I know it has been MONTHS, but I DO write in a paper journal everyday! I think that's just it . . .I'm old fashioned . . . I like PEN and PAPER, not keyboard and screen. Anyway there are many, many things to be glad about and optimistic for. I'm going to try and get back to it, here on the screen.
I have a lifetime love of horses. As a tween through my teenage years I had a pony in England. They were some of the most wonderful days of my life. I love all things horsey . . . .the smell of the horses, the hay, the barn. Mucking out stalls when it's rainy and cold out but you are warm and cozy in the barn. The way horses whinney and push their heads against you, or push their faces deep into pockets to look for treats.
Anyway I resolved this January to somehow get around horses again. I took training at Saddle Up, an organization out towards Leiper's Fork, where disabled children learn to ride, and grow and have fun with horses. It's been a month and, at the moment I go out and feed the horses on Thursday afternoons. I'd LOVE to do more if my schedule will allow.
I take feed buckets and nose bags of pellets and drive in a 4x4 to the various paddocks and fields and find the horses that need feeding (only some get fed at night), throw hay down for others and get to hang out and spend time with them. The hard part is learning which horse is which! There is one horse, Sidney, who they retired and he needs a home. I cannot tell you how much I wish I had a little land and a barn. I've prayed for it a lot the last few weeks! Sidney was mistreated before he was dropped at Saddle Up, he was skin and bones and now has a hip issue. As a result, he cannot be ridden. But he is GORGEOUS and fit and healthy . . . it's just that weight on his back would aggravate his hip problem. They have been trying to find the right home for him for a year. They need to trust that he is going to someone who, when they promise not to ride him, will keep that promise. Plus, most people don't want a horse that they can't ride, but he would make an amazing pet and can still be lunged (and needs to be to keep his muscles strong and healthy) Yesterday, after I fed him, I got to put his blankets on and walk him out to one of the far fields, about 1/4 mile. We chatted all the way and, before I let him loose in the field, I rested my face against his head for a minute. I LOVE this horse. I KNOW now is not the right time for me to have a horse but I secretly hope that no-one will take him and, eventually, I'll find a solution of a barn where I can keep him, and care for him for the remainder of his years.
At the very least I hope someone with a loving heart will take him and give him the life and love he deserves.
This week I go to Florida with Luanne, Karen and Molly (and Steve and Maribeth I think too) for the Disney Princess Half. I am SUPER EXCITED but will miss my Sidney on Thursday and look forward to March 1st to see him again!!
I have to go to bed now. . . . plan on parking at Lu and Karen's halfway point (ish) tomorrow at 6.15am and running to Lipscomb to meet them a 7am, and going back with them. I can't do the whole thing with them as I'm swamped (with good stuff) tomorrow and need to get home but this way I'll get 6 miles in. . . . .
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