Today I went into physical therapy feeling stiff and sore in my hips and lower back. I knew that the reason for this was a few things. First of all, I have been sitting in a chair when going over the paper draft of Shelf Life. I also have been running, perhaps too fast too far too soon. And I have been doing some heavy lifting.

Holly, my physical therapist, said to hop on each foot, and when in the pool do some hopping. I said that I liked this idea because this is something that I can do when I’m on the move.

Raudi and the bike

I later realized that what she was advocating is a literal balancing act, and this complements my figurative balancing act.

I am in pursuit of that elusive entity, balance. This morning I did work for an hour on Shelf Life. I am, in this first section, pulling loose threads together. For example, I am striving for narrative continuity. I will, in each part, and there are three, describe my inside book situation. I will, again for example, in the meeting house chapter, write about the sheer number of books that I’ve accumulated. I will refer to this steady state in the third part, having taken many boxes of books to our place. Right now, I have a realization, that I’m a hoarder, in the first part, but I may need to move it to the third section.

See? I am working on this book again. There is the hour spent at the table and the hour spent just thinking about revisionary concerns.

And related to balance – this evening I did not go running. Rather, I went horseback riding. Both Pete and I tried out our new Synergist saddles, custom saddles that were made specifically for each of us and for each of our horses.

I have this theory that a horse’s and rider’s level of expertise is dependent upon saddle fit. In other words, they can only go so far in an ill-fitting saddle. Hrimmi is cow hocked, so her balance is not the best. Me, riding Pete’s saddle, which is too large for her, put her further off balance.

We both felt in better balance this evening, which is a sign of good things to come. I am looking forward to riding Hrimmi tomorrow.

And Pete and Tyra are now buddies, a good thing.

She still has the splats, but her poop did look a little more solid this evening. If her poop is loose tomorrow, we will put her on antibiotics. She’s now getting probiotics.

I have been told, “Make an hour for yourself.” I am seeing that when I do this, that other important things do not get done. This shows just how busy I am. For example, I worked in the kitchen on Shelf Life and every so often looked up and saw a sink and counter full of dirty dishes.

Finding one’s balance, indeed. This is going to take some work.

Next: 119. 4/30/25: Saddle Up the Palomino, the Sun is Going Down