Last Ride of the Year~

It was another fine, fine day!  With our upcoming busy holiday schedule, I knew today would be my last opportunity to get Farah out before the end of the year.  The weatherman has forecast a big change for later this week, so Margie & I took advantage of one of the last days, of this amazing streak, of incredible weather.

Margie & Coco~

When I mentioned to Margie I wanted to ride the Wabash - she was game to accompany me.  Most riders would consider it a technical trail - with the traffic, road crossings & bridges.  Coco took it all in stride.  It was darn cold leaving the parking area, with just enough wind to make it feel even colder.

Almost spring like!

Once we were out & moving though - we both warmed up & enjoyed the beauty of a late December day.  In places, if not for the lack of leaves, almost like early spring.  Coco set a nice pace & gaits right along when she's in front.  We brought up the rear with an in-hand trot & the Garmin said we were doing between 6-7 mph.

Coco & Farah~

The hitching post space has been infringed on by a long metal bench on one side & a steel t-post with wire around it on the other.  Both mares recognized the limited room & managed to behave themselves long enough for us to sit & have lunch.

Heading back~

We about froze at lunch - with the stiff, cold wind - contributing to the chill.  The usual quiet of Margaretville broken by a huge dump truck that roared by on the far side of the fence several times, dust flying.  Once we were back into the Timber section though - we really enjoyed the relative noise free beauty of the countryside.  More than once we both had to exclaim over yet another stunning December day.

Farah & Connie

My Garmin had shut itself off once, but I caught it within two-miles.  Regardless - we did make our goal of 400-miles for the year.  It wouldn't seem like much of an accomplishment - until I think of the highway miles it took to get it done.  (The time we tried riding around a corn field - I discovered it's not the place to make the speed it takes to rack up miles.)

I'm done - again - with mileage derby's.  I entered here in Iowa - just for the novelty of knowing we'd come full circle from the first year I'd found this group of Midwest riders on-line.  This season, Farah & I have seen most of the trails within a 100-miles or more from home & driven thousands of miles to do it.  I'm a little tired of the driving, a little tired overall.  There are many days I wish this mare had come along earlier in my life...

I received news today of the death of a long time friend & amazing horsewoman.  Mary held an endurance ride for many years from her home in Oregon.  She & her family graciously hosted the many riders who made it a point to attend.  A friend to all, horse & human - her loss leaves a huge void in the lives of all who knew her...  Ride ON Mary!  May the trails in heaven be beautiful & never-ending ~

When The Time Comes~

You are never ready for the call...
When it came - when I heard the words - time suddenly stopped.  My thoughts a swirling vortex of emotion...
My mother had lost her battle with COPD...  None of us expected the end would come so quickly.  Just a few days before, I'd received a call from my aunt; Mom was in the hospital & on a ventilator.  Unable to speak, she was still fully alert, responding to the hospital staff & writing notes to communicate.  Within a day, she was breathing again on her own.  When I spoke to her, she sounded stronger than she had in weeks.  With her usual tone, she was unhappy to be there & not excited at the prospect of having to go to a nursing home, rather than return to her home.  I made calls & she was moved to one of Boulder's nicest facilities.  During our last conversation, two days before, she was looking forward to a meeting with the Doctor & staff.   Mom wanted to know the date she'd be released & what type of in-home care she would need.

When the call came - I was caught totally off-guard.  (We'd been working non-stop for two days to empty the last of our things out of storage & move them to the house.)  Butch took one look at me & realized what had happened.  As he wrapped me in his arms, all I could do was stand there as the grief washed over me...   A feeling of emptiness so complete, words can't begin to describe it.  Both of my parents now gone...

I called both daughter's & spoke to my other Aunt before we drove home.  We worked into the night to unload the truck, close the house & pack to leave.  (It would be a shorter trip than if we'd still been in Washington.)  Late the following day, we were in Boulder.  My sister flew in from AZ & met us at Mom's.  As it was when we lost Dad, walking into the house that had been Mom's home for so many years without her there - was awful.

Mom's Home 1-8-2016 Boulder, CO

 Mom grew up in a time when smoking was "in".  Starting with corn husks - behind the barn - she was hooked at an early age.  Dad tried to get her to quit over the years, but as we know now, it's an addiction hard to give up.  Almost 20-years ago, after she passed out at the wheel of the car, narrowly avoiding an accident, she gave the habit up completely.  We were so proud of her!

Mom loved to drive & loved to take long distance road-trips.  While her health was good, she visited family & friends in Iowa several times.  She made the drive to Washington too, by herself on several occasions & loved the state.  With my sister Laurie & her family in AZ, Mom made that trip as often as she could.  She loved the area enough she'd considered moving there.

Mom at the Leaning Tree - 8-1-2008

 Her home & yard were always immaculate!  During our visits over the years - we were still hauling squares of flagstone for new & improved walkways :-) She loved her five granddaughters & grandson.  With three great grandsons & four great granddaughters, she always remembered to send birthday cards.  She spent several years collecting historical information on our family's genealogy & compiled several notebooks full of family lineage & old photos.  Each of her four children had an album of photos she'd complied from both old & newer photos over the years.

Me & Mom - at Dad's 10-2012

Every time I called & talked to Mom, I felt so lucky, to have her in my life.  When Dad passed, our shared sorrow made us closer.  Now, I work to accept her loss as I assimilate yet another major change in my life...  I'm thankful for the family & friends who've provided me with their love & support during this difficult time.  Daughter Courtney is flying in to accompany us on our trek back to Iowa this coming week.  Services will be held at the Greenfield Cemetery on November 11th.

Rest in Peace Mom - know your family will always love you.  We will cherish our memories of the happy times & will remember & appreciate the great gifts you've given us~