This is a term used by horse people; when foals are born in the spring the hardiest are said to hit the ground running because they get up and get going, leaving the lazier colts and fillies in the dust.

Hrimmi hit the ground running. She was up and running within an hour of being born. She became a thinker, a slow mover, so you just never know. Her attributes are far different than those of other fire horses. I was not there when Tyra and Raudi made their entrance into the world. I suspect that they were not the first nor the last to get moving.

I have days when I feel like I am hitting the ground running. I get up and get going – my body goes into overdrive. I begin most days, like today, by putting on my clothes, taking note of the outside temperature, yelling it up to Pete, who hits the ground walking, then heading out to check up on the horses.

I keep going. I spent the past three evenings cleaning the horse pen, removing ice, debris, and manure. The water has backed up in the pen – I would not be surprised some morning to see ducks out there, floating around.

This morning I got the hay ready to be dispensed, went into the tack room and filled my pockets with treats, and went to the far gate, which I entered. I threw the waiting horses hay pellets, walked diagonally to the main entrance, opened the gate, gathered together my cleaning implements, put them in the sled, distributed the hay in the sled, and then began doing the morning cleaning. It was easier than usual because I did such a thorough job last night.

When done, I entered the cabin, ate breakfast, tended to my teeth, and then after inserting my hearing aids and putting my lunch in my backpack, checked my email.

I noticed in a Lions Club mass email that there was a hockey tournament happening at the MTA arena. It occurred to me that I needed to stock the bookshelves, which is what I did. Hally, who runs Kids Kupboard, was setting up her table, so I talked to her briefly, and then I raced back to the banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel where I then sorted through and stamped fiction books.

I talked briefly with Skye, my math tutor, who was getting ready for his teaching day – he now has a lot of math students – and then with Dan, who with my car was heading to Title Wave to pick up books. Both these guys are intelligent and hardworking, which is why I enjoy talking with them. They are also enthused about the book project, which is an added plus. And they always lift my sagging spirits.

The rest of the afternoon was spent working with Annetta, a very wise, older volunteer.

I wrote the above at the Palmer Chamber of Commerce meeting. I had gotten tired of eyeballing the crowd and wondering who I might shmooze. Today, hitting the ground running, indeed.

Next: 97. 4/9/26: Curiosity