Horseplay

Risk

Shari (my ACL), Brian (my supervisor), Jen.

Ryan with Luca

Taking Risk and Jen for a stroll

Andrew's crotch

Risk and Andrew pose together

Ryan&Luca, Brian&Risk--San Francisco Peaks in the background

    This past break, Shari invited a few of us out to her home to learn about her horses. We spent time grooming--I had never picked a horse's hoofs before. We were then lucky enough to do a bit of bareback riding! It is a much different sensation than riding on a saddle. There is a greater amount of connectedness that occurs between rider and carrier without the leather saddle barrier. I could feel Risk's muscles as she moved, and she could sense my movements as well, and was incredibly responsive. A wonderful experience. Shari has invited me out again, I am definitely looking forward to it.
    Yesterday I busted my toe, and while I took pictures and had planned to put one up here, I've decided it is too disgusting to share and nobody will want to see it so maybe I'll wait. Ha. I described to Leah on the phone--I told her it popped like a grape and she was very disturbed by the imagery. Right now I have steri-strips holding it together. I am going to attempt going to Red Rocks for this spike beginning tomorrow morning, but I have a feeling my toe might not be able to handle the requisite hiking and I will have to head back to Flag for light duty in the shop. Still, I am hoping for the best! I have many gauze pads, ointments, wrappings, changes of socks, etc. Ryan was at my house earlier today and said it was really up to me as to whether or not I felt I needed light duty. He used to be an EMT. He said he'd seen worse, but that it was pretty nasty and that he would likely stick to light duty, but that I could give work a try, so I will! He has a wonderful gentleness about him, much of which I imagine he gained from his EMT work. He did a pretty thorough examination and even offered to clean it out himself, as long as I promised not to punch him. Apparently when Shari cut her finger with a hatchet earlier in the year, she accidentally punched him in the face when he cleaned it out. I promised I wouldn't punch him, but also said I would clean it myself. I almost passed out at one point from a combination of pain and the strangeness of seeing flesh that should be covered by other layers of flesh and skin. Ryan said that the chunk left will die and fall off, but that I should keep it on as long as I can to keep the other flesh from being exposed before it has developed more coverings. While the toe explosion hasn't been terribly pleasant, I can say that I have found some pleasantness surrounding the situation! I realized that I really am beginning to have a community here--to have Shari and Ryan come look at my injury simply because they care about me is pretty darn awesome. Oh my gosh, I have friends. WHAT?! I HAVE FRIENDS?! Similarly, last night I was at Sam's place, and went outside to take a phone call. The call ended up being a long one, and I found a place down the street to sit and talk. Apparently he tried to call/text me when I disappeared, but I didn't hear any of it because I was already on the phone. I guess after I was gone for a half hour without response he became worried, and he and his roommate Eric ended up hopping on their bicycles and riding around the neighborhood to find me, just because they were concerned about me! I am so lucky to have people who care about my well-being.
    Anyway, tomorrow I am off to Sedona and will be staying at the old Beaver Creek Ranger Station where we stayed during trails training. Next break, I have a number of things already planned: I am volunteering in Phoenix for two days for a dragon boat race; volunteering one day at an organic farm near Petrified Forest; will interview for the ACL position; will likely receive my county driver training/certification to drive the big vehicles/trailers. Weeeee! Now, toe, keep it together!