I MADE IT!! I'm here, not there! I am so sorry that I could not keep you up to date during my journey. Can you believe there was no Internet connection at either farm I stayed at?? It is also not working in my rental farm, so I searched out a Starbucks. I bought my extra hot latte with skim and a piece of pumpkin bread to the tune of $6.35 to find out that they only have Internet for Starbucks online members (more $$$). They kindly referred me to Panera Bread where Internet is free and along the way I got TWO bonuses. I found a Target, which is a biggie since my Motto is. . . "If Target doesn't have it, I DON'T NEED IT!" That pretty much works for everything, except alcohol! Maybe in Florida the sell that too! If so, it will be the only store I need during my stay. I also found a Goodwill Store. In addition to making Lisa N. happy, there are a few things needed on the farm that I don't want to spend a lot of money on. Lawn furniture, grill, dog dishes (sorry, Moose), wine glasses, etc.

I left Minnesota on Saturday morning at 8:45 AM. We had hosted Thanksgiving dinner the night before at our house. My kids stayed overnight in order to say goodbye to me in the A.M. They actually woke up on their own before I left and we hugged our goodbyes. I can't wait until they visit me in Ocala. Moose and I stayed at Wellgreen Farm in Downs, Ill., just south of Bloomington. We pulled in around 6 PM to discover that Marjorie, the owner, was not expecting us until the next night. I think my chemo-brained communication did me in. On examination of my emails I'd written a confusing request for housing. Fortunately, she was ready for me anyway. The horses were put in safe stalls with plenty of bedding and I was installed in a barn apartment above the stalls and indoor arena. Moose was able to play for hours with their new 8 month old Weimerarner (sp?). I turned the boys out into the indoor while I unpacked. They self exercised for about 1 1/2 hours. Tiz was being studdy and snarky to the horses stabled alongside the arena. Lea was just confused. Tiz wouldn't let me catch him when it was time to return to his stall. This is a new happening since I haven't been able to handle them for about one month due to my surgery Nov 3. How quickly that pseudo stallion goes rogue!

We traveled uneventfully the next day to Shelbyville, Tennessee. We arrived at Clearview Horse Farm and were immediately greeted by Marie, the owner. It is mainly a show facility which she rents out to various clubs. It's quite large with lots and lots of stalls. The horses were put in what looked like 16 X 16 foot stalls, little paddocks really, with fresh bedding. Moose got the run of the farm, much to Marie's five dog's disgust. They were kennelled and voiced their protests throughout the evening. Moose and I stayed in the Quarter horse room. It had two beds and a bathroom all in western motif. The floor, walls and ceiling were wood. Their were antlers of some animal above the bathroom door and a brown, black and white hide framed in wood comprised my headboard. I'm guessing it was some kind of mooing animal in it's better days. The room was darling. A swimming pool which I did not use, a gazebo, swings and breakfast room were around the back of the building. It was lovely. I was done with chores, had re-routed my next days journey, fed Moose, ate my dinner all by 7 PM. So, I cuddled up to my bovine headboard and watched a movie.

O.K. what day is it now? Oh yeah, Monday, Moose and I dragged our toes leaving Clearview. It was 1 1/2 hours to Chattanooga, TN and three or so to Atlanta, GA. I didn't want to hit either one during rush hour. We left just before eight in rain and fog. Surprisingly, the horses walked right back on the trailer. That always amazes me. We had to traverse the Appalachian mountains in dense fog and drizzle. It wasn't a particularly steep or long part of the Appalachians, but, the fog made it necessary for me to have to drive by the white line trusting that the cars and semis in front of me would stay just that! I couldn't see them. I tried not to think about the fact that if I couldn't see them, they couldn't see me either!!

We made it through Chattanooga and I was talking to John on the phone giving myself a mental congratulatory back slap for doing so very well on this trip, when the steering on my truck went out. I calmly told John that fact along with the fact that I had to hang up and put both hands on the wheel. I'm sure he was thinking, "Why the hell did I let her go by herself, stubborn little Hobbit." Steering a 3/4 ton pickup with two horses in the back and no power steering is in itself a daunting task. Add to it recently sliced and diced pectorals on said driver and it becomes a bigger challenge. I pulled off the freeway as soon as I could, slowed to a crawl and managed to get into a British Petroleum parking lot just as black smoke began to billow out of my hood. I turned off the truck, raised the hood, got Moose and my purse out of the car. The horses would have to fend for themselves if we were going up in flames.

HAH! I have to stop now! How's that for a cliff hanger???? I apologize for the crudeness of my communication. I am unable to write at my leisure and editing is impossible. So, today's random thoughts are all I can manage. I'll continue the saga as soon as I can.

I'll just leave you with this image. It's 80 degrees and partly sunny, I'm sitting outside at a Panera Bread in a tank top, capri's and flip flops sipping a latte and nibbling on fresh made pumpkin bread. Hate me much??