Well, it’s actually not that complicated but people who don’t “get it” make up their minds that it’s too much of a hassle. Screw them – right?

Here’s how it’s done.

As long as you’re anywhere in the United States, if you wanted to call me, you’d simply dial 711 (kind of like dialing 911), wait for a relay operator to come on the line and then tell him/her to dial my home TTY number which is 330-923-4712.

All you do is instruct the operator you want to make a “voice carry over call” to Stephen Hopson at (the number I just gave you). If I’m home and I see the light flash, I’ll answer it by typing “Hello” via the TTY. The operator would simply repeat it.

And then at that point the operator would tell me that it is a “VCO call from Corinne Edwards.” At that point the operator click on a switch, opening the way for me to use my voice over the phone. YOu’d hear my voice as you would with any other call.

The only difference, of course, is that when I’m done with my piece, I say, “Go ahead” at which point the operator listens to your reply and types it back to me.

Does this make sense?

And to answer your final question: No, it’s not expensive. In fact, it doesn’t cost me anything to use it. It doesn’t cost the caller anything either. The cost of running a relay operation is picked up by the government. The only thing the caller pays for is the regular charge from Point A to Point B.

Thanks for asking. And I’m glad to know that every step of the progress I’m making with my book holds a large degree of fascination for you. That’s way cool.

Is this relay service something really expensive for you?

If not, how do people like me who feel like you are family do it? It would be fun once in a while.

(Of course I have a lot of competition. Everyone thinks you are family!)

Tell us more about it.

And of course, EVERY STEP toward your book is a complete fascination to me. Glad you are keeping us up to date!

Yep, horses learn what they can get away with, and what they can’t. That actually is the toughest part about buying a horse; they tend to get used to the original owners style of riding, and suddenly you change things even just slightly, and they are a bit confused.

The good news is that Lilly was a teaching horse for a long time, so she is pretty used to dealing with oddities from riders. Plus, she’s tough to get nervous so matter how nervous I am, she doesn’t pick up on it.

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That’s very inspiring Brian. I can just imagine the horse rubbing its head affectionally against you. That’s quite inspirational.

Thanks again for sharing Brian.

Well, I just got the horse not too long ago, actually. Her registered name is Miss Independent, however she is generally known as, and she knows, Lilly. She’s a chestnut quarterhorse, about 17 years old. Perfect trail rider though, and a sweet heart. In fact, in 10 minutes of meeting her she was rubbing her head against me, which is about the best a horse can do to show affection aside from kissing.

She’s kept at a local stables called King of the Wind Farms. It’s roughly 10 miles from my house, and it’s a pretty nice place. 10+ miles of trails around it, plus a big indoor riding arena. The staff is great too, really take good care of the horses and alert you to even minor things like tightening up the bridles on the horses.

I have been into horses most of my life. I worked the stables for a number of years when I was 15 or so and just fell in love with them. Just a couple of weeks ago, I decided I wanted a horse, met Lilly, fell in love with her, and handed over a check.

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I find it fascinating that you now have a horse. Where do you keep it? What got you involved with horseback riding? I would never have known you were interested in horses.

Have you seen the movie with Dakota Fanning – I think it was called “The Horse Whisperer” but I could be wrong about the title. It was rather inspiring, which I wasn’t sure it’d be because I don’t generally have much of an interest in horses. But I decided on a lark to rent it and I’m glad I did. Dakota did a great job in that movie. You ought to see it if you haven’t already.