Archives for 2013

Spent the day doing very little except reading, sleeping in our recliners, and then solving a few logistical challenges with our upcoming schedule. Really felt like we crashed, just like after a strenuous event, so it’s great that it rained a good part of the day, providing the perfect atmosphere for that we need right now.

Got up with the alarm nice and early at the crack of dawn, finished packing up, said our goodbyes (although Audrey was still sound asleep, so I didn’t wake her) and headed out. A quick stop at Dunkin Donuts for breakfast, and another at Tractor Supply in Fort Pierce to pick up a few things, got hay at Deep Creek Stables, finally moving on to Welaka State Forest Equestrian Area, our destination for the weekend. Arrived, selected a spot from the empty camping area, then within 10 minutes felt the sprinkling of rain, which we had planned everything to work around. Quickly got the horses in their covered stalls (perfect considering the forecast rain), got the hay covered up, the satellite dish up, and before we knew it, we were settled in for the evening. We both fell asleep in our recliners, obviously a release from much pent-up anxiety over the last few weeks and months, got the horses fed and bedded down, had a relaxing evening of TV, before calling it a night, with great anticipation of a quiet night with a deep sleep, the first of (hopefully) a few before our work schedule gets REALLY busy.

 Borrowed Jeff’s Bronco to pickup Brother Glenn and Niece Audrey at the airport, with a few errands along the way, including putting gas in the truck, which was almost empty (and the gas gauge didn’t work, so we were guessing by the odometer), then we stopped at a little place called Lucky’s near the house for a late lunch. Although Audrey hadn’t slept at all the night before, she was anxious to go riding anyway, so we saddled up and headed out just before 5:00. Ran into Jeff coming home from work, he still wasn’t ready to commit to dinner plans, so we didn’t know if we were going out or cooking in… sigh. Anyway, I took Audrey along the same path I had gone with Jeff on Sunday, down the canal (which Audrey did brilliantly, even though she is a very inexperienced rider, doing everything exactly as I told her). Along the way, Apollo spooked in the same place he had spooked on Sunday with Jeff, and I discovered why.  There was a small herd of cows across the canal!  Nothing a quarter horse should be getting excited about, but then again, he doesn’t see many cows close up.  We took a break at the pavilion where she climbed the big cypress, then we headed back home, arriving right around 7:00, expecting to have dinner either ready to be prepared or everyone ready to jump into vehicles and head out. Unfortunately, my two brother couldn’t resist going out for a few cocktails, so they were nowhere to be seen when we got back. Having had a late lunch, Audrey said she was fine, but I had to feed Hubby, which I promptly did. Only because I discovered the only dinner plans were to prepare dinner whenever they got home, which was likely to be hours (which it was). Meanwhile, Audrey persuaded me (easily : -) to give her stick shift lessons on Jeff’s Lawn vehicle, not exactly a Gator, but kind of like that, something he got from a golf course maintenance crew.  We took a long ride around the neighborhood, and she did really well, only getting the shifter stuck a couple of times (which it does on me, too!), and managed to make some smooth transitions by the time we got done.  Didn’t quite get the hang of double-clutching, but that’s a pretty advanced concept that will come with time. Anyway, Audrey was practically asleep (and ended up going to be before dinner anyway) by the time the boys got home, and since I had already fed myself and Hubby, it wasn’t exactly the family dinner I had hoped it would be. Oh, well, we can’t have everything, can we? It was a pretty good day, especially since we have our departure tomorrow to look forward to!!

For the third time, my brother and I went for his “last ride of the season.” This time it was a lovely day! Temps just right, just a light breeze, really enjoyable. This time we headed out back, crossing the canal into the Hungryland WMA which is just behind his house. Basically just a long straight grade, leading to a pavilion next to one of the most spectacular cypress trees you’d even want to see. If even looks like it was part of a building one, with concrete walls running through it. Anyway, Apollo was brilliant, not a moment’s hesitation running down and up the steep grade on the canal bank. Almost no water at this point now, for some reason, barely a trickle here, though just up the canal it seems deeper than usual. Anyway, we had a nice ride, which was the point, and everyone (including the horses, of course!) had a good time.  We even saw a deer, which Jeff says he has never seen near his place, not in fifteen years!  So it was a special day all around.

After it’s final review, I was able e-file my tax return (why do they make this so complicated??), ran some errands, and started getting ready for our departure next week. Nights have still been chilly, but it’s starting to warm up nicely. Monday would be the perfect day to travel, but because my brother and niece are coming in, we’ll be staying longer than we had planned, and, naturally, the weather is going to heat up fast now. Just hope it’s not too bad by the time we leave!

Finally got a few hours of uninterrupted time to get my taxes done, YEAH! One last review tomorrow morning, e-file, and away we go!

Today we learned that my brother Glenn was coming to town next week for a funeral, and bringing his daughter with him. Since we seldom see each other, and the weather is still decidedly cold here in South Florida (and naturally worse farther north), we decided to delay our departure once again, this time until next week, at least until Wednesday, as my brother’s arrival is next Tuesday. Maybe I’ll finally get a chance to do my taxes! Did some shopping today, solved a few more storage and picture hanging problems, but otherwise uneventful.

After days of near freezing cold nights, the weather warmed up to nearly 90 degrees today, with a rather strong breeze from the south that made it barely tolerable. Took a ride with Brother Jeff around the neighborhood for a while today. Decided to cross Indiantown Rd. and ride along the canal, but for some reason, maybe the wind, the horses were really spooky and reluctant. After about three-quarters of a mile, we decided it wasn’t worth fighting them, and turned around. The rest of the ride around the neighborhood was fine, they settled down nicely. Based on my conversation with my farrier/saddle fitter, I set Apollo’s saddle a lot farther back than usual, which made it almost uncomfortable for me as I was so close to the horn, but he never rodeo-ed on my at all today, so maybe that’s been the problem all along! It was a really hot day, so we didn’t stay out too long, but this may be the last ride with Jeff, and we enjoyed it. Still looking forward to getting out of here this week!

A check of the weather is showing some pretty cold weather coming in, so we decided to postpone our Thursday departure for a few days. Managed to get the farrier out here today, a lucky break that he was in the area, and got the horses a nice trim. He’s also been studying saddle fitting, and commented on some spots on my horse’s back that he thought might be due to a poorly fitting saddle. We chatted for awhile, which was helpful, and gave me some ideas as to how I can improve the saddle fit. It’s even possible Apollo’s rodeo-ing might have to do with an improper saddle fit. Who’d have thunk? I’ve been using the same saddle for years and never thought we had a fit problem. Worth checking out though, always welcome advice (whether I take it or not : -).

Got up bright and early, having hooked up the Marathon last night, grabbed some breakfast and headed down to Lantana, the new home of the Marathon. We met the buyers at the bank, got our payment, then hauled the old gal to her new home a few blocks away. What’s amazing is that she’ll be parked less than a mile away from where I lived when I first met my husband over 27 years ago! The first place we lived together, on the intra-coastal just a few blocks away. Incredible! We spent several hours getting her set up, explaining everything, walking them through the basics, as they have never had an RV before. We finally said our goodbyes, then Hubby and I set out in search of an Indian Restaurant to celebrate his birthday. We found a fabulous place next to the nearly empty Palm Beach Mall called Indus, and enjoyed a thoroughly wonderful meal. Headed home, anxious to start making plans for our departure, now that we have accomplished our main goal here, changing out the RV. We have high hopes of getting out of here soon! It’s been great being here, but we’ve been in one place just too darn long!