Danny January: Blog

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene probably looks a bit different for horse owners than it does for other people. Quite a few horses have been rescued and there is a drive to provide hay and other necessities to feed horses. It's a massive undertaking, made so much more difficult because of impassable roads.

At the same time, horse owners, and mule owners, are bringing supplies to people. Horses and mules can go where cars and 4WD can't go. It's an interesting dynamic and one that I don't remember ever seeing before.

Horses and people alike, have been victims and heroes. We have few equestrian friends in NC but they have been busy and appreciate help. I have no idea when it will slow down.

There are a lot of scams popping up, and FEMA seems to be among the biggest, which is a shame. If you live nearby and would like to help, here's a link.

https://www.resort.tryon.com/press/hurricane-helene-update-october-2

Moderator - they need all kinds of help and aren't asking for money. I hope this is okay.

What is it that stirs up memories for you? Is it a place? Some people say it's smell. It has a special connection to our limbic system and maybe that's it.
All kinds of things can trigger memories for me. Music is pretty near the top of my list. All I need to do is put on The Rolling Stones album Tattoo You, or Emmylou Harris' Roses in the Snow and I'm right back in 1982.
It's hard to believe that Michael Jackson's "Thriller", Roxy Music's "Avalon", Prince's "1999", Toto IV, and Duran Duran's "Rio" all came out that long ago.
What brings back your memories?

As I write this chronicle, I can enjoy reminiscing, and a bit of nostalgia. I can also compare my current abilities with those of days gone by.

I swam a bit of distance the other day. I'm not as fast as I once was and I wear out a bit easier. I spent a day on the mat with a bunch of other black belts and we had a great time, but by the end of the day, I was done.

I'm stronger and hopefully, smarter than I was at 16. I also tire more quickly and recover more slowly. Perhaps one or two of my readers can relate to that.

I'll never see the energy, quickness, speed, or endurance I had at 16 or 20 again.

However, I can be the best me at this age today. One day, I might look back at the good old days when I was only 50 something, or 60 something.

The weather is beautiful, the pool is a crystal clear 87 and there's no reason I shouldn't swim a mile, then go for a bike ride.

Thanks for all the feedback on previous stories. After enough nudges, I contacted SOL admin and figured out how to put my stories in a series so they'd be numbered for easy navigation.

Several people have asked about my stories on pay-to-read sites. I take that as a compliment but they're free to read and will stay that way. If you're feeling appreciative or generous, make a donation to davethomasfoundation.org to help those struggling through the adoption process. Since the first Beach House story, quite a few people have donated and I appreciate that. It's truly a worthy cause.

I hope you enjoy Centerfield.

Female recreational equestrians outnumber men by a large percentage in the US. It's the same in most European countries. There are plenty of working cowboys but I'm talking about recreational riders. How did that happen?

There are a lot of theories but one stands out. Up until the invention of the tank, cavalry soldiers rode horses. Horses are vulnerable in battle and need armor, just like their rider. When the tank showed up on the battlefield of WWI, the horse's days in battle were numbered. Interestingly enough, they were used again in Afghanistan because of the rough terrain, so they haven't completely left the battlefield.

When Americans and Europeans switched to tanks, there were a lot of horses suddenly unemployed. Women, exploring new territory, started to ride. Women started doing other crazy men-only things as well, like smoking, and wearing pants.

By the time WWII rolled around, the majority of recreational equestrians had become women and it is still that way.

I'm outnumbered by women when we go on horseback safari to Africa. The majority of riders are from England, Germany, and France with a smattering of other countries represented as well. Once in a while, there will be a man from Germany or England but rarely any other country.

I enjoy the company. It's just a little weird. Okay by me. It seems that many men would rather ride a Harley than a horse and I get that.

I'm not sure why I thought my readers might find this interesting, but I do, so there. Guys, you're missing out. Winston Churchill said, "There is nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse" and I think he's right.