This phrase describes today. I remember reading in Joan Didion’s memoir about the death of her husband, Magical Thinking, about a good number of people remarking either to one or another or in print, on the day of a death “Well, it started out as an ordinary day, one that was not unusual. In fact, it was just like any other.

That’s how today began. We got up later than planned. Farrier was coming at 10 a.m. so I had to hustle to get the animals tended to and the goat milked. I also had to chat with Nan about the Bright Lights Book Project tee shirt design.

Alys and goats head up the hill back to the house and pen

I didn’t finish by 10 a.m. Farrier was late, didn’t matter. I still wasn’t done. Pete went out and prepared the horses for Josh’s visit. I remember that in the past, after the visits, Pete and I would talk for great lengths of time about every move the various horses made. Tyra lifted a leg, Tinni sniffed the air, Hrimmi sidled to the left, Raudi sidled to the right, all moves were duly noted.

Most recently, visits have become so uneventful that we have not talked about them. This time, Josh put ice shoes on Tinni and Raudi. One scary moment – I’d put Tinni in with the mares and he went to roll. He then struggled to get up. It was looking like his back end had given up. As I was approaching him, he got to his feet, shook himself off, and walked in my direction, obviously looking for a handout. I continued to keep a close eye on him and this evening took him for a walk. He was okay. Neighbor was crouching by the side of the road, with his dog and this scared him. Otherwise, things were fine.

We came in after the farrier left. Pete went to work on the tee shirt design. Our friend Bill who sorts appeared and we chatted with him about the book project situation. Like him, I just want to get the books into the hands of readers.

I says good-bye and I head to meet Nan at the tee shirt place, then after, go for a hike with my friend Becky. I did both, in short order. Hiking with Becky was literally a breath of fresh air because the trail parallels the Matanuska River. We talked about so many things – Becky is more than a kindred spirit. She does not realize how gifted she is in so many ways.

Got home just before dark – took care of the animals. Well, tomorrow I will spend the time I usually spend sorting riding horses.

Giddy up.

Next 307. 11/6/21: A Conversation with Hrimfara