Slight Detour: Write-It-Down Season

It's January thaw time and the beginning of "Write-It-Down" season.

Yesterday, while I was up here at my computer finishing up my blog post, Bill yelled up that he had a forestry contest meeting.

So, we said our good byes, and off he went.

Later, once my indoor chores were finished, I took the dogs outside and decided to help Bill by bringing in some wood.

He has assumed that job this winter, and I know he's got a system down there of which pieces of wood to bring to the house in his wood bag.

As for me, I just grab pieces of wood that are easy to grab and easy to carry.

I had just finished my first round of carrying wood from the shed, down the lane and to the house when I went inside and sat down for a minute.

Then, I heard the kitchen door open.

"Are you home?" I yelled around the corner.

"Yes," Bill said.

"Why are you back so quickly?" I asked.

"The meeting's tomorrow," he responded.

This morning, Bill reminded me that he has a forestry contest meeting today.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

He assured me that he was sure this time because he had been receiving emails about the meeting.

"You gotta write it down," he said on his way into the bathroom to take a shower.

Yup, we're at that stage in life when our memories love to play tricks on us, Moreover, we are at that stage in the year when our brains and bodies and memories have to re-engage with the start-ups of the calendar year.

In Bill's case, it's more meetings; in mine, it's more people's lives to think about as I write their stories. I currently have five people on my assignment list.

At this stage of life, we do what we have to do to keep doing what we want to do.

If it's writing it down or asking someone to please remember to "remind me," we do whatever's necessary to avoid those extra dead-end trips to town or the embarrassment of having to tell someone that we forgot.

Yesterday, I didn't have to write down the fact that I was hoping to take on one of my winter goals. The weather had improved.

I had purchased some boots that could double as mud boots and riding boots.

And, since I have written down several "to do and to go" items for the next couple of weeks, yesterday's open schedule offered the perfect time to climb aboard a horse.

Again, we do what we have to do to do what we want to do.

In my case, I had selected the most reliable horse of my herd---Mr. Lefty. I also asked Bill in advance if he would drive over to Roxane's and be there when I climbed on and when I dismounted. He said he would, and I said I'd text him when I was ready.

Twofold motive there: Bill would not have to stand around while I groomed and saddled Lefty, and he would remember to come when my text alerted him.

When I arrived at Roxane's, I saw that Helen, one of the "Ladies of the Barn" was there. Her presence put me at ease because Helen is both reassuring and encouraging. Plus, she's a very nice lady, and I learned yesterday that we are of the same vintage: 1947 babes.

All went well on the plan as I caught Lefty, removed his blanket, groomed and saddled him: 'cept a need for Wd40. The metal hook that holds holds the latigo in place the cinch had locked itself into one position in the seven months since its last usage.

It took three sessions of spraying and some urging from Bill but the hook finally worked loose, allowing me to move it up and down.

Then, the big moment. I decided that the platform where people sit and watch the horse action at Roxane's arena would be the best place to put my foot in the stirrup and climb aboard Lefty.

Lefty wasn't so sure of that because of his relative unfamiliarity with the surroundings. That was why Bill had been summoned. He kept Lefty in place while I mounted, and it all actually went fairly smoothly.

With my left foot in the stirrup, I lifted and aimed my right leg correctly and slid into the saddle.

When we took off, Lefty snorted and pranced and made me a bit nervous. So, I just kept talking to him and he soon settled down to a normal walk, while Helen and Reno stood off in a corner.

At first, I asked Bill to walk alongside us, but that need turned out to be fairly brief, so he simply walked and took some pictures.

Later, when Helen and I teamed up and began riding around the arena, the real fun began. The overall goal is to just walk around or stand around, while sitting on a horse, and visit.

That's my speed these days, and it's all part of the general rule for the "golden years" where you lower your expectations and still have fun with your horse.

No longer are you trying to train a bronc or win a ribbon or ride 20 miles over rugged mountain trails.

You're simply trying to get on, stay on and get off without incident.

Yesterday's session worked just fine with those three goals, and I'm also happy to report a life milestone: first time ever riding in January.

That little achievement was enough to make it a very special day.

Helen and I left the arena with our horses when some neighbor girls and some of their family members showed up to take a lesson with Roxane.

When I took Lefty back to his pasture, CB met him at the gate. The two walked off together in what was some obvious horse gossip: who did you see in there? what did you have to do?

I walked back and started a conversation of my own with the Anderson family who live just a mile or so away over on Selle Road.

Then, Helen and I visited some more while sweeping up residue from the aisle floors. I drove home with a sense of euphoria, knowing some meaningful goals had been accomplished---one of which was to have fun.

Today Bill will head out for his forestry contest meeting, and I'll get back to my brain work, writing about those people.

Happy Friday.