Although I don’t get many comments posted in this blog, I do receive some feedback. Here are additional words about two subjects.

Regarding horses and girls (Riding – September 21), my friend Geri avers that, for her, the power of the experience was learning she could control something as formidable as a horse. And I think I felt some of that too, but I was also experimenting with surfing and skateboards, I was bicycling around, I was exploring with friends the caves and cliffs behind the high school. We were sneaking into unused farm buildings in the area and creating our own secret places. There were plenty of lessons in control.

The way I view the riding era, I was 12-ish and my father was withdrawing a bit. Please understand – he continued to be wonderful and instructive, interesting, thoughtful, supportive – but he backed off compared to his earlier presence. I’m sure he thought he was giving me space. I’m sure he was a little intimidated by my incipient womanhood. But the fact is, the horse felt a bit like a dad, standing near but informing me with calm confidence that I didn’t need the training wheels any more.

Regarding The Spaghetti Squash Incident (September 20), both kids commented. Katie posted that she likes every form of winter squash except the abominable spaghetti variety. It’s Danny who boycotts them all. And he reports that the real horror in the episode was me making them eat it anyway! I have NO recollection of that but I totally believe him. As Lisa says, it’s not up to the abuser to define abuse or recite the memory.

Oh but I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry.