Work has settled down to a more reasonable pace this fall as opposed to the constant frenzy of this spring. This is good; the spring situation was unsustainable for me for a variety of reasons and a lot has changed since then. I’ve been working from home since March, saving three hours of commute every day (seriously). I’m in zero rush to go back into the office.

One of the unexpected perks is the realization that I don’t have to sit at home working until 5pm and darkness, or even 4pm and darkness. I can wrap up for the day a bit earlier, or I can wrap up key items and then come back to them later in the evening. I now have the flexibility to be away from my computer for a bit at the end of “standard” working hours.

The time change was Sunday. Much wailing and gnashing of teeth ensued. Much dark, very sad. And then.. why not be at the barn by 4 or 5 when it’s still light out? I can avoid some of the winter doom and gloom of never seeing daylight this year. I haven’t ridden in daylight on a weekday in winter since I quit my last job.

Thursday I headed to the barn, skipped chores, tacked up with bridle and bareback pad, and headed out into the park. Lazy walk, medium bouncy trot, lazy walk, can we turn around now (no), lazy walk. We broke no speed records. Confetti was not especially enthusiastic about being out solo, but she wasn’t particularly bad, just reluctant. I think we’ve done under five rides solo in the park in the last twelve months. Loose reins, quiet seat, walk trot walk trot. As long as the weather holds, we’ll do it again, and I’ll get some riding fitness back this way.

I do so value that after only a handful of solo rides and very few river crossings this year, I can point her out bareback, ride home in the dark, and trust that we’ll be OK. Good, good mare.