A Cold, Dreary Day for a Visit

Tim has been in Arizona all week and I have been doing the daily barn checks (something I am very happy to do.) Even on a day when the temperature is 35, it's raining a very cold rain, and there is melting snow and mud everywhere, my heart is at the barn.

This morning I chose to alter my usual route and drive past Hadley Lake, a kettle lake  just a mile or two from my home.

There is a bald eagles' nest that I like to watch. (You can see it as the upside down triangle in the tall tree mid left.) Right now, the eagles are working on the nest and should begin laying eggs in just a few weeks.

Abby saw my car arrive and she came up from the far west pasture to visit and to get a nice, long drink. There's nothing like fresh water in the tank!

See what I mean about the mud? But better this than when the mud freezes and you have deep holes that the horses have to negotiate. They don't like to walk on that and neither do I. 

 Sultanna and Diablo came up to say hello, but I just gave them cursory pats and got back in my car as I filled the trough. That rain was so cold!

Abby got a little sassy and showed Sultanna her place but then let her drink. To my surprise, she also pinned her ears at Diablo, and Diablo backed off. Diablo has been the herd alpha for years; have things changed? I'm going to keep an eye on that. 

I made sure that Trouble and Hokey were doing okay, walked through the new barn to be sure no pipes had broken and that everything was in place as it should be, and then headed home.

A little horse therapy goes a long way on a cold and dreary day!

A Little Horse Therapy

Today will be a tough day for me - it is the day that teachers go back to work, and I won't be joining them.

I retired earlier than planned because I was having health issues and didn't feel well much of the time,  and it was absolutely, without a doubt,  the right decision. But my heart is still in the classroom with the kids.

Me last May, leading the last day of school parade for retiring staff and 5th graders who were leaving for middle school.

I have several things planned to take my mind off of what is happening back at school - a dentist appointment (that'll distract just about anyone!) and then some barn time with my girl.

 There is something about just being with her that makes me feel as though all will be okay.

And it will be; I just need to adjust to my new normal. Glad I have my girl to help me through it.

To the Barn at Last!

I have been unable to get out to the barn to see Abby since my mother died on August 27.  She's only five miles from my home, but it's not the distance that was challenging, it was finding the time and energy to get there. Planning my mom's funeral, having all our children and family come in, keeping my classroom going, and dealing with the myriad things the passing of a loved one can bring took every ounce of energy I had and made for some very long days.

Last night I finally felt that things had settled enough for me to spare the time it took to head out and see my girl.

Abby was happy to see me - no dithering about whether she wanted to amble over and see what treat I'd brought her this time!

Nope! She stretched her head over the stall door as far as she could, crowding up against it  as you can see in this picture.

It was over 90 degrees outside, but inside the old barn was cool and breezy. (I love how the sun comes streaming through behind Abby in this picture.)

Abby made short work of the apple I'd brought her and then licked my hand thoroughly. That every-visit gesture from her was comforting. It helped me relax and feel as though some bit of normalcy had returned to my life.

I am so glad I was finally able to get to the barn. Horse therapy is a very real comfort.