Riding horses is like nothing else. It lets you get close to nature. It lets you quietly see things that you're normally going too fast to enjoy. You smell scents that normally don't make it past your car window. You hear the small animals building their nests in the forest.
It's a delight to be that close to things that are so common, but hardly ever heard.
For years I was lucky enough to board my horse at a stable that was located along the shorthills. The shorthills are off Effingham Rd in Pelham. The shorthills have their very own magic.
Today I rode with my niece Erin. It was so special to share our love of horses. I really enjoyed the ride around the big hay field as we talked about horses, riding and deer.
It's always nice to ride with another person and extra special to ride with the next generation. It's a sign that I'm aging, but it isn't one that I mind. Thanks Erin, today was really cool. Want to do it again on Boxing Day??
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Happy Amy Birthday
I was born on December 25 at eight in the morning. There is no doubt about the fact that I am a Christmas baby.
Everyone always asks me if I hate having my birthday on Christmas. How could I? How could I hate my birthday? A day where everyone celebrates. A day were few go to work, everyone wants to eat, drink and be merry. It's not just another passing day.
I remember as a kid being sad that a few people had forgotten my birthday one year. I was about six years old and just plain sad. My mother saw my grief and told me to get in the car.
As we drove around town she told me to look at all the Christmas lights and really see the very beauty of the holiday decorations. I grew sadder as the lights dances in my eyes and the tears welled up and rolled down my cheeks.
My mother laughed and said the following four words: "these are for you."
I was confused. I was six. What?
She continued... Honey, these are Amy Birthday lights, trees and decorations. The whole world celebrates your birthday, so don't be sad. Be happy. It is a special day and you are a special girl.
Who could argue with that logic? Plus, she is my mom and mom's aren't allowed to lie to their children. Especially their special children born on Christmas day.
Since that moment I smile when I see the lights and decorations. I think of that wonderful moment in the car with my mom and love Christmas even more.
My new husband corrects everyone about the holidays. You aren't just celebrating Christmas you're celebrating Amy Birthday.
My first christmas ornament this year came from my work partner Dave's kids. They gave me an ornament as a wedding presents. It's one of my favorite gifts partly because it's christmas, but mostly because someone put a piece of tape over the Christmas part on the box and replaced it with Amy Birthday. The box then read: Amy Birthday Ornament.
It's a new trend.
Happy Amy Birthday Everyone!
Everyone always asks me if I hate having my birthday on Christmas. How could I? How could I hate my birthday? A day where everyone celebrates. A day were few go to work, everyone wants to eat, drink and be merry. It's not just another passing day.
I remember as a kid being sad that a few people had forgotten my birthday one year. I was about six years old and just plain sad. My mother saw my grief and told me to get in the car.
As we drove around town she told me to look at all the Christmas lights and really see the very beauty of the holiday decorations. I grew sadder as the lights dances in my eyes and the tears welled up and rolled down my cheeks.
My mother laughed and said the following four words: "these are for you."
I was confused. I was six. What?
She continued... Honey, these are Amy Birthday lights, trees and decorations. The whole world celebrates your birthday, so don't be sad. Be happy. It is a special day and you are a special girl.
Who could argue with that logic? Plus, she is my mom and mom's aren't allowed to lie to their children. Especially their special children born on Christmas day.
Since that moment I smile when I see the lights and decorations. I think of that wonderful moment in the car with my mom and love Christmas even more.
My new husband corrects everyone about the holidays. You aren't just celebrating Christmas you're celebrating Amy Birthday.
My first christmas ornament this year came from my work partner Dave's kids. They gave me an ornament as a wedding presents. It's one of my favorite gifts partly because it's christmas, but mostly because someone put a piece of tape over the Christmas part on the box and replaced it with Amy Birthday. The box then read: Amy Birthday Ornament.
It's a new trend.
Happy Amy Birthday Everyone!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Christmas Decorating
I started decorating for Christmas today. My sister says it looks like "Santa puked in my house" because of all the sparkles. I like it.
For years I'd buy a new decoration at Ball's Falls Festival. I had a criteria: it had to be bigger than a ornament and it had to be lit from the inside. I put these decorations on my mantle over my fireplace and I am so grateful to have a fireplace to decorate. I add lights and garland and a Merry Christmas sign spelled out in red, green and white.
I remember each decoration. I remember the smell of fall and if it was raining, sunny or snowing. I remember wearing fall sweaters with fun scarves that would be too hot if the sun was shining. I remember the joy in finding the right one and sorrow at departing with my money to buy it.
It's been about three years since I've been to the festival in Vineland. I've got all the excuses: work, life, farm, animals and a new husband. I'm going next year and I'm going to find a christmas decoration that glows from the inside. It brings me joy at least once a year.
I have the same memories as I pulled out childhood ornaments to put on the tree. I found one ball with the date 1988 when I first started saving. I recognize the ones my siblings and I made as children. I hang them with joy.
I came across sparkle balls I bought at The Bay on sale one year when I moved into my first home. I had a purple and silver theme that year wanting a perfect tree, but I couldn't help myself and had to hang the ball with 1988. It is magic. It's what makes this old farm house glow with Santa puke.
I can hardly wait for company. I can hardly wait until the house is full of friends and family. I like company. I like the old farm house to be happy.
For years I'd buy a new decoration at Ball's Falls Festival. I had a criteria: it had to be bigger than a ornament and it had to be lit from the inside. I put these decorations on my mantle over my fireplace and I am so grateful to have a fireplace to decorate. I add lights and garland and a Merry Christmas sign spelled out in red, green and white.
I remember each decoration. I remember the smell of fall and if it was raining, sunny or snowing. I remember wearing fall sweaters with fun scarves that would be too hot if the sun was shining. I remember the joy in finding the right one and sorrow at departing with my money to buy it.
It's been about three years since I've been to the festival in Vineland. I've got all the excuses: work, life, farm, animals and a new husband. I'm going next year and I'm going to find a christmas decoration that glows from the inside. It brings me joy at least once a year.
I have the same memories as I pulled out childhood ornaments to put on the tree. I found one ball with the date 1988 when I first started saving. I recognize the ones my siblings and I made as children. I hang them with joy.
I came across sparkle balls I bought at The Bay on sale one year when I moved into my first home. I had a purple and silver theme that year wanting a perfect tree, but I couldn't help myself and had to hang the ball with 1988. It is magic. It's what makes this old farm house glow with Santa puke.
I can hardly wait for company. I can hardly wait until the house is full of friends and family. I like company. I like the old farm house to be happy.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Goats Divorce!
Nelly has found a new love and no longer wants her best goat pal Willow to share in the passionate relationship. Strife on the farm!
Nelly is a pushy goat. She grew up with horses and spent all eight years living with horses, until the sad fateful day that her best equine pal passed away. That's how Nelly came to live on Beaver Creek Farm.
Nelly's owner was grief stricken when she pulled into the farm driveway and asked if we'd like another goat. She'd seen me playing with Willow and wondered if we'd be willing to take her goat as she had no place to keep her since the death of her horse.
Of course we'd love another goat! Who wouldn't? Nelly was brought to live at the farm the same day. We put her in with the pigs and Willow and you could see she wasn't happy. She fought with the pigs and was a bully to Willow. We gave it some time and finally all settled down to the occasional scuffle.
Once we discovered Autumn was coming home we started on a huge fencing project. Once complete we moved the two goats into the large, lush field to enjoy the foliage. It took several days for the goats to get comfortable, but they finally were enjoying their new digs.
Autumn came and there was a subtle shift to the dynamics. I thought a balance was finally achieved, but I was wrong.
When Autumn was released into the field Nelly ran over bleating with joy. A horse! Oh a horse for Nelly! Autumn was a little confused, but tolerated the white goat's attentions. Nelly nuzzled Autumn's lowered nosed and gave her a little head butt. Autumn responded by pushing Nelly around and giving gentle nuzzles back. Willow was left out of the new relationship.
In typical farm fashion we decided to give it a few days. As the girls settled in we noticed Nelly was becoming aggressive with Willow. I was in the field two days ago and saw Nelly beating the crap out of poor gentle Willow.
Poor Willow did not fight back. She still tried to cuddle next to Nelly, but Nelly had a new love and wasn't willing to share.
We moved Willow back to live with the pigs and balance was restored to the farm.
Nelly goes for a visit, but I don't think Willow will be living in the big field anymore. Willow seems quite happy to be with her pig friends and curls up on top of them in the straw as winter approaches.
Nelly is a pushy goat. She grew up with horses and spent all eight years living with horses, until the sad fateful day that her best equine pal passed away. That's how Nelly came to live on Beaver Creek Farm.
Nelly's owner was grief stricken when she pulled into the farm driveway and asked if we'd like another goat. She'd seen me playing with Willow and wondered if we'd be willing to take her goat as she had no place to keep her since the death of her horse.
Of course we'd love another goat! Who wouldn't? Nelly was brought to live at the farm the same day. We put her in with the pigs and Willow and you could see she wasn't happy. She fought with the pigs and was a bully to Willow. We gave it some time and finally all settled down to the occasional scuffle.
Once we discovered Autumn was coming home we started on a huge fencing project. Once complete we moved the two goats into the large, lush field to enjoy the foliage. It took several days for the goats to get comfortable, but they finally were enjoying their new digs.
Autumn came and there was a subtle shift to the dynamics. I thought a balance was finally achieved, but I was wrong.
When Autumn was released into the field Nelly ran over bleating with joy. A horse! Oh a horse for Nelly! Autumn was a little confused, but tolerated the white goat's attentions. Nelly nuzzled Autumn's lowered nosed and gave her a little head butt. Autumn responded by pushing Nelly around and giving gentle nuzzles back. Willow was left out of the new relationship.
In typical farm fashion we decided to give it a few days. As the girls settled in we noticed Nelly was becoming aggressive with Willow. I was in the field two days ago and saw Nelly beating the crap out of poor gentle Willow.
Poor Willow did not fight back. She still tried to cuddle next to Nelly, but Nelly had a new love and wasn't willing to share.
We moved Willow back to live with the pigs and balance was restored to the farm.
Nelly goes for a visit, but I don't think Willow will be living in the big field anymore. Willow seems quite happy to be with her pig friends and curls up on top of them in the straw as winter approaches.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
The Lean to
The lean to is what crazy horse people call a horse shelter. Back in 1984 my dad built my horse Sam a lean to made out of fence posts, plywood, steel and a large chunk of reclaimed pool liner (it was waterproof). He must be given credit for creativity. What it lacked in esthetics it made up for in utilitarianism.
Rather than re-invent the wheel Brent and I decided to repair the old lean to for Autumn. Brent has this magical ability of finding incredible deals and he found an incredible deal on insulation and wood to reinforce the old lean to. It was solid and the twenty-six year old posts did not move with our wiggling. Keep in mind Brent is very strong and when he wiggles a post he really wiggles a post.
We found a way to attach the insulation to the walls and then put up OSB to cover the insulation. We did three walls and the ceiling. We also used roof insulation to shore up the roof along with several gallons of tar. It looks good. I hope it's waterproof.
The lean to is made up of two sections. One to store hay and one as shelter for the horse. Both needed to be cleaned out and reconstructed. This process has taken longer than we both expected. It's actually harder to shore up than build from scratch. After several days we eventually gave up on the level and square. If it looked good to the eye ball then it was good.
We used the backhoe to push and pull the building back into shape. We used too many nails and not nearly enough screws.
I was working alone the other day building a set of insulated sliding doors to go across the front of the lean to where the horse would live. By the time you added up all the weight of the material I could barely drag the panel into place. Picking it up would have been impossible. I managed to balance the panel and use a couple of small pieces of two by four to brace the panel to the building. I was jumping up with the nail gun because the ladder was out of reach.
Next I built a panel to fill the window hole in the sliding door. It was like a horrible train wreck happening as I built. Some days are not good for building and perhaps this was one of them. It didn't matter how many times I measured, the cut was still wrong. The circular saw was kicking my ass and my saw horse buckets hated me. Every time I put the panel on the buckets the whole thing would fall over. I built this panel out of OSB, rocksol insulation and two by fours, so it was incredibly heavy.
I was frustrated and about ready to give up when I stood in the rain and calmed myself. Okay. I can do this. I've built before. I gave myself a little pep talk as I picked up the drill and attacked the hinges like a woman possessed.
At least Brent wasn't around to smack me in the head with an eight foot piece of steel track. Last week as I was walking around the truck Brent pulled the track out of the truck. The next thing I hear is a loud bell and feeling the pain in my front teeth. He'd struck me in the forehead with the steel track. Not on purpose. I hope.
Days later I still have a headache.
I got the door panel built and hung. I proudly marveled at my ingenuity when I pulled the panel wide open to have it stop suddenly. How long has that strut been there anyway? About twenty-five years.
Sigh. Somedays are for doing laundry.
Rather than re-invent the wheel Brent and I decided to repair the old lean to for Autumn. Brent has this magical ability of finding incredible deals and he found an incredible deal on insulation and wood to reinforce the old lean to. It was solid and the twenty-six year old posts did not move with our wiggling. Keep in mind Brent is very strong and when he wiggles a post he really wiggles a post.
We found a way to attach the insulation to the walls and then put up OSB to cover the insulation. We did three walls and the ceiling. We also used roof insulation to shore up the roof along with several gallons of tar. It looks good. I hope it's waterproof.
The lean to is made up of two sections. One to store hay and one as shelter for the horse. Both needed to be cleaned out and reconstructed. This process has taken longer than we both expected. It's actually harder to shore up than build from scratch. After several days we eventually gave up on the level and square. If it looked good to the eye ball then it was good.
We used the backhoe to push and pull the building back into shape. We used too many nails and not nearly enough screws.
I was working alone the other day building a set of insulated sliding doors to go across the front of the lean to where the horse would live. By the time you added up all the weight of the material I could barely drag the panel into place. Picking it up would have been impossible. I managed to balance the panel and use a couple of small pieces of two by four to brace the panel to the building. I was jumping up with the nail gun because the ladder was out of reach.
Next I built a panel to fill the window hole in the sliding door. It was like a horrible train wreck happening as I built. Some days are not good for building and perhaps this was one of them. It didn't matter how many times I measured, the cut was still wrong. The circular saw was kicking my ass and my saw horse buckets hated me. Every time I put the panel on the buckets the whole thing would fall over. I built this panel out of OSB, rocksol insulation and two by fours, so it was incredibly heavy.
I was frustrated and about ready to give up when I stood in the rain and calmed myself. Okay. I can do this. I've built before. I gave myself a little pep talk as I picked up the drill and attacked the hinges like a woman possessed.
At least Brent wasn't around to smack me in the head with an eight foot piece of steel track. Last week as I was walking around the truck Brent pulled the track out of the truck. The next thing I hear is a loud bell and feeling the pain in my front teeth. He'd struck me in the forehead with the steel track. Not on purpose. I hope.
Days later I still have a headache.
I got the door panel built and hung. I proudly marveled at my ingenuity when I pulled the panel wide open to have it stop suddenly. How long has that strut been there anyway? About twenty-five years.
Sigh. Somedays are for doing laundry.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Autumn 2010
She's here. She's been here since last Saturday and every morning before I got to work I feed her a carrot or an apple and I bid her a good day. It's been a very warm November since Autumn came home. The sun has been bright and the air seems crisp.
I had the opportunity to ride for the first time in nearly three years. It was magic. It was amazing. It was serene and peaceful and I can't believe I waited so long.
The routine of brushing was familiar as was lifting the saddle to place it gently on her back. Adjusting the saddle pad and slowing tightening the girth. It brought a quiet contemplation to my day. I was excited, but I was excited like I was the day Brent and I got married. It was a peaceful, quiet excitement that comes with the knowledge that this is a good fit, a great match and will only enrich your life.
As I hoisted myself up into the saddle and settled in we clicked. I think we both remembered and we both relaxed to enjoy the simple pleasure of each other's company.
We walked. We ambled around the farm. We checked the fence lines, front yard and fifteen acre hay field out back. The gentle rocking of her pace and my body were matched evenly and I started to look around at the field. I had wonderful memories of riding this same field with Sam and having an amazing connection.
I remember sneaking off to ride at night. I remember galloping through the open field with the wind on my face making my eyes water. I remember smelling the damp earth, rotting leaves and crisp autumn air.
I am so lucky. I am so lucky to relive these happy memories and create new adult memories at the same time.
Everyone always said I could come back to riding later in life after I did so many other things like: finishing my education, getting a job, getting married, having a family, raising my children and triumphing in a fabulous career.
My life didn't work out that way and I'm incredibly grateful for surprises even if I didn't like some of them at the time. Time heals even if at the time you don't think you will ever feel joy again.
I had the opportunity to ride for the first time in nearly three years. It was magic. It was amazing. It was serene and peaceful and I can't believe I waited so long.
The routine of brushing was familiar as was lifting the saddle to place it gently on her back. Adjusting the saddle pad and slowing tightening the girth. It brought a quiet contemplation to my day. I was excited, but I was excited like I was the day Brent and I got married. It was a peaceful, quiet excitement that comes with the knowledge that this is a good fit, a great match and will only enrich your life.
As I hoisted myself up into the saddle and settled in we clicked. I think we both remembered and we both relaxed to enjoy the simple pleasure of each other's company.
We walked. We ambled around the farm. We checked the fence lines, front yard and fifteen acre hay field out back. The gentle rocking of her pace and my body were matched evenly and I started to look around at the field. I had wonderful memories of riding this same field with Sam and having an amazing connection.
I remember sneaking off to ride at night. I remember galloping through the open field with the wind on my face making my eyes water. I remember smelling the damp earth, rotting leaves and crisp autumn air.
I am so lucky. I am so lucky to relive these happy memories and create new adult memories at the same time.
Everyone always said I could come back to riding later in life after I did so many other things like: finishing my education, getting a job, getting married, having a family, raising my children and triumphing in a fabulous career.
My life didn't work out that way and I'm incredibly grateful for surprises even if I didn't like some of them at the time. Time heals even if at the time you don't think you will ever feel joy again.
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