Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Strength from within

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not."
                                                                                                        ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson


The little rabbit stood alone, watching her family and friends hop and skip about her in the forest, playing her favorite rabbit game.  Try as she might, each time she attempted to join in, she tripped about awkwardly.  When this happened, the other rabbits laughed uproariously at her and called her "Grace".  Soon even she forgot her real name.  But in the moments when Grace was alone, she danced around the trees with ease.  She was as smooth and graceful as any ballerina.  An old owl sat high above her one night, watching her intently.  The moonlight streamed through the treetops like a soft spotlight and he sat and watched as little Grace moved in and out of the moonbeams.  Finally he said, "Grace, you are more graceful than any creature I've ever seen."  Grace was startled that someone had been watching her, but listened carefully to the wise owl's words as he continued.  "You have carried this beauty within you all the time, but locked it inside when you tried too hard."

If we remember to relax and trust in ourselves, we too, will discover that we are able.

For me, it's so easy to forget my inner strengths and abilities.  It's when I need to take a deep breath, relax and draw on that which lies below the surface; forget that anyone is watching and step out in faith.  Like that old John Wayne saying goes, "Courage is being afraid and mounting up anyway".  Can you relate?

I'm working very hard on stepping up and drawing upon the courage to do what I'm afraid to do.  I know I have the ability, the knowledge and the strength...I just need that little nudge to step up in faith and do it anyway.

This past Memorial Day weekend was much more pleasant weather-wise than our weathermen have been predicting.  We had originally made plans to go horse camping with our riding club. We always enjoy the beautiful Mt. Adams Wilderness area, the wonderful riding trails, the time spent with good friends, and sitting around the camp fire.  But, since we sold our horse trailer, we are once again, tent campers; and we didn't relish the idea of camping in the rain, with horses, dogs and mud.  A couple of nights last week Mt. Adams horse camp got snow.  Uh-huh, I don't think so...

So, we opted to stay home and let the chips fall where they may.  Footloose and fancy-free, and all that.  We worked on some projects around home, planted a few flowers in the beds, did some laundry, changed linens and general housecleaning duties.  We also took a day trip to the beach.  It was beautiful.  We took two long, leisurely walks, collected some sea treasures and had lunch overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean.  We ate saltwater taffy and took pictures.  My hubby had the horse chores all finished so when we got back home, we just brought the horses in for the night and watched a little tv until bedtime.  It was a wonderful day.  On Memorial Day, we were just plain lazy.  We watched old war movies on television, ate popcorn, built a fire in the wood stove and lounged around in sweats.  I fixed spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner.  I don't even remember brushing my hair...it was heavenly!



Today, I'm back at work and my hubby is home with the horseshoer.  Sugar gets her special wedged shoes on the front, but otherwise it's just trims for everybody else.  On June 9th, we have an appointment with a gal who will be coming out to fit Ladde and Eagle for Easy Boot Back Country shoes.  They run $80 per shoe, and we're hoping that after our initial investment, we'll save by not having to pay over $100 every 8 weeks for shoeing refits.  We're just going to use them on the fronts and leave the backs barefoot.  These shoes will hopefully last 2-3 years depending on how often and how many miles we put on them.  I can't wait to try them out.  I am so ready for a trail ride!!

We've taken Eagle to a couple of clinics lately.  He has made me so proud!!  He's a nervous hauler, he internalizes his stress and sweats something fierce, but after some initial jitters, he relaxes and calms right down and focuses on me, and pretty much does every single thing asked of him.  What heart this horse has!!  He has more try and absolutely wants to please more than any horse I've ever known!!  He just amazes me with what he's overcome and how very brave he is despite having had such a rough past.  He does have a pretty wide lazy streak.  The boy likes to saunter, relax and snuggle.  We're going to make a perfect pair!  :)  He's got an amazing trot too.  If I were interested in showing in Western classes, this boy would be a natural.  But, I'm thinking he'll enjoy some beautiful, relaxing and scenic trail rides just as much as I do.  I have no desire to be in the show ring.  Ever again.  I hate politics, and I hate how they want and expect a Western horse to move.  It's ugly, it's unnatural and it makes the horse look lame.  I like my horses to have beautiful, forward and fluid movement, on a loose rein.  I can't wait to get him out on some trails and see how he reacts.  We're making progress Eags and I.  Not as quickly as I'd hoped, and probably not as fast as many people think we should, but we're not here to impress or satisfy anyone, but ourselves.  We're developing a beautiful, trusting relationship; and that's what matters to me.  And it's very, very important to Eagle.  Whenever my hubby would hold Eagle for me when I went for a poddy break, or to get a drink of water or something, he'd watch for me to come back.  And if he heard my voice, he'd whip his head in the direction of my voice and watch me approach...*sigh*  That just makes my heart go pitter-patter.  :)  I LOVE this horse!!!  I don't ever, ever, ever want to do anything to jeopardize the trust we're building.



Anyway, hope you all had a wonderful and long Memorial Day weekend.  Don't you wish all weekends lasted 3 days?  Seems so much more balanced and right.

Blessings everyone,
Lorie @ Cingspots


13 comments:

Strawberry Lane said...

Loved your post. Sounds like a perfect weekend. Now about that beautiful horse "Eagle" ... just have to send him a big HUG! He's sounds so wonderful.

Oak Creek Ranch said...

I loved my three day weekend too. I'm with you on the unnatural western look. Your bond with Eagle sounds wonderful.

Lea and her Mustangs said...

It was a good weekend for us too. A birthday party for Seth our grandson and a trip up to Priest Lake to spend an afternoon and evening with friends who were horse camping. Sunday after church we took flowers to the cemetery. Not only to our childrens graves but some neighbors and friends who Iknow, no one else would bother. We have so many lilacs and hawthorn tree blooming that we had an abundance. Monday Bob went to work on fence where we hope to take the cows next weekend and I was lazy. Today I had to have that nasty nuclear tests on my heart. Two large syringes of radio active isatopes into my arm, to sessions under the camera and a fast run on the treadmill. Everything is OK and I am not sure they will do it again just routinely. It makes me sick to my stomach later and I don't like it at all. Glad your weekend was good, hope you can take Eagle on a trail ride soon.
Blessings,
Lea

Sherry Sikstrom said...

what a wonderful story to start, and as for you and Eagle, it will take the time it takes , that is all

Unknown said...

That story was beautiful and really really home. How do you always know?

I'm glad you are getting in some time with Eagle, he sounds like a great boy. What a wonderful way to spend a weekend.

Carolynn Anctil said...

My word for this year is "courage", although I'm not sure I've been living up to it. It's still early, right?

I'm glad to hear you had such a lovely weekend and that all your animals are doing so well.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...


At the last horse show we attended I was pleased to learn that the trend is starting to turn more toward the natural way of "going", instead of that awful peanut pushing they expect a quarter horse to do recently.

I do love a three day weekend, seems right, absolutely.

aurora said...

What a great story & message! Yes, I can relate to John's saying, but it doesn't make it any easier. I can read between the lines, no worries, you will find the courage in good time. Until then, it's not the right time - and, to h-e-double toothpick to whatever anyone else thinks!

Don't blame you a bit on the tent camping in less then ideal weather. There will be another time.

I have been yearning to get back to the ocean...it's been well over a dozen years. My hubby doesn't get it, he is all about the mountains. I love them too, but a powerful ocean speaks volumes too...I would love to see the West Coast. Some day.

Glad you had a good long weekend. Life has been so rushed, I don't even remember what I did on Memorial Day. Sad but true. However we took a much needed break with our horses this week, twas absolutely awesome. I will be curious to see how you like the Easy Boot Back Country shoes. We want to ride some trails that require some type of protection.

Grey Horse Matters said...

Your weekend sounds wonderful. I think you were better off not camping in the tent. Plenty of time in the summer to get out on the trails.

Eagle is a dream horse. I wouldn't push him either but let the relationship develop at his pace. Even though I don't ride western I've seen many shows and could never understand why they wouldn't want the horses to use their naturally beautiful flowing gaits. Who ever came up with the idea of having a horse going around so it looks lame anyway. That's just so wrong. Well enough on my opinions. There's plenty wrong with English competitions too. I probably won't show again either because of the politics. Had enough of all that in the past.

Grey Horse Matters said...

p.s. love your songs.

Unknown said...

Haven't heard anything from you in a long time, just wanted to make sure you are ok.

Lea and her Mustangs said...

Lorie, what is up. Almost 2 months. I am praying for you.

allhorsestuff said...

Hi Lorie!
I've Been A Hit And Miss Internet User This Summer..So Sorry I've Missed This.
Is Your Courage Back??

We Got To Go Camping Once With Horses. Was Nice. Though We
Sleapt I The Trailer, It Beats
tenting It, For Me!

Eagle Sounds Dreamy. You Just Take All The Time In The World..There Is No One That Matters More Than You, On His Training Agenda. He's All Yours, And What You Do With Him Counts Between You And Him, No One Else! I Had To LearThat The Hard Way, With Mine. Gentle Trust, Over Horse Dominance Agenda!

Hey Shot Me A Mail So We Can Chat...Tell Me What's Up!
Kac