I ride only a couple times a year since giving my horse, Polo, to Lisa, who turned him into a police horse back when Halina was a baby. We used to visit Lisa and Polo first in Davis, then in the stables she bought in Woodland a couple years back, where Polo had the best stall--a double wide. She still has the stables but Polo died a year ago Spring. He was calm and gentle and happy to be with you. Everyone felt safe on Polo. It can be scary to ride other horses. Even though I trained Polo, he was such a buddy that, with other horses, I'm not sure if I know enough. The last time Halina and I went out to the barn she couldn't even pet the pony Lisa brought out for her -- too scary-- and I couldn't ride. Today was different. Halina and I both conjured up courage and I rode Lisa's jumper, Val, and Halina rode a few steps on an Appaloosa-Walker cross named Willow. It was really fun riding Val! And I am proud of Halina for her bravery with grooming and getting on Willow.

Today was also a play date for the three of us and Papa (my Dad), who had his 70th birthday last week. Papa took care of Luke at the barn (Luke is currently terrified of horses but loved the space to run and explore, not to mention the tractor and piles of pea gravel.) Then we went out to lunch at Dos Coyotes (one of many nostalgic Davis places for me), then swimming at Arroyo park pool, where Papa did diving-board flips and jack knives for the first time in 25 years. And he and a giggling Halina had not-quite-swimming races in the shallow water, where she won every time.