Like Old Times

The past five days were spent vacationing with Jim and Debbie, and in route to (and from) The Links Golf & Racquet Club in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Our visit felt the same way that it does every time we get together, like old times. 


I love that when we get together with Jim and Debbie, we just pick up where we left off after our last visit.  It is wonderful that we can easily reconnect after a period of time, as if no time has passed.

 
Wednesday  11/6 - I was at the ranch at 5:30 to do a quick job of the chores.  I put the four horses on the front pasture because Dorado was going to be gone for the day, and I wanted Rico to be able to see his neighboring horses. 

Back home before 7am, we finished packing up the SUV and were on the road by 7:30.  Leaving Fairfield Glade, I noticed the new sign at the corner of Westchester and Chestnut Hill, no longer contained 'Wildwood Stables.'  Wow, that didn't take them long to change. 





Our drive took nine hours and included three stops.  Lunch was at Subway. 

It was dark when we arrived at The Links Golf & Racquet Club in North Myrtle Beach.





Libations were enjoyed as we unwound, got settled in, and chatted with Jim and Debbie. 

We had dinner at the Calabash Seafood Buffet.  There was plenty of non-seafood eatable stuff and I ended up overeating.

We played a card game called Play Nine until late for me.  It was 10:30 by the time I climbed into bed.

Thursday 11/7 - We were all up early planning to golf at a 7:15 tee-time, but it was drizzling and it was predicted (at a 90% chance) to rain mid morning.  So we opted to wait and play Friday.  Betty sent this photo of both 'the boys' together in the small shed.  She said Dorado had a sleepover.  LOL  I really enjoy Betty, it's just like old times when we were both at Wildwood, and rode together.


I can't get the photo to move up into this space and am not going to waste anymore time trying!

We spent the morning playing bridge and then went to burn off some energy at the gym and pool and sit in the hot tub and sun.  It was overcast, but actually quite nice out.  Some cornhole was also played while out at poolside.

This stupid Blogger program is not cooperating, and giving me fits!

After showers, naps, and kibitzing we went to Barefoot Marina for a paddlewheel (Barefoot Queen Riverboat) dinner cruise down the Intracoastal Waterway. 

These two are such a lovely couple and so fun to vacation with.

It was overcast, and a tad damp from the rain (which had stopped) but a lovely evening for a boat ride.



Blogger is doing it again! 😠

They sat us for dinner as we boarded the boat and we started our meal once the vessel got underway. 










The food was not fantastic, but we enjoyed the meal and the entertainer who serenaded us, karaoke style and he also told stories, with fascinating facts of the Waterway’s rich history. 




We went out on deck to look at the scenery and watch the sun set.  Our MC pointed out several ritzy homes owned by famous people. 



Behind Jim and Debbie in this photo, you can see an example of one of many stunning million-dollar homes that lined the coast. 









For some reason, no sunset photos were taken.  I might have been in the dinning area, dancing with a few other girls. 

We were done and home from the cruise and in our pajamas by 7:00.  Some more cutthroat bridge was played until almost 11pm.  I did not enjoy myself because of the horrible hands I was getting.  I couldn't even help Joe.  This is an example of one of my hands. 
 

Friday 11/8 - We were up and out the door before seven to golf at a nearby course.  Heavy dew was still on the grass when we got started.  I did not play every hole and only usually hit four shots per hole, and still managed to wear myself out before we were done with 18.  But I had a great time being out with Jim, Debbie and Joe. 









It was a beautiful day and I was enjoying the weather, the sunshine and blue skies. I also saw a ton of wildlife out on the course. 

There were many very unusual looking squirrels. 
They all had white noses or faces. 








And also varying amounts of black on them. 

I was concerned that the big hawk seen in the photo below, had an injured wing because it was hopping around.

But after observing it for a while, I decided it was just picking up leftovers from whatever it had been eating when we had ridden up in our golf cart and interrupted it. 

Oh and yes, there was some Birdy juice (Fireball) drank, after Joe's first birdy and even when Joe didn’t get a birdie.  LOL

We finished on the golf course in 3½ hours.  Home for an early lunch, we then spent the rest of the afternoon sitting around the pool.  The sunshine was wonderful.  I think we each also took a little nap even. 

We drove out to the coast and hit Myrtle Beach for a walk as the sun got lower in the sky. 





Debbie took all of these wonderful beach shots because I had left my phone in the truck.





The sun was warm, the surf cold, and the wind just right. 

Unfortunately, with Deb being the photographer, she wasn't in any of the photos. 
















The 'boys'.
















Goodbye Myrtle Beach. 














After getting the sand off our shoes and feet, we clambered back in the truck.

It had gotten dark and was time for dinner, so we went to Outback Steakhouse.  We all enjoyed a tasty meal. 

And then if that wasn’t enough food, we decided to stop in for ice cream at Mermaid Dream Ice Cream. 


It was a fun place with a putt-putt coarse that looked challenging and fun.  But we opted to just eat ice cream. 

 

 

Oh my did I really overdo it then, when I ordered this one (large) scoop on a large double chocolate waffle cone.  It was so good.  I ate the whole thing.

It was pretty late by the time we got home.  We had had a big busy day, and none of us were really motivated to get a bridge game started up.  It was nice just to lounge around and chat.  Actually, I hit the hay earlier than the rest and read for just a tad bit before falling asleep.

Saturday 11/9 - we had nowhere to be at any certain time so had a leisurely morning.
Patty sent this photo of Maggie, lounging with her donkey head toy, one of her favorites. 

Patty also sent this photo.  It was overcast and dreary out at the ranch.

Eventually we headed for Calabash, to do some art and antique shopping.  We ended up in some thrift stores waiting for some art shops to open, and I was actually the only one to make a purchase all morning.  All of $5 worth of a few little trinkets. 





I had wanted to go to Lakewood Camping Resort located on a section of Myrtle Beach where they were doing the 43rd annual American Heart Association Beach Ride.  Betty had done this several years ago and wants me to join her next year.  So I wanted to check it out, and see a bunch of pretty horses on the beach. 

 

 

Unfortunately, the grounds were closed to the public due to 'the inherent dangers of being around horses.'  So I had to drop that idea.

We ended up back at the condo for a late lunch and more pool time.  I was too full to workout at the gym, but did swim some laps after a nap in the sun. 

 


Sitting on the swing just outside our condo.

We had decided to order out food from Domino's Pizza and got salads and pizza, eating dinner in our loungers.

Then we struck up some more bridge, playing three rubbers.  We paired up with each of the three others of us.  I'm not sure who the winner was, but Jim was (without a doubt) the looser.  He just couldn't get any cards ALL NIGHT long.  I felt bad for him.

 




I had some decent hands, a few really good ones, and some that weren't worth looking at.  This was one of my worst hands and one of my best.  I did my packing of bags whenever I was the 'dummy.'

Sunday 11/10 - Jim and Debbie were already gone by the time Joe and I got up at 6:30.  I only had one cup of tea because we spent little time sitting around and were on the road by 7am.  For some reason, Joe's GPS took us a different route home, driving through Hot Springs, NC. 

I took this photo out the window.  We saw lots of damage and debris still, six weeks after this town was hit. 

I was not happy riding on the winding, hilly roads the stupid GPS had selected for us, and was so glad to get to TN. 

Even in TN we were still in the mountains and along a once flooded river, as seen in this last photo. 

It had been over an eight hour car ride with only two quick stops at a gas station and rest area.  I was so glad to be home, safe and relatively sound.  Although that kind of driving leaves me on edge and stresses me out.  It was only 3pm, but I was done for the day. 

Well, I did unpack and do two loads of laundry and also ran to the grocery for items we were out of. 

Joe had to meet an overnighter at the ranch and got home at 8:30, just as I was turning out the lights.

Shed Light

These next five days, the idea of light came into play on several occasions.  The Hindu festival of lights was celebrated, the light of day continues to shorten and daylight hours were changed, and the need to shine light on truth was exceedingly apparent. 

In the Bible, light is a symbol of goodness, holiness, knowledge, wisdom, grace, hope, and God's revelation.  Light signifies God's presence and favor.  Light is the nature and character of God. He is not just a light or a kind of light; He is light itself.  All light comes from Him. 


John 1:5: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it". 
Darkness is associated with evil, sin, and despair.
Psalms 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path".  The Holy Spirit is the source of our light, inspiration, and insight.  Matthew 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven". 

Friday 11/1 - Happy November 1st and also Diwali.  Diwali is one of the major festivals of Hindus.  It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, bringing joy and prosperity.  Diwali is also known as a festival of lights.  A row of lights is displayed outside the home and represents the light that guards against spiritual darkness. 

I was slow moving at the start of the day, and actually throughout the day.  There was no sunshine with a light drizzle all day, it had been a disrupted night with an overnighter arriving at 12:30am, and I was recovering from the over expenditure of energy the day before.  

Mama Styx on my lap and Monita plotting and scheming. 

Wind had preceded the rain and brought down a lot more leaves.  Not many are vibrant this fall because of the drought, but a few pretty (colorful) ones can be spotted.  And of course, many are floating in the creek. 





By afternoon it had cleared off.  Joe came with me to the ranch to do a few things and then help me with chores.  My third cat Babe.  After canned food for dinner, she eats the kibble that is always out in this dish, up where Maggie can't help herself.

Joe and I watched a creepy movie, Law Abiding Citizen.  Psychopaths are the scariest.

Saturday 11/2 - I like this photo of light being shed down on Patty and Betty (riding Zorro and Dorado).

I was caught up on blogging and had time for my usual on-line puzzles.  After a great (vigorous) workout at the gym, I met Patty and Betty at the ranch right after lunchtime. 









We tacked up our horses and headed out into the beauty of the woods and the warmth of the sunshine. 






Zorro has been ridden two or three times a week lately, and is doing very well.  We are working on muscling him up which will help his overall health. 





While going down the trail, Patty took this photo of me taking a selfie of her and I. 


And this is the selfie photo I got.  LOL.












Our horses did great today.  We congregated occasionally to make them stand quietly and let them rest if needed. 




In this photo, Zorro looks bigger than Rico, but actually, they are about the same size.  Height wise, they are nearly the same.  But Rico is a little stockier and has a shorter body (head to tail).


Patty split off from us, taking the trail home through the woods behind our pasture.  Betty and I went down Marmaduke to Lake Kirkstone and rode around on the dirt roads that cross back and forth through the large looped gravel road.  Rico never spooked, but hesitated a few times, but did eventually go.  We took turns leading and following, and rode side-by-side much of the time.  I did have to keep legging Rico to keep him moving.  I'm not sure why he was being so pokey.  When I test rode him, that was not the case.  I have not given him any sweet feed (which he did get with Rostin) because of his cresty neck, and wonder if the extra sugar energy is what made him so peppy before.  I need some light shed on this matter. 

Patty took this photo of Zorro peeking at Amiga while he was in the woods on the way home.

Betty and I came home by way of Eli Ford, and down Ava Way.  Neither of our horses realized we were almost home, until we rode through the front gate. 

I untacked Rico in the barn by himself.  He did fairly well, not getting too nervous, but did holler for his buddy a few times.

Joe and I went out to dinner, starting at Stonehenge which had a 45 minute wait time, and ending up at The Brass Lantern.  We enjoyed delicious cuisine and caught up on ideas and plans for travel, the holidays, and the ranch.

Sunday 11/3 - I have seen lots of funny memes about the time change.  These three I especially liked. 


The struggle is real, setting time back and attempting to make the adjustments to schedules.  Try explaining it to the natural bio-rhythms of your rooster, dog, cats and horses, and even yourself.



And then figuring out how to switch the clock on all the different time pieces, it's a real headache.


I had gone to bed earlier than usual, because I just couldn't stay awake.  Well, with my clock already set back, it was 7pm when I turned out the lights.  Sheesh
Then I was up at 1am, having gotten six hours of sleep, I was unable to get back to sleep.  So I messed at my computer for three hours and then went back to bed to get a few more hours of sleep.  Talk about messed up. 







Just about every day Joe works at cleaning up leaves.  He is near his car in this photo, blowing leaves off the drive.  Also notice, the one side of our garage has become a storage space. 






I helped Joe (briefly) with leaf collection and then went to the ranch to ride with Karen. 






Rico usually comes right up to me when I go out to the paddock or field.  Karen and I were quickly tacked up and out on the trail for a short little ride.  I rode Amiga to see how she was doing and was disappointed that she started favoring her front left leg after tripping on a rock halfway through our ride.




Each day more and more leaves collect on the ground.  It makes it difficult to see rocks, roots, and holes.  We always proceed carefully on unknown turf, but can still trip up on hidden objects.

Shortly after getting back to the barn, Joanne came down the drive leading Rico.  She had agreed to help with some ground work in the round pen.  Rico was very distracted because it was feeding time with Amiga and Zorro in their stalls and Cowboy and Banner at the paddock fence a few yards away.  Rico did make some progress. 




Betty took this photo when coming down Eli Ford to do evening feeding chores.  Notice they are at our driveway.  Betty chatted with them.  These equestrian neighbors are one house down from the corner of Eli Ford and Chestnut Hill.  Now we know where the horse manure on the Kirkstone loop (which none of us has ridden, in ages) came from, that Betty and I saw yesterday when we rode that loop. 

Karen had given me a pasta dish, extra from a big pot she had made.  So I heated that up along with garlic toast and salad; and Joe and I actually enjoyed dinner together.

Monday 11/4 - The sun shed it's light before 6am, so I was at the ranch doing chores by 6:30.  Rico checking out the manure I was fixin' to clean up.  The two boys typically produce a whole wheelbarrow full overnight. 








A morning drink at the pond while I was opening the chicken coop.

I gave Amiga a Previcox before letting the four from the lower paddock out, and then picked up two more large loads of manure.


I had gotten up at 3am (after seven hours of sleep) and blogged then.  So when I was back from the ranch at 8am, I did some games/puzzles.  I guess I wasn't fully awake doing this Wordle... I should have got it on the 4th guess... just switch the P and the N.  Duhhh!  Oh well.  I took a nap.

I love the light that is shed in my sun room/office/cattery.  The plants (and cats) love it also.  With the trees mostly bare and the sun lower in the sky, more light comes in through the windows. 

Some pretty fall colors on the dogwood right outside the window, and Babe enjoying a nap, perched up high and  in the sun. 

I hit the gym, but did not have a great workout.  Everything seemed to take more effort than usual.  And I kept looking outside thinking I should be riding.

When I checked my phone (I leave it in the car while in the gym), Betty was waiting for me at the ranch. 

She sent this photo of the two boys drinking out of the stock tank together.  I thought our ride had been moved until tomorrow, so I had to scamper to get to the ranch so as not to keep Betty waiting any longer than she already had been.

We were saddled and out the front gate around 3:30.  We met our neighbors on Eli Ford whose house is just behind Jem's. 








This is Matt and Lainey, who wanted to see the horses.  Our two trusty mounts were very good, standing quietly to be pet. 




We didn't have a lot of time before sunset, so our ride was pretty short.  Rico did much better for me, being more willing to head down the trail.  And he moved out fairly well, into a gait or canter, when asked. 

Coming back on the trail behind our pasture and paddock, Amiga and Zorro came over to see us.  Karen had fed them while we were out on the trail. 







Betty went on up the drive when we rode into the barn yard.  I do my tacking in the barn.  So Rico was all by himself for a change.  Last time I had him tied here by himself (two weeks ago) he was a nervous wreck. 



Rico did yell out for Dorado two times and then just looked at me when I told him to quiet down, everything was going to be okay. 







I walked Rico up through the front pasture and turned him loose in the paddock.  Dorado was still tied to Betty's truck so Rico went over there. 

Rico did turn and come back to see me, but Dorado is his favorite being right now.

We waited for the horses to cool off a little more, and then fed them.  Our solar powered shed light had actually come on while we were feeding the boys. 







It was getting dark as we finished up and were heading to our vehicles.  That is Venus just above the moon in this photo.  

Joe had dinner ready when I got home, stir-fry chicken he had cooked on his flat-top grill.

I was able to stay awake until 8:40... so I am slowly adjusting to the time change.

Tuesday 11/5 - I had planned to vote today, even though Tennessee's outcome was 'in the bag' already.  I am not sold on either candidate and have been debating who to vote for, even though my vote will not make a difference.  I know this will hit a nerve with many of you. 







Betty had gone to our polling place (the Library Building just a ¼ up the hill) at 8am.  Well, she and her husband couldn't get there because the road was closed due to these two over-sized loads coming down Lakeview, that she took a picture of.  Because of this, I decided to hold off and vote later. 





While Joe was walking Maggie, he got a photo of the first truck which appeared to be stuck in the dip.  Come to find out, the transport truck got a flat tire.

I did get to the polls, and also renewed and checked out another library book, dropped some letters at the post office and went to the gym for a leg & aerobic workout.

Once home I did some packing (and one more load of laundry) and then was off to the ranch to do evening chores.  We needed more hay in the upper feed room, so I used the gator to take two bales along with Dorado's feed up there.

There was still plenty more to do before an early morning departure so I kept at it and was up until I posted this blog.  I didn't need to know who won the election before hitting the hay however.