I love Wednesdays. It began six summers ago when I finally agreed, shaking and terrified, to try Cowboy Polo. The Missoula County Sheriff’s Posse holds polo practice on Wednesday and Sunday each week. It begins as soon as weather permits, sometimes as early as April—often in May. Practice continues until the culminating event of the polo season, Field Days. Field Days is scheduled at the end of the summer, this year on the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day Weekend in Anaconda, Montana.
Over the past several summers, I’ve realized how important it is to have a hobby. To engage in something, anything, that makes you happy--you and only you. I began to play polo to ease tension in my marriage. My husband was already addicted to polo and it takes up a lot of time. I’m not a great spectator and over two summers I found myself resenting the time he played and I watched. So I decided to play.
It was a turning point in my life. I rediscovered myself. With the onset of marriage and then the addition of children I changed. I was always a risk taker—fearless in many aspects of my life. In college I took a rock climbing class. My favorite part was rappelling. Rappelling was so fun the instructor finally informed me I would have to buy the climbing ropes if I didn’t slow my descent from the rocky cliff to the ground. For my graduation from college, my sister, Denise, took me bungee jumping. I still have the t-shirt and remember the rush.
After having children I was always fearful. So much so that my husband forgot or maybe never knew that other side of me. My long time friends occasionally reminded me, but fearless disappeared. My first polo season was terrifying. I shook constantly. I nearly cried the first time I kicked a horse into a gallop. I forgot how much I loved to ride. I buried it so deeply, the joy took me by surprise.
In the years that followed, I resurfaced. My wit and sarcasm returned. I bought a magnet at Rockin' Rudy's that says "It is never too late to be who you might have been." I now live by this sentiment.
It was then that I encountered the professional crisis I mention here. It was then I began to write again.
Are Wednesday nights at polo practice responsible for my novel Leaning? Maybe so. Everyone needs an outlet, it helps us live the life we want. What is your outlet?
Over the past several summers, I’ve realized how important it is to have a hobby. To engage in something, anything, that makes you happy--you and only you. I began to play polo to ease tension in my marriage. My husband was already addicted to polo and it takes up a lot of time. I’m not a great spectator and over two summers I found myself resenting the time he played and I watched. So I decided to play.
It was a turning point in my life. I rediscovered myself. With the onset of marriage and then the addition of children I changed. I was always a risk taker—fearless in many aspects of my life. In college I took a rock climbing class. My favorite part was rappelling. Rappelling was so fun the instructor finally informed me I would have to buy the climbing ropes if I didn’t slow my descent from the rocky cliff to the ground. For my graduation from college, my sister, Denise, took me bungee jumping. I still have the t-shirt and remember the rush.
After having children I was always fearful. So much so that my husband forgot or maybe never knew that other side of me. My long time friends occasionally reminded me, but fearless disappeared. My first polo season was terrifying. I shook constantly. I nearly cried the first time I kicked a horse into a gallop. I forgot how much I loved to ride. I buried it so deeply, the joy took me by surprise.
In the years that followed, I resurfaced. My wit and sarcasm returned. I bought a magnet at Rockin' Rudy's that says "It is never too late to be who you might have been." I now live by this sentiment.
It was then that I encountered the professional crisis I mention here. It was then I began to write again.
Are Wednesday nights at polo practice responsible for my novel Leaning? Maybe so. Everyone needs an outlet, it helps us live the life we want. What is your outlet?
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