13 Comments

ruth did not need to be told "go girl". she did it on her own. Pushed her boundaries and won!

what a marvelous tale!

mary Anne

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This was lovely, and in an odd coincidence, my eldest and I were talking about Iceland just last night.

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Terrific story!

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Another of Ruth’s wonderful stories. I was with her all the way.

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You WERE brave, and I, for one, am proud of you. My son surprised me with a trail ride in the Catalina mountains when I visited him in Tucson a few years ago. It was my first-ever horseback ride at age 66 and although I once did ballet and still had the turnout to prove it, I didn't realize what a literal stretch it would be to wrap my legs around a full-grown horse. The weather was far more temperate than what you endured but the physical demands were challenging. Nevertheless, after several hours exploring magnificent country on "Scarface," I've rarely experienced a greater adrenaline rush.

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A delightful and motivating story. Thank you for sharing it those of us who need an extra push.

MHFox

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Brava,Ruth! I am 84, and admire your pluck! I could imagine every minute of your adventure on Nicholas - surprisingly similar feelings to my experiences adapting to life in a retirement home!

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Age is not just a number (as I'll post tomorrow). It has brought you arthritis, as you say, but also the ability to tell stories well. Age is not just a loss. It has many gifts.

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Your story reminds me of when I rode a horse in the Arizona canyons. The guide told me to follow him, but my horse decided to go straight. I pulled on the reins. He reared and fell backwards onto me.

When I was taken to the emergency room, I begged for 3 doses of smelling salts to cut the nausia from pain. I think horses are beatutiful, but continue to be wary.

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Whoever said age was just a number has not reached that certain point where you absolutely know this to be a bold-faced lie. It might happen when you're 44 or 84 but it will happen.

I loved sharing your experience with Ruth. I think it showed you put your big girl panties on and stepped out of your comfort zone to feel alive. Thank you for a great read.

Edit: I meant to write Nickolas but for some odd reason wrote Ruth.

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I'm so glad you did it. I'm 72 and used to be an avid horserider but had to stop because of a medical disadvantage. That said, I went last year and it was rather terrific to be back up.

You achieved something fantastic and proved that age is no barrier, even if the weather is!

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I loved this story!

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Love it. And the effects of age are in the biology not the chronology. I compare, and it's wrong

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