Transition

Retirement.

Trying to get my head around it.

Excited and terrified.

I have had a job of some sort ever since I was 14. Even the summer I took off to finish my master’s thesis, I wrote a weekly column for a local ad paper.  (Remember those? It was the 80s after all). What to fill time with?

But I will be busy over the next months. I’m overwhelmed at how busy. First to arrange expenses to fit a lower income.  This means getting the house ready for sale and finding another in a less expensive community, preferably with acreage.  To do that means another go around sorting 60 years of stuff accumulated by my parents. My dad NEVER threw anything away.  There are some things I don’t love, but could not let go the first time because my mother loved them.

But the best part will be riding during the work week. I admit all the Facebook and Instagram photos of others riding weekdays make me jealous. Now I will take my own weekday photos!

Oh Jigs….. are you ready?

Go away I’m napping

Riding Lesson

Vertigo kept me from riding the past few weeks. This episode lasted days and included a trip to the ER. I was finally able to hop on bare back and walk gingerly around the ring for about 25 minutes on Friday.

Initially on the fence about having my usual Sunday lesson, I decided to do it. Worse case- it would be time in good footing with someone watching me- safer than trying to regain my balance alone.

After walking around the indoor both directions, I tried trotting. Not bad.  I was mostly balanced. So why not try for third gear? (What my instructor calls canter because Jigs knows verbal queues.) Surprisingly, it was the best cantering in a long time. Still leaning left going clockwise, but less so than usual. Not bad for two out of shape old coots.

With the memory of dizzy, I focused on ahead, not down. Repeat: I DID NOT LOOK DOWN! OR BACK

Look ahead, not down, not back….

Something to apply to other parts of my life.

Warm February

February has been warm, too warm. Last week I canceled my lesson because Saturday morning was -11 F and it was near 50 degrees the next day.  I did not want my pony to get a belly ache. He is 20 this year after all!

Yesterday was not as warm, but perfect for an 8.5-mile jaunt through Douglas State Forest.  Our route included a few scenic trails we had not ridden before.

The best part of the day: Jigs was so excited to go out with his friend Copper, he loaded himself on the trailer without me asking! I do think he enjoys these outings.

Vision vs. Resolutions

No resolutions for 2023. How can I know what my reality will be in three months, six, or eleven? What defines me today may not be relevant tomorrow.

The rational me counters, but without goals how do you get anywhere? Achieve anything? Fair point.

A local news commentator declared successful resolutions are “smart goals.” I’m left pondering if resolutions are goals?  Goals map out a journey toward a larger vision.  

Perhaps the relevant question is what is my vision for 2023 and beyond?

When I was “less old,” I used to play a game where I wrote a letter from my future self to my current self. In it, I described what I had done and was doing. It was an attempt to actualize success. At thirty-five, I thought I had time to meander along paths of distraction. So, I did. Nothing in those letters ever came true.

And now there is less time to “fulfill” a “vision.” But if each step, each moment in time, is a life lived, does it matter? My vision is to continue meandering along the paths of distraction and leave behind trails of joy.

The miracle is that there is still time.

Meandering

Last Trail Challenge of 2022

Saturday was the final Mountain Trail Challenge of 2022.  We placed second in adult and first in open level 2, receiving our highest scores ever!

#Besthorseintheworld

What a year! Jigs advanced from Level 1 to Level 2 through lessons, clinics, and practice. I am grateful for everyone who supported us this year. Without them, we would not have met our goal – to compete successfully at level 2.

Tetter Totter

To say I am proud of my horse in an understatement.  I am blessed that we found each other. He’s a forgiving horse. My heart leaps when I hear his nicker.

Texas Two Step

Next year we start work on reaching level 3, which includes 360 degree turns on obstacles and cantering. It will be a stretch, but if we both stay healthy, we can get there with patience, time, practice, and a lot of lessons. 

Gate