Sunday, January 18, 2008

Drama, drama, drama!

After a less the perfect ride, I headed home in the SUV. I am just past Cty Rd 9 and there is a beep and a flash on the control panel. I instantly become frightened. Traveling at 60 mph and your vehicle starts talking and flashing information at you can be a bit disconcerting. As I read, LOW AIR PRESSURE with an ! also on the display, I immediately imagine an imminent blow out. I don't like blow outs. There is danger in blow outs. I slow slightly and realize I have no clue what to do. Do I pull over, do I try to make it to the Freedom where I know there is air? Do I call Ford Roadside Assistance? I decide on getting to the Freedom and call D. D will know what to do. He answers and after listening to my hysterics, calmly says, "Put air in it." Oh, this I can do, or can I? Read on. I get out and look at each tire on the driver's side, walk behind and discover the right rear is blow air out like crazy. As I fumble with cell, tire gauge and air hose, I tell D, "Let me go." Little did I realize what impact this could have on a person hearing this from a gal, in the dark at a station.

I try using the air hose and think WTF! I thought I knew how to operate these. Wait, I do and this one I have used before. All the while thinking snit! My tire is going to be flat. I have never had luck changing tires - just not strong enough. Luckily, one of the guys of the F come out to empty garbage. I ask if this hose is working, my tire is gushing air. He calmly replied, "Go to the BP, it is probably frozen". How is it that guys stay so calm in these situations. I am totally out of my element. I can take a twisted shoe off a horse, apply leg/foot wraps to an injured pup and swap out a hard drive but change a tire - no way!

I make it to the BP after sitting at two lights; chanting please change, please change. No one is on for service but I get Coal (SUV) checked in. Behind this station is the pups and I's hunting ground and home beyond. I can almost see the porch light from here. I take comfort in the fact that I am so close to home. I like this station, that I didn't realize was more than a gas station. I check the vehicle in and proceed to pack all my gear into my horse bag. I debate about my saddle and ask the attendant if they have had any break-ins to which he replies, "No, I am here until midnight and someone is here at 5. Okay, maybe I will just leave it.

I check my phone to find that I had missed three calls. D had called to ask if I meant for him to let me go or if someone grabbed me. he was two minutes away from dialing 911 on my behalf. After all the pressure, this laughter was a wonderful release. I called to let me know I was okay. I mentioned walking the mile or so back home and a very good looking, oh maybe, 30 year old offered me a ride, I have had one incident long ago with hitchhiking (all turned out okay) and politely decline.

I walk home through the dark woods with cell phone in hand ready to bash any would-be attacker. Funny how walking all through these woods with the pups while hunting causes no thoughts of this manner but this does. I get home feed the dogs let them out and decide to call my cop neighbor. He owes me one. A case of paybacks not being a bi!ch. He takes me over to get my saddle. I just couldn't bear leaving it. My friend, D points out that they aren't selling so well on Craig's list so there probably isn't a high incident of saddle theft. But still.

By this time, the tire is completely flat already. I love technology, I embrace technology and now I embrace auto technology. I am just amazed and so happy that all turned out well.

I am thankful I had left the pups at home and most thankful it isn't freezing cold. It is cold but nothing like last week's temperatures.

I think I will have a homemade wine cooler and play with the pups. So ends my Sunday drama. Life is Good!

Just a quick note regarding my ride. Josie was okay but I was nervous Nelly. Young horse, hasn't been ridden for a week and I only lunged her the night before for a few minutes. There was a lot of traffic and one unknown rider. I finally spoke out loud to myself, so I would hear and said, "Just quit it and ride!" That helped and we went on to canter and have some nice bending circles. Right after I dismounted, there was a crash of ice (inside!!!) which sent her boot scooting a few feet.

To reduce the amount of horsey gear and get a little income to off set the saddle, I put up Senda's blankets for sale. Sentiment doesn't help you get your saddle partly paid for. So here's hoping they sale and sale for the price I want.