My New Year's Day tradition

The first morning of the new year, I headed down in the rain to do chores. As I finished up, the sun broke out. I didn't think twice about seizing the moment for the one New Year's tradition I have. Ever since I was a teenager in Texas, I've tried to start each new year on horseback, and I've rarely missed out. I was afraid that this year I'd have to settle for sitting on Russell's back in his stall, because it has been raining a LOT. Instead I was blessed, just long enough for a short ride down our road and back, with this:
As the saying goes, the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a (wo)man. The way a good ride can make your whole day better doesn't make sense, but I'm okay with that. I didn't ask Russell for anything fancy - he's not in shape for that; we mostly walked with just enough trot and canter to say we did it. But it felt good, and gave me hope that Russell and I can spend more time dancing together this year than we did last year, and have a good time doing it.Amen.