My Pony's Bellyache............

It's all about this guy...........

Things I've learned recently............

Ponies get bellyaches.........all kinds of bellyaches, really........big ones and small ones.......the constipation kind and the stomach acid kind..........

This furry friend will be receiving a gastroscope tomorrow........

After three bellyaches in a short period of time, the vet suggested he take a look.........

It's three feet down to get a peak through a scope........

They tell me I am hoping for an ulcer........not crazy expensive to treat and manage..........unlike other bellyaches, I guess........

Anyway, I have been researching "equine ulcers" ever since........

Learned he will probably be on a Zantac sort of management and we should also,be offering him Tums before every ride.......

Who knew?............

These beautiful creatures are unbelievably strong and wise........yet equally stressed and digestively challenged.......They are sensitive and keenly intuitive with positively remarkable sensory awareness......

They are eager to please and are devotedly loyal partners..........They are unshakenly trustworthy and meaningfully harmless............

They are so much more than just horses.....

They are best friends, teachers, care takers, forgivers, companions, partners, therapists, comedians, life coaches, confidants, heart lights, dream makers, healers........

I love this video about this very subject.......

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-I9EZtrBPFc

Talking Sad........

I came into this show at the end of this entire, collective series........

I wish, looking back, that I had listened to the enthusiasm of my sons and husband about this show.....

I didn't think it would suit my interests at all, for obvious reasons........

I am so sad this show is ending tonight......

I am devastated that the two main characters did not both win Emmys for their incredible portrayal of these men......

Following Jesse Pinkman over all these episodes has been my favorite.......I love the many facets of what makes Jesse breathe and he makes you want to wrap your arms around him and tell him he is loved.......

Heisenberg, I mean Walter White.....is, of course, the leading man......Once a confirmed, geeky science teacher  now transformed into a fearless, dark leader of a world I will never know.....thankfully......

I am looking forward to watching tonight FINAL show........

I am sad my firstborn is not with us but glad he is enjoying it with his friends.....

Thankful, anytime, I get to spend time with my other son and husband, doing anything......

It will be epic tonight!

Enjoy..........

The Rhythm of Us........

Well, in two days, my firstborn will be on a plane heading back to school........

This does not get any easier.........

There is a certain rhythm a family has, day to day, meal to meal, annoyance to annoyance.........

When he is not here, the rhythm has a different beat, it's not worse, it's just different.......

And I love the sound of us when we are all together........

So we are devouring every extra second we have with this band member....

We just love him and are going to miss him in huge amounts.......

I hope he will check in on us now and then while he is setting his books on fire......

I hope he know how very much we cherish him and are supporting him, especially now.......

I hope he knows how proud we are of him........

And that our love goes with him everywhere he goes....and everywhere we are.......

That rhythm will never change.......

It's a beat he can ALWAYS count on.......

"Espirito de Gozo"..........

The Spirit of Joy..........

This is what our church sermon was about today.......

We have a sister church in El Salvador and 29 members of our church spent 10 days there this summer.......

They spoke today of the unexpected blessings that they received.....

They traveled with loving hearts to serve this sister church yet what they came home with were gifts beyond what they had even presupposed.....

changed hearts and new perspectives about their own good fortunes....

Graciousness........

It is so difficult to live in the "Spirit of Joy" when everything around us seems to be crumbling........

When our relationships are suffering, our livelihood is depleting, our health is dwindling, our hope and future seem unretrievable.........

But to hear the words of these travelers this morning warms my heart and moves my steps...one foot in front of the other.....forward.....with hope.....

I cannot possibly imagine what these people in El Salvador have suffered and endured during this 3 1/2 decade long civil war........

Their experience, their words, their hope and their joy speak to the true faith they live every day.....

I long to mirror their courage and their hope in our Father.......to trust Him above all else, even in the midst of unimaginable chaos.........when everyday survival resides in our very breath.......

I yearn for that kind of faith and that kind of true joy..........

I am learning.....

Everyday.........

Adieu, Soleil....... ....

Well, Summer, once again it's been wonderful to spend time with you.......

But today, we must say farewell........

Thank you for so generously gracing us with the all encompassing warmth of your visit.....

We will share the fond memories of these past few months, embrace you as you leave us, and find comfort that you will return in June........

May you return, to your seasonal habitat, in sound slumber and rest contentedly.......

Until we meet again.........

Adieu, soleil ................

Taking Stock..........

“If you surround yourself with the good and righteous, they can only raise you up. If you surround yourself with the others, they will drag you down into the doldrums of mediocrity, and they will keep you there, but only as long as you permit it.” 

― Mark Glamack

This is a great quote about those whom we choose to surround ourselves with.....

It is, after all, a choice........to be amongst people who lift us up, whom encourage us and challenge us to be healthy, well, successful and righteous.....

That doesn't mean not to minister and serve those who are in need........not at all.........

But the friends whom we choose to spend our free time with, our down time, should make us take pause.....take stock.......

I think this comes intrinsically to some........but not to others......

Sometimes people are not as transparent as they seem..........They put us in harm's way, cause us to question our own good judgement and to squelch that quiet voice inside, God's voice, clarifying right from wrong........

It takes great strength to make righteous choices sometimes........Sometimes they can cause us heartache or hardship.........Sometimes we have to leave people behind so that we can move forward in a different direction........

We battle our sinning hearts that want us to act on "feelings" or "emotions" ........Our humanness wants us to do what "feels good" and maybe not what is the "right" choice.........

I pray for the strength of those I love to bravely soldier on and ask God for help.......To desire to makes choices that directly reflect the amazing plans God intends for their lives........

Being off track and encountering one problem after the other, should cause us to evaluate our actions, choices and the people whom surround them.......

Maybe it's time, finally, to make some changes.........

Is it Safe to Come Out Today?...............

My husband texted me this morning while my daughter was riding, "How's the morning going?".........

Yesterday wasn't an easy one........

The morning started with rounds of complaints......about everything......

After a full school day, my final, sweet child was not ready for homework with her tutor......Especially when I just happened to mention she would be studying for her science test on Friday.......I triggered a major meltdown.......

My final child, with the helpful blessing of her tutor, managed to pull herself together and complete her homework and studying with vigor and positivity.......So proud of her.......

Sometimes I think it's me......I just don't think it through, my words.......My intentions are to help her........but sure enough the method of delivery gets lost in the translation.......her translation.......and the meltdown, invariably ensues..........my fault........

Is it safe to come out today?.........

I wonder if that is me or her asking that question.......