The days are short...the wind is cold!

Today, I took a walk around the flower and vegetable beds and just enjoyed......the air had turned chilly over night and the last Indian Summer flush of blooms are still bright. The Shasta Daisy and Larkspur gave us a last look at summer with bright blooms!  I took cuttings of a few herbs, gathered seeds from annuals I want to spread to a new area.  The Iris did not get dug and divided this year and they were due....just not enough time.  Twenty two horses time!

And on the horsey side of things, we had an intensive two weeks with a most awesome trainer, Felicia Britt.  That was a really busy time, but worth every second.  And what a special lady!  She walks in sunshine!  We both commented on missing her when she left to go home and rest before her next clinic. She reads horses like a book and for that matter, people too!

So, we reflect on our year...it is that time of year...the season.  Gratitude for all we have and what we don't have comes to mind.  This is about" not going gently into thy good night!"  Life is short and so...why not live it to its fullest.  Give it a try, be happy, be busy, be the best you can be......

Summer/Drought

Not only are we in a drought here in the SW of Missouri, but our country is experiencing a drought of unheard of magnitude.  The drought of common sense.  When ...just when, did it become acceptable to expect the citizens of the USA to live within their means, and yet ...our elected officials can borrow us into oblivion.  It is time we took their perks away, their lifetime health care (the likes of which none of us will enjoy), not to mention a retirement package most do not need.  How is it....they come into office wealthy and leave office even more so.  It tends to beg the question...how can they be looking out for the citizenry when they are so busy looking out for themselves!

We, the people, deserve better.  No we don't deserve a hand out, ....we do deserve to be treated with respect and courtesy, something I have not seen for a long time.  I am tired of their condescending attitude and am guessing ....if we don't make as much as they or do not hold an equal amount of power...we are unworthy!  God will prevail!  We must put our faith where it will count!

Spring Renewal

It has been raining for so long, I really haven't enjoyed the flowers as they have come and gone so quickly.  Today the palest of pale blue iris are beginning to bloom and the pale yellow, which I cut some buds and brought them inside.  The wild violets are the first harbingers of spring for us here on this windy knoll in SW MO.  Some came from NY and some from Toadshade Wildflower Farm.  They touch me...bringing back childhood memories of walking the woods with grandparents in the spring identifying flowers and plants, many of which I have not seen in many years. As parents and grandparents, we have a special obligation to acquaint our young ones with mother earth and the wonder of planting seeds in the ground, watching them sprout and grow.  In doing so, we instill in them a sense of wonder that is next to impossible to do in the concrete of the city unless one is willing to become an advocate for growing in pots or a little patch of ground at the back of the house. As I wander this road through life, I know for certain, I am who I am because of those walks in the woods, being lifted high to back of a horse, being encouraged to be kind to all ...animals and people alike. Animals that give their lives to us as food should be honored and treated with the same dignity the American Indians showed during the hunt. Our fellow man is also our brother regardless of race or creed... Mankind will only survive when we learn to honor this earth and all that is in it.  The forest is beautiful because of it's diversity....not it's sameness
These things must be taught, if not at school, then in the home..

February 12, 2011

Today is the date of my parent's wedding anniversary. Though they have been gone for some time, this date is always on my calender. We start the year with twenty-one horses, thirteen of them are our breed of choice, the Gypsy Vanner. There are now four registries, each founded on the indiscretions and missteps of the first. And interestingly, the first is still registering more horses than all the others. AND that is what a registry is supposed to do. And once it gets that part down, then it can consider it's next goal. In my opinion, that should always be education. To that end.... There are two inspection programs in place at the present time (aka: education) and a judge training program. One program uses the services of a Gypsy whose Father was a well known breeder. He continues in his Father's footsteps and that....is where I take issue with him being the only judge judging. To be truly equitable, there should be three judges, not necessarily all senior individuals, a good scenario might be one senior and two apprentice judges. At the end of the day, though not perfect, this is good education..good for breeders, good for those showing under knowledgeable judges, good for judges wanting to improve their knowledge base...good for all. Best of all, good for the horse! And isn't that what we should be doing all along!