Goodbye Old Friend

Midway through 2006, my ex-girlfriend adopted a dog whom she named Hadley. They bonded very quickly and very deeply. Miranda, being thoroughly entrenched at that time in her doctoral studies, was thrilled to have a silent but attentive listener whenever she needed to compose a thought or talk out an inchoate idea. Hadley was thrilled to be walked and loved. She was a tough dog who defended Miranda on more than one occasion from the likes of Great Danes, a pit-bull, and coyotes. Hadley did this, unaware, of course, that Miranda had already saved her life. I’m not sure which of them had the greater sense of duty. Good friends are just like that.

         

An Acre of Muncie

Yep, this is where we live now. We have a fully-functional guest room for visitors, so form an orderly queue and make your reservations now. Our room-service menu now includes Frosted Flakes and your choice of either 2% or Almond Milk!

When’s the best time to visit? Well friends, when you feel as though you might rust unburnished and you yearn for life piled on life, simply follow knowledge like a sinking star beyond the utmost bound of human thought… to Muncie!

IRHA Spring Fling

Here I am again, commandeering Ryan’s blog for my own (horse-related) purposes.

This is important, though, because today Lynx and I went to our first show: The IRHA Spring Fling.  We went with the other ladies from Stonegate, which made the day incredible fun; and I have to agree with Randi that it was a day that reminded me so much of the things I loved from growing up and spending time with my horse-friends.  After so long away from my friends at Park Ridge, I’m so glad to be finding an additional place to call home.

Everyone did a great job.  We came away feeling braver, stronger, more capable — generally proud of ourselves and each other.  And I don’t think I’m alone in being excited both for the rest of the summer shows and for all the days spent practicing together at the barn.

For any interested parties, I’m attaching pictures.  And to Sara, Phyllis, Natalie, and Randi: Thanks so much for such a fun day!

Je voudrais réserver une table pour deux personnes ce soir…

… and every night thereafter if possible. Alas, our voyage to France has ended, though the memory of those experiences will not fade anytime soon. What’s to be said about it that hasn’t been said already? The food and scenery were magnificent. The wine was mellifluous and never-ending.  We’ve got all that here at home, but it just isn’t the same.

Waking up in Paris on any given morning is an existential delight. Walking to lunch is more memorable than my last three birthdays.  And having a view of Boulevard St. Germain while eating grillé d’agneau is… well… I don’t think anyone has a word for it.

But oh there’s much more to France than just the City of Light my friends. The villages of Provence are easily some of the most picturesque places I’ve had the pleasure of spending time in. Then just as we began longing for another view we ran smack into the Mediterranean. It was so stunning that I literally laughed every time I stepped out onto the terrace of our room.  And I highly recommend, should you have the chance, trying two things on the Côte d’Azur: eat the swordfish (espadon) at L’air du Temps and go for a drive. The former is an experience of culinary and hedonistic serenity, while the latter provides a harrowing bit of exhilaration for the stick-shift fiend that dwells within.

And now we’re back at home, wondering how to live “ordinarily” again. It isn’t easy but (for me) there are several more weeks of vacation so… j’imagine c’est bon.

A Walden Pond of Our Own

Last week the good doctor and I spent two nights at Gorham’s Bluff, a beautiful lodge in the Tennessee River Valley of Northern Alabama. This was our third visit to the Bluff and that initial view out of the room’s high doors was just as amazing as each time before. I also noticed, upon exiting the truck, how terrifically quiet it is out there. So we spent a couple of days doing little more than reading on the balcony, wading in the pool, and eating terrific meals. Normally I’d recall some of my ruminations but frankly, they don’t matter. But I will say this: summer is fading fast — much faster than I prefer.

Back in Nashville

It’s always a great time in New York. It was a long-anticipated trip: there was a defended dissertation to celebrate, along with the always-welcome arrival of summer. I only took a few photos, but they convey the daily visual intake pretty well (and besides, you know what New York City looks like). So now we’re back home…thinking about the next trip.