This conversation took place on our trails, later this evening.

Alys: Raudi, what are you thinking?
Raudi: You know what I’m thinking.
A: I do?
R: Yes, you do.
A: Is this that the grass is lush and green and you want nothing more than to eat it?
R: Yes.
A: Your mouth is so full of grass that you can’t speak in complete sentences.
R: That’s right.
A: How about I strike a bargain with you?
R: Depends on what it is.
A: Isn’t it always this way?
R: Yep.

A: If you refrain from eating any more grass until we get home, I will let you spend time grazing by the side of our driveway when we get back.
R: Nope. My grazing by the side of the driveway is a given, whether or not I eat now.
A: I really would like to ride without you snacking.
R: Why? I keep moving.
A: Because you are then lurchy.
R: Lurchy is a very funny word.
A: I’m glad that you think so.
R: Gotta have a sense of humor in this business.
A: I suppose.
R: I’m glad that Pete brought just one crop and that he has it.
A: Poor Tyra.
R: Poor Tyra is right.
A: Actually, unlike you, Pete seldom uses the crop.
R: That’s because Tyra is not grass obsessed.
A: No, she’s not.
R: And I am?
A: Oh yes.
R: But I’m not as bad as Hrimmi.
A: Hrimmi is doing better.
R: This is because you are mainly riding her on the road.
A: No, half the time on the road and half the time on the trail.
R: Boring.
A: So what’s her deal, anyway?
R: You need to ask her. You seldom talk to her. You just keep going thwack, thwack, thwack with that damn crop. I can be a mile ahead of you and hear thwack, thwack, thwack.
A: That’s not so.
R: Do you think that I’m exaggerating?
A: You exaggerate all the time.
R: Excuse me, but I need to stop and poop.
A: Why don’t you keep going?
R: You don’t keep going when you have to poop.
A: How do you know?
R: Because you go into that stinky little building, shit, and then come out. You do not keep moving.
A: True. But comparing horse and human pooping habits is like comparing apples and oranges.
R: Why compare oranges and apples? Apples are the best.
A: Have you ever eaten an orange?
R: No.
A: Then you are unqualified to make a comparison.
R: You know, I really don’t like the way this particular conversation is going.
A: Sorry.
R: You ought to be.
A: I really am.
R: Are you responsible for the weather?
A: Nope.
R: Who is?
A: Mother Nature.
R: Good old Mother Nature.
A: Look. A robin. And robin babies.
R: They are all over this year.
A: How come we haven’t seen any swallows this year?
R: Ask Tyra. She’s got the inside scoop.
A: Yep.

Next: 187. 7/11/26: The Good Life