We Met in Memphis

Will you leave me a comment and let me know you were here? I don't mind blogging into the cybersphere but I have a feeling some people who say they are going to check out this blog actually do. But I have no way of knowing and as a Chinese Astrology Dog Sign, I am very curious, by nature. I must know. Join in on my blog (or visit me on Facebook under Horses IntheCity). You being here likely means we met in Memphis. If you were not sent to read my darling blog by a fan, then you either asked me how much a carriage ride was or else rode with me. If you rode with me, we likely talked and joked and likely talked about horses. So, say "Hi!" and that your day was enhanced in some way, per chance, by what I am doing here. Peace and Be Well!

So, you're Amish, huh?

A: So, you're Amish, huh?
B: Yes.
A: What brings you to Downtown Memphis?
B: We took a wrong turn. I shod your horse, though, about three weeks ago. Is she still picking her feet up with no trouble?
A: She is. So, are you going to ditch all you've ever known and star in a reality tv show on cable about you living in the standard, profane, modern world we all call home?
B: No.
A:Want a carriage ride?
B: (to himself: Really?) (to me): No.
A: Is it weird for you to walk around our society when you live so far outside of it?
B: No.
A: You ever miss zippers?
B: No.
A: Do you ever crave distraction?
B: No.
A: Do you ever crave modern conveniences and technology?
B: No.
A: Alright, then, nice talking with you. Have a good one!
B: Thanks. You as well.

The Need To Talk

Paying to hear me,
to be in my presence.
Should I try
to get to know you,
down-home style?
What if you don't
like me and I take it 
personally not financially?

Whatever. What if
I talk and no one listens?
Or if you don't
like the way I talk?
What I say?
I tend to enjoy
talking
for
money.

Aussies in Memphis

I enjoyed an hour ride recently with four women from Australia. I was happy that one of the 800 people who accepted my business card last weekend and swore to call for a ride actually did! This ride was one of the more fashionable I've had as all four women, two mothers and two daughters, were dressed in what I would call Artist Wear- the type of stuff I see artists wear when they are dressing up, long flowy skirts, bright colors, cool hats. One of the Aussies and I chatted about astrology (my husband is a Leo with a moon in Scorpio, I am a Scorpio with a moon in Leo), about mothers and about my boss. I told her how I consider my boss to be the best boss I've ever had, but I've never told her that. My ride told me that life is too short to not tell people positive things that you feel about them and they are right. I will let my boss know how I feel; I have been inspired! We all talked about accents and how the average Aussie does not appreciate having their accent mistaken for a Brit as,"We hate the Monarchy!" The ride ended before I could dig deeper  but this ride made laboring on Labor Day more fun than work!

4: 51 Monday, Labor Day, 2012

1. Couple of Minutes on the Carriage

   My dog growls, I say hush. Dog noses under my arm as I see the sun on my black boot. A black man walks by, alone, a huge pick-up rambles by. A fly intereferes in my personal space. A carriage pulls up next to me, a line of cars is moving towards Downtown. "In!", a driver calls to a horse. A ride is solicited and chatting occurs. A white woman in blue walks by at...

   the same time as a loud motorcycle. Hardly a cloud in the blue sky. Folks walk away from a carriage without choosing to ride. Clyde stomps his foot, then does it again. Movement all around me, drivers talk to each other. My energy is all off, kind of stressed. I stick my steel-cased pen in my mouth and click it once on my tooth. Another black man walks by, alone. Duck revelers trickle out. Keys jingle, tourists from somewhere walk by. I give other tourists directions. I hear,"Is Rondevoose down here?"

As The Carriage Wheel Turns

I had a nice lesson tonight in not judging a book by it's cover. I gave a ride tonight to two couples in town celebrating a birthday. They were somewhat average for a Saturday night ride- nicely dressed, had eaten a great meal and were seemingly nice people. What I learned while taking them around downtown was how down-to-earth they were, how genuine and funny. It made me think of their family lives and how rich and rewarding they must be. I think what surprised me the most was their senses of humor. With a well-developed sense of humor, life's problems minimize on their own. With the wives belly laughing at their husbands' jokes, I could imagine children and lawns and homes functioning with all of live's attending annoyances and stresses, but in their neck of the woods, I saw smiles and happiness and, of course, love. Maybe some rides just don't let me in very far; these folks gave me a glimpse into who they really were, not who they wanted me to think they were. It was awesome and kind of made my night. There was some 'rimz' car show Downtown tonight and the cruisers made driving a carriage a challenge, to say the least. The weather was incredible- a high of 84 degrees today- in the middle of August! I was a couple's "limo" driver tonight as they booked me for a couple of hours and I took them where they wanted to go. They had a great time, downed a bunch of mimosas and had happily dove into the stronger stuff.  I had an ever-so-slight brush with fame tonight. I was in the gift store of the Peabody tonight and saw they had a teddy bear sitting next to some chocolate guitars. I took one of the guitars and put it in the bears paws, like he was playing it. Apparently, Mrs. Lansky, of Lanksy, The Clothier To The Kind of Rock and Roll, the guy who got Elvis to wear pink and black, went into the store and liked my creation!! I almost met Priscilla yesterday but it wasn't to be. I am more interested in meeting Lisa Marie as she is actually related to Elvis. Although, I always wonder how many people on the planet right now are related to Elvis as well. Are there other Lisa Marie's out there that we don't know about? And don't most people have kids? So, the guy you meet at the coffee shop who looks a little like Elvis and just happened to sing like a bird, well, ya never know. Until another day of As The Carriage Wheel Turns...

Give the people what they want

For the fourth year in a row, we have had August weather in July here in Memphis. However, exactly where the current weather came from, I have no idea. I had a ride last night from Oklahoma City and they are not having near as nice a summer as we are. They said it was 114 degrees recently- it's almost like God just likes Memphis and decided that not only should we have a beautiful springtime but a wonderful August as well. It is a high of 84 today- last night, I wore a sweatshirt after about 10 pm- a sweatshirt in the middle of August!! Crazy, but in stating what things are like, I want the Universe to know, I am not complaining! Lots of Elvis Week people still in town, beautiful weather- I must say, I am quite happy. Got to spend some time with friends last night- it's funny how you can work with somebody on the street for years and not get to really spend time with them. Unless, of course, it's wintertime. Then, there is all the time in the world to shoot the breeze, talk about other carriage drivers (gasp!) and lament the cold. But talking with friends while out on the carriage line is a slippery slope as it can be addictive; one of the first things I learned on the carriage was how to maintain my personal space. Regular folks wanting to chat is one thing, an unwelcome carriage driver hanging around your carriage is detrimental to sales and one's mentality. With a little tact, some force of will and a smile, I have effectively learned how to be on the carriage by myself and to be unfettered by other drivers. Most drivers, I don't mind being fettered by (I thought I was making up a word and just being cute, but fettered is actually a word!) but there is the occasional person who wants to talk and talk and talk. That's what after work is for- just cause I don't look like I'm doing anything in the carriage seat doesn't mean I'm not working. I am guilty of reading while working, but that's an addiction I am happy to be fettered to. Started Black Spring by Henry Miller recently and am rather enjoying Notes From Underground by Dostoevsky, who I haven't read much by except for three fourths of Brothers Karamozov. Well, I can linger in front of the computer no longer, I must go and give the people what they want. :)


...This! This expanding moment, which has not defined itself in ticks or beats, this eternal moment which destroys all values, degrees, differences. This gushing upward and outward from a hidden source. No truths to utter, no wisdom that can be imparted. A gush and a babble, a squeaking to all men at once, everywhere, and in all languages. Now is the thinnest veil between madness and sanity. Now is everything so simple that it mocks one. From this peak of drunkenness one rolls down into the plateau of good health where one reads Vergil, Dante and Montaigne and all the others who spoke only of the moment, the expanding moment, that is heard forever...

- Henry Miller, Black Spring 1936