I got paid today, too, for going to work!

It has been unusually cold.  It was 28 degrees (about minus two, for you metric people!) when I left home to begin my workday.

I debated within myself, all the way until the fork in the road, on whether I wanted to go via the more "efficient" interstate, or by the scenic and winding old road.  There is also a safety factor--when the weather is bad, the old road with less traffic could potentially be more hazardous than the busier and well-maintained interstate.

I reached the fork, and swung left.  My heart simply couldn't take efficiency over the poetry of the winding road by the fields.  The heart knows what the heart wants.

A few minutes in, I could see flashes of red and pink low in the horizon behind me and to my right.  As I rounded a long curve, I caught a good view of the changing colors.

I knew it was that time again--to flash the hazard lights and pull over to the side.  As I said, the heart knows what it wants.  I stopped when it was safe, and stepped out.  It was cold, but was refreshing.

The camera image grossly understates the beauty that I enjoyed for a couple of minutes.

This is all a part of the non-monetary compensation that I get for living and working in this part of the world.
My financial well-being when measured by the dollars I have access to will vastly underestimate the phenomenal wealth I get to enjoy but don't own.  Thankfully, there is no owner who can deny me the lovely sunrise or the flowing river or the snow-dusted mountains or the gazillion shades of green all around ...

I got back in, and resumed the drive, absolutely satisfied with the morning treasure.

Turned out that I had a bonus waiting for me; the gate came down as I neared the railroad crossing.  The iPhone was still in my lap.  I quickly grabbed it and clicked.  After all, you snooze, you lose!

At least for today, I am a rich man, and there is no "if."