Hi Darlin'!
Another busy day, working on plans for tomorrow's cleanup day, the a ride out to check the short orange trail and do the necessary trail cleanup. Had to use my little chainsaw several times on some of the bigger blockages, though no trail was impassable, but I did make them a lot better. Flash seemed a bit tired at first, not surprising considering the long ride yesterday, but he got to rest a lot while I was cutting and clearing. Got the short orange trail completely done, thank goodness, though we didn't get back to camp until almost 5:00. Helped a couple of campers cut up some wood with my little chainsaw, then settled down for the evening with a cute RomCom. In the morning I checked my lab account and was delighted to learn my cholesterol levels were down quite a bit, the best since I've been getting tested, so I guess I've been eating right! Just trying to avoid going on any pills if possible. Anyway, had a pleasant evening, ready for shower, bed, and an early morning tomorrow. Good night, babe! Love you!

Hey Babe!
It was a cold night as predicted, and even with the fireplace going all night it didn't get too hot in the bedroom. Slept well, did chores, worked on a few computer things, then, once it warmed up enough, I saddled up Flash and headed out to do a recon of the trails for the south trails for the 50 mile course. I've never ridden over there, so it was very interesting to find out just how many trails are out there. It's a lot! I kept taking wrong turns, though, it seems like every other intersection had me picking the wrong way, and there were a couple of times I wasn't paying attention and went a long way before checking the GPS, only to discover my mistake. It was supposed to be about 16 miles, but it ended up being 20.5, but none of us seemed any worse for the wear, though Lola has crashed for the night. I did a tiny bit of trail cleaning on the way back, there's really not much to do, the main trails are in great shape. We averaged over 5 mph, he was full of energy today. Got back around 4:00, got him rinsed and settled in, then proceeded with my usual evening routine. A fabulous day! And now I have a whole bunch more trails to explore! Good night, sweetie! Love you!

Hiya Babe,
Not surprisingly, I had a good night sleep, and set my alarm so that I would be up for an appointment with a couple to come look at the recliner. I love Facebook Marketplace! They arrived just after 10:00, and we had all the usual discussions about the chair. The wife sat in it, but it was hard to get a real feel for it on the uneven ground of my screen room, so I suggested we carry it out to the porch overhang on the bathrooms, which had a cement floor. We did that, and, of course, it felt much better. They ended up buying it, for a girl that's staying with them for awhile that is apparently very petite, so this smaller chair should be perfect for her! Even better, they paid me a little more than what I paid for it, so I even made a profit! I was just glad to get it out of the elements so quickly, sitting in the screen room would not have done it much good if it stayed out there very long. Anyway, with that done, and after doing some other trail planning, I finally saddled up Flash and we headed out for what ended up being 16.6 miles of reconnaissance around the trails, and we didn't even complete the plan I had made because I went off exploring just about trail and path we came across. It's good, though, I'm really getting to know where everything is, and where all the roads lead, but that means another ride to hopefully finish off the last few roads I haven't quite checked out yet. Good news, though, nearly every trail I took today is passable, just some are not going in a direction that will help in the endurance ride. I'm certainly figuring out some interesting options! We got out late, so it was 4:45 by the time we got back, and once I rinsed him down it was feeding time. I finally was able to settle down for the evening, feeling very tired tonight, it's been a busy few days! Another busy one tomorrow, too, I imagine, so much to do! Love you, sweetheart! Good night!

Hiya Darlin',
Another late morning, and after chores and few other things, I saddled up Apollo for a quick ride. Probably would have been a bit longer, but Jo's electrician husband decided to come over and look at a couple of things on my trailer that have been bothering me. Apollo and I (without Lola, as she was still zonked from yesterday) just took a shore one hour loop in the blue trail. The trail was in lovely condition, just a few wet spots, so it was very enjoyable for the most part. Just after we waded through the spring that perpetually runs across the trail, though, Apollo must have decided there were pigs nearby (he hates pigs!) and spun around so quick I almost came out of the saddle. I was pretty proud of myself, considering I was barely hanging on, but managed to get upright. Then, of course, as we carried on, he did it again, even worse, and despite my best efforts to stay on board, ended up on the ground, silly horse! He only took a few steps further and stopped, thank goodness. I usually don't let go of the reins no matter what, but did today, and was glad he stopped. I then walked him past the offending area on the ground, until I finally was able to mount him again. It was slow motion, though, and wasn't even sure what I landed on until the evening, when it became clear my left butt cheek and my left ankle needed some ice, which I took care of. Anyway, after we got back and Jo and her husband arrived, I spent awhile explaining the system to him (it's pretty convoluted), he realized it was going to take a bit more to figure out than he had time for, so we'll have to revisit it another time. The weather forecast here was for rain tomorrow, but clear further south, so I entertained the idea of running down and picking up my two-horse trailer, and as I pursued that, learned that it wasn't at brother Jeff's any longer, it had been moved to brother Glenn's in Indiantown, which means the trip will actually be a bit shorter. All that gelled in a way that convinced me making the trip tomorrow is a good idea, even though I don't have a place to store it confirmed yet. I'm pretty sure I can find one, though, and I really need to get that trailer up here. So that's the plan. Now that that's settled, I'm having my usual evening, though ending much earlier, since I want to be on the road by the crack of dawn tomorrow so I can get back before dark. Off to my shower and bed! Good night, babe! Love you!

Hi Babe,
After chores, I called La-Z-Boy and they assured me that the chair only feels this way because it's new and needs a little time to break in. They offered to replace it with one off the showroom floor, but I figured if what they said was true, I'd rather stick with a new one and break it in myself. I can already feel the seat starting to sink down a little, and once it does that, everything else should line up. I listed the old chair on Facebook Marketplace and covered it with a tarp to keep it dry and safe. Wasn't long before I was saddling up Flash and heading out on the trail with Lola, where we did another recon ride to explore some of the more distance open trails. Once again, found some great ones, also ruled a few out, so I'm making progress! Didn't quite get to all of them that I had planned on today, so I'm not finished yet, but that's fine, I just like having a purpose to ride (besides my own entertainment, that is!) I also want to check out the ones we used last year to see what kind of shape they're in. I finally had the chance to use my little pruning chain saw on a pine tree that had fallen over the trail, first time I've had to use it! Horses could have easily gotten over it, but it would have been problematic when they mowed the next time. Anyway, that took up most of the afternoon. Lola was well and truly bushed by the time we got back, but Flash was speedy all day, averaging nearly six mph today. Settled down for my usual evening, heading to shower and bed! Good night, sweetie! Love you!

Hey Sweetie,
Woke up to clear skies at last, and after a morning of computer work and phone calls, I saddled up Flash and headed out. It's the last day of hunting season with dogs, but since I've seen plenty of riders going out all week, including this morning when there were riders and a wagon with two Clydesdales, so I figured it would be okay. I desperately needed to get moving, I feel like I've been in limbo too long! Lola was very happy to get some exercise, and Flash had plenty of energy, too. I had planned a good 16 mile recon ride, but we got such a late start I didn't get the whole thing done, plus I went on a few side trips just to see where certain trails went. I found some good trails that I should be able to use, and ruled out a good number of other ones that are just too swampy and impassable, or at least it wouldn't be very good riding for an endurance race. Left about 1:00 and got back about 4:00. Ran into a group of hunters on my way out, they were coming in for lunch it seemed, then again when they were still at the trailhead when I got back to camp. Chatted a bit, then gave Flash a nice rinse and put him away, feeding them both at 5:00 these days. I'm now convinced that this recliner is adding to my pain. I was find standing up, walking and riding for nearly 14 miles, yet after sitting down for ten minutes, the muscle that I pulled was full-on painful again. Can't wait for my new chair to arrive on Thursday! Had a little soup for dinner and settled down for my usual evening, head to bed soon. Good night, my darlin'! Love you!

Hiya Darlin',
Had a restless night, finally fell asleep, then didn't wake up until after 9:30! Had a fascinating dream where we were together doing a lot of fun stuff, and it felt so real that I remember thinking, if my conscience is here with you, then where is my body? I was imagining I was in some kind of institution or old folks home or something, but mentally I was completely with you. Fascinating! I hope that's true, that at some point our consciences will intermingle, together forever. I guess I reached a deep dream state, huh? Anyway, I finally got up, and was grateful the forecast, in fact, said the rain was gone, even though it would be cloudy most of the day, and that was good enough for me! I got the horses out of the barn and put them back on their highline, and eventually saddled up Apollo and took him for a ride on all the remaining trails that were within reach, on this side of busy Route 41, just over six miles. He seemed a bit stiff at first, doing some strange stretching exercises when I was saddling him up, but he eventually loosened up. We mostly walked occasionally trotted, and once, when we came to close to a house that had a bunch of rabid dogs go crazy when we came close, (including one noisy Jack Russell that escaped the fence and came straight at us), when Apollo turned tail and started running away (from a Jack Russell, no less-how embarrassing!) He didn't go far, and I was totally relaxed so he stopped quickly, and we went down a different trail, which was actually the right trail on my plan anyway. We went by the Santa Fe River, which eventually dumps into the Suwannee River where we previously were, and through some very nice, old Florida type forest. We finally, briefly, saw our first bit of blue sky in days, it was glorious! When we got back to camp, I discovered Flash in a stall in the barn, evidently he escaped the highline and someone caught him and put him away. Once I got him and Apollo settled in, I went down to the only other camper in the place, thinking they had been the ones, but it turned out it was a day rider that did that. Regardless, I ended up having a lovely chat with Penny, who watched Flash's capture, until finally it was time to start my evening. I got the horses fed, then began my usual dinner/movie/Spanish lesson/shower routine, the last two of which still need to be completed. It was good to be back on the trail after so many days being cooped up in rain, but I was definitely in the right place, a place where I had a nice dry barn for the horses to stay in during the deluge! The universe is still looking out for me! Good night, babe! Love you!

Hiya Babe!
Well, for the second night in a row, I've had to wear earplugs because a nearby camper had to run their generator all night long. Different campers, same experience. Oh, well. The road is kind of busy so I'm probably better off anyway. Had a pleasant morning, then saddled up Flash for an excellent ride on a beautiful day! We once again headed out to see some new trails I hadn't been on before, as well as stopping to look at the actual "River Rise" site, which I don't think I've ever done before. River Rise gets its name from the fact that the Santa Fe River goes mostly underground a few miles away at O'Leno State Park, then pops back up again here at River Rise. There's a little place where I was able to tie up Flash and walk a short distance to where the water actually starts up again. Wasn't particularly flowing or anything, but there were a couple of fishing boats there, so I guess it's a popular spot. Anyway, once again, most of the trails here are lovely old Florida, though most are more park-like that the wilderness type that I prefer. Mostly double-wide, though there are a few that go down to single that are particularly nice. Flash had a lot of energy, he kept up his 4.1 mph walk for a long way, and we cantered a gaited quite a bit, so out 13 miles didn't take too long. Beautiful weather, though Flash worked up a good sweat because his winter coat has suddenly sprung out. Gave him a nice cool bath and put him back on the highline, then sat outside in simply gorgeous weather! Several more horse campers have come in, so it will be a bit busy this weekend, and they seem to have a LOT of day riders coming and going as well. I'm just going to take it easy for a couple of days until it's empty enough to take out Apollo and Lola again. I didn't take Lola today, I'm worried about a busy road we have to cross, but she'll be fine if we stay here on the west side. Settled down for the evening, the usual, dinner and a movie. Tonight it was Matt Damon in an interesting flick called Downsizing, about groups of people shrinking themselves in an effort to save humanity. A bit extreme, but a fascination concept. Just have my Spanish lesson and shower left before going to bed. Love you, darlin'! Good night!

Hi Darlin'!
Had a pleasant morning doing the usual, then decided to take Apollo for a short ride to start off our two weeks here. I plotted a route to take in some of the trails I've previously missed, and we ended up going about 5.3 miles at his mostly sluggish pace, but I think it was just right for him. I trimmed his feet a little before starting, and he was doing some leg stretches as well, so I didn't want to tax him too much, but this is the first time in a long time when he's been the first one I've taken for a ride, and I think he appreciated it! Lola enjoyed herself as well, so it was a lovely time for all! After I got him put away on the highline, I decided to do something I've been meaning to do for quite awhile and haven't had time, to get back to my Egoscue stretching exercises. I promised myself a long time ago that once I got my shoulder straightened out, I'd work on getting myself balanced, which is what this method is all about. My shoulder has been two steps forward, one step back this past week, but I expected it would take some time for everything to get back into place. I felt two definite shifts last week, so I know things are settling. I'm not worried that it will eventually work out, I feel totally vindicated that my theory of what was wrong is absolute correct, despite not being able to convince any medical practitioners of that fact. Anyway, it was a lovely hour plus of stretching and I feel all the better for it! Had my usual dinner and a movie, won't be long out of bed. Good night, sweetheart! Love you!

Hiya Darlin',
Seems like my body clock is better adjusted to the circadian rhythm of the sun than the clock, I woke up at 6:00 at first, and ended up getting up around 8:00. I do like Standard time so much better than Daylight Savings Time! Last night Kaleigh said she wanted to retrieve markers with the side by side starting at 10:00, but then later she asked if I would do it on Flash. Despite it being a bit later than I had hoped, I agreed, saddled Flash and headed out on the trail to see how far we could get today. Turned out we managed to do the whole thing. She and a boy had gone out yesterday after the last horses were out and supposedly de-marked the pink trail, so I figured all I had to do was the green trail, but it turned out they missed a couple of sections of the pink trail so I ended up doing that as well today. Managed to finish up just after 3:00. Spent some time redoing the ribbons so they would be the way I like them next time. I asked Kaleigh is she want me back in March and she said yes, so I'll have another fixed stopping point in my calendar. Settled down for the evening to another Wonder Woman movie (1984), and the rest of the evening is as usual! Good night, sweetheart! Love you!