The Daily News

Well hello again!  Not a whole lot happening in my neck of the woods lately, but thought I'd just do a quickie posting here and see what transpires from my thoughts.  Scary thought huh?  :)

I have my annual doctor's visits all lined up and ready to go...oh boy.  Visited my primary care doc last week and did that fun bit, but I'm happy to report that most things are still in good working order, and that's the one that I look forward to the least.  Had my labs done and have to go back for a little talk time about some adjustments that are required, but nothing too bad.  The mammo is at the end of this month, then the annual trip to my eye doctor and that's it for another year!  Yay!!  I always feel so happy to have them behind me again...I've been blessed with very good health all my life so far, but I still hate going to the doctor.  I feel the same way about visiting the dentist, in fact I have some real fear where dentists are involved, but I really don't know why.  I have a fear of pain, I guess!  Maybe it's all that equipment just for a tiny mouth...not really sure.  Anyhoo!!

We got our third delivery from Bountiful Baskets last Saturday, and once again it was a true bounty of fresh produce.  We got mangoes this time!  I love mangoes!!  More lettuce, radishes, bananas, asparagus (yum), lemons, celery and some bokchoy.  There might have been something else, but I can't remember what.  Anyway, so far we're doing very well at keeping the produce eaten up and nothing has really gone to waste, except for that bunch of mint from the prior week.  I occasionally use fresh mint in iced tea in the summer, but I let it go bad.  :(  Just couldn't think of what to use it for...I will just add it to my compost pile and get some benefit out of it in that small way.

I have been working with Eagle and last night he was in no mood for a session...poor guy, he just wanted to go in and have dinner, and I made him work instead...I actually heard him squeal and throw his head down and give it a little shake!  He thought about bucking, but decided against that.  :)  I really believe that Eagle internalizes most of his feelings instead of showing his anger or unhappy emotions with reaction.  That's not necessarily a good thing, in my opinion.  I would really prefer that he felt comfortable enough to show his true emotions, regardless of what they are.  I think that with time, he will feel more secure in exhibiting his feelings, but for right now, I believe that he is still rather afraid to show his unhappy side.  Maybe in his past, he was seriously punished for "bad" behavior.  I'm not sure, but I bear in mind those whip marks on his butt cheeks as evidence of severe repercussions for something.  I have faith that he will be perfect one day soon, he is that wonderful.  I just don't want his feet and his mind getting stuck, and then really blowing someday when everything builds steam.  I don't really fear that happening though, he's pretty serene and laid back most of the time.  I asked him (fairly aggressively) for a canter in the round pen last night.  Going to the left, he obliged grudgingly, but he did it.  Well, actually Eagle doesn't canter, but goes from a trot, to a very fast trot, to a full-blown hand gallop.  There is nothing in between because he's not that relaxed with speed.  We're working on relaxing where speed is involved.  Anyway, he went into this very fast gallop and promptly slipped and nearly went to his knees.  He whipped his gaze in my direction, which clearly stated that his misstep was my fault.  *sigh*  I simply carried on as if nothing had happened.  One more full circle, then asked him to walk, which he does immediately...his favorite word other than whoa, which is swift and sure.  The boy prefers his snuggle time to work, hands down.  :)  Going to the right, I never did get him into anything more than a very fast trot.  He was huffing and puffing, and so was I.  Crap.  Since it was fairly dark, I decided to walk him out and let it go for the day.  It really wasn't where I wanted to end things, but we'd ran out of light and were going nowhere in a hurry.  We'll pick it up on another day.  Our relaxed walk time was sweet and quiet, and for that, at least I am thankful.

Ladde's 17th birthday is coming up on March 20th, the first day of spring.  I simply cannot believe that my big, baby boy is that old...it seems like only yesterday that he was born.  He has been a blessing to us every single day since that wonderful morning on March 20, 1996.  Wow, does time ever fly!!!

I'm really looking forward to spring and the warmer, longer days to come.  The flowers, gardening, time spent on the deck and everything else that the warmer season involves.  I really, really want to make the most of this spring and summer.  I want to have friends over for bbq's, go camping and horseback riding, do the silly summer fairs and anything and everything else that we can think of.  I want to enjoy life and spend sweet, idle time with my husband and with friends and family.  Savor our time together and be thankful for everything in our lives.

Blessings and until next time,
Lorie @ Cingspots