Tarmageddon

On some days Tarma is sweet and smart and relatively chill, riding out on the buckle and easy. Today she had a different feeling, so my friend called her Tarmageddon and it fits. Even when she’s at her worst, just not checked in or throwing shade, it never feels dangerous, just a different shade of […]

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Sore but solid

Yesterday I joined several other OET (Oregon Equestrian Trails) members in some vigerous leaf raking, followed by an excellent but too quick solo trail ride. We rake big leaf maple and other leaves off the trails so they don’t turn into a slick, muddy, boggy mess in the winter. Tarma stayed tied to the trailer […]

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Short sleeves in November

At one point during today’s mostly successful trail ride, I had to take off my jacket as I was so hot. In November! I say mostly successful due to the fact that my Nemesis Hill stuck again. There’s this one hill at Battle Ground Lake State Park that is perfect for a good long canter […]

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Today worked (aka, titles are hard)

Today was brought to you by winter crud, which is apparently going through my household. I’m fine and the dog is fine, but Kade and Tom have been wandering around with stuffy noses and aching heads, so they are stuck at home. Kade’s covid test was negative and Tom’s is pending and we’re vaccinated (Kade […]

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A Wednesday

I did all the things today, and the brain said it was good and let me be happy, if tired. Work wasn’t too stressful, the child’s new pediatrician said he’s growing fine, and the puppy got adequate exercise. I ate the right things, mostly, including not all of the Halloween candy. Just a few pieces… […]

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Spicy Fall Ponies

I finally rode my horse again this Sunday, but maybe I could have chosen a better day than Halloween to break our dry spell. We putzed and futzed all day, and finally hauled to the trail head in the mid afternoon and took our time tacking up. It was my second time hauling with my […]

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October Blahs

I read another excellent, too on the nose for comfort newsletter by the savvy Anne Helen Peterson. It pretty well sums up what’s going on this month, the Fall Regression, so hop over there and let her much better writing suck you right in. Everything feels a bit on pause, or the same old same […]

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On The Other Hand…

It’s been a bit of a mixed week in the Morse household. I came back from my “No Responsibilities Mom Trip” to the hot springs in Eastern Oregon feeling…human. I was happy in my skin, calmer and relaxed and dare I say it, myself again. I, of course, immediately ruined the mood by opening my […]

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Relief in the rain

I chickened out of riding Friday and Saturday due to the first soaking rain of the season rolling in. The big, welcome storm showing itself with big winds, thunder and a bit of lightening. A huge relief for the smoke and the fires, but not conducive to a calm ride. The storm blew itself out […]

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When’s the next one?

First off, my mantra for the weekend was “Thank you Sarah”, as this trip wouldn’t have been possible without her along. She was also totally game for hopping on a horse she’d never met before for a five mile trail ride, just so I wouldn’t have to ride out alone in a brand new spot. […]

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