Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Emotions and Monsoons


Clearly it is spring...for the monsoons have arrived. Yeeuck. I cannot believe how hard it was raining yesterday and last night. The weatherman says that we are in a pattern of wet weather - ya think? I hurried home last night to get the horses in as quickly as possible, and they were hiding out in the outside barns. The boys were in one shelter and the girls were in another. The girls looked traumatized. They were wet and trembling. Seriously trembling, all over their bodies and it wasn't from being cold. I often wonder just what takes place when we're not around. Hmmm, probably never will know. Anyway, so I brought everybody in as quickly as possible, gave them some hay and filled up the water buckets. Everybody settled in and calmed down...momma had arrived, there was food, shelter and routine - blessed routine. Horses are suckers for routine. It is a comforting thing. All was well.


Even Merlin wanted to come in for the night. Lately, since the weather had warmed up and I'd been leaving the large sliding door open at night for some fresh air, he'd come in and have a quick bite, then head back on out and spend the night outside in the pasture. But not last night, uh-huh, he was staying inside and he was wet...and smelly. Have you ever gotten a good whiff of a soaking wet llama?? Well, trust me - you're not missing a thing. They stink!! Llamas stink big time - but especially when they're wet. It's something that's hard to describe...but imagine, rotten old fritos mixed in with something earthy and male and...oh, I just can't describe it. I only know that it's not a pleasant smell. Nothing like horses, they smell good, but not Merlin!! He is seriously one smelly old dude...but I digress.


Last weekend was a mixed bag. As usual, the time went unbearably fast and was over in a flash. We decided to stay home and not go to church, so we spent a quiet morning around home, which felt great not to have to get up and rush off somewhere. We got the stalls cleaned early and spent some time sitting in the morning sunshine watching the horses eat their breakfasts. That was nice. Then I headed inside to fix my potluck dishes for the family barbecue Saturday afternoon. My sis and hubby have been gone to sunny Arizona for the last couple of months and they had just gotten home. So, to welcome them back and celebrate their 47th wedding anniversary, we were having a family get-together. Sounds nice huh? Remember, this is family we're talking about here. Always interesting if nothing else. Overall it was a nice time spent socializing and eating and relaxing. A brief, but intense spring storm moved through and brought with it, some pretty impressive thunder and lightening, a lot of rain and some very high winds. We had no damage, but watching the local news that evening showed that many folks in the Portland area did. Strange season so far. So, anyway we got home rather late, brought the horses in for a late supper and watched a little tv before turning in. Geez we live exciting lives don't we?


Sunday was spent mostly indoors because of rainy weather. I did some housecleaning and laundry, cleaned the horse stalls and even managed to take an afternoon nap. I wasn't really feeling very well and was overly emotional most of the day and probably wasn't very pleasant to be around for the most part. Good thing we stayed at home, I guess. I think part of my problem is weather related. I've been feeling very cooped up and unable to do a lot of physical activities lately which always makes me feel irritable and caged. I'm very anxious to begin conditioning my horses for the riding season and also have been looking forward to doing some gardening. I have so many projects dancing around in my head, but haven't been able to get anything started and it's really making me feel edgy.


Another issue is finances. We have really been feeling the pressures lately due to the reduced hours where my hubby works and I'm always feeling like we're trying to play catch-up. Seriously is getting very old. We both have always had to work full-time and our wages are very much on the lower end and that doesn't help either. Our truck is going into the shop today for the diagnostics. It has been overheating and we have no idea what is causing the problem. Hopefully it will be nothing serious and we can get it repaired without having to put it on the credit card. Our poor old house has so many issues that I won't even bother going into that. I just feel like there are way too many issues on my plate lately and I am not in the right frame of mind to deal with it all. I would love to run away from all the pressures and duties of this life for a while and deal with everything on my own terms, instead of somebody else's terms for a change. Wouldn't that be nice? Dreams, I know, just dreams.


But, in the midst of it all I remain thankful for the many blessings that surround me every single day. I just need to keep those things foremost in my mind and breathe deeply...for as my momma always said - "this too, shall pass". So very true.


On a brighter note, an old friend of mine will be staying occasionally at our place in her motor home while she does some planning about her own life. I had wished for someone to mentor and/or tutor me with my horsemanship...and like an answer to a prayer, here she comes, back into my life after being gone for about 5 years. I am looking forward to riding with her and having her help me with some issues that I have been struggling with. I am really excited about that. I just need to get some better footing in our outside riding area and maybe get our neighbor to do some work with his tractor. If the weather cooperates, it won't be long before I'm back in the saddle; and Lord knows that is always good for this cowgirl's soul. Yes indeedy!! And...I'm even wearing real shoes again!! Whoo hoo...things are looking up!!


Blessings from cingspots

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

somtimes it;s the simple stuff.. wearing shoes.. .stuff you've taken for granted you realize how blessed you are. I'm with you tho, sister.. i get mondo cranky when i cant get out and be active.... sounds like you're almost on the other side with it

We bring gazi back home to his "family herd" saturday after the show so i hope the reorientation back to the "family" goes well. Last two schooling rides wed friday and then as they say... it's show time folks :)

blessings
shalom
gp

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Glad to hear about your toe and the friend coming to stay sounds great ,and now that I know you have a parking space for a motor home... I wish !
as for the rest, hugs you are a tough gal and you will get through all of the icky stuff ,but it would be nice wouldn't it to just put the world on "pause " till we could catch a breath and make a plan.

Anonymous said...

Great that your friend is back right when you need her - amazing how things work out like that. Everyone has those restless days - once you're able to ride everything will feel better. We don't get monsoons here - just on and off spring thunderstorms - more of those coming tonight and tomorrow.

Leah Fry said...

We're with you on the finances. Mr. Fry has been dreadfully underemployed for almost a year. We ooze more money every month. We don't know what the future holds, but we know Who holds our future, and like you, we are grateful.

Carolynn Anctil said...

I've been feeling a bit off lately too...I've been blaming it on hormones, but our weather has been a bit dull for a while too. I'm just letting it run its course and hopefully it will pass soon and I can get on to better things.

hayseed said...

I hope you're able to get out and about and that your weather starts cooperating soon. I do sometimes feel, too, that there are so many things that need doing, and not enough resources for them, that to-do list just keeps getting longer! You will definitely feel better once you're in the saddle-it does tend to re-balance a person. And thank you for letting me know what a wet Llama smells like!!

Callie said...

Nice post, I think a lot of us are feeling the pressures surrounding us. Sounds like you're friend showed up just in time. I hear ya on the stuff mulling through one's head to get done, Thankfully I was able to accomplish a few the past couple of days myself. Hang in there, hope the truck is really minor. I need to replace the brake pads on mine desperately.

Lori Skoog said...

I really enjoyed reading this post...you write very well and it is interesting. Love your dog, the horses look great and I envy all the green grass. We live on 5 acres too...7 horses, 2 dogs and a cat.

This economy is making life tough for so many people. Hope you see a silver lining soon, and are able to have a great time with your friend.

Lori Skoog said...

I'm back already. About your outdoor arena. I had a guy come up with his tractor and rototiller. He did my ring in a heartbeat and it is great.

Anonymous said...

checking back inn right in the middle of yes an impromptu and hopefully short blizzard...

remember... you are "blessed by the Best":)

gp who will make sure to give gazi a smooch on his sweet muzzle

Lori Skoog said...

Thanks for coming over. My tractor guy just went over it once....There is sand on my ring and I have not added any for 10 years! The great thing is, he can set the rototiller to any depth you want....not too deep or it will be hard on your horses tendons. How big is your arena? Do you have a tractor? I would recommend having some blow sand mixed in with whatever is there.

allhorsestuff said...

Hay therre sweet lorie!
Thanks for the nice comment I found today(wee sleepless hours).
I have been working a lot and riding just as much... been very tired to post and read others stuff of late...the same stuff going around, I now read...springtime blues of sorts!

Well, I am not sure that the "Bonnet" would do anything for laddies sight..it is more for flies and wind..the eventers use them, I think to keep earplugs in and flies away. Most catalogs carry them.

I loved your post too...I am glad to hear the toe is bout good for you! And you may get your arena done~cool!3-5 inches, of something non slick is good...slightly difficult for us to walk in is good for the horses. A lot of walking in it to build tendon strngth and also wrap the legs(polo or sports medicine boots) for support.
Yea..you'll just cope better once you start to ride again..it is such an awesome stress release and bonding time with nature and God!
I have really been building the trust up with the Wa, as you mentioned...we have sooo many creeks to cross now...she really is hesitant but willing after she looks back at me several times!

I am happy that your friend is going to be handy for your soul too...though it may be hers is hurting with a transition it sounds. You two will help each other..in a timely fashion!

well this is long....I am praying for you sweet and ear friend.
HAY-we are comming to the beach May 22-25 if you want to meet for a ride.
Kac

C-ingspots said...

Thank you everybody for your kind words and support!! And, for your wonderful advice!! Blogging buddies are the best!!

Fern - come on over, we'll find space. :)

Kac, sounds like a blast!! We have plans to go to Mt. Adams that weekend with the Sonrise Club, providing we get our truck repaired and shoes on the ponies.
But...one of these days for sure!

gp, have fun this weekend and stay safe. I know team Gazi will rock!!

Lori, nope - no tractor, but our neighbor does. Not sure the size, but it's probably 70-80 ft x 50 ish? It's a nice size for working. I would like to add sand, that's my first choice.

Anonymous said...

checking inn from the inn :) Team gazi rocked... I looked up at the snow covered mountains enroute to the show and thought of your last comment... What a blessing and inspiration :)

a day the L-rd has made
thanx
gp and gazi

LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango said...

I just came outta what you're going through and the weather does have a lot to do with it but this weekend the rain and cold returned again for us....yuck! I tried working horses in our 48X52 indoor round pen and the wind was a monster making a bunch of racket overhead! You're so lucky to even have an outdoor arena...all I have is round pen or a pasture full of holes! Serpentines and circles are all my horses get to do. We have a lot of deer and they are always looking for them if I try to go back to the creek on the back side of our property. You and your friend should really have great times together!! My only horsey friend lives on the other side of town. No one around here has horses except a man that has hackney ponies he drives up our road every once in a while....funny our horses just stop and stare at them. Better days are ahead! Thanks for stopping by and joining the contest! You've had the most answers so far! Take care of yourself! Luanne

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Several of the things you mentioned in this post have already sorted themselves out in future posts, as I have read. And I am so relieved and happy for you that they have.
Sounds like you have been praying and letting God know your desires and troubles. He is good at trying to help make our lives better. ((HUGS))

I know what you mean about feeling caged when I'm not able to get outside.
It's been harder for me when the weather's been so nice and I can' get out and be active because I can't walk well yet.
I watch my neighbor ride her horses and it makes me a little sad, too.

Anyway, I just wanted you to know I was thinking about you...and that I care. I'm glad that things are improving each day.
And wow! You've got a bunch of riding/camping trips coming up. Lukcy you!
And a special old friend to stay with you and ride with. Yay!

Many blessings to you, my friend.

~Lisa

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