Palate Cleanser

It was a dark and stormy blog post It was a long, dark post last week. The thoughts swirled like clouds and created a virtual word storm, and it was all I could do to not let my rage rain hell and swearwords onto the keyboard. Thank you for indulging me in an outlet that I suspect otherwise would cost me the equivalent of a bottle of Barolo in therapist fees.

The week following that release wasn't so much a storm, but more of a deluge of events causing me to push squares of time around on my calendar like some 1980's video game. Deciding to go back to school full time was a good one, but it's a healthy chunk of time out of my days. Therefore any small moment of respite on the porch with a glass of wine, the yoga mat with a glass of wine, or out in the woods with a bottle of wine is a celebration.

Yesterday my handsome and I went out for a hike. It was good to be out in the fresh air, although the first half mile or so was pretty much fresh horse shit, being it was actually a horse trail. No matter where you stepped, you couldn't avoid it, as the trail had formed a gully of sorts. I had to giggle because the first comparison that seeped through the fog in my mind was to politics. "Shake it off, Val. Leave the crap (ha ha) behind, Val. Breathe in the fresh ... shit. Never mind."

As we started to climb along the stream and clamber among the rocks the air became fresher, the piles of crap fewer, and my disposition more relaxed. I think the best parts of the hike were the little waterfalls. We parked our packs on some rocks, kicked back with some nuts and berries, and watched as the torrents of water wash over the rocks. I envisioned all that rushing water washing my potty mouth away negative thoughts, cares, and stress, and letting the sound clear my head.

Then I recorded this for you. It's the most relaxing thing to watch in slow motion.  I thought about calling call it "Waterfall Porn."