I have been thinking about what brings me joy. Joy is fleeting, which makes it even that much more an important emotion. Today I got home at 5:00 p.m. – Pete had agreed with me to go for a ride. We got home about the same time. He got out first and began tending to the horses – I had to eat and change my clothes.

We both brushed Tyra and Hrimmi. They are now in shedding mode, meaning that spring is on its way. I’m not going to say that spring is here because there is still plenty of snow on the ground and it’s very cold here in the mornings and evenings.

It’s actually the beginning of the big shed. We’ve kept the enclosure clean, so the horses’ coats aren’t matted.

We tacked them up and rode down to the Murphy Road turnoff, at a walk. We trotted some on the return trip back to our place on Oceanview Road; this was Tyra and not Hrimmi’s choice.

The road is icy patchy, with bare spots here and there. The cracks in the dirt surface are now visible. The horses have ice shoes and know it. It’s for this reason that they do not hesitate to move onto the icy surfaces.

I have to say that I was really impressed with how well Tyra and Pete are doing. Her Intrizen training has left her in good stead – she appears to be very balanced, particularly in her neck area. When she was younger, she was high headed. And Pete has been keeping in good physical shape, so he rode her well.

Seeing this gave me joy, as did Raudi when I took her for a walk – she was so agreeable. I looped the lead rope over her shoulders and walked on ahead of her when she went to nibble at the brown grass. She trotted up to me in intervals, and we continued each time to walk together.

We’ve become buddies. If I was to go back in time, I would not have taken her from her original herd and attempted to bond with her. Rather, I would have left her with her herd. We did not bond in the time I had her at Katie Longs. I learned that horses should have time to be horses. It did all work out with the two of us, for which I am now grateful.

And so, we are going into spring and there is enough daylight now to allow for ample riding time.

The book project often brings me joy, but it is of a different kind. I enjoy seeing others take joy in reading and talking about books. I need to find others who are as committed as I am, and willing to pull the book cart.

This is so I can spend more time with all my animals. Ryder is now an old dog, but tonight she was playing with Shadow. Watching this also gave me great joy.

Next: 86. 3/29/26: More on the Subject of Joy