Southern Bound

Thank you so much for the notes of condolence.  Grief over losing a horse - an animal - is very real.  People who have never loved an animal do not understand.  You all do and I am touched that you reached out.

I slept late, took a shower, did my hair and put on a little make-up.  I needed to work at our church bazaar dinner and seemed as good as any to get out of the house.  None of the church people will know of my loss; I should be able to make it through the afternoon.  Imagine my shock when the first person I served coffee to asked, “So how’d it come out with your horse?”  Small town, shared vet. 




Later this afternoon, I finished loading the hay and water into the trailer.  The sun finally came out and I felt much better.  The horses had made their way up to the corral and I filled their extra tank.  We have an automatic waterer, but they enjoy playing in a  tank. 




Cowgirl Weekend falls the same time every year and the first sign of the horse’s winter coats are just beginning to show.  Windy turns a beautiful mahogany this time of year.  It is tradition that I bath and groom her before the big weekend but yesterday I could barely function.  I couldn’t imagine having the gumption to take on that task.  Today was a better day and I was anxious to spend some time with my horse.  I pulled her out and shampooed, conditioned and Show Sheened her.  There is nothing prettier than a clean, bay horse.  I couldn’t help but think I just combed  Ginger’s tail two days ago.  I could still feel the texture of her hair against my hands; much finer than Windy’s black tail.  When I finished grooming Windy, I put her in the round pen for the night so she doesn’t get dirty.  Butter will keep her company.

I’ll hit the road at o’dark hundred.  I picked up the audio book Heaven is For Real;  I thought it would be a comforting on my journey.  Our first stop will be in central Kansas, hopefully arriving before noon.  The truck has a new fuel sensory device, new tires, a new pitnam arm (whatever that is) and two new batteries.  A kiss for luck and we’ll be on our way (name that song). 

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