The following conversation took place during a longer than average trail ride.

Alys: Hrimmi, can you believe this weather?
Hrimmi: Hasn’t been this warm in a long time.
A: Nope.
H: I wish I could unzip my coat and step out of it.
A: But you are shedding.
H: Slower this year than most.
A: Why do you think this is?
H: The weather has had a lot to do with it. It’s been colder than average this year, so I have hung on longer to my coat.
A: Do you have any say in the matter?
H: Considerable.
A: Do you think that now it will remain warmer?
H: I’m a horse, not a weather person.

Pete, Raudi, and Hrimmi overlooking Happy Jack area

A: It doesn’t take a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
H: Huh?
A: That’s a line from a song by a fellow named Bob Dylan. It had its obvious meaning. It also was a form of support for the Students for a Democratic Society.
H: I have no idea what you’re talking about. And right now, I’m a bit more concerned about that square black object ahead of us.
A: It’s nothing to fret about. Raven Refuse. It’s a garbage container.
H: Phew, it stinks.
A: Your sense of smell is far better than mine.
H: There may be something dead in there.
A: Most likely not. People are just getting rid of their trash.
H: You and Pete don’t have a container like this one.
A: No, we don’t. We recycle some things, give scraps to the chickens, the rest goes into the compost stations.
H: Compost. Ohh, I love compost. I love orange peels and banana peels and goat bedding and whatnot.
A: We would appreciate it if you would stay away from the compost station. That whatnot, it can kill you.
H: I have gotten my share of whatnot over the years, and I have never even gotten so much as one iota of indigestion.
A: Iota: Where did you learn that word?
A and H together: Tyra!!!
H: And she got the word from. . .
A and H together: A raven!!!
A: Smart birds.
H: Smart horse.
A: You know, she’s very smart. And she’s doing just fine under saddle. But you are the diamond in the rough.
H: What do you mean, diamond in the rough?
A: It means to find something extraordinary in something that’s supposedly ordinary.
H: Me? Ordinary?
A: You, extraordinary.
H: How so?
A: You are nicely forward. You have an amazing trot. And you are not at all reactive.
H: You don’t say.
A: I do say.
H: I used to stop a lot. It took me a long time to fully develop my balance.
A: I understand. At the same time, and correct me if I’m wrong, you are the sort of horse who needs for their rider to take charge.
H: Yes, that’s right.
A: So, I can’t put beginners on you.
H: No, you cannot.
A: Shall we keep going? If you are tired, we can turn around.
H: Let’s keep going.
A: See? You are indeed a very fine riding horse.

Next: 106.4/17/21: Spring has Sprung