The Bucket List Continues

Since seeing the movie with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson last year, Jim and I have managed to cross a few things off our bucket lists. Some were not too challenging, like hiking in the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon...

or

visiting Corning Glass Works...

others...

like our trip to Costa Rica

and

Ireland

might have to wait for economic recovery.

However, I have a challenging one on my list that called for a little courage and I have been putting it off for quite some time. So...on Saturday, I took myself in hand and went along with my friends Laurie and Carl to the stables and...

took a riding lesson.

I was more than a little nervous about this endeavor. This was my first time on a horse. I think I may have had a pony ride when I was a little girl, but I don't even have any real clear memory of that. Before I left for this adventure Jim, my usually supportive husband, was kind enough to remind me that I am " 64 years old and my bone break more easily than they once did." I don't think I needed to be reminded of that since I have had two broken bones in the last three years. He also reminded me that I had a lot on my plate for this summer and really couldn't afford to be laid up. Thanks, honey.

As you can see, I wasn't to be discouraged and continued on my merry way. I chose this particular stable carefully. After hearing about Dennis from Laurie and Carl for the last three years, I decided this was just the place for someone like me to learn to ride. Dennis works with all ages and all abilities of people and I knew he would treat me with care and respect. I was right on target.

After being walked around the riding area for fifteen or twenty minutes by Hillary, she let go of Chance who, by the way, is the gentlest and slowest horse in the stable, and patiently told me how to use the reins and my heels to get him to go where I wanted him to. It was so cool to be able to control him.

Here I am riding with Kristen and Carl (in the background). Kristen, in spite of her disabilities, was happily riding all by herself on Saturday. Dennis has done tremendous things for these kids. You should see and hear the way he works with them. He is a kind and gentle teacher. Just what an old gal like me needs.

I met another rider who is in my age category and she was delighted to welcome me and give me encouragement. There is no doubt in my mind that I will go back. I don't want to become an equestrian champion or anything, but I would like to feel comfortable on the horse so that I could ride some guided trails when we are visiting parks out west.

While I was waiting for Carl to finish his lesson I took some pictures of some of the other inhabitants of this fun farm.

The peacocks are so beautiful even when they haven't fanned their tail feathers, but they are really noisy birds.

This little donkey was a gift to Dennis from his grateful students.

We've had a lot of rain and getting back from the riding area was a little tricky. I did make it, though I put my boots in a bag before I put them in Laurie's car. I was happy that I thought to bring my sneakers along.

Our treat for working so hard this morning was a trip to DickDonald's, as Kristen calls Mc*Donald's for lunch. That was every bit as much fun as the riding. I'm so delighted to have made friends with Kristen and her delightful mom, Ginny. What a wonderful morning.

Oh yes, I am totally hooked and will be going back soon.

~Hippo Hugs~

"Wisdom is knowing what to do next;

Virtue is doing it."

David Starr Jordan