Last night, despite it being late, I received a modest yet heartfelt birthday celebration.
The cake from Kakinokizaka Quatre was three-tiered. The bottom layer was a mixture of chocolate and orange peels. The middle was filled with fresh cream, while the top was an orange mousse. The cake offered a delightful blend of bitterness and sweetness, a treat suited
for mature tastes.
My eldest son brewed my favorite "Ediarr" Earl Grey tea for me.
It was a precious moment, feeling blessed to have two men serenade me with the birthday song.
I'll etch the smiles of all three of us in my heart.
Now, today marks my horse riding session at the club I'm affiliated with, after a 10-day hiatus. I should reconfirm the feedback from my last session. They say that when you can perfectly execute "guidance", "propulsion", and "riding posture" simultaneously,
it leads to exquisite dressage. I shouldn't focus solely on one aspect. My gaze should align with the horse's, and I must be conscious of my body's axis (center) when riding.
If one can ride twice or thrice a week, they can expect to make progress. But in my case, where it's once a week and occasionally twice,
there's a risk of forgetting even what I've learned.
So, on days I can't ride, I engage in image training.
- I stay conscious of my spine, feeling the axis of my body.
- I breathe focusing on my abdomen, practicing diaphragmatic breathing.
- I visualize riding the horse, maintaining calm breathing.
Being a senior, I don't do strength training. Instead, I'm constantly looking for ways to effectively command the horse with my strength.
Today's weather looks promising, and I expect a smooth drive on the Joban Expressway. My eagerly-awaited lesson starts this afternoon....