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July 20, 2024: A Damn Good Day

My joke is that there are five days of good weather here a year, and 360 not so good days. Today was perhaps the nicest day thus far. The temperature was in the mid-70s, and the sun was shining brightly.

A good portion of my day was spent in the side room of the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel. I got the Books to the Villages Project in really good order. I was not keen on going through the 20 or so boxes that I’d previously set aside for this because I don’t like unpacking and repacking books. I put this off, but yesterday gritted my teeth and began straightening out a huge mess.

Alys and Raudi heading up to the bench


I got this done – Yesterday I repacked boxes. Today I repacked boxes. As I went along, I labeled them by age reading group. Pete moved these boxes into designated areas, by the far wall.

I set up two tables, which have boxes by age reading group on them. So on Tuesday, volunteers can fill boxes and then tape them up. I have made the process simple.

I got out of the back room at 5:35 p.m. After dinner, Pete and I went riding. We heard thunder as we were saddling up. Toward where we were going to ride the sky was dark. We started out doing our trails, then I suggested that we ride up to what we call The Bench. By the time we got there, it had rained but the sun was shining.

This turned out to be the most beautiful ride of the year. The low-lying sun lit up the horses – Tyra’s silhouette was bronze, Raudi’s golden. The purple flowers on the fireweed are now halfway up the stalks. And the ferns are now in full bloom – that is if you can call a fern in full bloom. Good too, to see the dogs so happy. I told Shadow that if she didn’t get out as often as she does, and also allowed to run free, that she’d be neurotic.

A great ride up, and a great ride down what I call Pete’s trail. Raudi did seem tired, so tomorrow she’ll either get a break or I won’t ride her at all. I will ride Hrimmi who has taken a back seat to the other two.

Next: 199. 7/21/24: OldER

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