A Different Life II

[Hittenstiehl]

I too like organization!!

Physical clutter for me leads to mental clutter. Once I get it done I can get it off my mind.

[Lily&Me]

Looking into taking a trail ride at Glacier, this particular section in the Waiver one must sign tells me...after overnight consideration ...that this would quite simply just be too dangerous for myself and teenagers who have never been on a horse.

“I understand and acknowledge the fact that no horse is a completely safe horse; horses are 5 to 15 times larger, 20 to 40 times more powerful, and 3 to 4 times faster than a human. If a rider falls from horse to ground, it will generally be at a distance from 3-6 feet, and the impact may result in injury to the rider. I understand and acknowledge that horseback riding is the only sport where one much smaller, weaker predator animal (human) tries to impose its will on, and become a unit of movement with another much larger stronger prey animal with a mind of its own (horse) and each has a limited understanding of the other. I understand and acknowledge that if a horse is frightened or provoked it may divert from its training and act according to its natural survival instincts which may include, but are not limited to: stopping short, changing directions or speed at will, shifting its weight, bucking, rearing, kicking, biting, or running from danger. I understand that horses are like any other gaited animal in that they may trip, stumble or fall, all of which may cause harm to me or other persons or animals. I understand that riders should not carry loose items while riding (e.g. jackets, purses, hats not fastened securely) that may fall, blow away, flap in the wind or make sharp noises that could frighten the horse; riders should not yell or scream or make other sharp noises that could scare the horse. I understand and acknowledge that saddle girths (saddle fasteners around the horse’s belly) may come loose and cause saddle slipping; in the event I notice mine or another rider’s saddle slipping it will be my responsibility to notify the guide/wrangler immediately to get assistance in re-securing the saddle. I understand and acknowledge that, upon mounting a horse and taking up the reins the RIDER is in primary control of the horse; as such, my safety as the rider largely depends upon my ability to carry out simple instructions and upon my ability to remain balanced aboard a moving animal which will be traveling over rocky, uneven and sometimes steep terrain. I also understand and acknowledge that SMOWG is NOT responsible for acts, occurrences or elements of nature (e.g. thunder, lightning, rain, wind, wild and domestic animals, insects or reptiles that may run, fly near, bite and/or sting a horse or person and/or irregular footing on out-of-door groomed or wild terrain) that can scare a horse, cause it to fall or cause it to react in some other unsafe way.”

Ummm, no.

Maggie

[mimiandrews]

I think what they're saying is that horses are horses. Just like we can't absolutely guarantee that your Lily or my Olaf won't someday be a dog and bite someone, they can't say that a horse won't shy or panic.

Most of those trail ride horses are very gentle old nags, and the wranglers always keep the speeds down and the route easily navigated. Riding them is probably as safe as driving to their location. Just heed the good advice contained in that paragraph of lawyer-ese and don't do something guaranteed to scare any horse.

[Lily&Me]

It’s the need to be able to stay safely mounted in the event of something unexpected that is the issue.

A horse that has been spooked by something, stumbles, is stung by a bee, etc.

All very common sense, but we wouldn’t be riding around a ring but out onto uneven and rocky terrain.

Seeing it spelled out is sobering, and I wouldn’t want the kids nor myself to fall off.

And that would be an almost certainty during an adverse event.

We’re still going whitewater rafting, and those reservations are made.

Maggie

[mimiandrews]

Frankly, I'd feel safer on a horse, but that's just where my experience lies. I've fallen off of them many times with cuts and bruises being the worst of it--only needed stitches once. I've quit riding now, because my bone scans tell me I will break easier than when I was young.

[Lily&Me]

I understand, Mimi, tho know that when something is keeping you up at night you need to pay attention to that.

Reading that release and hold harmless agreement, I am certain all of those things have actually happened to riders because that is how and why those kinds of legal documents come to exist.

I think of the distance to the ground, landing on rocks, getting a foot caught in a stirrup on the way down...ummmm, no.

Just not a good plan, and I’m sure if my PCP had weighed in he would agree.

Not as far to fall from a raft, we will all be helmeted and life jacketed, there will be big strong guys and gals on the banks ready to pluck us quickly from the water if we go in, etc.

That’s how those things work.

It will be great fun and the kids are excited about it.

The bear bells have arrived and small but powerful telescopes for viewing animals are on their way.

Maggie

[mimiandrews]

You're right to follow your instinct, of course. I'm quite sure all those things have happened, in fact most of them have happened to me at one time or another. It's just too bad our litigious society forces companies to have their lawyers put things into scary language. I've spent many happy hours on horses and am sorry you all will be missing the fun.

Hope you have a great trip.

[Brian R.]

One summer, a fellow from the big city was going on a camping trip into the Rocky Mountains. He got all his gear, made the drive, and was at a local shop just before starting his hike into the wilderness.
He says to the store clerk, "Say, do you all have bears around here?"

"Yep," replied the clerk.

"What kind?"

"Well, we've got black bears and grizzly bears."

The hiker replied, "OK, I guess I better get some of these bear bells then. That way, when I'm hiking the bears will know I'm coming and I won't startle them." He gets a couple bells and takes them to the counter to pay.

"By the way, is there any way to tell if there are grizzly bears or black bears around?", he asked.

"Sure," replies the clerk, " just check their scat to see what type of bear is around. You can tell the type of bear by what's in its scat."

"Hmmm, what would I expect to see in the scat?" asked the hiker as he picked up his bells to leave.

"Well, black bear scat's got berries, leaves, some grass. Grizzly bear scat's got bear bells."

[Lily&Me]

I’m sure your horse times were grand, Mimi, and living in Texas they were an animal you grew up with.

We are flatlanders and townies...no horses, no large toothed animals here in Central Illinois.

Well, of course, some in the country have horses, but not in town, and not us.

The kids have been lukewarm to horseback riding, so it is not a problem for them to skip it.

Not for this adventure, but other experiences await.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Yep, I have heard that bears and bells story told several different times, in several different ways.

We will be staying on the bunny slopes, no real wilderness hiking for us, but we will carry the bells.

I do want them to experience Glacier, but we don’t have to do it all.

They’ve never been west of the Mississippi, so just have no idea what awaits them.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Interstate has been serviced, other running around done and my to-do list is dwindling...tho I still need to tackle my garage.

Have gotten on to both the HistoriCorps projects I wanted, so summer plans have come together, and I am delighted.

If I could jump in the air and click my heels, I would do that.

Second vaccine Friday morning...

I actually didn’t wake up until almost 5 this morning, so am hoping I have adjusted to the time change...we shall see.

Nine Amazing Grace ear warmers, made and washed up.

Used three different sized hooks to accommodate different sized heads , and my leftover winter yarn is now down to real scraps.

About time to switch to cottons for the warmer weather.

[Lily&Me]

I am now fully vaccinated.

I would laminate this except we are likely to need booster shots so I need to leave those extra lines accessible.

The National Guard again handling all of the logistics.

They now scan the barcode from your vaccine confirmation three separate times...once at the door, once at the injection chair, once again as you leave.

My grandsons got their first today, the youngest is not yet eligible.

My son and his wife get their first one tomorrow.

Onward and upward, vaccines helping to stabilize the country and world as we learn to live with Covid 19.

[mimiandrews]

Congratulations!
Please remember that your immune system needs two weeks to complete its work before you are "fully" vaccinated, so keep on being careful.

[Lily&Me]

I understand that, Mimi, but thanks.

Tho I intend to socially distance and wear a mask until Dr. Fauci tells me I no longer need to.

I think it’s going to be awhile, yet.

Maggie

[Nelson428]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

I am now fully vaccinated.



I would laminate this except we are likely to need booster shots so I need to leave those extra lines accessible.



The National Guard again handling all of the logistics.



They now scan the barcode from your vaccine confirmation three separate times...once at the door, once at the injection chair, once again as you leave.



My grandsons got their first today, the youngest is not yet eligible.



My son and his wife get their first one tomorrow.



Onward and upward, vaccines helping to stabilize the country and world as we learn to live with Covid 19.

Congratulations!!! I got mine and finished my two week after period. Like you I still wear my mask.

[Lily&Me]

Yep, it’s the right thing to do.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Our first trip up to the forest preserve this year...tho we’ve been home a month, it was at first quite wet and I’ve also been busy.

Turned Lily loose and let her rip around, as we had the place to ourselves.

She’s a happy girl.

Lots of violets and something that looks bulb-like that has not yet flowered, which may be trillium.

And, Virginia Bluebells.

[Lily&Me]

We have been having beautiful, sunny days here, but snow and rain are predicted for tomorrow and freeze warnings are in place for Wednesday and Thursday.

My lilacs are fixin’ to bloom, and the wild geranium bed on the west side that has begun to thrive has been blooming for a couple of weeks.

Spring in central Illinois, which is why our general rule of thumb in these here parts is “no annuals or other bedding plants in the ground until after Mother’s Day”.

I’m going to hunker down, cook a little, use dry carpet cleaner on the big rug in my kitchen sitting room, and wait it out...I have lots of tea, and even a little firewood left if I am so inclined.

The third week of April.


I don’t believe that Doug is out there in spirit world creating rose things for me to find, but I do believe that he at times nudges me towards them.

Getting ready for summer activities, while I’ve been relying for the past 14 months on paper masks it seemed that some cloth/washable ones would be more practical for extended time periods out of doors...but still perhaps close enough to others that they would be needed.

A few minutes of googling this morning turned up this set of 6 adjustable cloth masks at a very reasonable price on Amazon.

[Hittenstiehl]

Those masks are delightful. I find masks with a small bridge piece helps them stay up on the nose when talking.

Our AZ weather on the other hand is ripening up the first tomatoes.

[Lily&Me]

Wow!

Fresh tomatoes!

We are months away from those here.

I have not really worn cloth masks, but aside from the rose patterns I like that the straps are adjustable.

We’ll see how they work.


Maggie