A Weekend Report
It was such a lovely weekend, in comparison to the cloudy, cold, rainy days we’ve been having. We in Minnesota at times are like cave dwellers. We get so excited about seeing the sun.
I took Java for a walk Saturday morning. Taking a walk seemed like the right thing to do to get myself out of my zomby-like state.
The walk helped break the spell. Unfortunately, when I was driving out of the park, I saw a Boston Terrier had just been hit by a car. The woman who’d hit the dog was on her phone calling the police.
It reminded me of a bird encounter I’d had earlier in the week. I was walking between buildings at work and saw a finch sitting in the road looking confused. I walked up to it, trying to figure out what was wrong. I saw it was sitting next to another finch that had been run over by a truck, probably just happened from the looks of the fresh blood. I was afraid it’s mate was going to come to the same fate so I told her how sorry I was, “I completely understand the loss but you need to get out of the street or you will end up the same. Yes, I know, at this moment being hit by a truck might seem like a good thing, but really, you don’t want to do that.”
She finally flew away, probably to get away from the crazy talking lady.
After lunch on Saturday, I got Luke ready to go to the same park Java and I had been to in the morning. It’s been two weeks since I’ve been able to get out and trail ride and given my continuous lethargy, I needed more time out in nature.
But, alas, when I went to start the truck, the battery was dead. It doesn’t seem to hold a charge very well any more and needs replacement.
I unloaded Luke and figured I had no choice but to ride him at home. I had a little bit of a four-letter-word, argument with God, melt-down. I had worked pretty hard to get out of my pajamas and on my feet. The universe could at least meet me half way.
I took Luke out into the pasture, a place full of demons from the way he was acting.
All I saw was the neighbor taking pumpkin pickin’ customers out on hay rides.
Murphy forlornly watched Luke and I run around. That’s my laundry hanging on the line in the background. Kind of cold for drying outside but I’m trying to cut down the electric bill. That big brown thing is my duvet (was on sale) to cover my new down comforter (I had a coupon) that’s going to keep me warm when the furnace thermostat drops down to 60 at night. As you can tell, I’ve become a little obsessed with my finances.
After riding around the pasture for awhile, I rode Luke in the outdoor ring and then we went and got the mail. Just call us the Pony Express. And we picked some apples too (in right pocket with my camera case).
Luke really enjoyed his apple. I love the way horses lips get all foamy and white from the apple juices.
“Please Ma am, I want some more.”
You may have noticed in the photos above that Luke is pretty sweaty. Having put on a winter coat means that Luke really works up a sweat when he’s ridden. Even his rump got sweaty. Notice the tail dreadlocks?
Sunday after church, I decided to try and get the truck going. After five minutes of trying to find the stupid little latch thing under the hood, I finally got the hood up and hooked up the charger. Another new thing I know how to do now.
I figured I would take Java for a walk, have lunch, and by then the truck battery should be charged and I could take Luke to the park.
Later, I tried to start the truck and nothing, still completely dead. So I cranked up the voltage to jump the truck and after a couple minutes, I got it started. I noticed the gas tank was completely empty, so I figured driving to the gas station would help charge up the battery, which is what I did, horse trailer and all.
$60 later (and I’d just spend $34 filling up my car), I came home and loaded up Luke. The park was busier than I’d ever seen it. I wasn’t the only one who’d anxiously been waiting for a decent day to get out and ride. Luke latched onto a couple horses that went out in front of us and had a hissy fit when I tried to steer away from them.
We ended up crow hopping backwards into a bunch of trees. It was not pleasant. Then he did the head dip, pirouette, swing away from where I was trying to steer him thing. You horse people know what I’m talking about.
I backed him the direction I wanted to go, did several turns on the haunches, backed some more, several turns on the forehand, then started to go on our merry way.
Luke shyed about every 10 steps. I was getting ticked. So I made him do shoulder ins, both direction, leg yielding from one side of the path to the other, 5 meter circles working down the trail. Then we’d walk. If he shyed, we went back through the whole fun sequence.
Eventually, we had a decent ride. Gotta love the challenge… Fortunately, I do.
What is it with car batteries? We just had to replace the trucks a few weeks ago, and than the one in my car was almost dead. So I just had to buy a new one for it. Darn batteries! I guess they can’t last forever. Too bad it had to put a damper on your plans.
But glad you still got to go out riding! Luke sounds like Brandy, she would totally pull the same thing he did. Like you said, gotta love the challenge! Because it sure can be challenging at times!
Mary! I’m so glad that you left a comment and are back. You have been on my mind. Sounds like you had a few things to get frustrated over. See, you have some serious staying power. How is Java doing with her kennel? Has anybody looked at the house? Keep breathing.
You’re really persevering and I’m glad to hear that! Getting outside helps with most things – at least that’s my opinion, as you know. I’m so glad that the truck finally started and you and Luke made it to the park!
Nice handling of the shying. I love it when you mention how the universe couldn’t meet you halfway. Every time I have some freak thing go wrong when I’m making an effort to do something right or good or do something for others, I always wonder if the laws of karma really do exist.
Wow- I really admire your perseverance and riding skills! The universe might be helping you whether you know it or not. You might not be keeping track, but it sounds like you’re really picking up a lot of new skills.
Luke’s halter is gorgeous too btw.
Good to see your post Mary! You are hanging in there! It was a nice weekend..cloudy but warmer and not raining or snowing! Glad to hear that you got out of the house..even though it was a struggle..you finally made it on your own! Dead battery and all:)
Glad it was a great weekend to ride Luke. Yes, universe…come on!
See you soon Mary: )
Glad to be back! I sure wasn’t gone long. Just can’t keep a good woman done or off the internet I guess. November will be my 50,000 word novel writing month though, so I will need to limit my internet time in November or I won’t even make it to 1000 words.
I am so with you on the heat/finance issue. If it’s 60 in our house, it’s warm. Often we wake up, after the fire has gone out, to a house around 52 degrees. Now, *that* is cold for me.
And, as I blogged last week, I’m all for hanging out laundry.