I was disappointed last year that I had to miss Allen and Marijo Bond’s annual hayride, which I’d attended for a number of years, so I was delighted to get to go to this year’s event.

I’ve known Allen and Marijo ever since I first got involved with Mountain T.O.P. in 1993, and Marijo and I served together for a while on the Mountain T.O.P. board. They live on a beautiful farm on Allen’s family’s property in Williamson County. It’s a century farm, meaning it’s been in the same family for more than 100 years. There are parts of the house that are probably that old, although it’s been added on to over the years.

Every now and then, there are other people in attendance whom I know from Mountain T.O.P.; other years, I don’t really know anyone except Allen and Marijo (except for people whom I’ve met at previous hayrides). This was one of those years. Most of those in attendance had young kids, and it was fun to see them running around enjoying things, singing silly songs during the hayride, and toasting marshmallows at the bonfire.

All in all, a fun evening.

Also, so that I don’t have to make a separate post, I’ll tell you that I made my daily goal on the novel today, and I’m at 24,251 words. I can’t believe tomorrow is the halfway point!