After years of breaking ice on water tanks and fighting frozen hoses, Brian finally splurged and purchased an automatic watering system for the pasture. A few days after his prized package arrived in the big brown truck, Brian called his buddy Keith for help. The two scheduled the day before Thanksgiving as their work day. Thanksgiving Eve morning dawned, Keith pulled in with his backhoe, and Brian met him in the pasture with plumbing tools and a shovel. The men worked all day while the horses watched intently from a safe distance, but when they returned after a late lunch, they noticed the horses creeping ever closer to the trench that was being dug for the new water line. Ignoring the horses, they continued the task at hand until Shotgun decided the grass looked greener on the other side of the trench. Now for those of you who don't know Shotgun, let me give you a little background. He's an older horse, slower than pond water, a real sweetheart, but a big lazy lug. Considering this, you'll understand the shock that came over Brian as he watched Shotgun approach the trench...and...JUMP! Now for some horses, this would not have been too big of a deal. After all, some horses have jumped far higher and further than would have ever been necessary to clear this trench, but Shotgun's half-hearted act of courage turned into quite a comedy. Being the slow lazy lug that he is, he didn't jump far enough, and the poor boy's back legs didn't clear the jump, leaving him stuck in quite a predicament. Now I could continue this story, but my words just wouldn't do the rescue mission the justice it deserves, so I've posted the video of this portion of the drama. You'll see for yourself that Shotgun just doesn't let this excitement bother him! Before viewing the video you'll want to stop the site background music on the music player to the right. I'll now close these comments by quoting Lindsay's boyfriend Chad (because his words just seemed to sum the whole scene up quite perfectly), "How many hillbillies does it take to dig a horse out of a trench?"
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Caterpillars and Ponies
Last night I was witness to what must be the most wondrous blessing of life...the joyful laughter of little children! Two little girls (I'll call them J & K) were here for their weekly riding lesson with Sugar-The-Wonder-Pony. Let me start by sayng that these two little ones are precious! We enjoy their wide-eyed wonder, innocent (yet pointed) questions and observations, and beautiful smiles each time they visit.
J & K have quite an obvious affection for Sugar-The-Wonder-Pony. I think it's mainly due to the fact that Sugar gives them a little taste of complete independence. We have watched these two literally mature before our eyes as they reach to comb Sugar's mane and brush her back without having to be lifted by an adult or having to stand on a stool. (And, I might add, Sugar lives up to her sweet name by standing quietly, allowing them to do whatever they please to her tiny little frame!)
After saddling The Wonder Pony, J took a turn at riding while K led the pony with a lead rope. They chatted, giggled, and laughed as they made the rounds, taking a moment to "switch" so K could take her turn in the saddle with J leading the pony. It didn't take many circles around the arena before they spied a fuzzy caterpillar climbing the barn wall. J, still leading Sugar, tip-toed her way over so they could all take a closer peek at him. As they watched him, Lindsay reached out and gently scooped the fuzzy creature up, turning to lay him in K's hand...and that's when the giggling began! Joyful laughter filled the barn as K was tickled by the fuzzy caterpillar, and by the time J had led Sugar to the observation area to show K's Dad, K was literally bellowing with laughter, and J was doubled over in pure delight!
Of course their laughter was infectious, and every adult in the barn began to giggle right along with them. It was the silliest little thing, but I was struck by the wholesome innocence of these two girls and the simple joy they found in that tiny creature of nature! Oh, to have that innocence once again...an innocence untouched by the world's hurts and injustices. And that's when I realized (yet again!) that these children who come to our riding facility offer us just as much as we could EVER offer them! We only offered a pony. God supplied the fuzzy little caterpillar. Those two little girls provided us a gift only they could give...a rare opportunity to revisit the joys of childhood!
J & K have quite an obvious affection for Sugar-The-Wonder-Pony. I think it's mainly due to the fact that Sugar gives them a little taste of complete independence. We have watched these two literally mature before our eyes as they reach to comb Sugar's mane and brush her back without having to be lifted by an adult or having to stand on a stool. (And, I might add, Sugar lives up to her sweet name by standing quietly, allowing them to do whatever they please to her tiny little frame!)
After saddling The Wonder Pony, J took a turn at riding while K led the pony with a lead rope. They chatted, giggled, and laughed as they made the rounds, taking a moment to "switch" so K could take her turn in the saddle with J leading the pony. It didn't take many circles around the arena before they spied a fuzzy caterpillar climbing the barn wall. J, still leading Sugar, tip-toed her way over so they could all take a closer peek at him. As they watched him, Lindsay reached out and gently scooped the fuzzy creature up, turning to lay him in K's hand...and that's when the giggling began! Joyful laughter filled the barn as K was tickled by the fuzzy caterpillar, and by the time J had led Sugar to the observation area to show K's Dad, K was literally bellowing with laughter, and J was doubled over in pure delight!
Of course their laughter was infectious, and every adult in the barn began to giggle right along with them. It was the silliest little thing, but I was struck by the wholesome innocence of these two girls and the simple joy they found in that tiny creature of nature! Oh, to have that innocence once again...an innocence untouched by the world's hurts and injustices. And that's when I realized (yet again!) that these children who come to our riding facility offer us just as much as we could EVER offer them! We only offered a pony. God supplied the fuzzy little caterpillar. Those two little girls provided us a gift only they could give...a rare opportunity to revisit the joys of childhood!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
A Legacy of Love
The girls and I just returned from a wonderful two-day trip to Nashville, Indiana. We travelled with those we have come to affectionately call "The Bane Ladies."
My mom's family is very close-knit. My grandmother, with her unquestioning faith in the Lord and unconditional love for her 14 children, created an amazing circle of admiration -- a legacy of love. Growing up, this large famly was the center of my world. I was blessed to be raised alongside numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who doubled as additional sets of parents and siblings, and as a child I thought we would all remain close throughout our adult lives. As tends to be the case, however, life-changes had a way of making alternative plans for us, and as the cousins married and began raising families of their own, our limited time together caused us to drift apart.
Thankfully, some years back, my mother's younger sisters decided to organize a retreat for the ladies of the family. They invited all females connected to the Bane family by blood or marriage to join them for a slumber party, and chose a wonderful bed and breakfast inn in Nashville, Indiana, as the meeting spot. Those of us who were longing for reconnection jumped at the chance! That first trip was nothing less than amazing - we shopped, talked, laughed, played games, acted silly, and swooned over delicious desserts. We enjoyed it so much we decided to go back again...and again...and AGAIN!
Our circle of "Bane Ladies" has changed since that first year. I'll never forget the last year Aunt Nancy went with us. She had lost her hair and her stamina, but not her spirit. We intentionally slowed our pace of walking from shop to shop, and we landed back at the inn early when it was apparent she was tiring. Munching on desserts, we listened to her giggle as we placed bets on what color her hair would be when it grew back.
Sadly, the next fall found our group a little smaller. The thought of going without her was difficult, and the stay was certainly bittersweet as we reminisced about our time on earth with her, and shared how hard it was without her. It was a time of healing for us all. The circle was smaller, yes, but it was tighter...and the hugs lingered a little longer in an effort to hold on to that fleeting moment of breathlessness.
The circle was extended this year as my three daughters joined us in Nashville for the first time. As a grown woman, I realize how richly I have been blessed with the wise counsel of these amazing ladies and the legacy of love that was built to support me - the legacy they recieved from their mother. It was incredibly touching to watch my daughters join the circle and to see the legacy begin its descent to the next generation.
I don't think it a coincidence that I found a small trinket at a shop in Nashville that spoke directly to my heart that first year without Aunt Nancy. It says "Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away." It still speaks expressly to me today. That the Lord has blessed me with such wonderful family - it takes my breath away. That my life's journey has been gifted with love, laughter and tears - it takes my breath away. That my daughters have now joined this circle - it takes my breath away.
Through this legacy of love I've been taught how to extend my circle to include others in need of breathless moments in their lives, and I'm thankful...so thankful!
My mom's family is very close-knit. My grandmother, with her unquestioning faith in the Lord and unconditional love for her 14 children, created an amazing circle of admiration -- a legacy of love. Growing up, this large famly was the center of my world. I was blessed to be raised alongside numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who doubled as additional sets of parents and siblings, and as a child I thought we would all remain close throughout our adult lives. As tends to be the case, however, life-changes had a way of making alternative plans for us, and as the cousins married and began raising families of their own, our limited time together caused us to drift apart.
Thankfully, some years back, my mother's younger sisters decided to organize a retreat for the ladies of the family. They invited all females connected to the Bane family by blood or marriage to join them for a slumber party, and chose a wonderful bed and breakfast inn in Nashville, Indiana, as the meeting spot. Those of us who were longing for reconnection jumped at the chance! That first trip was nothing less than amazing - we shopped, talked, laughed, played games, acted silly, and swooned over delicious desserts. We enjoyed it so much we decided to go back again...and again...and AGAIN!
Our circle of "Bane Ladies" has changed since that first year. I'll never forget the last year Aunt Nancy went with us. She had lost her hair and her stamina, but not her spirit. We intentionally slowed our pace of walking from shop to shop, and we landed back at the inn early when it was apparent she was tiring. Munching on desserts, we listened to her giggle as we placed bets on what color her hair would be when it grew back.
Sadly, the next fall found our group a little smaller. The thought of going without her was difficult, and the stay was certainly bittersweet as we reminisced about our time on earth with her, and shared how hard it was without her. It was a time of healing for us all. The circle was smaller, yes, but it was tighter...and the hugs lingered a little longer in an effort to hold on to that fleeting moment of breathlessness.
The circle was extended this year as my three daughters joined us in Nashville for the first time. As a grown woman, I realize how richly I have been blessed with the wise counsel of these amazing ladies and the legacy of love that was built to support me - the legacy they recieved from their mother. It was incredibly touching to watch my daughters join the circle and to see the legacy begin its descent to the next generation.
I don't think it a coincidence that I found a small trinket at a shop in Nashville that spoke directly to my heart that first year without Aunt Nancy. It says "Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away." It still speaks expressly to me today. That the Lord has blessed me with such wonderful family - it takes my breath away. That my life's journey has been gifted with love, laughter and tears - it takes my breath away. That my daughters have now joined this circle - it takes my breath away.
Through this legacy of love I've been taught how to extend my circle to include others in need of breathless moments in their lives, and I'm thankful...so thankful!
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