Dorothy said this in the Wizard of Oz, and she was right. Home is the place where a person can best relax and be themselves. Home has familiar smells and sights. Home is where the heart is.

I was thinking all this as I was driving home this evening. All day I just wanted to be home. What I most wanted to do on this blustery day was to brush the horses. Of course, I would have preferred that the sun be shining, and it be warm. Instead, today was overcast, cold (temps in the thirties), and there was a rain/snow mix.

It's harder to brush horses that are wet. The hair doesn’t come out as easily. But I did it anyways, starting with Hrimmi, who is now blowing her coat. Big globs of white/red-brown hair came out. I was using the extra-large FURminator. And kept coming out. I didn’t even begin to get it all. Some fell to the ground and the rest I put in a muck bucket.

I next groomed Tyra who did not have nearly as much hair; either that or she has not yet blown her coat. Both horses were incredibly patient – Pete got home as I was finishing with Hrimmi, and once again I exclaimed, “We have such good animals here!”

I didn’t have time to ride. Once again, I am vowing to ride no matter what when the sun shines.

It’s a Friday. It does not feel like a Friday. Or should I say that tomorrow will not feel like a Saturday. Pete said he’d give me an assist tomorrow. For some odd reason, this makes me feel reassured.

I’m getting ready for the orchestra concert, wrapping adult books in newspaper, and putting the children’s books in Ziploc bags. I could do more fundraising. I could send out more messages about the upcoming event, but I am tired. Too bad the horses can’t do this work.

Tonight, Lynsey, who designed our first poster, did a second one for Summer in the Park(s) – the horse that’s in the first poster appears in the second poster. There are also farm animals in this second poster, which got me thinking that we need to have animals be a part of our summer in the park curriculum. After the concert, I will begin working full time on the Summer in the Park(s) program. This way, I will feel less overwhelmed.

The funny thing about feeling overwhelmed is that I feel this way later in the day and when I’m tired. Early in the day, not so much. More so as the day progresses.

Today Pete and I and a newer BLBP board member met with a member of the Foraker group. She’s an experienced fundraiser who really knows her shit. It did take Pete and me some time before we figured out that our main priority need not be getting a building but rather getting funding for an individual who’s primary job is going to center around fundraising.

Next: 99. 4/11/26: Circling Back