July 23 Excitement in the Air

Saturday sister Debra and Iris and I drove up to Last Mountain and spent the good part of the day riding. Lots more water up there than normal so we detoured through some areas. At one point we rode along the edge of a newly formed slough and we picked our way through aspens. Finally we dead ended and had to choose an old cattle path now deer path through the thick brush. Buddy led the way. Jet followed with me Horses if they can duck  their head and get through brush they will move forward never mind there is a person riding! So it took some coordination to keep branches both dead and alive from whacking me in the face. Horses are herd animals so I knew the other 2 would follow. Here is where trust plays its hand.  At some point I saw daylight and an opening. There is a great feeling of exhilaration when completing a horse challenge and an opportunity for laughter. We can hardly believe we just did THAT!!

When we ride we always ride at the rate of the person with the least experience or the most fears. Debra hit the dirt before the ride when we were haltering the horses so she thought it best to pack it in while the going was good. Good choice. Conversations come and go. It was a great day.

Kitchen is almost done. I could live like this forever now but I will spend time with some attention to details. Marisa eldest grand daughter is on her way with her BF for a week so I look forward to that. I sent her an email this morning reminding her don't bring an drugs, smokes or booze and she laughed and agreed of course. As a Gramma I can get away with being very blunt. She respects that.

I have just finished reading Intimate Death How the Dying Teach Us How to Live. I have had a voracious appetite for reading anything about  healing and grief and this book is a great one. It really is all about living. I got a better understanding about how it was actually so easy for me to be with Lee during her last days. And I'd do it all over again in a minute with her or anyone else who I loved. Dying is a scary thought to many and many think that if they don't talk about it, then it won't happen. Well, I have come to terms with Lee's death and with my own at some point and in the meantime I plan to live each minute of each day with as much consciousness as I can muster.