Take a walk on the wild side

...or a ride - whatever. Cool shot huh? Talk about being bold! Don't you just wish that you could do that? It looks so fun to me...just like in Avatar where they had those dragon-birds that they rode. How cool would that be? Only in my dreams, I guess...


So, I don't know about anyone else, but I know I'm definitely not living the life I'd be living if money weren't an issue. Nope - not even close. Now, I'm not saying that I'm not happy and that I'm not thankful for so many blessings in my life, because I have much to be thankful for.

But, if I could only fantasize for a moment...

For starters there'd be the cabin in Central Oregon. I'm thinking along the Metolius River would be nice. And of course, it would have a few acres and a barn to keep the horses happy and lots of ponderosa pines and juniper for privacy. Nothing too fancy, but comfortable; and there would be air conditioning for those hot, summer days and a great big woodstove for cozy winter evenings. My big, country kitchen where lots of time is spent with family and friends. A big deck overlooking the river that faced the west for sunset viewing, a hot tub off in the corner with a lovely pergola overflowing with honeysuckle...hmmm, lovely sweet scent and a little shade.

We'd have the quaint little beachside cottage too, with it's sunny yellow kitchen where I'd have time to bake bread and cookies for the grandkids. For those times when we grew weary of all that heat and sunshine, and longed for a little cooler climate...foggy evenings listening to the rush of the surf and breathing deeply of the fresh, ocean air. There's nothing quite like sleeping near the ocean with the windows open - the roar of the ocean lulling you to deep and peaceful slumber with just a hint of campfire smoke on the breeze....aah, so nice. We'd enjoy leisurely walks along the shore, gazing at the ocean in all its' spendor and collecting treasures for the flower garden and the yard. Where exactly on the beach, I'm just not sure. I've always loved the beach at Tierra Del Mar, not too far from the towns, but far enough away from all the touristy hubbub to be quiet. I'd like a boat too, nothing too big or too fancy. Just a multi-functional boat that could be used for crabbing in the bay, or fishing on the nearby Nestucca River.

I'd wish for good health, and time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Time to go for robust hikes in the mountains, leisurely bicycle rides down winding, country roads stopping for lunch in some tiny little roadside cafe, or camping with the grandkids and teaching them about the beauty of God's creation and how much fun it is to tell ghost stories around the campfire on a starlit summer's night. And time to really enjoy having horses...going for a ride at the drop of a hat, taking dressage lessons and finally learning some finer techniques that I've always admired other people performing with their horses. Or, curling up in my favorite chair to enjoy a good book and feeling no guilt at falling asleep for an afternoon nap in the sunshine.

Oh, and let's not forget about travel. Oh, how I'd love to travel the world and all the exotic places that I've seen pictures of! I'd go to Australia and Switzerland, then maybe a Caribbean cruise to Jamaica. I'd travel to old Italy where I'd rent a loft and live as the locals...spending enough time there to really savor the lifestyle and the food and the customs of the people. And of course, throughout there'd be pictures and memories and stories to be told and retold.

And wouldn't it be grand to spend as much time as you'd want (of course) sailing in the Mediterranean, or the tropical islands of the Caribbean soaking up sunshine, swimming and snorkelling in the ocean and visiting all those glorious little ports of islands, poking about in quaint little shops and restaurants...sigh...I sure can dream with the best of 'em huh?

Always have been a dreamer...probably always will be. Maybe someday, some of my dreams just might come true. Then again, maybe not...who knows? But it can't hurt to dream, and see those beautiful places in my mind's eye. It's a lovely place to visit, even if only for a while...

But, like my friend told me recently...you got to be a cowgirl. Do you know how many of us always wanted to be a cowgirl?

She's right. I got to be a cowgirl. And it is positively grand!

And for that, I will be eternally grateful...for without horses in my life - well, I just don't even wanna go there.

My advice? Keep all your dreams alive...for you just never know where they might lead you.

Besides, what else are you gonna do on a dreary day in mid February while you're at work?

:) cingspots