"Dad, this damn horse couldn't catch a pony in a Shetland Race!"
Cowboy Teddy Boggs, recollecting about the fastest Arabian Horse he'd ever owned.
Today's Blog:
When I was just a wee hellion, a young fearless teenager, outwardly I resembled a modest, quiet kid. But under the surface, I craved extreme elation. Conquering a long hill on a bicycle, standing on the pedals and pumping up and down, or achieving straight A's just so I could get my first ten speed, all of these efforts were nothing compared to my ultimate dream.
That vision being hands-free operation-Of the bicycle.
Preferably at speeds fast enough to produce consistent direction and travel over surfaces that would not encourage unexpected unbridled motion or an inconvenient dismount.
In those days I lived for the adrenaline rush-the push of my letting go of the handle bars-That hesitant, heart soaring moment when release translated into possibilities rather than the mere risk of a crash. Or end-over. Or worse, collision.
Once released, how wonderful life could be. I knew freedom. Motion. Speed. And the intoxication of uncertainty.
Speed + Peddling or Gravity divided by insanity = hands-free operation.
But that wasn't enough. I graduated from bicycles to doing the same with horses.
Hands free operation on a horse combined perpetual motion, uncertainty, and two very independent, free willed creatures. Each addicted to wind burn, speed, and a vanishing point that might not be discernable. The horse always seemed ready for the moment, the minute we hot trotted out of the sight of my parents or anyone else likely to narc. I'd tie the reigns together, and then lean in against the neck of that fast horse and kick with a "YAH!"
That's all it took. Bareback, fast, and crazy, we tore off across those fields, full of gopher holes, dips and rolls, with a blurred view of the Coast Range to the left and the Cascade Range to the right. Racing across a winter wheat or just harvested grass seed field, life was good. The reigns bounced against the stretched neck of my ride, hanging out of my hands, with the horse taking his lead, headstrong, and driven. My eyes watering as my heart raced.
I still remember the intense fear, the driven excitement, and the heartstopping fear of riding that horse galloping as fast as he could. Knowing that the direction was his to choose and that I was completely entrusting everything I had to horse's will.
Hands free operation is the manual version of "Letting Go and Letting God. It's about as perfect a way to kill fear as I know. It's the serenity of uncertainty. It's finding direction, when you don't know where you're going. It is the simplest truth that some destinations are unknown. Our journey is at best insane, reckless, and unknown. Yet once discovered, these voyages are far better than any planned arrival.
Prayer Requests:
For Ron who is about to conquer Wyoming in an Airstream...
For Monty who is having a hip replacement on Thursday...
For JoAnne's father Clarence, aka "Bob" who is facing life threatening medical issues...
For my roommate Paul...Who has just had a week from hell...
For "the other" Paul's father
For Cathy and ongoing health issues...
For my cousin Grant's infant daughter, who is now finally home from the hospital...
For my neighbor Dennis who is fighting a five year battle against cancer...
For Clayton's Sister who is going through a tough time...
For Stacy and Chris-who face frightening health challenges. For their kids Madison and Christopher that they may know God is watching over their parents...
For Bobbi that her pregnancy continues without complications...Bobbi carries a boy.
For Brooke who just had a baby girl. We dance and sing with celebration at the birth of Charlotte Price. Born October 4th at 1:15 pm. Charlotte weighed 7lbs, 9 ounces, was 19 inches long, and is just plain perfect. We send love to Donna and Brooke and prayers of thanks for her safe arrival.
For all the cattle ranchers on both sides of the border facing Mad Cow fears...
Links, links, links...
First Blizzard of the season snarls the Rockies...
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=5068
Political "fall out"...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/02/politics/02republicans.html?th&emc=th
More on Western ranching economies...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/02/opinion/02houston.html?th&emc=th
Amazing photography
http://www.tomhalleyphotography.com/index.html
Recall election of Spokane's Mayor seems a certainty...
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/jimwest/story.asp?ID=100505_recall
HIV Virus might be weakening over time
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4290300.stm
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