Every dispatch I write is a letter to Pete. This is so very true. This is a given. I guess this is the way in which I am assured that I’ll have his complete and undivided attention. He may be distracted and stop reading, but he will return to the page because I am using the written word to communicate ideas.

So Pete sent me two photos of the Back 40, one that I took one week ago and one he took a today. There is a lot of snow in the first photo and hardly any other snow in the second photo. He said in his message that it was 55°F today in Palmer. Well, it was about 55°F today here in Schenectady.

The difference is that here, there is no snow at all and the grass is very green. It rained yesterday afternoon and it rained today – I walked Gabby over to the arena in a squall – did agility with her in the covered arena. The rain pounded on the roof panels. She did not seem to mind this at all. We are bonding, her and I. I made sure to give her several horse treats of choice around here – peppermints.

I hope that I can be a happy interlude in Gabby’s ongoing life – and that right now she feels content with me around. This is all I can hope for because I have four equally wonderful horses at home in Palmer, Alaska. And of course I miss the gang of four. New York, where I am, is

two long plane flights away from home. It isn’t that far time-wise, but it’s far enough away that I can’t consider coming here more than once a year, if that.

Both Karol and Sally have made me feel very welcome in their home – and in fact have treated me like one of their family, even including me in on family meals. I am blown away by their generosity. And of course, they have imparted a great deal of information about horsemanship and teaching, both in the arena and in their home. I wasn’t expecting all this. At the Icelandic horse farm the clinic day ends at 5 p.m. You are then on your own. I understand why this is, but after I had a lot time to kill.

I helped this a.m. with the barn chores – got off to a late start because I spent so much time talking to Karol and Sally. I worked with the weekend workers – am looking forward to working with the weekday workers. I find that stepping into other’s routines (and cleaning barns is a rote activity) is really difficult. People have their way of doing things and they have to alter their routine if someone steps in even to give a hand. And this requires considerable mental energy on their part. But the weekday crew – Amy, Kelly, and Frank, have accepted me and I feel comfortable with them and vice-versa.

Next: 4/17/17; Start as you Wish to Continue