Diary of a Happy Appy

The horses have moved from the private barn they were in due to insurance issues with the barn owner to a public boarding barn just off Pioneers Park in Lincoln.  Both of the horses have settled in well and have made friends with their barn mates.  They get ample food, water, sunshine, and fresh air, and training/riding is proceeding well.  However... Little Ms. Honey would like to lodge a formal complaint with the complaint department.  She has made it known that not enough treats are coming her way and she is extremely disappointed in her Minion Mama C.  Louie is just happy he hasn't gotten in too much trouble yet and is on his best behavior.... for now.... [Read more]

Louie is back in Lincoln after having almost 3 years in KS at the farm.  As you can tell in the video, he's pretty pleased with himself and his skills.  Look out for loads of pictures and videos of Louie & Honey as we adventure out and about with new friends and old  :)... [Read more]

I know that helmets can be a controversial issue among us horse folks.  But, here are just a few reasons to wear one when riding. 1.              Helmets can save lives. Head injuries are the leading cause of death in horseback riding accidents. A helmet can help to protect your head in the event of a fall and can reduce the risk of serious injury or death. 2.              Helmets are comfortable and easy to wear. There are many different types of helmets available, so you can find one that fits well and is comfortable to wear. 3.              Helmets are affordable. Helmets are a relatively inexpensive investment that can provide you with peace of mind and help to protect you in the event of a fall. 4.              Helmets can set a good example. Wearing a helmet can set a good example for other riders and help to promote safety in the equestrian community. 5.              A helmet can protect you from the sun. The sun's rays can be very harmful to your skin, and they can also cause eye problems. A helmet can help to protect you from the sun's rays, and it can help to keep you cool and comfortable. It is important to choose a helmet that fits properly and is comfortable to wear. You should also have your helmet fitted by a qualified professional to ensure that it is the right size and style for you. You should also replace your helmet every five years, or sooner if it has been damaged in a fall. If you're not sure if you should wear a helmet when horseback riding, the answer is simple: yes, you should. Helmets are a simple way to protect yourself from serious injury or death, and they're comfortable and stylish to boot. So there's no reason not to wear one.... [Read more]

Proverbs 17:22 – A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. I am not sure that I have ever been around a happier horse than little Miss Honey.  She generally greets you with ears up and a gentle nicker.  Of course, she could just be hopeful for a cookie or an apple… But she is generally a happy little horse.  She likes to go out to explore the world when we go on a trail ride, looking forward with wide eyes and pricked ears.  Happy to see what is around the bend.  If we are doing some arena work, she is bouncing through that with a spring in her step looking for the next challenge.  I am wondering, do we have a choice to be like Honey?  To greet each day with our eyes open and ears perked up looking for the next adventure that is coming our way?  Maybe the adage “Happiness is a choice” could be applied?  Maybe when circumstances threaten to crush people’s spirits and sink them into the gloom, they need the powerful medicine of joy more than ever.  Solomon is probably not advocating a superficial “grin and bear it” or “put on a happy face” mentality, but instead, a deep, abiding faith that all will be well for those who trust God. Life’s trials and disappointments can feel crushing at times, but we don’t need to roll over and despair.  Maybe the prescription for happiness is right at our fingertips?  We can cultivate our faith in the good news of the One who encourages us with these words: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world, you may have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” Heavenly Father, grant me the wisdom to look for the joy in little things.  To smile at a fawn frolicking in a hayfield, the song of a bluebird, and the chatter of the Cardinal.  Help me to cultivate the faith that I have in you that all will turn out as it should, in your time, not mine.  Amen... [Read more]

Matthew 17:20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Sunday was a difficult day for Louie.  Nothing seemed to be going the way he wanted it to go and he had a little bit of a melt-down.  There was cotton blowing from the cottonwood trees, people walking on the path across the creek, bicycles going down the road, and then there was a truck.  The truck was his undoing that morning and everything went downhill from there.  Louie had a hard time standing next to the block for me to get on him; this was due to the cotton blowing on the ground.  That and I wouldn’t let him eat the weeds that had been sprayed with weed-killer.  So, he snorted, blew, and got a piece of that darned cotton up his nose.  Most of the time Louie is very good and will wait patiently while I step up on the block and into the saddle.  Today we just were not in sync and it wasn’t our day.  Louie didn’t have faith that I would keep him safe from the tiny little pieces of cotton blowing around (like they have been Every. Single. Day!) and I somehow failed to reassure him.  We did make it safely through our ride, he did finally remember that I was there to keep him safe.  But isn’t that the way we always do things?  We know that God is there to protect and guide us.  That all we need to do is have faith, just a tiny bit that God has us and we can accomplish anything that we set our minds to.  We just have to keep that little bit of faith, both in ourselves and in God; that with God all things are possible. Lord, help me be prepared, but not anxious. Be aware, but not desperate. Be vigilant, but not in fear. Be joyful, but not clueless. Be faithful, but not careless. Lord, be my hope and strength. Amen.... [Read more]

"LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.” — Psalm 30:2 Little Miss Honey has been battling a respiratory infection the last few weeks.  We took her in to the vet this past Monday for bloodwork and a check-up.  She was not exactly happy with the poking and prodding and at one point tried to hide behind her “mom” when the vet was talking about doing more procedures with her.  So, we decided to do another round of antibiotics and see where she was after a week.  Honey does not like the new antibiotics.  They are liquid and I have to give them to her by squirting them in her mouth.  She makes ugly faces and sometimes walks away from me.  Just as we sometimes don’t like to take medicine that can help or heal us, Honey feels the same way about her twice daily medicine.  I am thankful that the vet (horse dr.) has the knowledge and skill that God helped her acquire to know how to run the correct tests to diagnose Honey.  Sometimes I have learned that when times look bleak and it seems that what you are going through will not end; remember to continue to pray.  God is listening.  You may not always hear the answer right away, but there will be an answer to those prayers.  Through prayer, skill and medicine, Honey should be back to full health and giving Louie grief in a few days.  She is, after all, the “little sister”!  Lord, Thank you for the many times that you restore health and strength to those who are sick. Thank You for the times we have seen those with life-threatening diseases made whole and strengthened by Your goodness and grace. Amen... [Read more]

6/4/21 Matthew 7:7-8 ~ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door opens.” I think little miss Honey has been reading this scripture regularly.  She has been asking and knocking at the door to her stall for treats, snacks and extra meals like a hobbit looking for 2nd and 3rd breakfast.  She is teaching the little colt next door how to beg for snacks and treats.  Louie pretty much ignores her unless she is successful in getting on of her minions (me) to give an extra helping of hay or dinner snackies.  Then he joins in on the begging.  Honey and Louie even do a pat down to see if I am hiding cookies in my pockets when I go in to clean their rooms!  These horses have it made.  Breakfast and dinner in bed, Mani-pedies every 6 weeks, spa days, personal chauffer, all the cookies, and housekeeping every day to keep their rooms tidy with clean sheets.  Just as I take care of Honey and Louie when they “knock” and “seek”; God takes care of us when ask and seek.  God responds to everyone that seeks.  It is not based on how “good” you are or if you are “worthy”.  Have you knocked?  God is there waiting to hear from you.  I know that there are times when I have prayed, I have not always gotten the answer I was looking for at the time, but in time it has proven to be the answer I needed at that time in my life.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ~ 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Let us continue to knock on the door and seek the answers that we search for.  I know I will and do continuously pray.  Won’t you join me in prayer? Heavenly Father, thank you that there is nowhere I can go that is beyond your presence. I am blessed beyond measure. You have said that you will never leave me or forsake me, you are always with me. May I live a life of thankfulness in your presence. May your love be the passion in my heart. May your joy be my strength when times are hard. May your presence be my peace that overflows. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.... [Read more]

Faith isn’t a feeling.  It’s a choice to trust God even when the road ahead seems uncertain. ~ Dave Willis Faith and Trust, two words each with  5 letters. Both on the surface seem so small but yet are so big.  Have Faith and Trust you hear people say.  I myself have often said the same thing.  But what does that really mean? In working with horses I have to trust in my instincts and have faith that what I am doing is the right thing.  After working with these wonderful animals for many, many years I have learned to read their body language and subtle cues that they give me when working with them.  Some say that it is “whispering” to horses.  No, not really; I am just listening to what they are telling me as if I was having a conversation with anyone else.  The flick of an ear, the tightening of facial muscles, swishing of a tail… Those are all ways that horses speak to us if we listen.  Just as your pet dog or cat “speaks” to you when they want let out, a treat, your attention, to play, etc. This picture above is of Louie on his first trip out into Wilderness Park this year.  He hadn't bee out away from the barn or his friends in almost two years!  Horses are herd animals and they trust their herd to keep them safe in stressful situations.  For a horse to go away from his or her barn on a solo trail ride with just their person is a big deal sometimes.  The horse has to have trust in their person to keep them safe, that no harm will come to them away from their herd and their safe-space at the barn.  So, Louie's ears are forward.  He was not nervous and he trusted me to keep him safe away from his barn and herd. You’re probably thinking right about now, what does this have to do with today’s word's, faith and trust.  Well, honestly if we all would take a deep breath, take a step back and look at things through a clear lens we might see things the way the other person does.  How can we be the voice of reason in a sometimes unreasonable time or place?  I believe it all starts with faith and trust in God, that God will help us through this time in our lives right now.  As in Philippians 4:6-7 says   “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Lord, Help me to hear your voice over all the other voices in my head.  Fill me with hope and faith and give me a reminder today that faith is an unbreakable spiritual lifeline. Amen.... [Read more]

Proverbs 3:5-6 5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Trust, such a simple word; yet in so many ways it carries tremendous weight.  For fun I regularly ride horses, they weigh over 1,000 pounds and have a mind of their own.  There has to be a mutual trust between us for our relationship to work.  I have to trust that they won’t plant me in the dirt and they have to trust that I won’t put them in a harmful situation.  If I had a relationship based on fear or force with my horse, I couldn’t trust that he would perform to his highest level in a tense situation.  I wouldn’t be able to ride him without the fear of him running off and brushing me under a tree or into a fence.  It would be difficult for me to calm and reassure Louie when he gets frightened of the tree that he has calmly walked by for two previous weeks… Just as Louie and I have to have a trusting relationship, we also have to have a loving and trusting relationship with God.  We should have a loving and trusting relationship with God.  In order to do that we need to spend time in God’s word and with God.  We have to “Trust in the Lord with all our heart “, Not part of it, not some of it, but all of it.  Can you imagine if I was asking Louie to trust that I would get him to the other side of a river if I did not have a strong and trusting bond with him?  It would be a disaster for both of us.  Let us put our trust and faith in God, acknowledge God and let God guide our feet where they should go.  Who else is a better partner to guide us? Dear Lord, help me to trust you with my decisions and my future. Let me lean on you with all my heart instead of relying on my own imperfect understanding. Give me clear guidance in my life, Lord. As I submit myself to you, I know that you will direct my paths and I can have confidence that your direction is always the best way to go, Amen.... [Read more]

Ephesians 4:2 ~ Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. A humble person is not proud and does not believe they are better than any other person.  Being gentle is to be moderate in action, effect, or degree; not harsh or severe. And patient, is being able to accept or tolerate delays, problems or suffering with becoming annoyed or anxious.  You’re probably thinking to yourselves... “ok Carrie, why the lesson on words?”  Well, it ties in with two things: working with people and horses.  When I was younger, I didn’t know as much about working with either and had a pretty quick temper, so as a result my horses were pretty quick too.  As I’ve grown older and more observant, I’ve learned that working with horses and people have some similarities. You should remain levelheaded in all situations.  The more fired up and quick tempered you are, the more fired up the other person or horse is going to be.  Think carefully before you speak, do your words have meaning, will they help or hurt and are they kind?  Don’t be afraid to back up and say when you’re wrong, it happens to all of us.  And most importantly, be patient with one another, especially right now.  We’re all in this mess together, smile, hold a door for someone, say thank you and let someone go ahead of you in line, they could be having a bad day and you could make it a little brighter. Working with horses has definitely taught me to be humble; nothing like a dirt sandwich when you think you know it all!  Patience is a virtue, especially with horses that don’t know how to tell time! And a cookies can go a long way with a stubborn horse that won’t load or a neighbor having a rough time with a teething baby. Heavenly Father, Thank you for watching over us, for keeping us safe in these uncertain times and for watching over our friends and families.  Please remind us to be patient with each other as we continue to navigate through these uncertain times ahead.  In your name, Amen.... [Read more]

This past weekend I was on vacation.  I say that term a little loosely because when I take a couple extra days off, I am either at a horse show or I am at the farm in Kansas working on something to help Mom.  This past weekend was no different.  The exception was that I brought the horses back with me this time.  But, while down there I was able to help make Mom’s sheep pens a little better.  There are times when you are out in the field working that it is just you, the tools and nature.  You forget that there is a whole city waiting for you to get back to when you are done with your vacation.  So, while I was pounding t-posts into the ground and putting wire panels up I had a chance to listen to What a wonderful world that God has truly gifted us with.  I heard meadowlarks singing, pheasants and sparrows; there was the far off sound of the cattle lowing and the horses chewing their hay as well as the wind blowing through the prairie grass in the field.  Then you would hear an occasional flok of geese or a hawk overhead. When I opened my Bible to look for a verse for this week, not just one verse stood out.  But Psalm 136; “1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” This Psalm is full of all of the wonderful things that God has created and that we give thanks for because God’s love endures forever   Lord Jesus, forgive me for not saying “Thank You.” I repent of focusing on the things I don’t have, instead of the blessings You have given me. I want to be like the one who returned to express gratitude. Thank You for saving me, forgiving me and providing for my needs each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen..... [Read more]

I read an article years ago written by Jane Savoie called “3 Secrets to Making Every Ride a Great Ride” It was about seeing things in shades of grey and not black and white.  Stop expecting perfection every day of yourself and your horse and things will gradually get better to where you want them to be.  I use these things for my position; are my hands quieter? Did I sit straighter? Are my eyes up or looking down? For my horse, is he straighter? On the correct lead? Am I clear in what I am asking of him?  Did he spook less at the scary corner in the arena? Another thing to do is develop an attitude of gratitude.  Remember to say thank you.  I get to have a relationship with these wonderful animals.  Just yesterday I was getting ready to leave Lincoln to head to KS to pack the horses up from the farm to come back to town as I left the barn where they will be staying I heard a “ker-thump”, not long after; you guessed it.. low air pressure light came on and I have a flat tire.  GREAT!  This puts me way behind schedule because now I have to call AAA to get it changed, then fixed then get on the road. Here’s where that attitude of gratitude comes in, I ended up needing to replace my tire.  Was this God speaking to me to make sure that my vehicle was in order before I hauled my horses back?  Probably.  Or I like to think so.  Just that someone special watching over us making sure that we stop, take a breath and quit rushing from place to place. Gracious Lord, Thank you for watching over us, for always being that guiding hand that gently steers us where we should be even if we don’t realize it at the time.  Please continue to watch over those that need your grace, presence and healing. Amen.... [Read more]

“Hope springs eternal in the human breast; man never is, but always to be blest; The soul, uneasy and confin’d from home, Rests and expatiates in a life to come.”  - Alexander Pope I am ever hopeful that the future will be better than the past.  That my fellow man will do the right thing.  But, then I turn on the news and there is another shooting, another death and I am brought to tears.  I am ever hopeful that God has a plan and that somehow there has to be something good come out of all the mess that the world is in right now.  Although, I am not sure what that is.  I have to trust that God has a plan, just like Louie trusts that I have in my hand a peppermint after I unwrap one.  He is trusting and hopeful that I have his best interests at heart.  There is no way that I would trick him with an apple and not the most loved peppermint! I have to hope that there is a greater plan in place for us, that we can turn this corner together and like Louie hopes, there is a peppermint in that wrapper instead of an apple. Heavenly Father, I pray that you comfort those that have lost loved ones in the recent shootings, lend skill to the hands to the doctors that are so needed at this time and give us faith that you will show us the way out of this time that we are in.  Amen... [Read more]

Jeremiah 30:17 ~ "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD" A couple years ago Louie was out with some of his pals for the day in their turn-out pens and when he came in, he was limping.  There was no obvious sores or marks on him.  We could not figure out what was wrong with my buddy.  Of course, him being a horse, he couldn’t just tell me what was going on, so we had to start looking for the problem. We narrowed it down to his back foot (hoof).  It turns out, that he had picked up a nail in his foot and it was rather painful.  We had to have the vet take an x ray of his foot to see if there had been any damage done and then came the long hours and days of soaking it to get any infection out from the rusty piece of nail.  We sat in the barn isle day after day with his foot in a boot, me talking to him, to God and get quite a few things figured out. Sometimes people, and animals are hurting and they can’t tell you where or why they are hurting.  They may need a friend to listen to them, they may need someone to help guide them to God and they may need to know where there is a safe space is.  It may be as simple as introducing them to your Pastor and church or sitting and having a cup of coffee after a worship service.  Lord, Help me be there for a friend or stranger in need as they have been for me.  Guide my words and deeds in your way so that I may be a comfort to those who might need it.  Amen.... [Read more]

Every now and then again, A good horse comes along, You better pay attention, Be a shame if you go wrong.   When you see him comin’, You must not hesitate, “Cause you just might miss him, If too long you wait.   The good ones are attractive, People look for build and color, And if they’re at an auction, Will out-bid one another.   Why, just last week in Cow Town, One brought a hundred grand, Lord knows I was honored, Just in the barn to stand.   But out there in the country, When you can have some time, To look at what you’re seein’, You’ll sooner come out fine.   The width of hip, it matters, You’ll want a pretty head, And if he’s moving graceful, Broke but not plumb dead.   Does he look closer at you, Or does he look on past, Does he seem to know you, Is that feelin’ gonna last.   It’s not unlike the Savior, When He sees us, we are known, The one He paid the price for, And will take us home.   And bonded there forever, He with His love will heal, All that hurts and ails us, ‘Cause His grace is so real.   So don’t miss that old pony, When he finally comes along, And get in Jesus’ halter, With Him you can’t go wrong. I came across this website and Facebook page called Gods Horseback Gospel awhile back and read a few posts and poems; didn’t really think a whole lot about it and then stumbled across it again the other day.  In reading this poem “Good Horse” By Brad McClain it brings back cherished memories of the horses that I have ridden, trained, loved, not loved, been SO glad to see the backside of them get in the trailer and the ones that I have shed crazy tears over because I have lost.  It also reminds me that every once in a while you get that ONE, that one special horse that makes all the others worthwhile.  You know the ones I’m talking about?  The bad actors, the gossipers, the slackers, the ones that step on your toes to get ahead in line. Wink, not just talking about horses here! But, if we think about it... we were chosen. God thought we were pretty special and paid the price for us.  God’s grace, love, and faith in us promises that we can trust that God knows that we were worth the price.  God gives us peace once we have that connection.  We know that with God, we can’t go wrong.  “…we will come and make our home with each of them…” (John 14:23, NLT) Lord, give us faith, and make that faith grow in us day by day. Also give us hope and love, so that we may serve our neighbors according to your will; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. https://www.godshorsebackgospel.com/daily-poem/good-horse... [Read more]

I smile when I catch God watching me through the eyes of my horse…   There is nothing quite like the innocence of an animal or a child.  If you are unsure of what I am talking about, watch as a puppy or a dog plays in the new fallen snow.  I know I cannot remember the last time that I have unabashedly just gone out and played in the snow or jumped in a pile of leaves. Do you?  These past few days here in Lincoln we received 12 – 14 inches of snow depending on where you were in the city.  I don’t know about you, but all that white fluffy cold stuff did not entice me to come out and play! But my neighborhood kids sure do love playing in it.  I know our pony Honey loves standing outside in it and watching it come down.  Louie… Not so much.  He’s more like me.  He wants to be in his cozy house out of the weather with a blankie, slippers and a peppermint cocoa watching tv. But, regardless of if it is snowing, sunny or if we are just lazing around… When I look into the trusting eyes of my horse, I see God.  I feel peace knowing that even though there are times that I am far from everything I am still in the presence of the Lord.  God sees me and hears me. Won’t you take some time this weekend for yourself?  Sit quietly and talk to God if it has been a while.  Jeremiah 29:12 says “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Heavenly Father, please strengthen our hearts, and remind us to encourage one another when the troubles of life start to overwhelm us. Give us the strength up to rise up each day and fight against the struggles which seek to weigh us down. Amen.... [Read more]

Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings in tune without words, And never stops at all.  (Emily Dickinson)   Have you ever had one of those feelings?  You know the one that I’m talking about, that feeling that you get where you know that something you want is going to happen, your pretty sure of it, but you’re not 100% sure of it but you have that gut feeling?  That is that hope feeling that trust that we have in the Lord that everything will work out the way that God has planned.   Jeremiah 17:7 – Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, an whose hope is in the Lord.  I moved to Nebraska in 2009 from East Texas, I knew no one and really had nothing except my two horses and my little dog Brady.  Fast forward a few years, I now have no little dog (old age) and one happy appy gelding named Louie and two degrees I didn’t have when I moved here.  I also gained a new family in KS and a church family.  The reason I am going through the short snapshot is because I had no one and nothing when I moved here, the only thing I did have was Faith, Hope and Trust in the Lord to see me through what I was going through.  Sometimes when we see what troubled times are ahead, we need to remember to have faith and trust in the Lord that he will see us through what we are facing.  I know this past year has been difficult on all of us; but I have faith that we will get through them together and come out stronger in the end. Lord, Thank you for all you have done for us and continue to do for us.  Please be with our leaders as they guide our country in healing.  Please watch over our church family and keep them safe.  Amen.... [Read more]

Out to the barn I go, to lose my mind and free my soul… I am taking a few days off this week to spend in KS with my horses.  They have been at the farm since October 2019 for the winter off.  Well, that turned into the CoVid Quarantine with everything including boarding barns on lockdown.  So, my normal horse time to destress and maintain my equine level of happiness has been lacking! There are introverts, extroverts and then there is me; I am a horsetrovert… I rejuvenate not by being by myself reading or meditating, or around people and parties, but by being in the company of horses and riding.  I feel at peace and find comfort with these wonderful animals.  Sometimes I can be my most prayerful self in the barn where it is quiet and peaceful.  Louie has been happy to help me destress and give plenty of horse hugs and even a ride this week.  The last year has been difficult for everyone and we all need to take time to destress and find our happy place to find those quiet moments with God, to talk, to be thankful, to pray and to meditate on the past year and the upcoming year.  As I was working in Louie’s pen yesterday and listening to him munch his hay, I was thankful for God’s grace that I could travel to the farm, I am hopeful for the upcoming year and I am praying for our country to come together in healing in the coming months. Can listening to a horse solve all of life’s problems?  Probably not.  But the simple act of slowing down, listening to the breeze, the birds and my horse savoring his hay makes me thankful for what I do have. Heavenly Father, thank you for the things we have, for our family and a country where we can speak our difference of opinions.  Please watch over and keep your hand on our leaders so that they can lead our country safely towards the future.  Amen. Share Tweet Forward... [Read more]

For the first time in 800 years we saw the Christmas Star.  This is after almost a full year of CoVid 19 and shut-downs.  One has to wonder, if God can send a rainbow to Moses after 40 days of rain and flooding.  What does 2021 hold in store for us?  We have seen things in 2020 that most have never seen.  The last pandemic that shut down countries was the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918.  One has to have faith that God would not give us more than we can handle, right? But, we are tired.  Our health care system is tired.  Our country is in turmoil and we needed a sign.  I am not sure how much more clear God could have gotten than this.  "Trust and know..."... [Read more]

Bo, Beau, BoBo, Or Mr. BoJangles as I showed him under in our brief jumper stint years ago has passed on.  For the last 23 years he has been my Dad's riding horse and companion.  For the last 10 or so of those, he was mainly an opinionated old man horse that complained if his meals were later than her thought they should be.  But, he was loved and spoiled.  He was a retired 3 gaited saddle seat show horse that I tried and failed to make into a 3 day eventer.  I have learned so much since the days of Bo!  He taught me that to jump is to fly without wings.  Hang on, trust and he would land safely on the other side, no matter what the size or angle of the takeoff point.   Bo and Dad traversed the trails of Indiana and Tennessee and went places that most horses wouldn't go.  They were a fearless team.  One that had only to ask, where next?  Bo went up and down the trails of Central Tennessee with Dad on his back proudly.  There was no hesitation is his step, he knew where he was going just ask him, he would lead you.   Bo lived a great life, he had the best of everything a horse could want.  Two pastures to choose from, alfalfa hay, his choice of grain and supplements.  He also got spoiled with cookies as well as other treats whenever he wanted them.   But, don't let that fool you.  Bo let few into his circle.  He would raise his head as high as he could and look down at you to see if you were worthy of being in his presence.  If not, you got a grunt and he was off.  If you were deemed worthy, you were allowed to tell him how wonderful and handsome he was, give him his treats and then be off. Yes, Bo was very opinionated.  Most would say just like his owner.  But he will be missed.  He graced the hills of Central Tennessee for 23 years and was one of the best companions man could have.  Run free Big boy, Run free!... [Read more]

Christmas is days away, and I am steadily STILL working on presents!  I recently took up weaving and am weaving cotton dish towels for my dear, dear adopted Mom.  Mom in Canada is going to have to wait until after Christmas for her present, it is still on the cone, and the hot chocolate mix for my co-workers?  Still hasn't been mixed!  Eek!  But, the good thing, I know what I am doing 😆 The horses will get left over candy canes, their favorite treat ever!  plus some extra apples (Honey) and carrots (Louie) and Mom's dog, Rawley will even get a treat.  Leyna, our ever spoiled kitty will get a new Squirrel to "kill" in the front room.  That is her most favorite other than a new box and packing paper, packing paper and a box is the BEST! If you are missing the devotionals I was writing every week, never fear they will be back after Epiphany.  But right now we are in Advent season and focusing on the joy of Christmas!  If you miss your devotionals please visit us here to get a daily devotion https://www.facebook.com/FPCDevotionals So while things are still not back to normal, we are still stuck in the pandemic of 2020 covid.  There is hope on the horizon in the form of at least 2 vaccines.  Things will get better and maybe, just maybe this summer there will actually be a semi-normal summer of riding and some shows or at the least, trail riding with the horses and friends! But, for now please take care, mask up and stay safe!... [Read more]

The end of November, first of December has been busy and kind of eventful!  I have been elected to be the Nebraska Dressage Association board and as such will be the incoming president.  I am also on the Region 4 USDF Nomination committee as well as being one of the Dressage Foundation's GMO's Ambassadors!  Add that in to being on the board for the Nebraska Cowboy Dressage group and work as well as my newest addiction weaving and I have a busy year in 2021!   Louie and Honey are still enjoying their long break with CoVid and hanging out at the farm getting fat and sassy.  They both have been wearing their masks and staying socially distanced as much as possible with a couple of exceptions... Louie was not as impressed with the masks as Honey was.  He is impatiently waiting for the vaccine to come out. So, for now we wait and see what 2021 will hold for us.  Hopefully it is a vaccine and more opportunities for riding and showing.... [Read more]

This is going to be a griping post.  There are a couple of things I just don't like, sorry but I have to get it out there.  Certain artists should not sing Christmas songs, period.  They ruin them with doing the high pitched runs and whatnots.  I am sure some people love it and think it wonderful.  However, I don't care for it at all.  Give me a good old fashioned choir singing Away in a Manger, or Silent Night and I am a happy camper.   The other thing.... pumpkin everything???  Blech!   Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin lattes , spiced pumpkin candles, and on and on.... Not everyone loves pumpkin.  For the love of desserts, please, please do not try to hide pumpkin in a chocolate chip muffin!  😝  Now that I have gotten that out there...What are your favorite Christmas songs, customs, foods, etc?... [Read more]

1 Chronicles 16:34 ~ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;  his love endures forever. Friday, the day after Thanksgiving 2020.  What a weird year!  I never thought I would not be with friends and family on Thanksgiving.  That we would have to be distant when this day has always been a time to come together and give thanks as a family, as a group.  But, here we are zooming get-togethers and having pie over Facetime.  I have many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend and moving into Advent.  I am most Thankful for my family, friends, and the wonderful friends I have made at First Presbyterian Church.  They have always encouraged me to follow my heart and dreams no matter where they lead me.  I am also thankful to know that the words spoken in 1 Chronicles 16:34 are true, the Lord is good, his love does endure forever.  We do not have to do anything special to earn that love. If you have not heard it yet today, you are loved, you are special, and I am thankful that you are here.  Be safe and be well.  I think that the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson sum up everything I am thankful this Thanksgiving weekend. Father We Thank Thee For flowers that bloom about our feet, For blue of stream and blue of sky, For this new morning with its light,... [Read more]

“It becomes a dark time when we lose faith in each other and thus lack courage.” Chogyam Trungpa, Buddhist teacher Most of you know that I am ever optimistic, “This too shall pass” and “Glass half full”. Through everything I have had two constants pushing me forward and keeping me optimistic and looking for that other side of the rain cloud.  One is my faith in God that all will be put right in time not of our choosing but of God’s choosing.  The second is I have an outlet for my stress and worry, my horses.  There have been a few over the years and you have read about the special ones.  Right now Louie, my “Happy Appy” is near and dear to my heart.  He is goofy and kind and makes me smile. A couple weeks ago I was at the farm in KS trimming their hooves.  Just like trimming our fingernails.  Louie LOVES to take my hair out of its ponytail.  I had a different hair tie in that he couldn’t figure out that weekend.  Horses like dogs or cats can tell when people are having a problem.  They are very sensitive, just like a dog an tell when a person is scared or frightened of them so can horses.  Louie seems to know when he needs to be goofy to cheer me up and when he needs to be serious and “work”. Even in this time where we cannot do the things that we would normally do, get together with loved ones, have big gatherings with friends and family, hug our loved ones. Find those simple things that can bring you some peace and joy.  I will be making a LOT more phone calls over the next few weeks, spending more time reading good books with a cup of hot cocoa and trying to enjoy a simpler holiday season where I don’t have to run and be anywhere. Gracious Heavenly Father, Thank you for your never ending love.  Please watch over those that are traveling this next week as they visit friends and family.  Please watch over the healthcare workers as they care for those in need.  Amen... [Read more]