Jolyn Young

Did you know that writing a blog post in your head is not the same as typing one on your computer and posting it to your website? Returning texts and voicemails works the same way. I often compose blogs and texts while drifting off to sleep at night, then get busy with work, kids, and animals the next day and forget to actually type and send those words. I feel happy because I know what I want to say, but the people on the other end of those transactions probably feel ghosted because they never heard from me.

Sorry I left you all feeling like Casper for six weeks! A lot has happened in the last couple months. I took my kids to the zoo, adopted a cat, and was diagnosed with an incurable chronic illness.

Wait, what? Yep, after struggling with health issues for 11 years, I was finally diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, aka POTS. It comes with a host of triggers and symptoms, but no matching saucepans. Definitely a bum deal.

But it does explain why I’m periodically hit with fatigue for days on end, unable to tolerate the heat, or do as much physical activity as I used to be able to. Symptoms are much better with medication and treatment, and I’m happiest to report I’ve been riding and working toward a long-time goal of competing in an all-women ranch rodeo this winter.

For a while there I couldn’t even feed and water the horses, so I’m very grateful to be able to ride again. As long as the weather is under 80 degrees and I have a full water bottle in my cantle bag, of course.

But enough about my medical condition, I know what everyone is really wanting to know…did we see the baby elephant at Reid Park Zoo? Yes, yes we did! Me and the kids were delighted to see the tiny two-month-old pachyderm trotting behind her big ol’ mama last weekend. She was every bit as cute as we thought she’d be.

But I did snap a pic of the baby giraffe!

Oh, and I adopted a cat because I thought if I’m going to spend so much time laying on the couch, I need a cuddle buddy. He’s steel-gray, his name is Nicholas, he used to be feral so he has a tipped ear, and he sleeps on my stomach. He’s perfect.

As for writing news – some of you asked about pictures of the places described in my book, Never Burn Your Moving Boxes. Here are a few images from the past I recently posted to Facebook. I also shared them on Instagram (aka Insta, IG, the gram, or whatever the kids are calling it these days) and plan on sharing more albums in the future. If you’d like to find and follow me over there, search for @mrsjolynyoung and join the fun!

I’m still making reels whenever I have a spare minute. I’m pushing myself to not be such a literary dinosaur and look for modern, visual ways to share what I think is funny. I came across this creative fencing solution the other day, and I couldn’t stop laughing about it. I shared it on my socials because I thought other people might get a chuckle out of it, too – or an idea for what to do when their horse trailer kicks the can.

Finally, here’s my latest blog on Western Horseman’s website. I also write a monthly humor column in that magazine, Real Life Ranch Wife, so pick up a copy at your local tack store or major periodical retailer like Walmart.

Thanks for being here! You all are my favorite Caspers.