Whoop-de-do!

Rachel came over today to hash over an idiotic book that had driven her nuts (which was fun – and she came on her pink bike.  Wait.  Red?).

Before too long, we had stumbled into an entirely accidental idyll of delight.  We ended up at the arena.  And the stiff little chilly breeze dropped away.  And we spent the whole afternoon MESSING ABOUT WITH HORSES.  Which is just like messing about with boats (MATT??  Allusion?) but way better.  First, we tied everybody else up, then we saddled the colt.  The colt who has been ridden only two other times, and that last November.  I only let him walk.

“Get offa there you pansy!” she said.  “We gotta trot.”  This is EXACTLY what she said.  And she stole my helmet and my horse, and took off trotting all over the place.  She is SO BRAVE.  And he was SO GOOD.  Until I got back on him.  Then he decided it was time to trot in very small circles.  But it was WONDERFUL.  And for dessert, we rode Zion bareback all over the place.

Beautiful air.  Gorgeous afternoon.  Rachel looked like some wild elvish princess riding that Zion of mine around.  And no camera.  But we were happy!  Alive. Like kids on bikes.  Kinda darn care-free.  So HUZZAH!!  Now – if she just doesn’t crash . . .

Here are rotten pictures from the other day.  YOU try taking shots of wild horses while you’re standing in the very same space they are and they keep running into the sun.  Dirty horses.  These are the VERY ONES we were riding.

Yes.  This is the snotty pony.  Zion is behind him.

La-di-da

Wanna ride one?

So gentle and calm.

Now, it’s all kiss kiss.

Yep, Rachel and Little Old Me – the rodeo queens.