Kahlua and the Little Red-Haired Girl

In observance of the holiday, my friend Josh sent me a St. Patty’s Day joke via text tonight.

Why do leprechauns laugh when they run?

Because the grass tickles their nuts. ;p


It’s been a crazy week. How is it only Tuesday?

A big project at work is keeping me so busy. I had to make myself stop to order lunch, a really yummy eggplant parm sandwich on focaccia bread, because I was going riding this afternoon.

Got out to the barn at five. Had so much fun with Kahlua who was, true to character, a complete bitch. Here’s a picture of the horse I love to hate.



After I got Kahlua away from her dinner - not as easy as it sounds - and tacked up, the trainer and I talked about boys for a few minutes before we got down to business.

She’s just met someone new, and we discussed her theory of the new dating dichotomy where it seems men are more in need of encouragement from the women they date. As opposed to the old theory that a woman just had to show up, which is the one I personally ascribe to.

She said that women her age have to take on more of the role of the man, do a little more of the pursuing. I’m not sure I agree, but who knows? We’re in slightly different dating generations. Maybe men in their twenties do need more courting. I’m just so happy not to be dating men in their twenties anymore, you know…

I don’t know about the whole woman as pursuer thing. It just feels wrong. I’m still a big believer in the adage that whatever you chase will run away. But, hey, whatever works. Every generation is a little bit different.

It's just that, in the beginning dating is such a delicate balance of give and take. Everyone has their guard up. No one wants to get hurt. You keep watching for signs that this person you kinda like could be a freak. It's easier to cut and run in the beginning before you have too much invested.

I swear the whole thing sometimes seems to me to be a little like patting your head and rubbing your tummy. It’s just kind of awkward and foolish. But as long as you can keep your sense of humor about it and keep it in perspective, when you get it right, it’s totally worth the trouble.


So at the barn today we tied the stirrups to the saddle again, and it was better. My feet are finally staying where they’re supposed to stay. I’m now consistently mediocre instead of periodically crappy.

Then, the trainer put the horse on this lunging thingy, where she controlled Kahlua, while I rode around in a circle posting (squat down, squeeze up) with my hands on my hips and then my hands on my head. Did really well there, too.

There’s a little red-haired girl who comes out to watch me ride sometimes. She’s eleven and a total doll. Whenever there’s a lull in the action, we chat together about school and horses. As I was walking Kahlua back to her stall today, I asked her if I was doing any better with my riding.

She smiled at me, very sweetly and shyly, and told me that I was doing better.

“Much.” :o)