A little before noon, I called Allene Westleigh to find out if I could come over to pick up another truck load of hay. She informed me that they were back out in the field, baling more hay, and that I was welcome to drive over there. So, off I went, and it was a beautiful, sunny day, but not too hot, and I watched as the raked hay got baled. Then, I drove around and filled up Mom's little truck with 22 bales, and spent a lot more time securing it all with bungee cords. Then, I drove over to the Westleigh's house and wrote Allene a check for the amount of the two day's worth of hay (45 bales total.) Drove back home, and Don helped me unload and stack the bales. It's getting pretty tight in there, but I am so amazed to have 215 (or so) bales in the barn right now!
After a short rest and a little snack, I caught Possum, groomed and tacked him up, and went out for about an hour's ride. We crossed the street and rode up the path to the bottom of the peak of Fessenden Hill, circling the loop several times at the walk and trot. At one point, Possum spooked at a boogie in the woods, but I managed to not fall off and we re-grouped. Once back on the road, we rode down the hill and into Dad's driveway, then around the back side to the path behind his house. We rode through the cool woods to the road again, and on the way back, I asked him to canter up the hill, and that was a lot of fun. He was a trooper!
We walked on up to the Dodge farm and had quick visit with Big Mack, and I was able to see Donna and tell her that I had heard from Ryan and she was offering to give me a lesson on Monday morning, as she was going to be in our neck of the woods anyway, to give Luanne's son a riding lesson at her place. Donna asked if she could have a lesson, too, and I said I'd get in touch with Ryan and let her know if she had time. Possum and I walked down the road a bit, then we headed back for home, very relaxed and comfortable.
As I took him out for a hand graze after our ride, I texted Ryan, and she was able to fit in a lesson with Donna and Big Mack as well, so I left Donna a message that Monday morning at 10:15 Ryan would arrive! Then, I put Possum back in his paddock, gave him more hay and refreshed his water supply, and then it was just about time for me to get ready for my Saturday night gig in Freeport.
We had a great gig and got home at 2:20 in the morning. Sunday morning, I gave him his pellets by about 8:00 or so, and went back to bed for a little while. Sunday is Possum's official day off, and because we had to leave early afternoon for a gig in Waterford, that worked out for us, too. I gave him plenty of hay and water, and even took him out for a little hand grazing before we left for the afternoon.
We got back around 4:45, and started getting ready for our birthday dinner guests to arrive at around 5:15. Possum got his pellets and more hay, and we had a lovely dinner party with Dad and Phyllis and Nat and Eryn. Dad had picked up a cake from Hannafords that had "Happy Birthday / Anniversary" written on it. Phyllis brought a delicious Southwestern Potato Salad, and Don did his usual bang up job on the grilled tips and chicken and fresh Maine corn on the cob. I accented it all with my usual yummy garden salad. We had fun, and Possum enjoyed the company, as well. Except, he did not sit at the dining room table with us. Snort!
That night, Don and I retired plenty early, and I slept well! I got Possum fed by 8:00 o'clock, and after coffee and a little internet, I started to get ready for my riding lesson! I decided to wear my old polyester breeches with my old childhood paddock boots and my new "half-chaps." I washed my face (no shower!), and put my hair in a little pony tail, and spent a good amount of time grooming Possum. I dosed him with fly spray, and made sure all of his tack was neat and clean and in order. I grabbed my little fly swooshing crop, and I hand walked Possum up to the Dodge barn and arrived at about 10:05. Donna was in her riding clothes, but Mack was still in the paddock. She was a little worried about him, as he was a little lethargic about his morning feed, but she brought him into the barn anyway and started to get him ready.
Ryan and her daughter Sadie showed up around 10:25 or so, and Nat and Eryn also popped in for a few minutes to say goodbye. Don came over, as well, with the iPad, and shot a bunch of video for me!
Because Ryan isn't too familiar with Big Mack, and also knew that Donna has not ridden him in quite a while, she had Donna lunge him in her paddock while she worked with me on Possum in the field just outside of the paddock. She had me work on keeping Possum forward and straight and balanced. I learned I have to work on keeping my tummy (my "core") tight, and keep rolling my shoulders back, and to watch that I don't rely on my right rein. I have to keep the inside rein loose and hold onto the outside rein when I'm going around the corners. She also had me lengthen my stirrups. I was frustrated with my body not being able to keep up with what my mind sees as being the correct way to ride, but she told me to give myself some slack and to remember that it is mostly just muscle memory. Also, that I should just make small goals and to not try and get every second perfect. She's a good teacher.
After watching Donna and Big Mack lunge, she decided that it wasn't safe for Donna to ride that day, and so she went in and worked with Big Mack on the lunge herself. Donna got a LOT out of that lesson, I know, and I'm excited that they made plans for more lunging lessons in the next few days, in order to work them up to riding. Donna is finally on her way! Exciting.
After my lesson, and yes, my body was pretty sore - and it still is today - I gave Possum a nice cool and soapy bath. It was very humid and warm, and think he liked it, except when I tried to wash his pretty face! I scraped him down, and sprayed him with the coat polisher spray that was in the box of leftover stuff from camp. Then, I took him out for a nice long hand graze. Finally, I led him back to his paddock area and he enjoyed the rest of the day off, as did I! After all, it was Labor Day. Don spent a few hours washing and waxing the Jeep, and then he drove downtown to pick up some chicken wings, celery and blue cheese for our supper. We added the leftover baked beans and corn bread we brought home from our Saturday night gig at Buck's Naked BBQ, as well as some of the left over potato salad Phyllis brought for the Sunday night dinner party. It was delicious!
Today, I have been busy catching up on the internet and business, then I have to shower and go to market. Later this afternoon, I'll take Possum out for a spin. We will see what kind of adventures we will get into!
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| Just before our lesson on Monday morning! |
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