The "Writing" Helmet

The summer of 2013 I spent exploring different kinds of writing and preparing for several different kinds of story writing ( although not very productive!) employing varying modes of research. One story that I decided to research involved horseback riding. Being an accomplished horsemen myself, I had some gear  that I have saved when I took riding lessons at Hans Post Riding Stables in my early teens. I took years of English riding lessons as well as also being able to ride bareback and Western. As most young women in her teens, I loved all things horses -  even the Marlboro horse! Some of the gear that I kept as mementos were jodhpurs, breeches, a crop (little stick whip) and an English riding/jumper helmet with black velvet covering. Of all the horseback riding that I did, I absolutely  loved jumping horses! I still get tingles of excitement today when I think of the thrill of having a good mount under me and the power of this animal to jump with me over a 4' barrier. There is really nothing quite like that feeling to compare it to, except maybe going down the first highest and steepest roller coaster hill- maybe.

While I began gathering information and formulating what type of story it would be, I thought to myself that I needed something tangible to really bring the old passion back to me. Since I could hardly go out in the front yard to pet a (non-existent) horse, I searched my memory for a similar catalyst and exclaimed out loud "riding helmet"! I was sitting at the computer and writing when I exclaimed this. Soon, I was asking my son Ryan to go upstairs in the back of my closet to get my riding helmet. Now Ryan had heard stories of my horseback riding, but wasn't privy to the gear I had kept at the back of my closets as I moved around for the past 30 years or so. So his ears heard "writing helmet" instead of "riding helmet", after all, I was sitting at the computer writing as usual.

At first, I missed the strange looks I was receiving from Ryan because I was busy researching the story. I kept repeating to him when I saw him walk by to "go get my riding helmet out of the back of the closet". As he was going upstairs, I heard him say to me "Writing helmet"? 'You've never needed one to write before! Why do you need one now?" I wasn't catching his confusion at first because I knew what I was talking about! I meant "riding helmet". But now Ryan's confused look was turning to concern about my mental health as he questioned what did the "writing helmet" do for me? I told him that touching it and putting it on would make me write a better story. To which Ryan replied "Why? Does the "writing helmet" keep bad thoughts out of your head?"

I heard the concerned tone in Ryan's voice and turned around to see his perplexed look on his face and then realized that we were not  on the same page. I realized Ryan's confusion over the spoken word "riding" and the word I meant  was not "writing", and burst out laughing. When I explained to Ryan what I was talking about, we had a good laugh for the better part of an hour. He was relieved to know I wasn't talking about a "writing helmet" to keep bad thoughts out of my head!

So far the puns keep coming. This story grew legs and now when sanity is questioned on either part, we ask the other if they need a "writing helmet"!

By the way, I now only write with my "writing helmet" on - I am so glad it still fits :)