It was a busy weekend. I really needed to spend some time away from the computer, smell the air outside, spend some time with human beings and my animals. And, I started the weekend by flaking on a date. Not a positive start when it comes to spending time with human beings, but well, I have this thing about being pursued.... the more someone does, the more I freak out and fly. I ended up at the stables. I havent ridden much this year; this wasnt a very healthy year for Knight. Now that he is better it was finally time to play, the way we used to. A what a time we had... Since I messed up my knee some 7-8 years ago, my life has changed. No running, no more dancing, no more hardcore fencing. With exception of some walking, occasional swimming and some riding, the gal who used to be mobile and always doing something outdoorsy turned to spending most of her time on the computer or sewing because those activities hurt least. Needless to say, my muscles grew slack, and my ass expanded. Riding with a knee that hurt every time you applied some pressure to it also took the toll. Knight seemed to understand though and we developed a rhythm. I changed my riding style, he complied and we still did well, but far from what I knew I could get from a horse of his caliber. I ride in a very dressage style and you cant really do that well when you cant apply pressure from the knee down to control your horse. The riding suffers no matter how good you are without applying all other queues it takes. The move to Grass Valley changed me. I started strengthening, losing weight, spending more time outside, hiking, playing, dancing, enjoying life. So, last friday when I got up on Knight, I tried something different. I tried to get back to riding I was capable of once and hoped I was capable of still. Little by little we started on the small things, small queues. Leg yields, shoulder ins and fores, hunches out and in. Then side passes, left side and right. His ears clicked back and fourth, mouth foamed, he enjoyed it. And my knee didnt twitch once or remind me of injuries it suffered. We went into lateral movements, then a piaffe, and then into smooth canter in one direction, then the other and did even a few flying changes. He was on the bit, accepting all queues, my weight, my requests. The charge I got from that sort of riding.... from the fact that though Ive spent so little time on his back, when once on it, we were one. In summary, this was the best ride ever, for the both of us. Saturday I lounged in bed until GKar jumped on it and through licking, nibbling, and wining expressed that it was time for a walk. I took the boys to the school and let them run their hearts out. We were met there by a neighbor who brought her own little terrier. The three coursed on the circumference of the football field over and over again while she and jugged, talking. By the time we came home the pups were spent and ready to just lounge. I did some home improvements (trying to get some paining done before the rain returns) and around 11am I decided to visit my dad. My parents are doing some major remodeling. Theyll be moving up here in December, finally retiring... maybe. In additional to major changes to the house, theyll be putting in a new fireplace in the kitchen. The old one was already removed, but we need to put new tiles in under the fireplace to add to the look and feel of the kitchen. The contractors bid for the job was exuberant. My dad was so tired already, working on other projects in the house that I did not have the heart to leave him to another one. So, I rolled up my sleeves, and in spite of his objections, got to it. By 4:00pm, the job was done and I was pooped, but the day was not done and more adventures awaited. Pam called earlier in the day. She canceled the foodies party due to lack of interest but wanted to spend some time together. Ive seen very little of her in past months so I was all for it. I got home, changed and we went back to the stable. I give Pam major kudos. She rode my black boy really well. Then I got on him and took him through the paces. Afterwards, we decided to hang out at a local joint listening to some pretty good Karaoke, then hit the movies. If you havent seen Gravity yet, it is a ride you shouldnt miss. Sunday was all about the pavilion clean up. The gals and I met at Kats and proceeded to clean the pavilion from the years of Tahoe grime it has accumulated in its walls and roof. Man, that was the dirtiest pavilion on faire site this year and past and I was embarrassed to be setting it up with any thought of playing a noble. Heck, ANYTHING! A small army of determined girls, elbow grease, detergent and THANK GOD, Sarahs power washer and it again resembles the colors it once was. Dude, that was a work out though. Hanging with the gals was a major plus. I have some amazing friends.... Well, now Im back to work. Back to G5, back onto Galacticon, prepping everything for 2014 Renaissance Productions faire schedule, setting up the The 8th Annual Renaissance Symposium. I still have that 2013 thank you / summary letter to write, the dress to finish for Kearney Renaissance Faire, if I end up going. Im thinking of taking a vacation in a few weeks and just relaxing for a change. I havent decided what to do or where to go. In part, I think Id like to stay up here and just spend time with Knight and the pups. Or, I might go back to Utah for a span, spend some time with Rebecca Nielsen and family and Thorin. Enjoy my friends there and actually get some writing done. Billy or Ryan can take care of the dogs while Im away. Actually I might take GKar with me. He loves to travel as much as I do. But for now... time for some work, then off to see Knight and afterward, play at Garys place.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 18:23:13 +0000
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