A month home from Florida and I'm finally feeling settled in. That month wasn't exactly quiet—a show, the World Cup Final, a clinic with Michael, a Pony Club rating, and moving out of my house in town and back to the farm—and I just felt very scattered. Being in one place for a while sounds pretty great.

It happens all the time.The conversation goes something like this:

Cute Amateur Lady, upon seeing me in an article of clothing with my logo on it: "Oh, do you know/ride with/work for Lauren?"
Me: "Well..."
CAL: "I would love to ride with her, but she's too advanced for me/she wouldn't want to teach a beginner/she's too important to teach a beginner/I'm not ready for that level of instruction."

I am sitting on an airplane to Las Vegas. The couple next to me are in their 80s, and have been married for 57 years. He holds her hand while they snooze. A love like theirs is something we all should be so lucky to know.

My last week in Florida finished in typical whirlwind fashion. I made the brilliantly boneheaded decision to show Fender one last time on Thursday and Friday, with the plan of then packing Saturday and leaving Sunday, because there's nothing like trying to pack up your entire life to help you focus on a horse show.

We're down to the wire in Florida, with just days before my horses and I pack up and head home. And without fail, there's this sudden franticness, to get everything done, to see everyone, to cram in those last lessons. And last week was no exception.