The Horse

Since this is the year of The Horse and horses are my main  focus at the moment, I hope to spend a lot of my time and energy in horse related activities.  Hitting the trails, especially new ones, and putting in lots of miles on Rico will be my primary objective.  I do also want to increase my amount and speed of walking, keep up with my regular gym workouts, and dance more often.

Riding Rico on new trails in Tennessee is going to be difficult because I have no one to trailer with and no one who wants to ride long miles in one day.  It’s going to be a big challenge because Rico is not comfortable going out alone, becomes much spookier, and really resists the process.  And I don't like driving a truck and pulling a trailer.  I need to figure this all out.  



My biggest obstacle, but main goal is to be able to easily go out on Rico, all by ourselves.  Getting him over his buddy sour tendencies and lack of confidence or trust in me is the hurdle.  The more I ride him, the better.  But riding every day this time of year is not easy unless I’m willing to freeze my butt off in temperatures below 40°.  I also need to start practicing driving the truck while pulling the trailer.  Luckily, this was a very warm week so I was able to do lots of riding.

In the Chinese Zodiac, 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, a rare and dynamic combination of the Horse sign and the Fire element, occurring every 60 years.  I hope this is a year of the horse for me.  But I hope the horse I ride is not too fiery. 🐴🔥 

Saturday 1/3 - Britney and Juan Carlos were headed home to Costa Rica before I even got up at 4am, although just at the airport waiting for their first flight.  By 8am they had made it to Bogota for a long layover but were concerned about their second flight, flying over the Southern Caribbean.  Due to recent U.S. military actions and airspace restrictions following early morning events in Venezuela, including explosions and the capture of President Maduro, there were significant flight disruptions, cancellations, and heightened security advisories for the region.  









Around noon, Patty, Jan, Joanne and I went on a very nice ride (video).

Patty on Zorro, took this photo of me leading on Amiga, followed by Jan on Cash, and Joanne on Rico.  In this second photo, Jan was in the lead.  
  

It is good for the horses to be switched up in the riding order (video) and also good to ride side-by-side (video).






Notice how small Amiga looks next to Cash.

It was another great ride on a beautiful, warm (55°) day.  With deer season over, there were no gun shots off in the distance.  We and our horses were at peace in the calm and quiet of the woods.  Nothing could be heard but the sound of the leaves crunching underfoot and our chit chat.  

I split off from the group and took Amiga on the newly used, semi-cleared trail to Eli Ford.  Arriving at Ava Way, I saw that Joe had put up our new sign.  We had ordered it a week or so ago, after Bonnie had had a 'face-off' just outside our electric front gate.  She was leaving in her truck, and an old, beat up white pick-up truck with plastic for windows was about to drive in through the gate.  She waited until the pickup backed down into Jem's drive and finally left out our shared drive (Ava Way).






Some people, out for a 'Sunday drive' or others who are snooping around, have driven back to our ranch or barn.  

This sign is to deter unwanted traffic, because it does seem like Ava Way is a road.  We also hope to discourage our new riding neighbors from considering coming on to our property.  






Riding up the drive and through the electric gate, Amiga and I then saw Joe and Dave finishing up hanging up our new 16 foot yard gate.  It is two feet longer, opens the opposite direction, and is hung on a bigger, much newer post.  Hopefully this ends the problem of people running into the post and knocking it over. 

Because I had poked around while riding back with Amiga and talked with Joe and Dave, we all ended up getting back to the barn at about the same time.  I ended up going three miles on Amiga and Joanne rode Rico four miles.







I worked at taking down Christmas decorations for over an hour once I got home.  This nativity is still up at the Lutheran Church.  


I took Maggie on an energetic 20 minute walk (with only a few stops, for her to pee and me to take photos).  


Before bed, I was relieved and glad to hear that Britney & Juanca had made it home safely.  It had been a very busy, nearly three week vacation for them in Colombia and a long day of travel, so they were exhausted and happy to be home sweet home.  






Sunday 1/4 - Dan posted a photo on our Facebook family chat of Ava with her new glasses.  She looks so sophisticated and grown up, yet still very cute.

I hit Food City after church, had a big lunch, and then headed to the ranch to ride with Karen. 
I love Patty's (video) of A&Z munching hay... the sweet sound. 






Karen and I rode 3½ miles.  Here is a look at the progress on the new house on Marmaduke.  

I helped with feeding chores and then went into the ranch house and worked on a jigsaw puzzle with Debra while enjoying a great cup of tea and home baked cookies.

Monday 1/5 - Dan sent this photo of Layla bird watching.  
What is on her head?  


And then he sent this photo, explaining that it's her new favorite thing to do when in the walker; zoom off to the kitchen and grab this small bowl.  I am guessing Daniel helped with the head placement.


I spent too much time on the phone trying to coordinate communication between two doctors to get my Reclast infusion scheduled, but again I had to wait, now on insurance.

Today's horsing around was a lone ride on Rico.  He did better than I expected although was sluggish (and cautious) going out but rushed when we turned back for home.


I only rode him 1½ miles... baby steps.  

Karen and Patty were waiting on me when I got back and Jan was now in the saddle.  



Jan rode out and we three girls headed out in the Gator to pick up trash and clear trails.  



We emptied leaves out of ten plastic trash bags dumped in three different locations, and collected some bottles and cans seen here and there.  We also took down a few small trees that had partially fallen over the path and trimmed back a lot of branches.  









We all got a little warm while working.  It was a sunny day at 61° and a joy to be out together, improving the trails.  

It is also a pleasure to hang around the barnyard area together with fellow saddle sisters.  I had to leave the gathering to get to the gym.  

I had limited time so only did an arm workout with rowing and elliptical for cardio.  

I 'crashed' sitting here at my computer at 6:30 but was able to stay up until 7:30.  I'm becoming more and more like my mom.

Tuesday 1/6 - Mid morning I took Debra (and Pugsley) on a little driving tour of Fairfield Glade, although Debra drove.  I showed her two hiking trails, getting out and walking a little way down the Overlook Trail.  We went around the back of the Methodist Church and past our house.  We went into the Library Building and Art Center and then also toured inside The Center and the CCMC Gym.  Debra picked up information packets at three of the places.  We hit the Recycle Center on the way back to the ranch, dumping a bag of trash and a bag of recycle.  Pugsley behaved everywhere we went.  

The weather had deteriorated from a heavy fog and drizzle, to a light rain, so Jan and I decided to give up on the idea of going for a ride.  I had lunch at the ranch house and then de-decorated.  In the process, Debra gave me this old ornament her mother had.  They had no idea where she had gotten it, and it had no sentimental value, so she asked if I wanted it, because she knew I loved hamsters.  We had worked a puzzle of a painting of a bunch of critters dressed in Christmas hats (from hamster to horse) and I told her about my past pets and critter menagerie.  This looks very much like the hamster in the puzzle.  





Upon closer inspection, I think it is actually a guinea pig, but I love it just the same.  It will remind me of Debra and puzzle working, and also of Britney with her little piggies.

I did chores in a light drizzle but was fairly damp by the time I had finished.  I was in my warm, dry PJs before dinner and watched a movie (Hope Springs) with Joe.  The comedy/drama was a little slow moving and not that funny, but with good acting.

Wednesday 1/7 - I forgot to mention yesterday that Joe finally took my advice and went to his doctor about the 'cold' he has had for almost three weeks now.  His doctor put him on an antibiotic.

Also, FINALLY the golf course picked up all the leaves that have been behind Brian's.  





They were piled so deep and were probably heavy from being compacted down and holding moisture, that the workers were using the bucket of a tractor to scoop them up and dump them in a truck.  
Now at last, we can complete leaf removal around our house and from the beds, without more pilling up in these areas after windy weather.  

I finished taking down all my Christmas decorations, but still have to organize a few bins and put several of the remaining things away.  But The Horse was calling.  

I met Joanne at the ranch at noon and we rode out (I on Rico and Joanne on Zorro).  It was unbelievably nice (sunny, slight breeze, and 65°) for a January day.  

All went well, until as we were crossing Marmaduke riding away from the construction site...  





...the staple gun started up (you can see guys on the roof).  It sounded like gun shot, and Zorro took off.  Joanne did great handling him, working at calming him, and staying on him.  Zorro remained revved up and was rushing all the way home, and then things got 'dicy' again when he ran into the woodland trail for home.  I won't go into detail, but thankfully some training occurred and we all made it back without injury. 

After doing a few things around the barnyard and up at the house and chicken coop, I still had time and energy for the gym, so went for a short aerobic workout and quick shower.  

I don't do exercises specifically geared to riding, but found that equestrian specific workouts are essentially the same as what I have been doing.

Thursday 1/8 - I received this text message from my dentist yesterday, so when I arrived for my eye doctor appointment at 9am today, I asked about insurance coverage.  My eye plan was unaffected.  

My appointment went well.  My eyes have changed very little and no new glasses are needed.  The doctor did recommend a different eye drop that would help my 'dry eyes' (rather than the allergy eye drops I use now) which was the only change in my eyes (and complaint) that I had.  


Dave on Zorro later today.

From the eye doctor's, I hit five thrift stores, in search of throw pillows (to put my new horse covers on), a lamp, and a dog water bowl.  All I found was a water bowl.  Then I did my shopping for supplies at Tractor Supply and Walmart.  

When I got to the ranch at 2:15, Patty already had the feeding process well under-way.  I did some things in the ranch house and then went to the barn with Dave and Patty.  Jan had also arrived and we got Zorro, Rico, and Cash saddled up.  

Patty was great help with Dave, giving him a little saddling instructions.  Then she took some photos of our little riding group before we left.












I was so thankful that Jan was willing to come also, even though she had been out earlier horsing around.  



I was a little worried about Zorro getting 'unruly' which is why I had asked Jan to join us, and we just sandwiched him in between Rico and Cash.  Zorro was a complete and total gentleman and took good care of Dave.  And Dave had a thoroughly good time, saying it was heavenly.  










Because of the unseasonably warm weather all week (it had gotten up to 62° today) we had planned a bonfire.  Our gathering started at 4:30 with everyone bringing snacks and drinks.  It was a bit windy, but otherwise great conditions.

Debra was able to get better acquainted with our 'ranch' team of equestrians and workers.  A good time was had by all.
Jan didn't stay long because Mike hadn't been feeling well, and didn't answer the phone when she called to check on him.  When she got home, she discovered Mike slumped over in his chair, unable to move or talk.  He'd had a stroke.  OMG!  He was airlifted to Erlanger, a specialized stroke center in Chattanooga.  I sent out messages and we all started praying fervently.

Friday 1/9 - The rain moved in overnight and was fairly steady much of the day.  It was a good day to be curled up on the couch with a blanket.  We continued to pray for Mike and Jan and wait to hear how he was doing.  








Karen, Patty and I went out to the ranch to care for Cash.  I also gave Amiga her pill and all the horses got more hay.

The round bale in the back pasture was nearly gone, so we got a square bale and put most of it in the shed so the boys could dry off while they ate. 

Once home, I hurried off to the gym and had a good workout.  I then heard from Karen and later got a text from Jan.  It was encouraging news about Mike.  When Jan walked into the ICU to see him this morning; Mike was standing up, with help, greeted her, and had a smile on his face.  
 

Thankfully Mike had gotten quick stroke treatment, a 'clot-buster,' to break up clots and improve blood flow to the brain, which will improve his recovery.  Jan said that Mike was progressing every time she saw him and they were all very encouraged and thankful.  They continue to need prayers and appreciate all the support.