in a land far away

....there is Greek homework that should be done. But I'm taking advantage of the unexpected wireless signal that I was more than a little shocked to find in a world of no cell phone service. Somehow I managed to go for 18 years without a cell phone and now that I don't have one, I feel strangely paralyzed.

Back on track. I'm in Montana, living in a small and cozy camping trailer for the next 7 1/2 weeks, listening to the train on the other side of the river, feeling my shoulders ache from the sudden impact of learning the ropes course today. I learned the art of tying sturdy knots, of arranging multiple straps of nylon that I was told were the safety harnesses, juggling miles of rope and leaping off of tall trees. My hair got smashed under the helmet, my hands formed several new calluses from belaying people 60 odd feet up in the air and my heart leaped into my throat several times as I took my turn as the belay guinea pig. I admit it. I am not fond of heights - sturdy rope and belayer on the ground aside, jumping off of trees of abnormal height is, to put it mildly, an adrenalin rush.

Yesterday was horse moving day, shifting from their winter lodgings to the new camp ground. Three trips, twelve horses, and five hours later, darkness had fallen and the herd was exploring its new stomping grounds. My saddle emerged from the darkness of its shipping bag and took its rightful place among the rest of the camp tack. We hit the sack around midnight, exhausted from the day's work. Weed whacking, mowing, moving horses, moving gear, watching three extremely active children ages 2 to 7, admiring the not so lovely leg of horse the dog had drug home (complete with knee, fetlock, hoof, enough tendon to hold it all together and some hair....).

Tomorrow the plan is to set up the arena. And the plan tonight is to at least do some Greek.

Further bulletins as events warrant. Or as time warrants.