The Aftermath

It’s a good thing when the storm was a cleaning storm! On this holiday Monday (the best kind of Monday there is) all I have to do is sit around in a clean house with my feet up.

Yesterday we had family over for a cookout, and an out-of-town uncle also did a drop by, though he refused to eat with us! He already had dinner plans, so that was ok. Prior to our get together, I finished the last of the cleaning, and then got an organizing bug. Well, that’s just something I don’t ignore. It happens about once every three years, so it must be taken advantage of when it does roll around! I organized the clothes in my bureau; I organized my pots and pans; I organized my containers cabinet; and I organized my lids drawer! In addition, I cleaned off and threw out/put away everything that’s been gathering on the front and back porches for the last couple of years.

Saturday, too, was full of scrubbing and sweeping out corners and washing windows.

So it’s been a really productive weekend, and the house has never looked — or felt — better. There are still a few tasks to tackle, but I can do them at my leisure.

I’ve also gotten in three really good rides with Sully in the past four days. Friday we went around Worrell Memorial for the first time. It’s a mid-length sort of ride, and the views are breath-taking. It may be my new favorite route. Plus, there is nothing really scary along the way, aside from a flock of really noisy guineas.

Saturday we took a bareback ride down Ben Ridge. It was slow and lazy, and pretty warm, but he was really good and I never felt in danger of sliding off. (Sully never “throws” a person off; he just shifts enough to knock you a little off-balance and lets gravity do the rest. Throwing would require too much effort. Not as dumb as he looks, eh?)

Today, we took W.M. again, but from the opposite direction, and Mom accompanied us on her bike. That was a lot of fun, if a little on the warm side since we were out there at high noon! The breeze kept us from melting entirely. Sully was lazy and a bit heavy, but perked up around the halfway point and made the second half worth the troubles endured in the first half! When we got home, he got a bath and good grassy roll.

The grazing muzzle is working out, I think. He’s finally figured out that he can, in fact, eat while wearing it. I’m switching it today so he’ll be wearing it at night when it’s cool and be free of it during the day. I think it will really aid in managing his weight this summer, without having to keep him confined. I can’t stand seeing a horse confined. It’s not natural. It’s like keeping a bird in a cage. I always wanted a bird, but at the same time, I was never sure I could enjoy a bird that was not permitted to fly.

But I digress.

Sully is at optimum condition right now. I aim to try to keep it that way!

The rest of my long weekend will probably consist of sitting in my cool, clean living room and crocheting. How perfect is that?

Out of Milk

Tragedy strikes the Baird household. With what do I make my Herbal Life lunch?!?

I love Herbal Life, by the way. But I can’t afford it. Not only does it taste good, but it’s fortified, high protein, low carb, and very filling. I’ve been using free samples for my breakfast and lunch through the week, and it’s really helping keep me on track. However, at 40 bucks a pop, (and that’s for a canister that lasts about 3 weeks) it’s pricey.

That actually is not what I came to talk about this morning. Instead, I want to share my biking progress. I’ve been riding the 4 miles to Jenny’s and home every other morning, giving a morning in between to allow my muscles to recuperate. I’ve also been riding Sully on the off days, so I’m doing something but with different muscles. My ultimate goal is to get every single muscle in my body hurting simultaneously.

Up to this morning, I’d say I’ve had to walk 1/2 to 1/3 of the trip. There are two monster hills involved, one each way. Then there are a couple of more gradual, but longer climbs. With the Cruiser, I had to walk up parts of even those gradual climbs, and all of the steep ones.

This morning, however, I’d say I knocked my walking down to less than a quarter. I was able to ride from here (including up my own drive) all the way to Keno Road before dismounting and hoofing the final climb to the barn. On the trip home, I stayed aboard all the way to the late Homer Collins’ mailbox, which is a good 50 to 75 feet farther than I’ve ever ridden up that hill before. In addition, I was able to get back on at the end of the steepest climb and ride all the way back to the house.

Granted, when I got to that last jumping off point, I was convinced I was either going to pass out or barf, or both. But I waited until I’d caught my breath before walking on, and recovered fairly quickly.

I’ve been home for half an hour now, and already feel mostly recovered.

Not bad for an old fat girl, huh?