Where Does the Time Go?

For months I've been thinking I should update our blog. It seems only yesterday we were laughing at Shotgun's Predicament, but more than half a year has passed since then! Where did the time go?

So much has happened since my last posting, and I could kick myself for not having a journal record of it all. Emma celebrated her 14th birthday, a new foal was born, we went on our annual spring trail riding vacation, many new students started riding at Jordan's Crossing, Lily performed in her third dance recital, Lindsay graduated from high school...where did the time go?

We just completed the 2009 Wayne County 4-H Fair. We were there for 9 days and 8 nights, but it flew by with a "WHOOSH!" It seemed we were moving in one day...moving out the next.
It was Lindsay's 10th and final year as a 4-H member, and it was so difficult to wake up every day thinking "this is her last one." 10 years of memories flashed through my mind so many times this week, and I kept asking myself "where did the time go?"

It seems everything moves so much faster these days. We stay so busy. Days swirl around us and fade away before we even realize we've lived them. I find myself trying desperately to capture every moment of these special days and hold them -- just briefly -- in my memory. And still...I sit and wonder..."where did the time go?"

Shotgun's Predicament

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?"

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!

Farewell Dear Friend

Diamond (1999 - 2008)

Tonight we bid a tearful goodbye to our faithful family friend, Diamond. A loving companion, dependable watch dog, fun playmate, and sweet greeter of visitors, she will be sorely missed by our family and students.