Trying to find the 'new normal' - and sticking to trail riding for now

 In a few days it will be two months 💔. There times when I'm doing ok and times it's like a wave of pain and grief swallows me. But there is no choice - I have to keep on going. And I know that I am incredible fortunate to have a few very good -and rather 'new'- friends, and neighbors, that help tremendously. JP always worried should something happen to him how I would make it alone without good friends and family nearby. People are surprising (ok, that's nothing new), the ones you think you could count on text once and that's it, and others you barely know jump in and are becoming your rock.  Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule - old friends in Germany that stick with you no matter what - and distance be damned!

The tractor was JPs pride and joy, but I just couldn't get myself to use (or even look at it). My neighbors Howie and Kourtney took it to their place, advertised it, and sold it for me. I was looking for a John Deere Gator (or Kubota, Polaris, etc). but literally there is nothing available. The local dealer said "perhaps August 2022" - well, that doesn't help me through the winter. Luckily Laurel volunteered to call all over Michigan, and low and behold she found a dealer in Comstock Park that had ONE fully loaded Gator. I knew that the USEF (United States Equestrian Federation) offered a discount but doubted that with the shortage it would be applied. Surprise: The nice lady at the USEF arranged it directly with the dealership.

My new Gator
delivered by the owner of the Four Seasons Yard and Sport Dealership

The boys haven't had a lot of serious work but that's OK. I feel somewhat 'normal' on the trails in the park, and luckily Chambord has his fans, so I have company. Remy needs to go back on a program, though, he is looking for all kinds of excuses to let off steam on the trails. Once Vanessa is back from Nationals I am so looking forward to get back into the swing of things. I do dread winter, but may have found a home for at least one of the boys for the harshest months of January and February. If not, we all just hibernate! One step at a time...