Tomorrow is that most American of holidays - Thanksgiving. In the spirit of the occasion I have decided to list the things I am most thankful for.
1 - I am thankful for my family. God brought me the perfect man, and we have been together for 25 years. My children aren't perfect, but they are to me and I am amazed everyday I created these two exceptional humans.
2 - I am thankful for the country we live in. America isn't perfect, but I'm glad to be here where I have the freedom to disagree with others and grouse about taxes and other issues without having to worry about who is going to show up at my door.
3 - I am thankful God blessed me an incredible imagination and the gift of gab. It makes being a writer much easier.
4 - I am thankful for my friends and colleagues in all three professional areas of my life: as a business owner, as a writer, and as a volunteer with rescued horses.
5 - I am thankful for all the varied blessing in my life. They are too many to name, but I try to acknowledge them each. I look carefully each day because sometimes a blessing can be disguised as a problem. It's all in how you perceive things!
6 - I am thankful for my animals, all of them. Whether small or large, my animals are my children just like darling daughter and sensational son. Our family would be lost without them.
7 - Most important, I am thankful for each and every one out there. What a wonderful world this is!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Enjoy your turkey and dressing, don't eat too much pumpkin pie, and I'll see everyone next week as we begin the countdown to the end of the world (or at least 2012!)
Showing posts with label Animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Animals. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Oh Well, Tomorrow is Another Day
The elections are over. No, my person didn't win but that's OK. Now it is time to move past the heat of the moment and concentrate on other important issues. Such as:
1 - Why does Wal-Mart start loading in the Christmas decorations before Halloween is even over? It is so hard to find turkey decorations unless I want mistletoe hanging over their heads. I want each holiday to have its own moment in the sun. Is that so much to ask?
2 - The Northeast, who got socked again today with another nor'easter. We should all pray for a quick restoration of services, especially for heating as the temperatures begin to drop further. It will be a long time before the Jersey Shore returns to their glory days.
3 - There's a blog hop coming next week! For those of us who are unfamiliar with the concept: over two hundred authors / bloggers will be devoting their columns to Autumn, and its importance to each of us. More importantly - there will be prize drawings on every blog, PLUS 3 Grand Prize Swag Bags drawn from comment posts on all sites. Be sure to visit - you never know what writer's can give away!
4 - This year is rapidly drawing to a close. That means it's time for holiday television shows and sale circulars. But this year why not try to spread cheer to someone less fortunate than yourself. Volunteer at a shelter or soup kitchen, donate blood to the Red Cross, adopt an older dog or cat from a shelter, organize neighbors to collect items to send to those ravaged by Superstorm Sandy. Remember to give back - it is the gift no amount of money can equal.
America is, in my honest opinion, the best country on the face of the earth. Why? Because where else on this planet can over 100 million different people cast a ballot based on their personal convictions without fear of retribution or their ballot not counting. We need to look back at the ideals our Founding Fathers set on paper. True so of them are antiquated and not relevant today, but the basic principles still stand:
"We the People, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense, support the general welfare and secure the blessings of Liberty, for ourselves and posterity to ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America."
1 - Why does Wal-Mart start loading in the Christmas decorations before Halloween is even over? It is so hard to find turkey decorations unless I want mistletoe hanging over their heads. I want each holiday to have its own moment in the sun. Is that so much to ask?
2 - The Northeast, who got socked again today with another nor'easter. We should all pray for a quick restoration of services, especially for heating as the temperatures begin to drop further. It will be a long time before the Jersey Shore returns to their glory days.
3 - There's a blog hop coming next week! For those of us who are unfamiliar with the concept: over two hundred authors / bloggers will be devoting their columns to Autumn, and its importance to each of us. More importantly - there will be prize drawings on every blog, PLUS 3 Grand Prize Swag Bags drawn from comment posts on all sites. Be sure to visit - you never know what writer's can give away!
4 - This year is rapidly drawing to a close. That means it's time for holiday television shows and sale circulars. But this year why not try to spread cheer to someone less fortunate than yourself. Volunteer at a shelter or soup kitchen, donate blood to the Red Cross, adopt an older dog or cat from a shelter, organize neighbors to collect items to send to those ravaged by Superstorm Sandy. Remember to give back - it is the gift no amount of money can equal.
America is, in my honest opinion, the best country on the face of the earth. Why? Because where else on this planet can over 100 million different people cast a ballot based on their personal convictions without fear of retribution or their ballot not counting. We need to look back at the ideals our Founding Fathers set on paper. True so of them are antiquated and not relevant today, but the basic principles still stand:
"We the People, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense, support the general welfare and secure the blessings of Liberty, for ourselves and posterity to ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America."
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Something From Another Life...
i don't normally cross my blog audiences, but this time I will make an exception. For those who don't know, I volunteer at Blue Skies Riding Academy, a 501c(3) non-profit horse rescue and retraining facility. I posted this on my rescue blog "Vincent and the Big Adventure." I apologize for an inconvenience this may present. My regularly scheduled snark will continue next week.
Yesterday was the Blue Skies Riding Academy's 2nd Annual Fall Festival. We had a bounce house, games, pony rides, the fire department came out, and concessions were fabulous. It was a great day and lots of fun. While the event was fun for everyone, the meaning behind not so pretty. Winter is coming, it's time to prepare for the lean months.
When you work with rescued animals, the need to raise funds is constant. As long as the economic climate in this country remains volatile, the volume of animals needing help will continue to grow. With each save, the need for money to feed these innocent bystanders grows. Whether assisting cats, dogs, or horses the people and groups working with these fringe survivors are heroes. We see things which would appall most people.
BSRA saves horses. We bring them to a place of love, we feed them and heal their physical wounds. Once they are well on the way to recovery, the instructors and volunteers begin identifying their previous training. Interesting isn't it, we have these animals, who have come from many different backgrounds, and we only know what we can learn from watching and riding them. Some have little to no training, like Daisy. Others we know were racehorses, such as Oakley (Chilean Princess) and with a few there is only silence. A black void where only our imaginations dare to venture.
Once we know each animal's training, we build on that to restore their jobs to them. Horses need their jobs, it is their part of the unspoken contract between man and beast. We provide the food, shelter, protection and the animals help plow our fields, carry us to market or to war, provide a friend to listen when only a strong silent type will do. We build relationships with them and they with us. Part of that relationship is to swear they will never end up hungry and scared again.
Drought has caused the prices of hay to rise dramatically. The grains which go into commercial feed have risen as well. With the economic putting the squeeze on everyone, rescues are relying more and more on donations to keep rounds bales in the pastures and feed in the buckets. Forgetting reseeding pastures for spring; if it is between buying seed or buying grain, you buy what grain you can and seed when there is extra.
I don't usually use my blog to solicit funds, but harsh times call for new measures. Rescues need help, regardless of what area of the country you live in. $7.00 purchases one square bale of hay, $50.00 one round bale. We have 25 horses, and go through 100 square bales a month. There are 6 active pastures, that means 12 to 18 round bales per month. That does not include grain, supplements, farrier visits, vet trips or chiropractic. Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming.
So, as we enter into fall, knowing the holiday seasons will soon be upon us, how about sharing a little love for your local rescue? When you go shopping, add an extra bag of dog or cat food for the county animal shelter. $14 can feed our herd of horses with hay for one day; $20 would include hay and grain for one day. But any amount is needed. If you live in other parts of this great nation, look around. There is a struggling rescue in your area, working tirelessly to save the innocent from man's neglect and abuse. If you don't have money to give, volunteer! Just coming around these animals will restore your inner strength, your faith that we have a greater purpose on this planet.
If you would like to contribute to Blue Skies, there is a pay pal button on our website: www.blueskiesridingacademy.com. And stop by sometime - identify yourself as a patron, and come meet the magnificent beasts who owe you their thanks. It will change your life.
Yesterday was the Blue Skies Riding Academy's 2nd Annual Fall Festival. We had a bounce house, games, pony rides, the fire department came out, and concessions were fabulous. It was a great day and lots of fun. While the event was fun for everyone, the meaning behind not so pretty. Winter is coming, it's time to prepare for the lean months.
When you work with rescued animals, the need to raise funds is constant. As long as the economic climate in this country remains volatile, the volume of animals needing help will continue to grow. With each save, the need for money to feed these innocent bystanders grows. Whether assisting cats, dogs, or horses the people and groups working with these fringe survivors are heroes. We see things which would appall most people.
BSRA saves horses. We bring them to a place of love, we feed them and heal their physical wounds. Once they are well on the way to recovery, the instructors and volunteers begin identifying their previous training. Interesting isn't it, we have these animals, who have come from many different backgrounds, and we only know what we can learn from watching and riding them. Some have little to no training, like Daisy. Others we know were racehorses, such as Oakley (Chilean Princess) and with a few there is only silence. A black void where only our imaginations dare to venture.
Once we know each animal's training, we build on that to restore their jobs to them. Horses need their jobs, it is their part of the unspoken contract between man and beast. We provide the food, shelter, protection and the animals help plow our fields, carry us to market or to war, provide a friend to listen when only a strong silent type will do. We build relationships with them and they with us. Part of that relationship is to swear they will never end up hungry and scared again.
Drought has caused the prices of hay to rise dramatically. The grains which go into commercial feed have risen as well. With the economic putting the squeeze on everyone, rescues are relying more and more on donations to keep rounds bales in the pastures and feed in the buckets. Forgetting reseeding pastures for spring; if it is between buying seed or buying grain, you buy what grain you can and seed when there is extra.
I don't usually use my blog to solicit funds, but harsh times call for new measures. Rescues need help, regardless of what area of the country you live in. $7.00 purchases one square bale of hay, $50.00 one round bale. We have 25 horses, and go through 100 square bales a month. There are 6 active pastures, that means 12 to 18 round bales per month. That does not include grain, supplements, farrier visits, vet trips or chiropractic. Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming.
So, as we enter into fall, knowing the holiday seasons will soon be upon us, how about sharing a little love for your local rescue? When you go shopping, add an extra bag of dog or cat food for the county animal shelter. $14 can feed our herd of horses with hay for one day; $20 would include hay and grain for one day. But any amount is needed. If you live in other parts of this great nation, look around. There is a struggling rescue in your area, working tirelessly to save the innocent from man's neglect and abuse. If you don't have money to give, volunteer! Just coming around these animals will restore your inner strength, your faith that we have a greater purpose on this planet.
If you would like to contribute to Blue Skies, there is a pay pal button on our website: www.blueskiesridingacademy.com. And stop by sometime - identify yourself as a patron, and come meet the magnificent beasts who owe you their thanks. It will change your life.
Monday, March 19, 2012
25 Randon Things About Me...
1) My mother was in a math honor society, my father was an aeronautic engineer and I have problems adding 2 + 2 without a calculator.
2) There was a family portrait of my great-great-great-great-great grandmother where the eyes followed where ever in the room you were standing. I would not go into that room after dark unless all the lights were on and someone came with me.
3) I love old movies. It is great to share with my parents movies they saw during the 30's, 40's, and 50s.
4) When I was in elementary school, my grandmother used to pick me up from school every day. It started being embarrassing about 5th grade, especially after the police stopped her one afternoon for driving 15mph in a 45.
5) My husband and I have worked together 24/7/365 for 17 years. It works because we are usually never stressed at the same time.
6) When I was a child, I used to think that if I didn't do things in the same order every day something bad would happen to me. That was the beginning of my OCD. I still do the same routine every morning: shower, moisturizer, teeth, makeup, hair. Steve thinks I am really weird.
7) I always wanted a dog as a child, but my mom and dad both had issues about dogs.
8) One of my favorite memories of my dad is from when I was a teenager. I worked at Six Flags and he and I got home from work about the same time every morning (God bless the night shift!). We would sit up for hours and discuss every time from politics to religion to absolutely meaningless crap, but it was great because it was just us two.
9) My brother, sister and I all married left handed people, but only one of our offspring is left handed (my sister's daughter).
10) My first boyfriend was from Cumming and grew up on a farm.
11) I had a near death experience as a child. It has shaped my view on Heaven, God and the afterlife ever since.
12) I love horses and always wanted to work with them until I found out there was no money in it. I love the time I spend volunteering at Blue Skies. Winston Churchill once said "There is something about the outside of the horse that is good for the inside of a man" and i firmly believe that is true.
13) I am scared of certain heights. I cannot dive, but I love roller coasters. I love glass elevators, but cannot stand at the edge and look down. I think it is because I was pushed off a high dive as a child. (By my swim teacher of all people!!)
14) My children are my greatest accomplishments. They are each amazing in different ways. I know they will be close even after Dad and Mom are long gone.
15) I would rather read a good book than watch a bad movie. Do not try to understand my reading tastes - they range from biography to science fiction. One summer I decided to read nothing but Russian novelists.
16) Soon my first book will be published. I think everyone will like it. At least, I hope so.
17) My sister and I were never close until we got older.
18) If I am your friend, know that I will stick up for you till hell freezes over unless you throw me under the bus. Then - it is on.
19) When we retire I want to spend at least a year travelling with Steve and the dogs in an RV. Afterward we can settle down and live out our days.
20) If I could go back and start again from, say 9th grade, I cannot think of many things that I would change.
21) My favorite sport is soccer.
22) I didn't think this would be as hard as it has been.
23) Why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways?
24) I only watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. The game itself (GO Steelers!!!) gets too slow.
25) I love my family and pray for them each every day.
2) There was a family portrait of my great-great-great-great-great grandmother where the eyes followed where ever in the room you were standing. I would not go into that room after dark unless all the lights were on and someone came with me.
3) I love old movies. It is great to share with my parents movies they saw during the 30's, 40's, and 50s.
4) When I was in elementary school, my grandmother used to pick me up from school every day. It started being embarrassing about 5th grade, especially after the police stopped her one afternoon for driving 15mph in a 45.
5) My husband and I have worked together 24/7/365 for 17 years. It works because we are usually never stressed at the same time.
6) When I was a child, I used to think that if I didn't do things in the same order every day something bad would happen to me. That was the beginning of my OCD. I still do the same routine every morning: shower, moisturizer, teeth, makeup, hair. Steve thinks I am really weird.
7) I always wanted a dog as a child, but my mom and dad both had issues about dogs.
8) One of my favorite memories of my dad is from when I was a teenager. I worked at Six Flags and he and I got home from work about the same time every morning (God bless the night shift!). We would sit up for hours and discuss every time from politics to religion to absolutely meaningless crap, but it was great because it was just us two.
9) My brother, sister and I all married left handed people, but only one of our offspring is left handed (my sister's daughter).
10) My first boyfriend was from Cumming and grew up on a farm.
11) I had a near death experience as a child. It has shaped my view on Heaven, God and the afterlife ever since.
12) I love horses and always wanted to work with them until I found out there was no money in it. I love the time I spend volunteering at Blue Skies. Winston Churchill once said "There is something about the outside of the horse that is good for the inside of a man" and i firmly believe that is true.
13) I am scared of certain heights. I cannot dive, but I love roller coasters. I love glass elevators, but cannot stand at the edge and look down. I think it is because I was pushed off a high dive as a child. (By my swim teacher of all people!!)
14) My children are my greatest accomplishments. They are each amazing in different ways. I know they will be close even after Dad and Mom are long gone.
15) I would rather read a good book than watch a bad movie. Do not try to understand my reading tastes - they range from biography to science fiction. One summer I decided to read nothing but Russian novelists.
16) Soon my first book will be published. I think everyone will like it. At least, I hope so.
17) My sister and I were never close until we got older.
18) If I am your friend, know that I will stick up for you till hell freezes over unless you throw me under the bus. Then - it is on.
19) When we retire I want to spend at least a year travelling with Steve and the dogs in an RV. Afterward we can settle down and live out our days.
20) If I could go back and start again from, say 9th grade, I cannot think of many things that I would change.
21) My favorite sport is soccer.
22) I didn't think this would be as hard as it has been.
23) Why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways?
24) I only watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. The game itself (GO Steelers!!!) gets too slow.
25) I love my family and pray for them each every day.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
My Life Is So Interesting...
So, I love animals. All animals, but my favorite (forgive me my puppies!) are horses. I have been horse crazy since I was a little girl. My earliest memories are of a pony ride at the fairgrounds in Florida when I was no more than three years old. Ever since that moment, I knew these magnificent creatures would be in my life.
I now have three equine members of my family: Penny (Registered Name: How Much Money) a lovely 16yo Quarter Horse mare with good lucks and a loving personality. She was my daughter's first horse and considers my dear daughter her personal property. Second is AraBella, part Welsh Pony part Arabian. Bella was my first rescue adoption. She had given birth only to have her foal stolen by the alpha mare in her pasture. It has taken over a year to get her back on track and happy. She loves to jump and has a typical pony attitude.
My newest addition came last summer - Vince. Registered Name - Vincent Van Versa, Vince is 12yo and has just been confirmed as having been exposed to EPM, a parasitic infection in horses which attacks the Central Nervous System. The symptoms Vince has include tripping, loss of balance and moodiness. After much conversation we have elected to take him to the University of Auburn vet school for further testing.
Every source I have read in the past twenty-four hours since our suspicions were confirmed in a blood test says time is of the essence in treatment of EPM. While I do not want to subject Vince to unnecessary pain, I do want to know for sure if this is EPM or just a neurological problem. Also, it is important to keep a journal of good days and bad days to track his progress.
So, I will be starting a new blog, in addition to this one and my CATALYST - Guardian Rising blogs. While I will try to keep this blog positive and display my usual acerbic wit, occasionally my trials with Vincent may spill over. If it does, I ask you to bear with me. As with any writer, my personal life affects what I write. Believe it or not, it takes a lot of effort to be pithy.
With this I mind, I close with tonight's thought. Animals were put on this planet as man's companions. Our treatment of the animal kingdom in general is appalling, and I weep for the innocents sent to the hell of slaughter or gas chambers because of man's incompetence and cruelty. As a species we should be ashamed of how we treat the animals of the world.
No, I am not a vegetarian. However I do eat organically raised hormone free beef and free range chicken and eggs from chickens that have been fed a vegan diet. I also do not eat any animal with which I have developed a personal relationship or who are not meant for food, it - horses. Not everyone suscribes to my ideology and that's fine. This is America - we all have a right to say what we want. You have the right to not read this blog.
But I remind you of this - would you eat your family dog?
I now have three equine members of my family: Penny (Registered Name: How Much Money) a lovely 16yo Quarter Horse mare with good lucks and a loving personality. She was my daughter's first horse and considers my dear daughter her personal property. Second is AraBella, part Welsh Pony part Arabian. Bella was my first rescue adoption. She had given birth only to have her foal stolen by the alpha mare in her pasture. It has taken over a year to get her back on track and happy. She loves to jump and has a typical pony attitude.
My newest addition came last summer - Vince. Registered Name - Vincent Van Versa, Vince is 12yo and has just been confirmed as having been exposed to EPM, a parasitic infection in horses which attacks the Central Nervous System. The symptoms Vince has include tripping, loss of balance and moodiness. After much conversation we have elected to take him to the University of Auburn vet school for further testing.
Every source I have read in the past twenty-four hours since our suspicions were confirmed in a blood test says time is of the essence in treatment of EPM. While I do not want to subject Vince to unnecessary pain, I do want to know for sure if this is EPM or just a neurological problem. Also, it is important to keep a journal of good days and bad days to track his progress.
So, I will be starting a new blog, in addition to this one and my CATALYST - Guardian Rising blogs. While I will try to keep this blog positive and display my usual acerbic wit, occasionally my trials with Vincent may spill over. If it does, I ask you to bear with me. As with any writer, my personal life affects what I write. Believe it or not, it takes a lot of effort to be pithy.
With this I mind, I close with tonight's thought. Animals were put on this planet as man's companions. Our treatment of the animal kingdom in general is appalling, and I weep for the innocents sent to the hell of slaughter or gas chambers because of man's incompetence and cruelty. As a species we should be ashamed of how we treat the animals of the world.
No, I am not a vegetarian. However I do eat organically raised hormone free beef and free range chicken and eggs from chickens that have been fed a vegan diet. I also do not eat any animal with which I have developed a personal relationship or who are not meant for food, it - horses. Not everyone suscribes to my ideology and that's fine. This is America - we all have a right to say what we want. You have the right to not read this blog.
But I remind you of this - would you eat your family dog?
Saturday, November 12, 2011
For Tess
Job 35:11 Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’
Men are frequently confused by the relationship between women and horses. Perhaps there is no rational explanation, we love them for more reasons than one can list. We are introduced to these mighty beasts, we come to understand them as well as we do ourselves. We know when they are happy and we fret when they are ill. Carrying themselves with a grace and fluidity we envy for its ease., they take us to heights never imagined. The normal, every day frustrations and stresses disperse from simple acknowledgement by a nicker when we enter the barn. They make of us more than we are.
Today we helped a beloved friend ease across the Rainbow Bridge. For more than twenty-seven years, Tess was the light in her "mother's" eyes. A bold and fearless mare who gave all she had and when the end came, she met it with the same fire and determination which carried her across jumps and fields. Tess had her Mary with her and Tia in the next stall and the memories of the days of glory to take with her. She left behind in all of us memories and hoof prints we will never be able to erase from our hearts.
Why do we gravitate to horses? Shrinks and researchers have entire lists of reasons, most them are bull. Horses are big and strong when we feel weak and unable. They are unconditional love at a time when girls want someone to love us for ourselves. They never judge us, or tell us we need to lose weight or do better in school. A warm shoulder to cry on, a friend we can spill out secrets to with a guarantee of silence. They are our first encounter with a creature totally dependent upon us for their welfare. It is a heady feeling, taken along with a vow of lifetime protection. Some people forget that vow, when their sturdy beast begins to fade in the canter or can no longer soar above the jumps. When they need us most many falter.
Mary did not falter. She made a vow and she kept that until Tess looked her in the eye and said, "It's time, I'm ready."
Farewell Tess. Go enjoy a well earned rest over the Rainbow Bridge. I am sure you have already made an entrance. You always did.
James 3:3
If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.
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