"When we were young, We were all Artists"

I recently sent a card to my daughter, Natalie - the artist - that had the above quote with a picture of two beautiful young children sitting at an art gallery with the most magical expressions on their faces as they enjoyed the artwork before them.  What truth - when we were young, we were all encouraged to be artists.  We were encouraged to express ourselves through all forms of art...  We were asked to be creative, to explore ourselves, our thoughts, our feelings, our gifts through artwork.  And the best part was...it was all good, there were no incorrect answers.  When and why did that stop?

Why isn't expressions of art in all forms not celebrated or encouraged as we age?  I found my answer from Ian McGilchrist (www.ted.com).  He gave a wonderful presentation at the recent Ted Conference.  It was fascinating and I believe he answered my question.  Our society isn't set up that way, at least, not anymore.  In the 15th - 16th century our societal view was very balanced between our right brain - creativity/imagination and our left brain - concrete reason.  But, sadly ever since the 16th century we have moved more and more out of this balance.  "We pursue happiness that now seems to lead to unhappiness, resentment and an explosion of mental illness."  We've pursued freedom and have less and less true freedom - more government rules and regulations.  We prioritize the virtual over the real - technical becomes important and bureaucracy flourishes - in fact, we ask for it - when something goes wrong or people do wrong we ask for more government regulations; hence the government controls everything.  Einstein said "The intuitive mind (right brain) is a sacred Gift and the rational mind (left brain) is a Faithful Servant."   Ian McGilchrist proposes that "never in the field of human history has so much been used by so many to say so little."  He ended his presentation with a statement that was so startling, so true, so poignant - "We have created a society that honors the Servant but has forgotten the Gift!"

So that's why it's so hard in the 21st Century to live creatively...we are literally swimming against the tide, going against the grain of what our society values.  I am determined to life a creative life...to paint the world with the gift God gave me. I truly believe we were made with a purpose in mind...a gift that only we can share with the world.  But, I also believe that we have to pursue it, be focused and determined. My Mom always said that those things that are valuable, important in life aren't easily done!  I told a friend this week that if I won the lottery I wouldn't change what I do.  I love what I do...helping people build relationship with their dogs - teaching them to simply communicate effectively to live a happy and fulfilling life together.  I might build a great big training facility - that would be nice on cold or rainy mornings...but I wouldn't want to do anything else.  So what's your dream...what's your calling - YOUR GIFT? I encourage you today to pursue it...don't listen to the nay sayers (there's lots of them around)...be determined!

In this world you will have trouble...

It's been a week and a half all pushed and shoved into one week...not my best.  Life is not easy.  And there you have it, the Bible promises that "in this world you will have trouble"...not maybe, not perhaps, but will! In the midst of working through some really tough struggles this week...I felt blue and overwhelmed and thought why not just give up - what's the point. But I am thankful I just kept going. Kept reaching for my goals and walking forward. I have been preparing for two spectacular driving events - two lovely driving weekends in a row; events I've been looking forward to all season.  (Of course, right...isn't that how it goes...all swimmingly well and then it comes to the fun events and all hades breaks loose <sigh>).

Reaching for your goals, keeping focused in the midst of trouble is work too...right!?  I don't know about you but nothing has ever just fallen in my lap. I don't think things fall in anyone's lap really?  Maybe a very few...but for the most part we work really hard for the good things in our life.  We reap the rewards of working hard.  Driving a pony or a horse - a  fright flight animal - isn't easy.  To reap the rewards of a great driving pony you have to put in time and miles.  If it's raining (and it's been raaaaiiinnning a lot here - can anyone say MUD), cold, hot or humid...you drive, you spend time with your pony!  I've always had a hard time wrapping my mind around the concept of quality time. It doesn't work with training an animal - it's quantities of time. (I may be wrong and trust me I'm rethinking a great many things about parenting; but I never bought that one - quality time with your children - kids take lots and lots of time!)  So I kept pecking away at it; doing what I know, pushing away that whiny voice so happy to tell me I can't...  Coming in from the barn, happily exhausted, enjoying that wonderful feeling of accomplishment.

As I was working hard cleaning all the harness today...in preparation for all the fun this weekend.  Again, with all the work - repeat after me - hard x work = fun! Some may look at this jumbled mess and panic...what goes with what and where???  Help!  But, thankfully I know where all the pieces go. It struck me as I looked down at this maze of harness parts and pieces and I was reminded of the words above..."In this world you WILL have trouble"... yep, that sure looks like trouble!  But thank God that's only the beginning of the verse...it goes on to say "but I (Jesus) have overcome the world!"  He knows how all the pieces fit in my life and in the life of my sweet family!  I am once again reminded that God, because of his great love for us, has made a way to put all the pieces back together...

So here it is...my harness all put back together, packed and ready to go!  I realize you can't see all the pieces fitting together perfectly...but "trust" me - it's just as it should be, I know where all the pieces go!

Libby and Ezra's Excellent Gettysburg Adventure!

Julia Kelly writes: "You never really leave a place you love, you take a part of it with you...and leave a part of you behind."  I love this quote and would like to think it's true.  

I love my hometown of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  I never tire of the rich history of the area.  The Civil War Battle of Gettysburg was fought in this beautiful place on the first 3 days of July in 1863.  As I walk the grounds I've walked, biked and rode horses over so very many times...I am always so struck by the events that took place on this hallowed ground.  From a very young age, I grasped the meaningful loss of life, the hard struggle of the soldiers who met and died here. I am thankful for the way these grounds have been maintained and kept, the monuments that memorialize the brave men who fought here.  The canons that stand today where a canon stood at one point in the three day battle.  This is my hometown...the place I grew and learned and loved...so very much a part of me!  Will my footprints remain here long after I am gone, mingled amongst the footprints of the soldiers who walked here before me?  I truly hope so...

We decided on our recent trip to my hometown that we would take pictures of our favorite spots and include our dogs Libby and Ezra in the pictures.  I have so many pictures of my home and thought this might be a fun twist!  Our visit took place in July and like those first three days of July in 1863 it was hot and humid.  I will try to post pictures in order of the days battle - 1st, 2nd and 3rd day.  So let's get started...

The 1st day...  One of our favorite monuments that we always visit is the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment.  Sallie, the dog is immortalized on the monument (and if we have an extra 'cookie' we leave one for her).  And for those of you who may look for this statue, Sallie is on the opposite side of the monument, not seen from the road.  She was the mascot of the 11th PA Volunteer Infantry.  The story goes that she was brought to the Captain of this newly formed infantry in the spring of 1861.  She was barely four to five weeks old; a pugged nosed brindle bull terrier.  The group of men fell in love with her and named her after a local beauty.  She was described as even tempered and affectionate to all the men.  She could count on the men of the 11th to feed her scraps so she hung around.  Sallie got to know the drum roll for reveille and was said to be the first one out of quarters to attend roll call. She took great joy in marching with the men while practicing their drills. During the 1st day of the Battle of Gettysburg the 11th Pennsylvania saw heavy fighting and were pushed back into the town of Gettysburg. During the chaos Sallie became lost and three days later she was found by a member of the 12th Massachusetts at the original position of her regiment when fighting broke out.  Sallie had found her way back and was standing guard over the bodies of her dead compatriots - neither hunger nor thirst would sway her from watching over her beloved soldiers.

The 2nd day...  The second day of battle saw much of the fighting around Little Round Top and Devil's Den, the Peach Orchard.  Above is a statue of Brig Gen Warren who saw the importance of this hill and quickly directed his troops to take the ground.  He called for reinforcements and the 20th Maine was sent to help secure the high ground.  On the 2nd day of battle the 20th Maine lead by the esteemed Col Joshua Chamberlain held the ground called Little Round Top. They were badly in need of ammunition and when they ran out the order was given by Col Chamberlain for his men to use their bayonets and hold the ground at all costs!  And that they did! Below pictured are Libby and Ezra at the extreme left flank of the 20th Maine.  My daughter Natalie fell in love with Col. Joshua Chamberlain upon hearing his story during her visits to Gettysburg as a young girl.  I can't think of a more deserving hero in the eyes of a young lady. She still has the  posters, pictures, books and even a Christmas ornament of this wonderful man.  He lived through some of the toughest battles at Gettysburg and lived a rewarding and fulfilling life after the Civil War...a true legend of a man!

The dogs are pictured above looking up from Devil's Den toward Little Round Top...the ground that the Union army held on the 2nd day of battle.  Devil's Den is aptly named as it was a place of a great loss of life...the Union sharpshooters on the hill could pick off the Confederate soldiers easily.  It's interesting that the Confederates arrived in the area first...but they hadn't wanted to fight a battle on this ground and were hoping to head towards Washington DC.  The Union army arriving in the town after the Confederates couldn't believe their good fortune that the South hadn't taken the high ground and Brig Gen Warren quickly directed his men to take this vital and important ground and sent for reinforcements. The Confederates first mistake in this historic battle.

Pictured above is Libby and Ezra sitting at the opening of  "the castle" fondly named by my children.  They are looking down toward Devil's Den below. A lovely castle like monument dedicated to the many men who struggled to keep the high ground...Little Round Top.  God bless them!

Pictured above is Libby paying her respects to Col. O'Rourke!  It is tradition for everyone who passes this monument to touch Col. O'Rourke's nose - hence his shiny nose. He was one of our fine Irish Colonels and I suppose by touching his nose you will have good luck. This was such great fun for my son, Nicholas as a kid!  He couldn't wait to visit Little Round Top to 'touch the nose", it wasn't a visit to Gettysburg if we skipped this tradition.  By the way, their is a very good Irish Pub named O'Rourkes on Steinwehr Ave. in Gettysburg...I highly recommend it...wonderful food and great atmosphere!  One of the many men who held Little Round Top through the tough fighting of day 2.

The 3rd day...  The Battle of Pickett's Charge.  Pictured above is Libby and Ezra at a canon that is placed where it was on that day in 1863 - pointed to the Union line across the field.  They say the Confederate canon-aide that started before the battle made the ground tremble and could be heard all the way to Harrisburg.  How horrifying that sound must have been to the inhabits left in the tiny town of Gettysburg.  This day has brought me such grief for so many years.  What was Gen. Lee thinking sending his soldiers into an open field toward the enemy line! It made no sense to me at all until I read Lee's Real Plan at Gettysburg by Tom Carhart. Apparently, Jeb Stuart and his Confederate Cavalry were to break the Union line from behind.  Unfortunately, Jeb was held up on the East side of town - right by my childhood home - just down the Hanover Road, by none other than Custer from Ohio!  Custer was in the right place at the right time (I guess depending on which side your rooting for) and spotted Jeb Stuart and his men. There was a skirmish between the two that day that delayed Stuart getting to the battle at Pickett's charge to break the Union line.

 My husband, Matt and I always walk Pickett's charge starting on the Confederate side...pictured above are the dogs at the monument of Gen. Robert E. Lee. The dogs know this area well and cry in anticipation of our walk as we park the car.  As we walk across this battle field I am often in awe of the events of that day...it can be quite overwhelming if I think too much about what happened here.  I try to console myself by thinking about the names and the pictures of soldiers I have seen that fought on that field so long ago.  I think about how I honor them by remembering them and walking where they fought for a cause they so believed in.  I think it's a good thing to honor them in this way and I believe they would be pleased that a girl from the 21st century has not forgotten them...

Some of the beautiful images we see as we walk Pickett's Charge

As we make our way across the field and cross the Emmitsburg Road we stop at the High Water Mark where Col. Armistead and his men broke through the Union line...it's such an amazing thought that they made it through the canon fire!  

We visit the marker where Col. Armistead fell mortally wounded...how brave of him to make it that far against all odds and then to continue fighting with the overwhelming number of Union soldiers surrounding him on all sides!

As we finish our walk across the field of the great Pickett's Charge, my emotions spent, we pay tribute to Gen Meade as he sits on his horse facing Gen Lee across the field.  I am, once again, in awe of these truly brave men.

Thanks for joining Libby and Ezra as they share their view of Gettysburg through the eyes of one who knows and loves this beautiful battlefield...

Our First Showmanship Class!!

Billy and I went to a local show and entered our first ever Showmanship Class tonight.  I have shown my ponies in Halter classes which is judged solely on the horses conformation - just like a dog show - the best put together horse or pony wins.  I have shown ponies and horses in hunter and jumper classes...soaring over fences - driven my ponies at shows too.  But I've never done a showmanship class. Showmanship is judged on the handler and how they present their pony.  You have to line your pony up to cones, trot certain distances, stop, back and pivot.  You also have to keep your pony between you and the judge as she makes a complete circle around you and the pony.  It's kind of like a dance...there is a method to where you should stand as the judge circles your pony...lots of movement and your pony needs to stand perfectly still.  The picture above says it all - big smile...I was really pleased with our first attempt!  Billy was great...a bit crooked at one point and our pivot was, well...it was lacking.

The pivot has alluded me...  I've seen the pivot done correctly and have talked with knowledgeable trainers concerning the training steps to get the job done.  It's really a beautiful movement, as the handler moves toward the pony, he steps away crossing his front legs as he sticks his back hoof on the ground and pivots his whole body around that leg in a circle.  I have been told that it is a challenge when teaching a small pony...as I tower over him and my body language isn't the same as it would be to a full sized horse.  I can see and understand the logistics of what they are saying...but there's got to be a way, we just hadn't found it yet!

I was watching this beautiful young lady and her equally beautiful palomino pony practice before we entered the ring.  I was in awe...they moved like one...it was truly a wonderfully well choreographed dance!  I complimented her and explained the trouble Billy and I had been having with this movement. This sweet girl and her pony won 2nd place - well deserved!  I, on the other hand, was rejoicing that Billy stood nice and square, trotted right with me and was relaxed in the ring (that was amazing for this pony who often has ants in his pants and finds it difficult to stand still), even though we blew our pivot...we experienced PROGRESS!

I returned to my trailer reflecting on our time in the ring, happy we finally completed our first showmanship class and grateful it wasn't horrible.  I was pleased with how well my pony responded to me and did all I asked...  I no sooner settled my pony back into his regular halter and started to reach for a cold water and I see this darling young lady and her beautiful palomino pony walking toward my trailer.  Sarah wanted to give me a few helpful tips.  In a few short minutes this very knowledgeable young lady answered all my questions.  She gave me some awesome helpful hints on how to teach my pony to correctly pivot.  She also showed me some fancy footwork that would make my movements around my pony smoother!  I thanked her profusely.  I learned that she was interested in driving her pony and I felt really happy that I could give her some really great tips and information on how to get safely started with her driving pursuits. It was a good and happy exchange!

It was a good day...lots of preparation for that one class. I really enjoyed spending time with my pony ...that's always a very good day!  I enjoyed wearing my first cowboy hat too...that was fun...didn't look too bad afterall.  But if I have my druthers...I would rather hitch my pony and drive...

Come Drive with Billy and Me

I've always wanted to take a video of Billy and I driving.  Finally here it is...  I've had some time off driving this year because of my illness and then subsequent surgery.  This is our first drive after the Dr. gave the ok to get back to driving.  It felt great and Billy was wonderful.  We both had a long time off, but we were both eager to get back to it!  By the way, the cute pinto pony in the video with the handsome "whip" is my hubby, Matthew and his pony Lil Miss.

Disclaimer of sorts...  Billy was a great boy.  I've known this pony for 14 years - driving for 11 years.  I wouldn't recommend driving one handed and taking a video unless you really know your pony.  Billy and I have been building our relationship for 14 years now...I felt safe in finally giving my video a try.  Driving is far dangerous than riding an equine.  Amazing that humans ever thought of attaching a carriage to a 'fright flight' animal.  When things go wrong they can go south very fast - in a blink of an eye.  Think about it...once a pony or a horse gets loose with a cart or carriage attached to them...that carriage can become a lethal weapon.  Get out of the way and quick.  I don't take my driving training lightly with my equines.  I've only driven ponies I have trained and occasionally a pony or mini of well trusted trainer friends of mine.  That's why we purchased our new yearling ponies...so that we can develop relationship with them from an early age. We are starting to teach them verbal cues right now, we are slowly building a strong and solid relationship. I am interested as I read accounts of days gone by, when our ancestors only form of travel was by carriage, the many accidents that happened.  And there were many, actually.  As I mentioned, I just finished reading a Team of Rivals and just before Lincoln's assassination, William Seward, Lincoln's secretary of state was almost killed in carriage accident.  The description of his injuries were horrifying.  So, please don't try this at home...

I was so pleased as I watched the video at how responsive Billy was to my verbal cues.  The most interesting thing is as I'm babbling away (ok, friends you can stop rolling your eyes now...)during the video Billy is able to pick out the verbal cues he recognizes and instantly obey them. We also could hear a gun being fired quite close to us and thankfully Billy was fine with it (there was a day that that would take some creative driving on my part). Very cool!  Before I ever thought of hooking  Billy to a cart I started teaching him these verbal cues(a second language for him) during all our ground work, from the time he was very young.  This consistency, time spent with my pony has really paid off!

I was recently sent a beautiful story about a horse and rider...it wasn't your typical story as the rider had no arms and rode using her mouth and bathed and brushed her horse with her feet.  In the email my friend hit the nail on the head when he wrote, "This story is not about the horse or the woman...it's about the relationship."  I could not agree more.  Happy and safe driving to you...

Bathing Beauty

What a difficult morning...so many things in life don't go as planned.  As I thought about what would bring me some much needed peace, a respite from the cares of this day, I realized I needed some Beauty time. Time spent with Beauty is so often a soothing balm...  So, I decided it was a good day to give Beauty a much needed bath.  As I was enjoying time spent with my sweet pony, I was reminded of how she came to me...once in a dream...

Beauty is the pony of my dreams, literally.  When I had turned 9 years old, I had the most vivid dream of a pony that looked just like Beauty.  I believe this dream was a comforting gift from God - something I needed at that time - a dream to hold onto.  It wasn't until 25 years later that I found my real-life dream pony.  When I found her she was in a sad state of affairs. From a distance I could see her full mane was all knotted and matted, I could see her ribs and that she had this big round belly (which I thought was full of worms, turns out our sweet pony was in foal).  But, in her pitiful state she stood so proud, with her head held high I could see the remnants of bits and pieces of her mane that were free from knots flying in the wind. She had found herself at a "horse traders" lot. I doubt the man knew much about her, probably just picked her up.  I really don't think he treated her badly, as far as, abusing her - he just turned her out in his worn out pasture, which had long ago stopped producing any sort of life sustaining forage. She drank from a dank dirty creek and had to navigate all the rusty equipment left in the shed just to get under covering. She was in the field with several other ponies and it seemed that she was low pony on the totem pole. I stood in that field forever as the man tried to catch this poor sweet little spirit.  I couldn't shake the feeling that she seemed so familiar to me.  I went over and over in my mind all the many different ponies I had ridden as a child and young adult.  But, I had known no ponies who were solid dark bay with a white star on their forehead.  Why did it seem I knew this pony?  As I got close to her I felt such an affinity for her, the beauty I could see under all the filth and rainrot. She looked right at me with those large fluid eyes...right into my very soul.  The man could see I was smitten with her and he also new that there was a beautiful pony ready to blossom under good care.  He was asking a rather large sum for a pony with unknown training and in this condition.  I went to touch her and she bit and kicked at me. But for some reason, I couldn't explain at that moment, I knew I wanted this pony and would pay the asking price.  I actually couldn't believe my own ears as I heard myself say, "I'll take her"!

Beauty came to live with us that very day.  I think the man was afraid I would back out of the deal if I thought better about my decision.  He delivered her within hours. I remember it seemed as if Beauty took a deep breath, a sigh of relief when she arrived.  I put her in her new pasture, full of good grass.  I showed her around her small stable and her clean water source, her salt block. I remember her looking around, she ate some grass checked out the water and salt block and then she laid down and slept for the longest time.  I remember checking on her to see if she was still breathing throughout the day.  Horses and ponies are fright flight animals and don't often lay flat out asleep in a new place, unless they feel very comfortable. Apparently Beauty felt like she was finally home.

I don't know how my sweet Beauty found herself at a horse trader's lot in central Ohio.  We knew from the moment she arrived that she had extreme trust issues with humans.  We worked with her slowly and gently and it didn't take long for her to come around.  I think at some point in her young life she knew the kind care of someone good...she knew how to respond to our kindness. We also occasionally saw that unmistakable fear in her eyes at different points here and there in her training and wondered if she was remembering an unpleasant time or experience. There are scars on Beauty's back ankles very thick scar tissue...not sure if someone had tied her leg up (an old "training" practice to gain a horses respect) or if perhaps she had been in an accident.  I often wondered why anyone would sell this pony or treat her unfairly as she has been the easiest pony to train. Once we earned her trust she never questioned anything and is always so very willing to please.

One day a few weeks after Beauty joined our family, I was hanging out in the barn with her and it hit me like a ton of bricks. All of a sudden I realized why this pony was so familiar to me.  I remembered the dream I had about this pony so very long ago.  I was overwhelmed by the thought that Beauty was the real life pony of the dream I had 25 years earlier - standing right before my very eyes. She has been a jewel of a pony, teaching my son and many other children to ride and drive.  I have often said Beauty is worth her weight in gold, certainly worth the price I paid to win her release 14 years ago.  She is the heart and soul of our farm.

Beauty is living proof that sometimes dreams really do come true!

I prefer real books, thank you.

I just finished this excellent book, Team of Rivals, by Doris Kearns Goodwin.  Having grown up in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, I am a huge Civil War buff.  What an amazing piece of writing - research.  I often felt like I was sitting in the meetings with Lincoln's cabinet.  The conversations held during that most fraught filled period of history were actual words, in quotes, said by those who lived and breathed and changed the course of our history. Truly amazing...certainly a well researched work!  I can't imagine the hours, days, weeks and months that went into writing this well documented book - the commitment to such a work.  I learned a great deal more about the Union Generals that I had not known...who knew McClellan was so arrogant.  He had lofty ideas about war but didn't seem to actually want to fight or pursue the enemy.  Lincoln came to life in a new and vibrant way.  Ms. Goodwin focuses more on him as a genial man; quick witted, full of laughter, always with a wonderful story on his lips.  As opposed to the brooding man, oppressed with morbid thoughts of his own death I've so often read about.  I very much enjoyed the journey, growth of the very close knit friendship between Lincoln and Seward - intense rivals and then close friends.  And I was saddened at how the lives of most of Lincoln's cabinet were so negatively affected by his assassination.  It was a refreshing look at this most beloved president.  I highly recommend it.

I'm kind of ashamed to admit that I started this book in the fall of 2009.  My husband had this great idea that he would buy it for me on an "e-reader".  I fumbled and fumed with that e-reader until this spring, one cold March day, when a paperback copy of this book appeared on my doorstep.  A gift from my husband.  I was only about 1/4 of the way through the e-reader when the book arrived in March of 2011.  I had laid the e-reader down more than I picked it up to read the book.  I found myself finishing several other really great "books" I had bought that fall sitting by my bedside.  When I finally held the Team of Rivals book in my hands it didn't take me much at all to finish it off. 

It's been said and bantered about that e-readers are the wave of the future.  Some talk that perhaps libraries and bookstores will be a thing of the past?  I sure hope not...I love books.  I love libraries and bookstores, the smell of books, the feel of books.  I like being surrounded by books; every bookcase in my house are gloriously overflowing with books...

So hear's to a good book!