“RimFire “ by Joan Y. Edwards
My late husband, Carl and I had many adventures. Some were where I was funny. Some were where Carl was funny.
Carl and I liked to go to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We visited Dollywood (May Dolly Parton rest in peace) many times. We enjoyed going there in October during Gospel Music celebration..
We also went horseback riding at Walden Creek Stables to ride the trail over the fields and through a low creek. They had sturdy platforms to elevate us to help make it easier to get on the horse they chose for us. Lucky for us because these horses were tall!
One time when my late husband, Carl, and I went horseback riding. Carl’s horse was so slow, he called him, “RimFire!”
Carl was trotting along at a clippity clippity clippity clop speed when I noticed that Carl and his saddle seemed to be a little sideways. .
I called to him, “Carl (I made Carl a two-syllable word, Car-ul). “Carl, are you okay. You seem to be a little sideways.”
Carl answered, “I can’t tell. RimFire is taking me at such a fast pace. I may get back an hour after you.”
I smiled. My smile turned into a giggle. My giggle turned into full-fledged laughter. “RimFire” was such a fun name for his horse.
What made it even funnier was the fact that Carl couldn’t tell he was riding sideways, a new use of the term, “side-saddle.”
Both Carl and I hollered and got the leader of our group to come to the back to help us.
The leader said, “Mr. Edwards, your cinch belt is broken. We don’t have another one out here. We will have to wait until we get back to base camp. Will you be okay?”
Carl said, “RimFire and I will be okay.”
So we continued around the 2 mile trail. Clippity Clop. Clippity Clop. Clippity, Clippity, Clippity Clop.” Carl riding halfway to the side and me strolling along straight up behind him.
Is there a lesson to learn from this?
I would say, when things seem like the cinch belt holding you in a usual safe position has slipped and you feel a little off-balance, try to give it a funny name and pretend you are in balance. Say to yourself, “I am going to be fine. I am safe. Things are going to work out fine.” Sometimes just those words and having faith in yourself and that God is going to be there to help you.
I asked ChatGpt.com to create a cartoon from this adventure using photos I uploaded of a time Carl and I rode horses at Walden Creek Stables.
Do Something Fun for You!
Never Give Up,
Joan Y. Edwards, Author
Copyright 2009-2026
Thank you for being here with me today. I appreciat you spending your time with me. Please leave a comment. Share your story. I really enjoy hearing from you. May you feel blessed.
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Joan, when Carl left us I worried about you but recalling funny stories is a sure sign of processed grief. Only, I do my best to avoid using AI because of its multiple negative effects.
Dear Bob,
Thank you for writing! Thank you for caring about me. I agree with you that recalling funny stories helps with the grieving process. I think when you can see a funny side of your negative situation, it helps you accept it and go on. Humor heals in ways we cannot fully fathom or explain. It is a gift.
I appreciate you reading my blog and leaving comments for me since 2010- oh my 16 years! Thank you!
Do something fun for you today!
Never Give Up
Joan
I haven’t been horseback riding in years. It was long before I was married. A stable was north of where I lived, and my girlfriend and I went every Saturday. Once the warmer weather arrived, we biked to a nearby quarry to swim before returning home.
Love the little comic strip you created using ChatGPT.
Dear Melanie,
Thank you for writing! I am glad RimFire reminded you of when you used to go horseback riding with a friend. I love how our mind recalls similar situations or images when we hear or see something. What a gift! So glad you got to enjoy horseback riding!
Do something fun for you!
It will help you Never Give Up
Joan
What a fun experience and wonderful memory!
I’m sure the comic strip allowed you a moment to step back in time. 💖
Joan B. Reid
Dear Joan,
Thank you for writing! I am so lucky that you have been a subscriber for many years! You are right! It was fun seeing the memory in cartoon fashion! My favorite part of the Sunday paper was the comic section! Did you have a favorite cartoon?
Do something fun for you every day!
It will help you
Never Give Up
Joan
Thanks for this. I think I need a lesson from you on how to use Chatgpt!!
Dear Carol,
Thank you for writing! I appreciate you being a subscriber for many years and my friend since 2002! 24 years! You are welcome for this blog post. You conquered your website. Chat Gpt is easier than that. I will write a post about it.
Never Give Up
Joan
Loved the cartoon and the laugh. It is good to laugh.
take care,
Maureen
Dear Maureen,
Thank you for writing! It is good to hear from you. How is your writing? I am glad that you lived the cartoon and the laugh. You are right. It is really good to laugh.
Do something fun for you!
Never Give Up
Joan
V
I love adventure stories. Horseback riding never disappoints.
And the comic is cool.
Dear Bill,
Thank you for writing. I am glad you like Adventure Stories. I hope you get to enjoy a horseback riding adventure soon! I am happy you liked the comic. 😊
Never Give Up
Joan