Fair Weather Rider

Fair weather rider, or golfer, hiker, landscaper, etc. can apply to anyone waiting to do anything outside when conditions are nice, rather than dicey.  The whole idea of a “fair-weather rider” is worth stopping to take a look at.  Somehow it’s become a slightly scornful label.  Not openly nasty, just sharp enough to carry judgement.  It lands with an unspoken message: if you only ride when the weather’s decent, when your body feels okay, when you actually want to… then you’re not committed enough, not gritty enough, not serious.  It's pressure dressed up as virtue: Ride in the cold, through the rain, when you’re exhausted, because you should, to show your true grit and prove you are a superb and dedicated equestrian.
 

Try to consider that “fair-weather rider” isn’t an insult.  Maybe it just means you haven’t confused suffering with dedication.  It goes for both horse and rider.  A lot of “fair-weather riding” is actually listening; listening to your own capacity and health, and to the horse’s body, mood, energy, and soundness.  Listening to the difference between connection and obligation.  There are days when riding adds something, and days when it takes something away.  Choosing not to ride can be about respect, not avoidance.  It can be about noticing the horse is tired, sore, mentally full, or just happier being a horse that day.  It can be about recognizing that pushing through doesn’t make you a better horse person.
Criticism vs. Choice: While sometimes criticized by year-round riders for not being "hardcore," many fair-weather riders view it as a choice to make a hobby more enjoyable rather than a chore.  We aren't kids, we aren't professionals, we do this for fun!! 

More and more I’ve become a fair-weather fan.  Doing outdoor activities in unfavorable conditions is just not at all enjoyable.  There is a certain amount of satisfaction that comes from conquering a task in adverse conditions; the feeling of victory or accomplishment when the going was tough.  But if I had a choice, I would just wait till fair weather to ride or tackle any outdoor activity... because being out in the rain or snow; cold or extreme heat, just isn't that fun.  There's nothing wrong with admitting that we prefer to ride on those beautiful weather days, the other days we can groom and love on our horses.  




With all that being said about fair weather riders, I still struggle with this because I know the more I ride Rico, the better he gets.  I know that riding, even when things are a little dicey out, some rain or wind or cold temperatures, it can still be beneficial.  Often times when I’m hesitating to ride, but go anyways, I am usually very glad that I did.  Those rides aren't always easy, relaxing, or real enjoyable, but there is usually progress made.  And sometimes, it isn't near as bad out as I thought, or my horses attitude changes and we connect and have a good experience.
 

Saturday 2/21 - It was a beautiful day, one conducive to outdoor activities, both work and play.  I lingered hear at my desk a little too long, but was trying to finish and post last week's blog.  


Joe went to the ranch ahead of me, and was working on hanging a gate where we used to have the stretch gate.  We were using the old, shorter gate, that had been across the drive to the yard.  Patty and Dave were there to help Joe.  They ended up switching tires between the two gates, but that still didn't fix the problem.  The old gate and the plan for hanging it, is not going to work.  Back to the drawing board.

When I got to the ranch, I went straight down to the barn, fetched Rico, and got him ready to ride.  Karen arrived when I had, and she saddled up Cash.  We enjoyed a very nice, three mile ride.  I forgot to start my riding app. right away, so the millage read-out seen here, is short.  
We rode past the construction site to take Strafford Circle.  The siding is up on the house, with rock or brick work left to be done.  And someone cleared the rest of Strafford Circle so we could now ride the whole loop.  








Both horses did great, although have been a little slow or sluggish lately.  

Two hours before my 9:00 bedtime, Joe and I watched the Movie "Wakefield."  It was different.  The review said 'a smart, intriguing, sometimes provocative and often oddly moving' movie.

Sunday 2/22 - The nice weather had 'gone south' and it was very cold when I got up.  I went to the ranch before church to give Amiga her pill and then to Shirley's after church.  She gave me her cat care instructions for when she and Patty are on a cruise the end of this week and all of next week.

I fretted away much of the afternoon ruminating on mostly ranch related matters, such as paddock gate, timing of moving Rico to the upper paddock with Amiga and Zorro, boarding decisions, and ranch house maintenance, repairs and up-keep.

Monday 2/23 - We got a beautiful dusting of snow, with flakes drifting down, off and on, all morning.  But it was even colder today and would stay below freezing.  This was to be the second of several 'no go' days for us fair weather riders.   

After three hours at the gym, including a shower, I went straight to town to pick up house hold supplies and items needed for repairs.  It took forever at Lowe's to get the right size light bulb for the ranch laundry room. 

Tuesday 2/24 - Dear visitors for cracked corn on a chilly morning. 

We were finally going to see some sunshine with the warming trend.  But this would bring thawing and muddy conditions at the ranch.  

Joe and I went to the ranch together at 9:30, to do a few things before the ground got too soft.  We got the old gate out of the paddock so it wouldn't be a hazard when Rico joins the other two Pasos up there.  In this photo, Joe is switching the better wheel back onto the yard gate, while I was giving Amiga her pill.  Then we did a few things in the house, including replacing the laundry room light bulbs.  

I got in a 90 minute aerobic workout at the gym, before heading back out to the ranch to do feeding chores.  Look at my dirty boy!







I took this (video) of everybody happily munching away while I cleaned up manure and wet shavings.  


After 'dinner' Rico seemed to want some attention, but Patty was waiting on me, so I kissed his nose and said 'see you later.'


Patty helped with the chickens while I fed Amiga and Zorro. 

Then we set to the task of fixing the closet door.

Patty drilled holes for the pin and screws to secure this metal bracket to the bottom of the door, and I screwed things in.  


We had to do a few trial attempts to get the concept of how the pin would work.  



Ta-da.  Almost as good as new.  

As I was heading home, Joe came out to meet an over-nighter with two horses to stay in the corral.  He then went on to poker while I had a quiet evening at home.

Wednesday 2/25 - Stand by me, not stand on me.  Maggie puts up with so much when it comes to cats.  Once I started this (video), Babe came over to see what I was doing.  








But then Babe went right back over to Maggie and joined her in bed again.  I took these photos until Babe hopped back out and came over to me a second time. 

 
I always love watching my pets, the dynamics between them, and their silly antics.  

By the time I got my act together and went to the gym, I didn't have time for a full workout, so just concentrated on arms and core (abs & back).  

I timed it so I could fit in a hearty, early lunch and get to the ranch before noon.  Jan was running late, which worked out well for me so I had more time to do several little tasks.  


I am so glad Jan joined me, even though she had had a very busy morning and was tired.   

We had a nice, slow relaxing ride.  Jan headed back after two miles to start chores, and I took Rico on what we call the green mile (another loop on a road off Marmaduke).  





Rico was hesitant to continue down the trail without his buddy Cash.  Because he was so 'sticky' rather than using my legs and crop to keep pestering him to go, I got off and started walking him in the direction away from Cash and the barn.  There was more hesitation, but then, he 'joined up' and very willingly went with me.  I got on and finished the mile with a very responsive horse.  😊
I helped Jan with chores, and did some yard work once home, before a 5:15 dinner time.


Joe and I watched the three hour opener of Survivor 50.  The cast featured 24 returning players from 19 different seasons, including two players from Season 49.  These are the three tribes:

It stormed (quite violently) off and on through the night and was still  raining a bit in the morning.

Thursday 2/26 - I was at the February Board meeting by 9am and was amazed at the size of the crowd there.  The biggest conflicting issue was the new sewer policy the board would be voting on.  SO many members including myself were opposed to it.  Earlier (in Sept.) the community voted down a highly controversial proposal to amend a governing document that would have granted the declarant (a local builder) the same right the C&Rs give the community club in assessing property owners for installation of sewer lines, which the declarant does not control.  Now the board wants to adopt policies that accomplish the same ends 'by the back door.'  

I left at 11am to get to the gym and move on with my day, while the discussion was still on-going.  Both our FFG attorney and board president (in my and many other's opinion), displayed condescending disapproval to most of the questions and comments that concerned members were making.  
Later I heard that the board (not unanimously) ended up voting to adopt the new sewer policy, so now the declarant has even more control.  This is most unfortunate.
  

After a good leg and aerobic workout, I showered and then went to Food City.  I was home at 2:30 and enjoyed a hearty meal I had bought at the grocery store hot food bar.

Rather than walking after my meal, I did some more yard and creek clean up down back.  The backyard and flower beds are slowly getting a much needed grooming, and I am hoping winter is now behind us.    
   

Friday 2/27 - Today's weather was not just fair, it was absolutely beautiful.  I was at the ranch from 9:45 - 4:45.  Even though the ground was rather wet and squishy, and quite muddy in places, I decided to go ahead and move Rico back to the upper paddock, in with Amiga and Zorro.  This is in preparation for keeping him off the rich spring grass and limiting his pasture time all summer long.  

Above, Rico is showing his patience and trust, standing ground tied while I take some photos.  
After walking him around the paddock fencing, inside and out, I turned him loose in the stall where he will be fed (video).  I was so pleased that he walked with me calmly, but was definately looking around and then remained quiet and ate some hay while in the shed.  



Amiga and Zorro were locked out on the front pasture, giving Rico a chance to look around without being disrupted or distracted.  





When I opened the gate from the paddock to the front pasture, Amiga and Zorro came in and Rico went out to where they had been eating hay (video).  But then Rico decided he needed to join up with the other two.  




There was a little running around and posturing, but nothing too dramatic and no fighting.  Zorro then did try to keep himself between Rico and Amiga.  








After some time in and around the pond (video) the three Pasos did calmly return to the front pasture and back to eating the hay I had put out there.  
 


While keeping my eye on the horses, I did some little jobs and helped Joe hang the new, lighter weight gate he had bought.  Meanwhile, Rico decided he needed to be back with his old buddies, and did a lot of racing around the front pasture. 

 
Joanne arrived and helped us with the wheel and our dilemma of how to hold the gate open. 


Then Joanne and I headed out on a ride on Zorro and Rico.  The weather was ideal.  We kept the ride slow and relaxed because Zorro was a little sore and Rico had worn himself out running around the pasture.  Also it was still kind of muddy and slippery.  




Amiga was glad to see the boys back, and Zorro actually let down his guard long enough for Rico and Amiga to enjoy munching grass together.  







A potential boarder and her husband arrived just as Joanne was starting chores.  I showed them around and gave them the paperwork with rules, procedures, and boarding contract to read through.  



Rico was confused as to why he wasn't being fed with Cash and Cowboy, whom he has been eating with the past four months.  He stood watch by the fence between the front pasture and the lower paddock.

Joanne had to lead Rico up to the upper paddock when it was now turn for the Pasos to eat.  It all went very smoothly, getting them into the correct feeding positions, and they all ate happily and calmly. 

I fed Miss Kitty (Shirley's cat) on my return drive home.   



It doesn't matter whether you are a fair weather rider, a hard core rider at any extreme, or somewhere in-between; the best type of rider is one who rides within their own comfort level, skills, and safety boundaries.  Each style offers different benefits: hard-core riding builds superior skill and resilience, while fair-weather riding maximizes enjoyment and safety.  Do what you are comfortable with and don't worry about what others are doing. 

Spring Is Coming

With each passing day, the sun is rising earlier and setting later.  Snow is melting and flowers are emerging.  The days are getting warmer and the reality that spring is coming, is more tangible.  Thankfully, the worst of winter is behind us.
Winters can be difficult, especially if you have horses to care for.  Fortunately, our Tennessee winters aren't too brutal for too long.  And this winter Joe and I 'lucked out' missing the worst of it while on our cruise.  

Patty sure had a time of it while we were gone.
Having horses isn't always fun, romantic, or beneficial to a person’s mental, emotional, or physical well-being.  
This narrative sure rings true:
By Jill McCabe - "Horse ownership isn’t always therapeutic. Sometimes it’s just exhausting. Winter is hard and responsibility is heavy. Short days. Long mud. Frozen taps. Wet gloves that never dry. Everything takes twice as long and gives half the reward. What once felt grounding can start to feel relentless. The therapeutic part of horses is not constant calm. It is showing up anyway. It is quiet moments that happen despite the exhaustion, not because of a picture-perfect version of it. If winter has you questioning yourself, you are not failing. You are just in the season where survival mode does more of the talking than romance. Spring will come."







Actually, now with spring coming, so will the thawing and rains.  The potential for a muddy mess is very real.  We do what we can to manage water run-off and high traffic areas that get muddy.  

Saturday 2/14 - I was moving a little slow this morning, having been out late dancing, the night before.  

Joe and I left for Murfreesboro just after 11:30, and arrived at Dan and Vale's at 1:15.








Layla was napping and Ava wanted to go for a walk, so off Joe and I went with her, going just over a mile.  It felt good to move after sitting (well I was laying down napping most the way) in the car.  

 
Ava showed us all the Valentines she'd gotten at pre-school the day before. 










Then we went shopping for tea bags at the Dollar Store, five minutes away, because I forgot to pack any and would need a good black tea in the morning.  Ava had fun picking out a few things for herself as well, and Papaw paid the bill.



Layla woke from her nap shortly after we got back from our little shopping trip, and just about her first reaction to me, was to start crying.  Wahhh.  I may have come on too strong, and she wasn't fully awake, but really, she just didn't recognize me and I must have looked a little bit scary.


Once she was happily playing in her 'play pen,' I went in and laid down to interact with her.

Before long, we were having fun playing.  




It's difficult to capture the action in focus.  


Dan and Vale's date night included dinner and movie, so Joe bought carry out Chinese for just us and the girls.  Layla waiting for her noodles. 




We got an update from Patty, that she, Karen, and Joanne had an enjoyable ride on Zorro, Cash, and Rico.  



She went on to say that the boys were well behaved during their four mile outing.



Their day had been like ours, 65° and overcast.  Not bad for this time of year.





Patty picked up Maggie at our house on her way home.




Soon the dog was sharing her bed and chillin' with Ellie.  











After the girls got their bath, we had the nightly dance party.  As I said in the post of this (video), it's always so heart warming to see Dan and Vale, with their two precious daughters.  These parents are so wonderful, loving, and fun.
  

It's not exactly a calming activity before bed, but a chance to release any pent up energy and serve as an after dinner constitutional.

Layla was put to bed, Dan and Vale headed out on their date, and Papaw and Nana watched a 30 minute episode on TV with Ava.  

I tucked Ava in, read her a story, and was in bed myself before 9pm.  

The only 'difficulty' Joe and I had, was that the power went off from 9:30 to 11:30 and the baby monitor stopped working for those two hours.  But both girls slept through the night.

Sunday 2/15 - Dan and Vale hadn't gotten home until after 2am, yet Vale was up giving Layla a bottle when I got up at 6:30.  

Once Layla was done and changed, I joined her in the playpen and Vale went back to bed.  What a cutie patootie (video). 



Ava was up a little later and joined Layla and I in the playpen.  







Yaneth had taken this photo last weekend, but this was part of the play also this morning.  Peek- a-boo.  Fluffy Kitty was peering in at Layla and I at one point.  

It was a very rainy day (at Dan's and at home), not too cold, but very wet.  Dan, Papaw and Ava went for a walk in the rain while Layla and Kitty napped.

Layla loves 'running' around in this walker, and is quite proficient at it.  She goes forward and backwards, can spin and turn, and maneuvers around corners.  She is quite good at chasing Ava.





In this photo, Ava has gone partway up the stairs to play on her 'Tablet' so Layla can't get her.  

We took everyone to lunch before heading home, driving in the rain the whole way.

We picked up Maggie at Patty's and had a quiet, rest of the day, at home.
 

Monday 2/16 - President's Day.  

I didn't take any photos all day, except the one below, from Eric Alan Soldahl's book about his life. 

He went on to explain about these additional healthy tips: *Exercise, *Avoid prescription drugs if possible, *Less sugar, *Limit alcohol, *Laughing, *20-30 Minutes of sunshine per day, *Communicate, *Forgiveness, *Sing songs of gratitude, *Walk in nature, *Get out of debt, and  **DRINK WATER - Jesus is the living water.  

My day was typical of most; blogged, computer games, worked out at gym (although it was wimpy because I was too tired) and rode.  Jan, Karen and I went out together... but it was slow and short because all three horses acted so tired and sluggish.  They'd probably had a rough day and night, with all the rain we had gotten; and maybe they were too warm. (It was 65°)  

I picked up sticks in the yard for an hour and then totally missed a beautiful sunset (reported by nearby friend) because I was in the shower.  

Dan's sent above photo of the girls with their sunset and Courtney replied with this photo of her view. 
Joe grilled and we enjoyed a dinner together.

Tuesday 2/17 - Fat Tuesday: marking the final day of Mardi Gras Carnival and the last, indulgent celebration before the 40-day Lenten season begins tomorrow.

Fat is how I have been feeling lately.  I put on two pounds during the cruise and they are still with me, but also, for some reason I have had a lot of bloating.  I plan to take action.  




I had a better morning workout than yesterday.  I did legs and abs., followed by an hour on the elliptical.  When stretching though, I kind of strained my epigastric abdominal muscles or the rectus abdominis.  

I got to the ranch mid-afternoon, to start on chores.  Joe arrived a little later, after golf, and we started the process of putting in three fence posts, because we need better fencing (that Rico won't break through) for our upper paddock.  
Patty had arrived just as we started our second hole that the gate post goes into, so needs to be extra deep. 








We quickly ran into some rock and had to re-adjust our hole placement, making it larger to dig out a few of the rocks.  Patty took these (videos: #1,  #2,  and  #3) and then helped us get the last two posts plumb as we cemented them in. 

The third hole had gone quick and easy once we established where exactly to put it.  Although here we had a lot of wet, gooey clay that stuck to boots and shovels.  



This will be the corner post.









I had taken Maggie with us, who hung out in the house with Debra and Pugsley after running around outside for a while.

Maggie and I got home just before 6pm.

Bedtime is always welcomed, especially after a day of hard work.  And the Tylenol PM was an added bonus.

Wednesday 2/18 - Ash Wednesday: the first day of Lent in the Western Christian Church, with services of repentance and marking the foreheads of penitents with ashes.  It marks the beginning of the Lenten season, which continues for 40 days (Actually 46 this year with excluding Sundays and Holy days) leading up to Easter. It is a solemn period of fasting, and prayer, symbolizing Jesus's 40 days in the wilderness.
I have not done anything for Lent in several years, but have decided to give up sweets this year.  It will do me good.  
 

Why is sugar bad - it promotes cancer growth, obesity, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance.  It drives heart and fatty liver disease, causes severe energy crashes, and tooth decay.  I love candy, cookies, and anything sweet!  Every time I crave it over Lent, I will say a prayer, so this will also draw me closer to God.  




I was again at the gym earlier than usual, to do an hour on the elliptical, shower, and then get to 'The Cabin' by 11am.  I met up with Patty, Karen, and Jan (who was treating us to lunch).  






The only two photos I took today were of the displays of these taxidermy mounts at the restaurant. 

We ladies enjoyed a delicious meal and talked (just about nonstop) for the two hours we were there.

This last photo is one of many Linda Sue took and shared with me today.

From lunch, I went to town to do my big shopping.  We had a wet drizzle all day with winds that really picked up by the time the day ended.  Is spring coming?

Joe and I watched a movie after dinner, with the fire going, giving ambiance and warmth to the room, and drawing our pets in.

Thursday 2/19 - I had woke up at 1:30am.  Unable to get back to sleep because I'd had five hours, I finally got up at 2:15.  I usually take an early morning nap when this happens, but was never sleepy enough to do so. 

I did get in a decent workout from 8:00 - 10:30.  
After an early lunch, Joe and I went to the ranch, he to work on fencing and I to work with Patty on some inside home repairs.  



First we determined the problem with Debra's closet door that got broke.  The pivot pin at the bottom of the bi-fold door came out because the wood had gotten damaged.

Then we re-glued the wood transition strip that had partly come loose, first scraping all the old adhesive off the floor.

Lastly, we determined one laundry room light bulb was burnt out and the other was 'dying,' so we got the information for bulb replacement.  






We gave Joe some input on fencing decisions and then mounted this bluebird house on the new post by the house yard.  





Joe had completely removed the old paddock fencing, and when we let Amiga and Zorro back into the area, they went along the old fence line, investigating it.  They were also eating some of the longer grass that they had not been able to get to because it was under the former electric rope line.


Joe had gone home earlier so I helped Patty with chores and later got a ride home with her.


These two boys were ready to eat, as was Cowboy, who was already down in the shed waiting.  





I had 'hit the wall' or 'crashed' while helping down at the barn, so went in to work on the puzzle while Patty finished chores up by the house.

Patty took this photo before we headed home, the sun was mostly out, and it felt like spring.  The morning had been gray and drizzly, but it cleared somewhat in the afternoon, with some partial sunshine.

Once home, I had to put the clean sheets from the dryer, onto our bed, before I could hit the hay.  I didn't even make it till 8pm... it was lights out at 7:30.  

Friday 2/20 - I was woken up by a storm at 3:30.  I was wide awake, having gotten my preferred eight hours of sleep.  It sounded like we were getting a little bit of hail along with very strong wind.  I got up to look outside, and then started my day.

While walking into The Center to get some copies made for a perspective new boarder, I noticed all these little green shoots, ready to spring up and produce flowers.  

On my way home, driving up Lakeview towards Druid, I took these two photos.  

They show the ugly concrete retaining wall, rather than what I hoped and thought, would be a view of the beautiful new club house, up on the hill.  

This Facebook photo shows a view of the current progress of the clubhouse, looking up the 9th fairway at it.  The retaining wall (red arrow points to it) is coming out at ground level from the right side of the building.
Below is a view of the other side of the club house from the road at the top of the hill.   

While parked to take the photos, Debra called to say the ranch refrigerator was not working, at all, and all her frozen food was thawing.  So rather than wait till later in the morning to go out to the ranch, Joe and I got there by 9am.  


Debra had loaded up her car with frozen food to take to her friends house.  The two of them were on their way out of town for the weekend.  We helped empty out the rest of her food into a cooler and the two small refrigerators in the garage.

I visited with Jan and her two granddaughters when Joe and I went down to the shop to get some tools.  They were working in the barn yard because the round pen was flooded and muddy.  











Jan was giving Lyle a little lesson on Cash at the time.  He is a silly boy, that or he was getting bored with it all.  

I helped Joe with fencing and picked up a lot of sticks in the side pasture, while 'killing time' when Joe didn't need a second person.








I used the riding mower to pull the wagon which I filled with sticks.  This photo was taken late afternoon, after I had emptied one load.  The buckets contained acorns I had raked up from the yard.  

When Karen came out to ride with me, Joe and I needed a third set of hands, so we recruited her.  Once the electro-braid was taut, and secured to the three corner posts, Karen and I got our horses and Joe finished attaching brackets and fencing to all the T-posts we had put in.
  
 

Rico was quite the dirty boy.  Once brushed and saddled, Karen and I hit the trail, with her riding Zorro.  


It was beautiful weather and we had an enjoyable ride, although it was a little slippery in spots out on the trail.  Our boys did great during the 3½ miles we rode.

Joe had finished the fencing (seen below) while Karen and I were out on the trail.  Then he waited for the appliance repairman.  

Well, the repairman 'fixed' our refrigerator in two minutes.  The control panel needed re-setting, which we could have done had we known how.  That was an $80.00 lesson.  




Amiga heading out to the front pasture after eating her hay, but Zorro hung back to finish the rest off.

One more photo of the serene scene.  

  

I had worked in the yard another hour and then parked the mower & wagon in the garage and took the fencing photos before leaving.  

On the way home I got a call from Micki, and re-called seeing a text from her earlier, but not being able to read it because I was in the middle of something (pulling fence rope, walking Rico, or out on the trail).  Did I want to go to Club 1660 with her and Johnny, there was a good band playing.  I had to dig deep for the energy, but life is short and ya got to dance when given the opportunity.  The band was great, they played three sets.  I had a wonderful time.  However, I didn't get home until 1am.