Simple pleasures

For me, right at the top of my list is spending time with my horse.  I have more than one horse, so it's a different and unique experience with each one.  They are all so special, and different from one another.  But when we are together, I am with my horse.  Wholly, completely in love and awe of that beautiful individual.  My horse.  

I am never more at peace than time spent in the presence of our horses.  I wouldn't give that up for all the money in the world.  And it's a good thing, because I might actually have some money if we didn't have horses!  Aahh, but money doesn't snuggle up to your neck and give you goosebumps and make you giggle in delight.  You can't wrap your arms around money and bury your nose in their sweet, sweet scent.  You can't cry on their shoulders and tell all your problems to money, and money does not love you in return, or nicker in the silence at your return.  That's heaven!  There is simply no more precious pleasure than spending time with a horse.  God's greatest gift to mankind...

And speaking of spending time with my horse - my time with Eagle last night was incredible.  We were both relaxed and everything we did, we did together.  I asked and Eagle tried.  That's all I've ever wanted from him, and he gave of his heart and for that, I am thankful.  He is a beautiful soul, gentle and kind.  Super, super sensitive and tender.  His trust in humans is so very tender, he brings forth such emotion from me that I have trouble putting into words how he makes me feel.  I am so honored to have this relationship with him.  It is the most beautiful thing just being with this horse.  Anyway, before I get really weepy and make myself cry, I just want to say that our session was an overall success.  I set up poles and some barrels, we did some walking and trotting in the round pen.  We went for a little stroll, we backed, I did some work on the mounting block, and only twice put my foot in the stirrup, applied some pressure and removed it, from the off-side only.  But Eagle stood quietly, elevated his head slightly, but waited. We did hindquarter release, flexing both directions, backing and even a little flag work. Eagle was groomed, saddled and throughout most everything, he remained quiet and relaxed.  I decided not to try mounting and have something go wrong, so we called it good and will pick it up again on another day.  Likely this evening.  I just heaved a big sigh of relief that everything went so well.  We still have a ways to go to get back to where we were last fall, but I have faith.  We will get there.  I just have to learn to have patience and not to expect to just pick up where we left off last year.  Consistency is the name of the game.

This is a picture of Eagle taken just before I picked him up.  He had apparently gotten tired of climbing the mountain and decided to stop and have a little rest.  He was on the end of a 4-horse pack string and Kate had to go about a quarter mile up the trail to find a place to dismount and tie the horses up, and go back for Eagle.   Silly guy, he was just standing there resting and waiting for her...

 Another simple pleasure for me is spending time with my husband.  He can be really annoying at times, but he really is my best friend.  We've been together for almost 33 years and I don't know what I'd do without him. This was taken in Hawaii and we'd just been snorkeling in the bay behind us in the picture. I remember feeling pretty fried.  

*sigh*  Will I ever have a waistline?  Oh well, it is what it is...

Another simple pleasure that I just love is spending time with our animals.  Over the years we've had our share of dogs, cats, horses and even a few birds.  But the joy we've experienced with our dogs is just the best.  Best friends, indeed!  

Oh, when I start thinking about all the simple pleasures in my life, then and now - I get overwhelmed with emotion, nostalgia and above all, thankfulness.  I am blessed!  

I could go on and on...trips to the beach, horseback riding, walks with the dogs, swimming, lying in the sun, beautiful flowers, long baths, sleeping in, family and dear friends, pie, vegetable gardens, sunsets, puppies, ice cream, vacations, a good book, pie, kisses, soft and squishy pillows, did I say pie?  :)

Blessings everyone,
Lorie