Wanderlust

I get nostalgic and lean towards wanderlust when hearing songs like this:

(For the uninitiated: Simon and Garfunkel rock. The end.)

There comes a time when I dream a bit too. I want to travel...not forever, but for a while. And my preferred mode of transportation would be (wait for it) horseback. Yes, it would be hard. Yes, it'd take a long time. Yes, I'm a single young woman and traveling alone, especially with a large, (mostly) unpredictable animal, increases the odds for injury or attack/assault exponentially. 

Do you know what I mean? There's something terribly romantic about riding through a state, or a country, or across the world with nothing except your meager possessions and loyal steed to see you through. But when reading about survival techniques, or how to camp with horses, or what equipment to take, the restlessness begins to flicker.

At this point a trip like that would be impossible. I have too many current responsibilities and a distinct lack of knowledge (though that's being remedied slowly but surely). And there's a tiny little voice that says not yet. 

If/when I get married, maybe he'll want to do something wild and crazy like that with me. 

(I say the 'if' because my chances are very, VERY slim around here, and the 'when' because I would love to be so someday and that desire has most likely not been planted only to be withheld for life. But who knows.)

Maybe his NOT thinking that I'm completely bonkers in that respect will be a good indicator that it's 'meant to be'. 

But I'm not pinning my hopes on that. Should 'he' not come around for a long time, there's still plans to make and things to do and life to be lived. Agreed?

"I'm so tired of being alone

So hurry up and get here

So tired of being alone

So hurry up and get here...." 

An Early Birthday Present

A VERY early one at that. *peers off at October*

For the uninformed, I've been noodling around on guitar for a couple of years. I picked it up ages ago, learned a handful of chords, lost interest, and picked it up again a few months ago. This time, I CAN'T lose interest because (1) my brother is going to college and I'm going to have to start playing rhythm guitar for church, and (2) my brother is going to college and I need to learn as much guitar from him as I possibly can in the next 6 weeks. O.o

So can you guess what my present is?

Ta-daaa! Isn't she purty? The top is spruce, with rosewood for the fretboard, sides, back, and head. And it plays like a dream. 

Mom and Dad got it in Georgia during their drive back from Florida a few weeks ago. And the reason I got it now instead of later is twofold: since mein brochters are leaving in 4-6 weeks, we all won't be together to celebrate our respective birthdays. So we all 'celebrated' last week.

And I don't think my dad could have handled waiting another 3 months to actually give it to me. ;)

I love how the sides have a glossy finish, and the neck has a matte-style finish.

So yes. There's the big birthday present...I've been playing quite a bit lately because of it. *holds up aching fingers*

(The next birthday present to me from me will hopefully be a saddle. An Aussie saddle. Because they're stinkin cool.)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

And here's a picture from yesterday while grazing the horse. I liked the sunflare. XD

Concerning the last post, I've decided that this quote explains what I have to do rather well:

"Go back?" he thought. "No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!" So up he got, and trotted along with his little sword held up in front of him and one hand feeling the wall, and his heart all of a patter and a pitter.

The Hobbit, 'Riddles in the Dark'

Bilbo is my hero. Just sayin'.