Holiday update

Thanksgiving was wonderful, spent with our friends and neighbors. Unfortunately, our special guest was unable to make it. Jeremy was summoned by the sheikh for dinner at the last minute, so we made do without him. We're hoping eventually that we'll meet him, but it sounds like he is settling in fine and enjoying himself immensely. Sadly, our friends' mother and grandmother passed away on Thanksgiving and we were all sad to hear about it. Imelda's aunt, Medina, just left the Phillipines to come stay with Imelda's family and her mother died within days. Medina is a lively, sweet lady who is only one year older than I am. I am trying to figure out a way to rub some of her energy onto me, but she has the secret all wrapped up, it seems. But we did have a terrific time with turkey and cranberry sauce and all the fixings except pumpkin pie. We were sad about the pumpkin pie, but I was afraid it would stress me out too much to try to make one from scratch. The only nutmeg I found was the NUT itself. :) I did manage to find allspice so I plan to try my Christmas cookies if my kids get the stuff to me on time.

We've been out to the farm every day but Thanksgiving, shoeing or working with horses. Nelson got hurt shoeing a horse yesterday, so today may end up being a rest day for him. I rode yesterday for the first time in a week....I let my knee rest up, saw the doctor and got some good drugs, and it's improved nearly 100%! I am so thankful for that. I am a little sore today, but had such a grand ride on Esteem yesterday that I can't complain and I can't wait to do it again. He has quite the personality and is just plain FUN to ride. Yesterday we rode around the date groves and he didn't spook at a single thing! Not the sprinklers, nor the peacocks, nor the quail, (peacocks and quail like to suddenly fly up out of the grass or the middle of the trail), nor the big noisy water pumps, dogs, traffic....nothing seems to phase him. We did a couple of laps on the track and then walked a short distance with Shakeel and Raj who were out exercising a couple of horses. Esteem was a little annoyed each time he thought he was going back to the stable and we went elsewhere. I had gone back once to deliver the husky to Sian because she had followed me home and to take Esteem's pulse (38-40 depending on if you do or don't count the last beat on the 15th second), and then went back out to the track. He is used to being FINISHED when he comes in and had a bit of an attitude, but I adjusted it and then he was fine, no shenanigans. He is just so much fun. I am beginning to think I might really be able to do that 60 km later this month! Inshallah!
Yesterday was windy and cool, blowing a lot of dust. I still have dust in my ears, I think! I got to talk to all of my kids on the phone yesterday, including Mykayla, who informed me that she is drawing a picture for me and Papa. I asked her if it was just for me and was politely informed that it's also for PAPA! Don't be silly, Nana! Gee, I miss that kid! Anyway, we took the back way to the stables yesterday and saw all kinds of fun stuff: lots of camels and goats and sheep, some oryx at a nearby zoo, the camels exercising on the race track in Al Shahaniya....fun time! I took a lot of photos which we'll post on Facebook later this week.
More to come so stay tuned!