Overheard in the Wolfe House #159
Peggy: You know, I was able to drag a lawn mower all the way to the south fence line. You really do a good job of mowing the orchard floor. It’s a like a golf course out there.
Sam (with the biggest grin he’s flashed in a long time): Well, thanks.
Don’t Spare the Horses.
When Michael was home visiting for the holidays, we had a shared moment for which the details completely escape me now, but after which my son said, “Wow, Mom. Don’t spare the horses.”
I’d never heard that before. But I liked it. I liked it so much I wondered whether it would make a good New Year’s resolution. One I could actually keep.
In a word, yes.
I logged my 500th mile in in training this month and other things in my life are proceeding at that dogged pace.
Last night, I dreamt something was outside my front door. Unlike all the other dreams of monsters and tornadoes and machines and floods and fire and being forced to get control of a runaway vehicle from the backseat of the car, I didn’t hesitate.
Texas has a castle law, you know.
Overheard in the Wolfe House #158
Peggy: Are you ready to make some pizza?
Sam: Oh, yes! I’ve got to get rid of some static electricity first.
Overheard in the Wolfe House #157
Peggy: I don’t know what’s going on with Gus. He has been anxious for several days now. It’s the same kind of anxious he had when the batteries went out on the smoke detector. But we fixed it. Last night, he was so anxious, he couldn’t sleep. Today, he doesn’t even want to come in the house. I don’t get it.
Sam: I think the smoke detector in the office is about to go out.
Peggy: Really? How do you know?
Sam: I can hear it clicking softly when I’m in the office. Can’t you hear it?
Peggy: No. Only you and Gus can hear it.
Overheard in the Wolfe House #156
Sam: They are asking whether I’m registered for Selective Service.
Peggy: You are. You did that when you were 18. Do you remember filling out that card at the post office?
Sam: They need my SS number.
Peggy: Hmm. I guess you would have a draft number. (rummages through records)
Sam: Wow. I have another number.
Overheard in the Wolfe House #155
Peggy: An argument isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Sam: Yes, but arguments are suspenseful.
Peggy: What do you mean by that?
Sam: You don’t always know the outcome. Sometimes it’s good. But sometimes it’s bad.
Overheard in the Wolfe House #154
Sam: I’ve got a real busy day tomorrow.
Peggy: A real busy day can be a good day.
Sam: Let’s hope so.
Word Fun
Overheard in the Wolfe House #153
Paige: Sam, how do you do that side move on the horse?
Sam: It’s tricky, Paige. You have to pull your reins to your foot where you want the horse to go.
Belt Buckle Quality
Sam took first in showmanship in Class A today at Chisholm Challenge.
This event gave him fits when he was younger. If you are not familiar with showmanship, here’s what little I know. In many horse shows, competitors are showing the animal to the judge — just like a dog show, for example — so it can be evaluated for its conformation to the breed.
Showing an animal is complicated. You’ve got to get the animal to do things on your lead. People sometimes hire professional handlers to show their dogs. Being judged on showmanship is having someone evaluate your handling skills.
For kids with autism and other disabilities, showing an animal can be wickedly difficult. You have to stay focused. You have to follow directions with many steps. If your animal doesn’t behave as expected, you have to deal with it.
That’s gray-matter growing stuff.
I highly recommend it for kids with disabilities. Some stables will take kids at-risk. Michael rode for a year after he had surgery on his ear to help correct some balance and perception problems. Sam has been riding at Riding Unlimited since he was five. If you can volunteer or donate to a therapeutic riding program, you will be a big part of making amazing things happen in your community. Some volunteer programs will help you learn to ride, too.
Just one caveat: make sure the program, the instructors and the facility are certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, or PATH International.
Sam competed in Class A, where the patterns are more difficult. The other classes do simpler patterns for the judge, just walking up, turning and coming back.
And here’s his buckle!