I Ride Horses (well horse actually)

We had a family (the four of us and the in-laws) weekend at Canaan Valley, West Virginia. The weather was gorgeous, the scenery was beautiful, the company was wonderful and I rode a horse. A real horse. A big, huge, actual, walking, trotting, galloping horse. I hadn't planned on riding. The boys and the in-laws were going to, but Al couldn't because he was recovering from knee surgery and I used the excuse that I was going to keep him company to hide the fact that I was too scared to ride a horse.

But when we got to the riding stables and saw the horses I fell in love. They were beautiful. They were sweet. I looked into those big brown eyes and I wanted a horse of my own. I forgot the fact that the last time I rode a horse was nearly 40 years ago. I forgot the fact that I would be sitting on top of a huge animal with a fairly small brain. While that brain might be small the horse would know I was a horse ignoramus.

Luckily the horse was not only smarter then me, she was gentle and good natured and I survived an hour ride through the State Park. I would have to say that the one ride was most likely enough horse back riding to last me for the rest of my life.

Sunshine and Goldfish

I haven't posted in a while because I've been running around taking care of people who choose surgery over living in pain. Last week my mother had her left shoulder replaced and this week my husband had muscles in his knee surgically smoothed. I've spent too much time sitting and waiting to make sure both it through surgery, picking up legal drugs, running errands, cooking meals and driving immobilized people various places. It hasn't been bad except for the fact that it cuts into my free time. And of course my free time is so limited now that I am retired.

My latest hobby is machine embroidery and my first project was the goldfish towel, see above right. I also added a football design to a sweatshirt for hubby's d-day and a plaque bemoaning the problems of old age for my dad. I am making plans for embroidered Christmas presents, but haven't had the time to do any more embroidery since I have been taking care of sickies. Luckily they are both doing better so I should have time to work on a few projects tomorrow and the rest of the week.

Lordy I enjoy retirement, though I do miss my work buddies.