Horse show Sunday

I drove out to the farm after work to ride one last time before the show on Sunday. If practice goes late enough on Saturday, I might ride then also. Horses are unpredictable. After a test last year, the rider mentioned that Hope "was forward." However on my test, the judge said to "encourage Hope before she runs out of steam." Hope doesn't like to stand still. And the smallest tug on the bridle caused her to move backward. I tend to lean back and pull during a transition and need to stay straight and pull and release. The 20 meter circles need to be round and the correct size. I need to stay on the right diagonal during the rising trot...rising when Hope's front leg is front. I woke during a thunderstorm last night, thinking about the show. I wonder why I stress myself with competition. Deep breaths.

4th of July takes an unexpected turn

New tablets take some getting used to. I spent a couple hours trying to get onto my blog. Finally merged two accounts and was able to post. It would have made me very sad, if after six years, I had to begin a new blog site. Just too many changes...loss of my friend, computer, blog. The 4th of July took an unexpected turn. I drove to the farm to ride as I am showing the school horse, Hope, on Sunday. My teacher criticized me for pulling on Hope when I was working on walk to trot transitions. Spoke up and told her that I had released the bridle, but as she had not seen that, she told me she saw me pull. Just kept my mouth after that when she criticized a turn. She was focused on other riders on Tuesday, moving them along, working on different gaits. The terrible part came when I discovered that my keys were in my purse in the car and that the car was locked. Phone, credit card for a uber, all locked in my car. I tried calling my husband to bring the spare set, but he was outside washing the car. My son did not recognize the number from the borrowed phone, so did not pick up. I could not remember all of my daughter's cell phone number. I didn't know what to do, but figured I could walk from the farm to the house. I thought it was 12 miles but discovered later that it is 16. Locking my keys in my car was my fault as was being unprepared. It was a hot thirsty walk home. I did stop at the grocery store and the health club and a restaurant to get water. My feet hurt, my neck and forearms burned. My hands felt numb from hanging down. People were busy going about their business, hurry scurrying here and there. I had no ID on me, so was glad I didn't get hurt. The moral of this story is to take keys and cell out of the car, to have a long sleeved shirt in the car as well as water. I am fine, trying to rehydrate, back of neck is healing from the burn as are the balls of my feet. I practice again today and the thought of going to the farm gives me the willies. I have been so preoccupied lately. I hope I can stay focused so as to not do stupid things. I get my independence honestly, from my father. However, I believe that independence and loneliness are sisters in my life.

Bought new tablet

As you know, the keyboard on my tablet did not work, either because the connection was broken, the tablet did not recognize it. I blogged a few times using the virtual keyboard, a lesson in frustration. The other day, the tablet fell, damaging the charging port. It was impossible to charge it. So last night, I bought a new tablet, the same one that I had before. I am so happy to have a keyboard again. So difficult to use a touchscreen properly. I much prefer the accuracy of a cursor. My friend was transferred from the hospital to a rehab center. I visited her on Monday. Something is going on with her processing. For instance I asked her for a phone # and she spelled her name. Hopefully she will make a complete recovery. She has been lying in bed for a month, so cannot sit up. She is eating pureed foods and has to be fed. I miss our nightly chats. We had planned to go out for lunch last Wednesday. My little granddaughter, 4 weeks old, has a cold. My daughter and her husband have been married one week as of yeserday. The large mandevilla plant in the front of the house has two pink blooms. The cyclamen in the back is in continual bloom with red flowers. Waiting for the Easter lily in the garden to open. I walked the dogs in the rain yesterday. The grass, flowers and trees sighed in relief from the hot dry weather. It was a gentle rain, soaking the parched earth. My dad's 91st birthday is Monday. We are planning a cookout to celebrate.

Friend in serious car accident

My friend was involved in a serious car accident. Almost three weeks ago, she was riding in a cab that rear ended a stopped flatbed truck. I didn't find out for almost 11 days. Her cousin tried to call me, but I didn't recognize the number, so didn't answer. I called the hospital today and her cousin answered the phone. My friend has had three surgeries. She has two broken femurs and needed a skin graft. She has lacerations. At the present time, my friend is non verbal. I'm praying for her, for healing of her injuries, that she will walk again, and that she will be able to talk. I miss my friend.

Expected behavior

I am a grandmother! Our granddaughter was born on Sunday. My husband, son and I drove to the hospital to visit with our daughter, her husband and to hold the new baby. It was the right thing to do. I've come to realize that certain behavior is expected during a special time such as an engagement, wedding, pregnancy or birth. I expected congratulations and best wishes from a couple people that to date have remained silent. I don't know why but to feel better, I pretend. "We're happy for you. Congratulations.". Working about 15 days straight at the flower shop. Lots of associates are out.

Restless and searching for something

My Dad decided that he wanted to know when his mother's family came to the New World. I spent the last couple days researching his Mother's family and typing a document. My grandparents spent years traveling around the country after they retired. They visited cemeteries, courthouses and libraries to complete family trees. Grandma published a book about her father's family. So it was quite easy for me to sift through the information. My grandmother's family has been in the US since 1635, and my great grandmother's people came on the Mayflower. My father's ancestor's came from England and Sweden in the 1800s as did my mother's. So no tracing my mother's and dad's folks to Plymouth Rock! My dad was pleased. I Included place of birth and death as well as burial info. Made a typo on my grandma's date of birth! The 2 and 3 keys are next to each other. Dreaming last night that I visited the school where I taught and was trying to find the exit. Went through a department store and a dental office. Waiting patiently for the arrival of our first baby granddaughter. She is due any moment. The search is not for something tangible but rather for inner calm, peace, and good rapport with and acceptance of others. That is the treasure I am seeking.

Tough tough week

I couldn't write much last month, because only the virtual keyboard on the tablet is working. I find virtual keyboards difficult and time consuming to use as a blogger. Today, though, I need to write, need to organize my thoughts. Tough, tough week. The evil one, who I won't name, was hard at work. I probably should have closed my mouth and not let my opinion been known, as it opened up biting comments about scheduling family events on my husband's day off and extreme irritation that I use all the plastic bags on the dog walks. I work in retail and I'm wondering how much verbal abuse should I have to take? The order is for today, but, when the customer called two days ago, said it was all wrong, had spent 20 minutes on the phone, how could I work in this business, I would not make it in the big city, would be terribly upset if clients were disappointed. This person threatened to post negative comments, to take orders to another business. The verbal abuse went on for 10 or 15 minutes, until I gave the owners' names and contact info. I had inputted lots of information, took the initiative to find out the name of the recipient and delivery details, sent the customer a copy of the orders. I knew intuitively from the get-go, that this customer would be difficult and at some point was going to yell and berate me. In the future, when I sense that there will be a situation, I refuse to deal and will let someone else handle the calls. I console myself with knowing that I helped 60 or so customers in the last few days and all thanked me for my time and help, and were happy with their gifts. Also, my friend at church told me, "It is over and done."