Back In The Saddle

This week it was 'back in the saddle' in more ways than one.
Not only was I getting caught up on things around the house, I have gotten back to the gym, barn, walking paths, yard, and still have time for dancing.

I have been intentionally stepping away from my computer more, getting out of the saddle of my office chair so to speak, and into the saddle of doing life.

First thing Thursday morning I got a message that the outdoor pools would be closed all day.  It was raining and predicted to continue to do so the next 24 hours.  Since I wouldn't be going to work, I could then focus on getting ready for the riding clinic I was going to, figuring out what I needed to pack for Amiga and I, for three days and two nights of riding and camping.  I had packed the trailer for Amiga the day before, Joe had picked up two bales of hay for me from Terry's, so next I got my suitcase mostly packed.



I went to Wal-Mart and bought the food supplies needed for the weekend and also got cat food that we would run out of while I was gone.

On the way home, I got the disappointing call that the clinic had been cancelled because the clinician had a family emergency.  When unpacking groceries at home I became farther disgruntled because the checkout lady had not put the cat food in my cart after ringing it up.

I was off to the gym to get some exercise and do the stretch class, hoping it would dissipate some of my exasperation and relieve my sore muscles.




I got home about three hours later, feeling much better... spent, relaxed, content.  We got a downpour on my way home, that lasted quite awhile, and the creek in back rose.







These photos and (video) aren't great because of the screen, especially where it was wet. 

Once the rain subsided, Joe grilled the hot dogs that I was going to take camping and we had a quiet evening at home.  I started another Sue Grafton novel I had picked up at the library, also intended for the camping weekend.

 It was foggy Friday morning.  The moss garden I have worked on (seen bottom left in photo) really likes all the rain.

I love all the birds that come to my feeders, but these are two of my favorite,  a morning dove and gold finch.




Trying not to sit at my computer too long, I was off to the barn before 10:00.





I took my time with Amiga, chatting with different folks also at the barn.  I tacked Amiga up at the trailer because that's where all of my gear was.

I rode near the barn because is was threatening to rain, first going around the garden plots.




Then I played around over at the barrels (video) that the cowgirl/wranglers have been practicing on.  Seen in the distance, Ambrie was taking a trail ride out.

It kind of cleared off so I ventured farther off, going to the winter pastures.  Amiga was sinking into the mud in spots where we couldn't stay at the grassy edge, and I hoped it wasn't putting too much strain on her legs.

We rode over to the power lines on the other side of Westchester, and watched the trail ride descend down the switch back (video).  I rode part of the long trail, thinking we could get through before the livery group came, but ended up meeting up with them.  Amiga was not very cooperative standing off the trail to let them pass.







When I pulled up at the house mid afternoon, I snapped this photo of a discouraged husband who was frustrated with the workings of this bike rack.




Brian came out to look at Joe's new 'toy' ( a  2005, 250 Honda Reflex) and to also help us unload it.


Maggie was also checking out this new contraption.  I think Joe was relieved to get the scooter unloaded and also excited about having it.  I just hoped this wasn't a bad idea.  Now Joe is back in the saddle again.

While I was gone, Joe caught Mama deer and her three young-ins down by the pond.

After a short rest and getting cleaned up, I was off to St. George Marina where the Light 'N' Lively dance club was having a dance party, picnic, membership drive.  Michelle and her friend came and joined me and we really enjoyed the food.  The music and dancing wasn't as light and lively as we like, but we had a fun time.  I won a bottle of Champagne and Michelle a coupon for pizza.


After the picnic, I came home to walk the dog, take another rest, and find a hippy outfit for the evening (which I failed at).  Michelle picked me up shortly after 8 pm.  She did great on the hippy dress and even let me borrow the sun glasses.  We stopped in at Reds for a quick beer.  The place was really hopping with a large crowd of golfers.

Then it was on to Mega Bites.


It was the 45th anniversary of Woodstock and if you dressed like a hippy, you were waved the $2 cover charge.  I couldn't believe I got in free.

Lots of good dance music was played, and we had a fun time boogying down.  Michelle really fit the hippy image when she danced with her hula hoop (video).

Joe had been playing poker and came at midnight to pick me up.  I talked him into a beer and a dance before we left.  We got home to darkness, the power had been turned off as planned, for electrical work on Peavine.

I woke Saturday morning at 6:00.  The power was not on at 5 am as planned.  In fact, it was 6:33 before it came on.  I lingered in bed, kind of sleeping, not wanting to get up until I could make my tea.   Then, I sat here at my computer longer than necessary... just couldn't get going.

It was an overcast (lazy) day.  I did take Maggie on a long walk, going on the hiking trail and then paved path to Peavine.  She is quite the athletic dog, climbed up this downed tree on command.  She is about three feet off the ground where she sits on the trunk in this photo. 

My day didn't amount to much, although I was at the gym for almost three hours, getting in a great workout.  I also picked up sticks that had collected in the yard from the last several rain storms, and pulled a few weeds while I was neatening up.  I even found two golf balls in back.

Brian picked us up and we joined him, Andy and Rita for dinner at Vegas.  My beef tips were fantastic, as were all the side dishes.

I continued watching the series Free Rein, I started on Netflix, while Joe watched golf and poker in his cave.

Joe was up with me at 5:30 Sunday morning.  He was quick to get out the door, headed for a poker tournament in Cherokee.  This photo was actually taken at Vegas, but is fitting for Joe's excursion to the casino.

Shirley and I had a lot of catching up to do before and after the Church service.

I did a load of laundry during lunch and was then out front weeding for two hours.  I managed to get a few more bug bites and a little poison ivy.

Next I was off to the barn.  A big rain shower came through while I was chatting with the girls.  You could hear the rain hitting the trees on the neighboring mountain.  It was so neat.  Eventually the rain stopped and I worked with Amiga in the round pen, not in the saddle, but bareback.  She did great, but when I took her out into the pasture, she kept wanting to turn and rush to the barn.  She got lathered up, and I a bit frustrated, and I never really had her fully listening to me, but at least she slowed down somewhat.

My evening ended with Free Rein on Netflix.

I really enjoyed watching this little chipmunk at the feeder Monday morning.  He spent quite a bit of time taking a thorough 'bath' there in the basket.  It so reminds me of the hamsters I had, with their stuffed pouches, and taking their tongue baths.  So cute!

It was an overcast day that promised of more rain.  The temperature barely reached into the 80's, but with the high humidity, it felt hot.






Late morning I went to ride Amiga.  We went along the power lines for a change and in an area we haven't ridden in quite a while. 

There are large, pretty rocks throughout the Glade, and I look at some of them and think how nice they would look in my landscaping.  LOL 

After two hours in the saddle, Amiga and I were both sweaty.  She loves rolling once the saddle is off her back.

First she will get one side, even her head and neck, scratching and rubbing in the dirt.  Then she will get up and move to another spot and get her other side.

While riding, I saw this strange 'artifact' on Hathaway, an undeveloped road.  I think it is the shoulder blades of a deer, but was curious why the wooden tool handle was through it.  Possibly to carry it.  But why was it left here?

When I got home, I chose to sit and rest, rather than work on weeding.  Then a storm blew in, with heavy rains, so I was done outside for the day.  I spent three hours at the gym, leaving shortly before they closed at 7 pm.  Joe had gotten groceries, including salads, which we ate for dinner.  I couldn't even stay awake to watch TV.

Tuesday morning while out weeding, Alan came over to visit Maggie and play with her.  They enjoyed a good game of tug-a-war.










I worked outside for a few hours, and then fixed a salad for dinner while I was roasting tomatoes, fresh basil, parsley, onions and Parmesan cheese for lunch. 

I was soon off for work at the pool.

On the way home from the pool at 7 pm, I had to wait for all these deer to get across Westchester (video).

I quickly changed and went to the barn to load my tack in the trailer and do some ground work with Amiga.








Amiga was lying in her stall and stiff when getting up and coming out, but quick to limber up.  She did great with the ground work, I treated her scratches, which have sprung up because of all the rain, and I was home by 8:30 and in bed by 9 pm. 

Wednesday morning I was already nervous about the day's trailering / lesson plans when I rolled out of the sack at 5 am.  

I got to the barn at 7:30.  Joe had gone ahead of me to pick up Jan and Cash.  When they came to get Amiga, we encountered some difficulties getting her on the trailer.  But soon we were good to go.





Joe left for home in my car and I drove the trailer with Jan and the horses to Christie's at Otter Point Farm.  For much of the drive, we were in a torrential downpour.  Once there, Amiga bolted off the trailer as usual.

The covered arena was wonderful, as I could park under the roof (trailer and SUV seen in back ground) and we could unload, work, and ride even during the several rain showers that passed through the area (video).

Christie did a great job working with Amiga and showing Jan and I five basic things to do on the ground with our horses.  She worked with Cash and Jan for a bit also.  Jan took this (video) of me working with Amiga.









To end our lesson, and before packing and loading up to go home, we went on a nice little trail ride.  Christie rode her big Friesian / with some Morgan, Wings.

It was nice that the rain had stopped, but then it got kind of muggy when the sun came out. 

Heading back to the barn.

Once un-tacked and all our equipment was loaded, Christie started the process of the trailer loading, first getting Amiga to calm down by moving her feet (video).

Jan did some more ground work with Cash while waiting on us.  Soon, Christie lead Amiga to the trailer and started work with loading her.  It was all done slowly, quietly, and in a non-threatening manner.  Amiga made several attempts to step on and off the ramp, walking up it farther each time.




























These two videos show some of the process.  (#1 Christie giving Amiga a chance to approach and check out the ramp.) and (#2 Christie helping Amiga overcome her fear of the trailer and getting her to step off and on it quietly.)  Look how calm Amiga is!

Once Amiga finally walked all the way onto the trailer, we secured her in, loaded Cash and then Christie moved the trailer and got it turned around for me.

We got back to FG and unloaded without any problems.  It was 4:30 by the time I got home.  I was dog tired.  But boy had it been good to be back in the saddle of driving the trailer, having a training session with Amiga, and getting the trailer parked back at the barn and un-hooked.  I thanked God for His blessings and protection this day.  Too tired to cook, and with Joe playing poker, I went to the Chicken Pasta buffet with Shirley.

Couch Potato

Thursday turned out to be quite hot and humid.  After spending much of the morning here blogging and doing other internet activities, I went to the gym for a few hours.

I was short on time so had a pbj for lunch and threw together some food for dinner.  I scooted off to work.  We had a nearly full pool, with almost every seat taken.  It was a fun and lively crowd.

I am always so tired by the time I get home from work, and this evening was no different.  I hadn't had much dinner so indulged myself with beer and popcorn while computerizing.