A Little Misunderstanding

"Hey Ma,"

"Yes Emma?"

"When are you going to teach me to drive that thing?"

"Uh...what, you mean the lawn mower?!?"

"Yeah, you keep saying you're going to teach me to drive, so when do I get to drive?"

Oh boy.  "Emma, that just so isn't the kind of driving I've been talking about.  I want to teach you to pull a sled or a cart, that kind of driving."

"WHAT!!!  That is the most ridiculous idea I've ever heard.  What does me pulling a sled around have to do with driving?  I don't see any correlation what-so-ever? Lordy-be, that's even sillier than this mythical baby you keep talking about.  I think we should stick with my plan...So, which do I get to drive, the red or the green one?"

"Em, I'm sorry.  I can't teach you to drive either of them, they just aren't designed for donkeys.  You wouldn't be able to reach the pedals.  I really don't think you would enjoy it anyway, it's very boring, noisy, tedious...Besides, it would be redundant, you're already an excellent lawn mower."

"Hrmph, not designed for me...isn't that discrimination?  What about Universal Access?  You said I am going to be a driving donkey, but now you tell me I can't drive.  I swear, you humans are so hard to understand, you have the goofiest language.  How do any of you communicate with each other?


"We do have problems with that sometimes, but we work with what we have.  Do you have another suggestion?

"Of course, you all should learn how to speak Donkey.  Then there would be no more misunderstandings and all would be right with the world.   There, now that that is settled and I have found the path to world peace and since you aren't going to teach me to drive like you promised...I see some grass that needs my attention.  I better go deal with this the donkey way."   Me pull a sled...absurd...Mom sure does have some foolish notions...

   

Was it a week or a season?

What a difference a week can make.  Last Wednesday, driving home from work (I work nights and leave for home at 1:00am, it's an hours drive in good weather) was one of the absolute worst drives of my life.  I think that is saying something since I have been driving since I was 15 and I have always had to commute on bad roads.  I would hate to try to tally up the number of hours I have spent behind a wheel.  We had an ice storm last week and several times on the way home that night,  I had to come to a complete stop, only to have the car slide sideways off the road all by itself.  Luckily, the gravel on the edge stopped me each time, but it was a horrific ride.  It didn't start out that way of course or I would have stayed at work, but the ice came down so fast there was nothing to do but keep going.  As it was, I made it all but the last mile to my house.  I was finally confronted by a tiny incline that, even with 4 studded snow tires and extra weight, my little car just could not do.  I finally gave up and walked the last mile.

I normally leave Tanner at a friend's place while I am at work.  Dropping him off and picking him up mean driving several miles in the wrong direction each day. I have always felt the the extra miles are worth it in knowing that he is safe and happy rather than stuck and anxious at home.  Last week was the only time that I have never made it there to pick him up.  He was safer where he was and I don't think I would have made it there and back.

This Wednesday, it was nearly 60 degrees, sunny and beautiful.  With all of the crazy weather plaguing the world in the past year and the terrible storms that just ravaged the South, I know I am not the only one wondering what will come next.  When we do have these rare, perfect days, we need to make the most of them.  My riding buddy and I took full advantage and actually got out for a trail ride.  I rode one of her horses, Hawkeye, who is a challenge to ride and great fun.  I really enjoy riding him and we get along well.  He was in rare form since he has not been out all winter and he is a real power-house, but we worked through it and had a great ride.  I haven't been able to do as much riding as I would like since Tessa got hurt, it was nice to get out and have some fun on a horse.  Gabe goes to the trainer on April 1st, I'm looking forward to it.  I haven't been able to enjoy this kind of view enough lately...