The 'Magic Number'

That old song, "One" by Three Dog Night, was going through my head yesterday.  I was riding Galen at Lord Hill by myself, so I needed something to keep myself amused.  I've been trying all sorts of different strategies to stay in the saddle longer (my ankle is still not where I think it should be).  I'm trying various riding strategies; doing more sitting trot (less ankle motion, but a slower overall speed), more leg contact during posting so there is less ankle flexion (thin thighs in 30 days!), more walking (slow speed again) and probably once I start doing over 2 hours, I'll have to get off and walk several times to give my ankle a break (have to get back on though, lol).

So, these are all helping some, but I'm still quite lame when I get back to the trailer.  It does work out reasonably soon, so I'm hopeful.

So, I decided that strategies aren't enough.  I've started experimenting with different drug regimes.  (cue the sinister music).  I've tried preloading my usual 3 Advil.  Not enough.  So, I tried 4.  I've never taken that many Advil at once, but I decided to try.  Not bad.  Hence the song.

Of course, I changed the lyrics a bit:

The original:
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
Two can be as bad as one
It's the loneliest number since the number one

No is the saddest experience you'll ever know
Yes, it's the saddest experience you'll ever know
`Cause one is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
One is the loneliest number, worse than two


I couldn't remember more than a line or two, so I made up a much happier song.

Four is the magical number that lets me ride.
Four is the magical number that keeps my smile wide.
Four is the magical number, Could Five be a magical number?

And on and on.  Galen provided the drumbeat with his hooves and seemed to enjoy my singing.  Good thing he's not very critical.

Of course, being a person that tends to think that if 4 is good, wouldn't 5 be better, I am going to have to be careful.  Then, I think, wait a minute, don't I still have some oxycodone left over from the surgery?  Ack.  Slippery slope.  I guess I'll keep trying different strategies and try to restrain myself from over medication.