Thursday Thank You Notes

I am really grateful that today was horse back riding night for the Cowgirl.

I wasn't happy about it for most of the day.

We spent three hours before Princess Camp cleaning the house. (I cleaned- they complained).

Then we had friends over and I was so tired.

Then I made dinner. Still tired.

Then the girls got in a fight when the Dancer kept throwing safety glasses at her sister.

I don't know.

So I told the Dancer she couldn't come to the barn.

She went off on a bike with the Artist and I headed out (still tired) with the Cowgirl.

Then we got to the barn and the air was fresh and crisp after the day's rain.

I didn't have to keep one hand on the toddler, reminding her that we go around the horses, not under them.

I didn't have to tell her not to rub a cat's belly.

All I had to do was the task at hand.

What a glorious feeling for a perpetual multi-tasker.

I bridled the horse, letting him lean his hot muzzle into my arm and felt his warm breath against the back of my hand.

I sat out on the wind-washed, rain-washed hill and watched the horses hooves beat into the soft dirt.

I watched the Cowgirl's golden ponytail hop against her shoulders.

I slid out of my shoes and felt the cool, rotting wood of the bleachers under my feet.

And I felt right again.

The Artist shakes his head and says, "What is it with girls and their horses?"

I don't know.

But I know.

It just is.