I fell In The Trap

I played racquetball last night; first time in more than twenty years. I think I finally found something that isn’t like riding a bicycle, if you know what I mean. Within five minutes I had sprinted full speed into the wall and hit the floor twice. By the end of the hour I had been thoroughly school by a guy several years older than me. It was awesome. I haven’t sweat that hard in a long time. This morning I have found muscles I didn't know I had. For a slow-twitch guy like me, a sprint-stop-sprint sport like racquetball is just what the doctor ordered to change-up my workouts. I hope my body and ego are recovered sufficiently to play next Tuesday.

We do the craziest things to please our wives.

Michelle loves just about everything there is about skiing. She loves the snow, riding the chairlift, the scenery, the hot chocolate and the splendor of the mountains. The only part she doesn't like is the actual skiing. Honestly, it isn't the skiing she objects to, it’s the falling down. Unfortunately, falling down is an integral part of skiing, especially for a beginner. Michelle is determined that the falling down part ruins the whole experience. 

I love to ski and I want to share the experience with my wife. I don’t care if we spend all our time coasting down the Daisy run, as long as we’re doing it together. The other night I was enthusing about the pending ski season and all the things we could try to improve her comfort and joy in ‘our’ favorite recreational activity, when she challenged me with a question.

“When are you going horseback riding with me?”

Ouch! I didn't see that one coming. If you know me at all you know there are few things that strike terror in me more than a horse. They’re big. They sense fear. They kick. They bite. They poop on the trail where I want to hike. I don’t like horses. Michelle’s been trying to sell me on horses for years and I've held my ground. In my enthusiasm to pump-up Michelle about ski season, I fell into her trap.

“I’ll ride a horse.”   

I said it like it was as natural and normal walking across the room. I’ll ride a horse. Really, what a stupid thing to say! Before I could think, react, retract; Michelle said great, we have a deal.

And that, my friends, is how Michelle is getting me on a horse.