I just got a birthday card from Jessie Richards.

 

It’s handmade by her. Gorgeous!

 

And what was tucked inside blew me away, too.

 

 

She sent additional mad money for my New Zealand adventure!

It looks uncirculated and newly-minted. 

 

I hope she isn’t a counterfeiter!

 

(JUST JOKING, JESSIE!!!) 

 

***I wanted to title this post “… from my oldest friend…” but that could have been misconstrued.  By oldest I mean “longest-in-years.”

 

Jessie and I have known each other since we were in grade school. We were best friends and did almost everything together until my family moved from Tacoma to Cle Elum when I was ten or so. Even after that, Jessie continued to visit and we wrote letters back and forth like crazy.

 

The Coopers and Jessie earned (and owned) my heart

 

Jessie and me on Sugar Babe, Jackie on Stormy

Me on Jessie’s mare, Fancy, Jessie in front

(Jessie rode an English saddle, I rode western)

Jessie on Fancy, me on ground

Can someone colorize these, please? Anyone?

(The cowboy outfit I’m wearing is robin’s egg blue with white tassles, if that helps.)

 

 

 

Jessie called to wish me happy birthday about a half hour ago and to ask me to watch for the mail carrier and fetch the envelope fast upon arrival.  So, I went out to check the mailbox and there it was!  *sigh*

 

As soon as I opened it, I called her back and we chatted on the phone for a good 45 minutes. We made plans to hike and hang out in other ways when we get back.  Now that I’m not writing as much for clients, I have more time to enjoy the years I have left to just live life in as many wonderful ways as we can come up with. No more waiting for better time or a brighter tomorrow; we’re gonna make ’em!

 

L’Chaim!