with every muscle, tendon, joint a little sore, well I asked for it. I danced, and now I’m paying.
While the bod was getting a workout this past week, a recent apartment upgrade in Italy and airline ticket purchases were giving my bank account a workout as well. Yes, I'm dancing, and yes, I’m paying.
The thought of going back to Italy this Spring elicits the same level of euphoria I felt yesterday on the treadmill running to Pink. At the same time the budget was starting to get a taste of what the old knees and hips were feeling after the rush.
A little bit of ouch.
Therefore, I declared today “Free Friday!” The radio DJ proffered the weather was "effin perfect" as it was 65 degrees. I grabbed some dried fruit and granola (yes, I really do eat that stuff), a water bottle, and hit the trails.
Muscles were happy to move easily today, lungs were taking in fresh mountain air, face and arms were deliriously soaking up the sun, mind was running amok and nowhere at the same time. Budget was happy because all of this is free.
The more I walked tripping over every root and rock, the more the soreness dissipated. It could have been the high that comes with traipsing around at 6600 feet, could have been the occasional fit shirtless dude (as they run wild and off the leash here), or maybe it was the freedom of being lost from not paying attention to the trails able to come out here and just be.
I pondered some of the decisions I've made over the years, but like the occasional clouds in the sky, I let those thoughts pass by. They aren't serving me now.
The only thing that is important is the here, the now. Is there something else I'd rather be doing? Again with the WWRFD (What would Robert Frost do)?
Nope. Absolutely not.
For now, I’ve chosen to continue to dance – to spend as much time actually living my life ... while I still can.
I’ve chosen to pay the fiddler in terms of cutting extraneous crap out of my life here and there, so I can continue to marvel at life here … and there.
Cheap note: I used to have a $100/month Starbucks habit. Now I make my own fabulous cappuccinos. Not to mention Starbucks doesn’t make cardamom almond milk caps sweetened with vanilla agave, now, do they? The $1200+ I didn’t spend on Starbucks last year = my airline ticket this year. See how this works?
I’d say this fiddler is one hell of a bargain.
So I'll continue to spend part of the year in another country and part of the year in my favorite place in America that I'm blessed to call home.
Because I can't choose right now... nor do I have to.
I continue to dance…
ontables the cobbled streets of some city in another country or out here in the middle of the day. I've embraced the freedom that comes with these choices, certain restrictions, as well as the occasional ouch...of course right now the only residual ouch is from an unfortunate cactus encounter. Dumbass.
I’ve chosen a journey of priceless experiences…and go figure, some of the best ones are actually free!
Profound, I know, but accountability for my own actions and choices is the lesson that came with those words.
So this morning when I woke up with every muscle, tendon, joint a little sore, well I asked for it. I danced, and now I’m paying.
While the bod was getting a workout this past week, a recent apartment upgrade in Italy and airline ticket purchases were giving my bank account a workout as well. Yes, I'm dancing, and yes, I’m paying.
The thought of going back to Italy this Spring elicits the same level of euphoria I felt yesterday on the treadmill running to Pink. At the same time the budget was starting to get a taste of what the old knees and hips were feeling after the rush.
A little bit of ouch.
Therefore, I declared today “Free Friday!” The radio DJ proffered the weather was "effin perfect" as it was 65 degrees. I grabbed some dried fruit and granola (yes, I really do eat that stuff), a water bottle, and hit the trails.
Muscles were happy to move easily today, lungs were taking in fresh mountain air, face and arms were deliriously soaking up the sun, mind was running amok and nowhere at the same time. Budget was happy because all of this is free.
The more I walked
 |
The only thing that is important is the here, the now. Is there something else I'd rather be doing? Again with the WWRFD (What would Robert Frost do)?
Nope. Absolutely not.
For now, I’ve chosen to continue to dance – to spend as much time actually living my life ... while I still can.
I’ve chosen to pay the fiddler in terms of cutting extraneous crap out of my life here and there, so I can continue to marvel at life here … and there.
Cheap note: I used to have a $100/month Starbucks habit. Now I make my own fabulous cappuccinos. Not to mention Starbucks doesn’t make cardamom almond milk caps sweetened with vanilla agave, now, do they? The $1200+ I didn’t spend on Starbucks last year = my airline ticket this year. See how this works?
I’d say this fiddler is one hell of a bargain.
So I'll continue to spend part of the year in another country and part of the year in my favorite place in America that I'm blessed to call home.
 |
| Sucks to live here - not. |
Because I can't choose right now... nor do I have to.
I continue to dance…
on
You sound so positive and determined! good for you.. Rattlesnakes use to scare me, where I live we come across them every so often,actually they aren't all that scary..Treat them like u would people... Respect and if u leave them alone, they'll leave u alone...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder Val!
ReplyDeleteI went to bed last night at 6pm, taking refuge from the crap that was yesterday, got out of bed at 6am, and said, well hell... That was a waste of 12 hours and nothing changed.
Loading up the dogs into the rental car, and going out...somewhere. Anywhere. Sailing probably...
@Chrissy, The funny thing is, I can count on one hand the number of actual "bad days" I've had in the last nearly 2 years. I am blessed. Like the bowls crashing down the other day, I look at the occasional "oh, hey, universe is giving you a little slap upside the head" as a challenge and opportunity to learn something...and maybe screw it up and make fun of it later here in the blog. As for the snakes, they slither across my path occasionally, but we can't let them keep me from doing what I want, or we'd never see these beautiful places otherwise known as "their" homes. You're right - like traveling, I try to respect the local residents, not disturb them, and remember that these tourist-infested sights that we all "have" to see are people's homes too.
ReplyDelete@ADOC - I hope you at least got some sleep and woke up realizing that you are one lucky lady to walk away from that and not having hurt anyone else - I hope your day is full of sun and you find some peace today. Sending you much love and light xo.
Thanks for stopping by for the "coffee chat" this morning ladies - sorry for the long-windedness..
Val, you sure do live in a beautiful place. Here's hoping all of your days continue to be good ones.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michele - It really is beautiful here. I don't know if we're meant to have mostly good days - but learning how to appreciate the ones we have left in simple ways has been pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos! I just had surgery and am on crutches for 4 more weeks and your photos really brightened my day. They made me feel like I actually went out for a hike! Thank you so much for sharing and I wish you lived closer so I could come over for coffee - sounds like you have that perfected:)
ReplyDeleteStephanie - Thank you! I don't know about perfecting the coffee, but I hope one day we will get to share a coffee - or a glass of vino! Hugs for speedy recovery!
ReplyDeleteKeep dancing Valerie - your energy and enthusiasm is contagious. I always love your posts but this one has picked me up and made me feel positive too (not that I'm often negative but being shut in the bathroom with Hubby holding the paint pot for him for an hour does tend to dampen the spirit slightly.
ReplyDeleteI expect you are really looking forward to returning to Italy. I should book a trip there and come and say hello. So far we seem to have only planned trips to Eastern Europe.
By the way I'm a secret 'Pink' fan too.
Happy wishes
Carol
Good morning (evening)Carol - I'm glad we can trade inspiration, because you had me giggling yesterday too. My Italy agenda is still gelling as far as April goes but if you all find yourselves there, or we end up in a country at the same time, I'm sure we'd find some trouble to get into together! Eastern Europe sounds exciting too! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
ReplyDeleteGO YOU!!! I love how determined and positive you are :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd cardamom almond milk caps sweetened with vanilla agave sound heavenly!
Thank you, Sara - I guess I'm learning to make being "cheap" an art. Yes - flavored agave - who knew?? Rock your day, lady - I'm off to bed...
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful day for a hike...I always say I will do that, too, but then SOMETHING else always seems to get in the way (like laundry, grocery shopping...all that boring stuff). Ugh...I should just say LATER to all that stuff and take off when the day is so beautiful! You inspired me! Of course, I don't have such gorgeous mountains near my home...but I do have the ocean! And rattlesnakes, too :) Even though I have never seen one - maybe because I don't go hiking very often! LOL! And you're going back to Italy in April? Where to? More classes? I am going in September - I am escorting my mom back there for her reunion with the rest of her 80 year old classmates! Maybe I'll hop on a train one day, or two, and explore!!!
ReplyDeleteI abolished my 'bucks habit the same way. Now when I "treat" myself, I always end up thinking that I make them better at home...
ReplyDeleteThanks for such an uplifting post!
@Barbara - How wonderful you are escorting your 80-year old mom back to Italy for her reunion! I'll be there from late March through a date to be determined May-ish. The plan is to spend next winter in Italy as well...TBD, as things change and I'm going with it. BTW - so glad I got the hiking in Friday, as the snow is falling now and temps will be dropping sub-zero this week.
ReplyDelete@fojoy - Amazing the things I've learned to live without. It's nice to go back once in a while, but I'd rather give up daily Starbie's, shopping (which I actually despise now, go figure) and spend more time experiencing those things that bring tears to my eyes - not that my Cole Haan boots still don't make my eyes water now and then... Thanks for popping by & stay warm up there!