Saturday

A day off. Relaxation. Calm. That slight tingle twitching in my muscles as I sit perfectly still, listening to the wind chimes. The sun beating on my shoulders.

Trail rode this morning. Didn't even shower (cause you get filthy on the trail). Grabbed a cheese sandwich and a bottle of water and headed to the stables.

It was a lazy day for Jack (the horse) also. As we walked in from the paddock to the barn, he stopped to check out a bicyclist on the road. Then again 'cause the wind blew. Then again to see if any horsey-friend was going to run to the fence to say "hey." Then again ... just because it's Jack.

Ran into a buddy of mine and we road together. The horses walked - so slowly they were almost stopped. Relaxed and half-asleep on their feet, each of them tripped over their own feet. Several times.

The landowners had mowed trails in the hay fields which made it interesting. I never knew where they would lead on their 120 acre farm. Some of the land is wooded although most of it is open hayfields. All of it is hilly and great exercise for both Jack and me.

Flies are buzzing, flitting on necks, around eyes, anywhere annoying. Head flips and tail swishes chase them off. But they only return again.

The slight breeze, the warm sun, the gentle rocking and swaying on the horse lulled both my thoughts and body into one-ness with everything - the rippling grasses, the crows chasing a kestrel hawk, the butterflies sipping nectar from the wildflowers.

Trail riding grounds me. It's real. No pretenses. No expectations. Just the horse, me, and the trails. What a wonderful life!

Yawn. I think it's time for a nap.