It’s time for random observations. On Tuesday I was barelling down Highway 40 approaching Fraser and I saw a fella coming the other way doing about 70 and texting away into his “smart phone.” It got me thinking about this crazy world we live in.

The streets around here are very dirty.

Although I have encountered many skunks recently I have yet to be directly sprayed.

It’s hard to look smart while:

  1. Talking into a smart phone.
  2. Texting.
  3. Watching television.
  4. Driving.
  5. Operating a computer.
  6. Drinking.
  7. Smoking.
  8. Riding anything with three wheels.

Sports that require outfits are fraught with stylistic pitfalls. Outfits for sports like skiing, snowboarding, yoga, biking, swimming, skateboarding, golf and tennis go out of style faster than a banana on the dashboard goes brown. Bike shorts should be banned just like plastic bags.

In clothing, stripes are often to be avoided.

Not many of my shirts, socks or shoes match with my plaid pants. I got rid of them.

Many of my shorts, pants, shirts, swimsuits and come to think of it, everything except my sweats have shrunk. A lot.

The only timeless color remains black.

Authorities in resort communities have been known to issue tickets for parking backwards on the street. Tickets are often issued from a town vehicle facing the wrong way on the road and left idling, both of which are code violations.

The Trough Road is shaking my truck to bits.

Boondocking is better than living under a bridge.

The sound of a duck does not echo — not (repeat).

On a still day in the desert the sound of a butterfly passing within 10 feet can be clearly heard.

A scorpion makes no sound.

On average, you are never more than three feet from a spider.

Wealth stifles creativity and perspective. Give it away.

Time flies whether you are having fun or not, but especially when you are having fun.

The sound of water in a stream has therapeutic qualities.

The Fraser River is sad but still beautiful.

Anglers are everywhere already.

Not everyone has a song in their head, but I do.

There are a lot of music lovers in Grand County.

There are also lots of musicians, churches, liquor stores, libraries, dispensaries, police, distilleries, brewers and dogs.

Human nature discounts human knowledge.

Rolling babies in dirt builds immunity.

A mother should love her child.

Picking the right colors is challenging.

Empathy is important.

Apathy is rampant.

Reach Steve Skinner at nigel@sopris.net.