Childish things

Well, my middle-aged horseriding career has come to a screeching halt. I was riding Buddy in the paddock yesterday, when the next thing I knew, I was in the ER. Two fractured ribs and a concussion have taught me that 50 year olds don't bounce when they land. And he was doing so well, too.
The radiologist commented that I have the brain (on CT, I imagine) of a 20 year old, but a neck of a 50 year old.
I'm okay, but Scott was petrified and has quite appropriately read me the riot act.
So, those sweethearts will have to go to greener pastures sometime.

Miscellany

1) It's kind of weird to be getting older. I still haven't transitioned to being nocturnal, in spite of being back about a week. I think I'm getting closer, but still a bit on the draggy side. Work has been pretty chaotic, what with the Memorial Day drinking and excess testosterone. I wonder about my fatigue, but my partner in the ER related that sometimes he has to just come home, sit in the back yard and listen to the wind on his day off. Something about needing to reduce stimuli, which I can relate to. I spent my night off last night napping and doing crosswords. I didn't really even have the inclination to eat. But, this morning, I feel a little more normal. I even made some vegetable soup from scratch, moved my lettuce from the greenhouse to the deck, and paid some bills. I might even get out and put some mileage on my feet today, before heading back to the ER at 8 pm. " You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave...."
2) My horses, Buddy and Bella, have been doing very well. We've gone out for extended walks on the jeep roads behind their house (me leading them, one at a time), and they have been very interested in everything without freaking out. They will make wonderful trail horses.
3) Scott and I actually drank coffee together this morning, which was quite a treat. I miss him when I'm on a string of nights.

Summertime

I can't believe it is already Memorial Day weekend. It seems like is was just snowing! In fact, I still have my snowtires on my Subaru. Regardless, people are camping and fishing and traveling. The ER was hopping on my first day back...
I had an absolutely wonderful time visiting everybody in Arkansas. Hannah and Dylan were beautiful as they graduated...as was sweet Nadia. Benjamin took us to a wonderful Thai restaurant in the middle of Ozark. Karen and the girls were wonderful hostesses to me. I loved sleeping in Rosie's little bed in her beautiful girly room. Mimi and Gran hosted marathon canasta and knitting parties. Holly, Brad, Steve, and Kim enjoyed all the festivities of Wade week...and there were many. Pictures are to come.
It was great to get back home to Scott and all my dogs and cats and horses. It seemed like I had been away for much longer than a week. That's what all great vacations are supposed to feel like.

Long Run

Yesterday, I ran/walked 20 hilly miles on the Humbug Trail, which is an awesome route outside of Yreka. Mostly single track trail, with a difficult 4 mile climb straight off, lots of undulating ups and downs, and then a 4 mile descent on each ten mile loop...it takes me to the top of Humbug Peak at 4000 feet, where the weather was cold, rainy, windy...essentially running inside a cloud. Once I got down to 2000 feet or so, the weather was dry, but gray. The birds loved it. I routinely flush a grouse up on top, saw a fabulous bluebird, and some kind of duck at the bottom by the lake which had a bright aqua bill. I fueled myself with fig bars and gatorade and felt AWESOME. My foot did great! When I was sick and in the hospital, I dreamed of days like yesterday.