Cutter Billy

Cutter Billy, the man himself.

On Saturday morning, Dr X, Terrier900, the Mouse and I headed out for 'the barn' (British viewers, read 'stables') to visit Dr X's horse, Billy. I'm no expert, but I reckon Billy (full name, Cutter Billy - hence the title) is a very fine horse indeed. He is huge, but very well-mannered and you can sit up on Billy and feel quite at ease.

He was good enough to give rides to the four of us. The Mouse was initially alarmed by being up so high (did I already mention that he is very big?) but she did really well and later told me, 'I felt a bit nervous, but I did it and I like Billy.' The last time I rode a horse was when we were here three years ago, so I was also a little nervous. Plus, the few horse-riding lessons I have had have been in the UK, so riding Western style felt a little different. 'Hold onto the reins with one hand? Whaaaaat?!?' I had a go at walking, jogging, trotting and cantering (I know - Zara Phillips, eat your heart out!). Quite frankly, I didn't have a clue what I was doing and just let Billy get on with it. I wouldn't be quite so happy about that if I didn't feel that I could trust him but, as I say, he's a good horse.

The Mouse and Terrier900 ride Billy.

It hasn't snowed again yet, although it was very cold outside and I didn't really feel warmed through until I'd enjoyed a nice relaxing spa bath, back at the ranch. The Doctors and the Terrier have, I think, four bathrooms, although only two of them have baths in. (You have to call them bathrooms though - the mouse and I have learned that it is bad form over here to request 'the toilet'.) The en-suite has a spa bath, complete with water jets. Very relaxing, although a trifle noisy. If you can imagine taking a bath in a Kenwood Multichef...

A short geography lesson

This was our first full day in Grayslake, where we are staying with Mr Ruby's brother Dr P, his good lady wife Dr X, and their daughter Terrier900. I love coming here. The Mouse, despite no longer knowing what time of day it is nor which way is up, has had a wonderful day playing with her cousin, who is almost nine years old and a very good and patient playmate.

This morning, the Mouse, Dr X, Terrier900 and I headed out to 'the barn' to watch Terrier900's riding lesson. Terrier900 got to have her first lesson at riding bareback and the Mouse enjoyed cantering around on her imaginary pony, Jenny. Meanwhile, Mr Ruby, Dr P and TR stayed back at the ranch, doing manly things.

This afternoon, Dr X took all three children to the park, while Mr Ruby tended to some pumpkin bread and Dr P and I went shopping at Jewel-Osco. Tragic geek-housewife confession coming up: I love food shopping when I'm on holiday. Ah - the sights, the sounds, the smell, the food that looks almost like the stuff you buy at home and yet not quite... Mainly, I read labels. The food intolerances mentioned in my previous entry mean that I read a lot of labels. Sad, but true. Anyway, I found the Mouse's favourite brand of Rice milk so she and I are happy. Jewel rules!

Speaking of things which are the same but different, the Mouse was greatly amused by traffic lights today. I think because at home we have them on poles and here they string them across the street on wires. This may have added to her belief, as stated yesterday that, 'We live in England and that is part of the world, but you live in America and that is somewhere completely different, isn't it?' Occasionally I contemplate the idea of home educating but this would clearly be a bad idea for us. On more than one occasion I have tried to teach the Mouse about the world we live in. Not very well, evidently.

OK, Mr Ruby and Dr P's parents should look away now, as today's picture shows Dr P clearing the leaves out of the guttering. It's not for the faint-hearted but does show off-piste use of the leaf-blower. Mr Ruby claims such activities are outside the remit of our travel insurance, so he stayed down on the lawn, in charge of the rake - and the camera.

(Edited your nickname, Terrier900. xx)