Part 2: Can you believe that there was a cold day in hell?[ Read after Pt. 1]

I realize that if you read my last post, that you would have a hard time believing that I would attempt another horse experience! No way, Jose! I can't believe it myself. It either speaks of my stupidity or Janet's friendship. [We are still best friends 35+ years later! ]

Okay...fast forward a bit of time [a couple of years later],and Janet tells me that the town is offering 6 horsebackriding lessons[adult ed] and "Hey! Let's do it."
I'm aghast! "Are you kidding? Thanks, but I'll pass."
So she tries to persuade me with all of the reasons why it will be different than the last time.
And 'Halleluia'...I am strong and say, "Absolutely not!" I had already done my 'kite hung up in the tree' routine, and I wasn't planning an encore.
Janet gets her younger sister to join with her and they begin lessons and all is well. Whew! End of story??
Not exactly!
After 2 lessons, Janet's sister couldn't attend lesson 3 because of a conflict, and would I go with her as her sister? Even though I wasn't a part of Lessons 1and 2, Janet was certain she could fill me in on the details on the ride to the stables.
"Aw come on...you can do it. Just give it a chance!"
"Absolutely Not!!"

So, on the way to the stables, Janet got me up to speed about getting the horse out of the stall with the carrots and apples that she had brought with her. And the rest of the info thus far....
Can you believe it?
For me, it was like an out of body experience.

Off to the stables, carrot in hand, my horse is larger than life. We walk into the arena and everyone and their horse assembles in the center for instructions. I cannot remember how I was able to be catapulted into the saddle, but there I was awaiting the nod to follow in step ...one horse's ass behind the next going slowly around the arena in a huge oval.
Again, just when I think it is safe to come out of the woods [see Part 1], my horse begins to exhibit some anti-social behaviors by trying to grab and chew on the tail of the horse in front of him. This was not well received by the other horse. The possible outcomes that I could think of were many and varied...not one of which I wanted to partake. So I made the decision that I had exceeded my capacity for fun, and I was done. I steered that horse into the center of the arena and slid off like a circus pro!!
An instructor came over and asked me if he could help in any way.
"Not really," I say, "I'm done."
The instructor consoled me and tried to calm my nerves by telling me how gentle and tame these horses were, and he would assist me.
Jesus standing there in His sandles wouldn't have changed my mind.
"No thanks...I think I'll pass."
And then he said the words that have lived on in infamy:
"Seven year old children with muscular dystrophy ride these horses. That's how reliable they are."
"That's nice," I said, and I left the building and waited for Janet in the car.
Referring back to accepting the things that I cannot change, changing the ones I can, and being smart enough to know the difference...I can now tell you that ...yes, I am smart enough even though it was a cold day in Hell when I took another ride...but I am also here to tell you that:
Hell hath officially frozen over! And that is definitely not going to change!!