Height and Humble

LAH farm has about 10 horses total on the farm.
There are a variety of sizes among them.
Peanut, a Shetland pony, is white with brown spots.  He's the smallest of the horses.
Eclipse, a Hanoverian/Paint cross, is black and white.  She's the tallest of them all.  And I must say quite tall at 17.2 hands.
Horses are measured in what's called Hands-about 4 inch units. 
So yah, she's quite tall.
I've been near and next to her at times.  Sometimes when I'm watering her bucket or the trough in the pasture she'll be nearby and I'll say "hello".
Sometimes when I'm near her I can't help feel a sense of awe and humbleness.
She's so big and yet also thankfully has a good demeanor.  She's pretty gentle and sweet.
Can't help loving that.

Such large beautiful animals can bring up feels of awe and humbleness.

I remember my mom taking us to see the Budweiser Clydesdale premier at the South Shore Plaza, Braintree years ago. 
They had them prance around for the crowd.  Just awe inspiring.  What a presence.

Horses are large, beautiful, strong creatures that inspire me.

Here's a pen and ink drawing I did of a team of draft horses.
This image was used for an embroidered logo for a draft horse farm. 

The Sand Box

When I was young we had a sand box in the yard.  I enjoyed playing in the sand box. 
Moving the sand around.
Creating grooves.
Sometimes making building  like structures.  Adding twigs at times. 

There was that enjoyment in using my hands to create something and not minding getting a little dirty. 

I do morning chores at Lend-A-Hand farm.  It's outdoor work.
Watering troughs
Clean  Paddocks of manure and hay-no longer fresh
Sweeping in indoor arena

One has to not mind getting a little dirty in such work.

One good thing about clean paddocks is "What one sees, You Pick up".
I  rake a small pile of manure together.  Pick it up and dump it in the wheel barrel.
Sometimes I rake the spot over to smooth out dirt after.
I'll rake hay- no longer fresh in a pile too and then pick it up.

There are many other tasks to do on the farm.
In the afternoon, the horses that will be used for lessons are brought in the barn.
I'm not on this shift, yet I know there is:

Grooming of horses
Putting riding equipment on horses as requested to suite individual lessons.

During lesson:
Horse leader
Side walkers
Therapist work

When I took riding lessons, I groomed and saddled the "school" horse for each lesson.
When I participated in the barn's horse shows, a whole group of students and instructors would get together the Saturday before the show and bathe, groom, braid the horses.
We'd also clean saddles and bridles.
- I must say I am pretty good at braiding.

oh those days were fun.

Sometimes when I am with the horses, I think about my good friend and former riding instructor.
She passed away a couple of years ago from Cancer.
She was a riding instructor for a number of years.
Outdoor work - working with horses and students.

I know she was proud of all her students accomplishments.  I was one of her students.
I was so proud of her too.
She knew I loved being around the horses and farm.

Sometimes I imagine her watching and smiling down at me as I work around the farm.

Blessed

There's more where that came from

I now work at LAH farm Monday through Friday.
I check and fill water troughs in paddocks.  Then move inside the barn and check-fill water buckets.
I also clean stalls and paddocks.

Paddock cleaning can be interesting.
Depending on the time I do each paddock I may have a horse in there with me or not.
I don't mind if they are.  I've gotten to know the horses and they've gotten to know me. 

I have wondered sometimes at things.  And today I made note, again, that when I clean around them there - not every time, yet often enough- a horse will leave a "gift" for me to add to my work already there.
Is it about cleanliness? Or animal marking? or syncing with the energy going on?  ..... I can really turn thoughts and questions around and churn them.
I don't know that I have an answer really.
Some have noted this and complain that after they clean the stall the horse goes- like ugh-more work.

In the case of cleaning paddocks, my own experience has been one with a slight twist.  If the horses goes-to the bathroom- I've made note that they've been doing it conveniently before I finish cleaning their paddock.
Are they marking? Leaving a "gift'? Acknowledging my maid service--hehe?
I've decided to look at it as a gift oddly enough.  ..it happens often.  I say "oh thank you, I'll get it" 
Are they helping me with my work?  hmmmm

 "There's always more where that came from"

Maybe they are acknowledging me in some way.

Today I got to Lady's paddock late in my route.  The day had warmed and I was feeling a little hot and tired.  I greeted her as usual "Hi girl, how are yah." and went about my cleaning.  There were some piles near her that I picked up.
I was almost done with the piles near her when I felt her soft muzzle nudge me for a moment. 
She has come near me before for some attention and a pat, but she's never toughed me with her nose like this before.  I wasn't facing her at the time.
She has done the low neigh or kicked the gate when wanting more hay.

I try to tune in to "What".  I asked her "what"? when I felt her touch.  She wanted my attention to something.
I was unsure for a moment.
Then I happen to turn and noticed she made a pile- gift.
I was like , "Oh, OK. Thanks."
I usually notice when they do it right away and make a comment.
Did this time she pick up on my tiredness and noticed I didn't notice it right away?
Why would she have done it?
I can't come up with any other answer.
I know they pick up on any and every move, emotion, energy stuff- very keen senses.

One thing I do know is I felt very touched by the gesture.  A connection though very subtle.  A gift.

So it had to do with poop, ...well.  

 

 

Off to the - Bunny- Races

I now have a paid part-time job at LAH farm. Woot

First task in the morning was to check water troughs and stall buckets. 
Ann had made out a schedule so everyone knows what tasks to do and check off.

Ann decided since I was in the aisle with the Rabbits that we'd check the rabbits water and food.
The rabbits currently live in two horse stalls.  
I stepped in the first one and made sure I stood near the door so none of them would venture out.
The second stall has more rabbit and small young rabbits.  There's a box near the stall door when one opens it to again prevent any venturing out.
I made sure to let some of them smell me to "get to know me".  One rabbit looked toward water bowl, perhaps in anticipation of new water and food.
Together Ann and I refilled water bowls and food bowls.
Some rabbits will just sit in a spot for a time.  While others will go a Hop-in.
At one point a few of them decide to go scampering around.  "My",  they are fast.  It felt like "Off to the Races".
OMGosh, they are so cute. 
White ones, brown ones,  black ones.  And a very cute grey and white one that the girls have seen and commented on.
Eventually they will be moved to what was a dog kennel.  The Kennel is to be converted into their living space. 

I like the work though it's physical.  I get a chance to be on a farm and around animals.

I am a country girl at heart.

The Angels are Bowling

Today we had a few thunderstorm come through.
I  heard the low rumble of thunder just as I woke up.  It became a day of off and on lighting and rumbles of thunder.  Of course there was the occasional rain pattering down too. 
We spent the morning at LAH farm.
I got most of my work done without getting wet. Near to finishing the rain started and I had to put my jacket on.
I felt hotter with my jacket on because of the high humidity in the air.  At one point I gave up and put my jacket away.  I let the rain get me wet a little.  It did feel sort of good and cooled me off.

The Farm was having a Family Day.  They had stuff to sell at flea market prices and ponies rides. 
It was nice.  The girls got a pony ride.  Some people came by in the morning. 
Cozmo loved the company and stood at the gate in anticipation for the next pat and treat.
He's such a ham.
At one point he gave me a horse hug.  He placed his head on my shoulder when I was patting him.  So soft and so  sweet.

As the rain started to come down more,  less people showed up.

The rumble of thunder seemed close and often.
I mentioned that my mom always claimed with humor that the thunder means ....
"The Angels are Bowling".
A really loud clap of thunder means they got a strike.
A low rumble means a gutter bowl.

So nice to have such imaginative thoughts.

Later I happened to notice a magnificent thunder cloud in the distance.   

Lightness, Not Push or Pull

We want to have lightness in our lives.
Not Push or Pull.

There are times to be firm in situations such as with children.  Yet how to be firm can be a choice how to act too.

Horses are very sensitive.  As horse trainer- clinician Buck Brannaman says, "They can feel a fly land on them". 
They're sensitive to energy, their surroundings and others.

Lightness of aids-working with a horse can win over any kind of pushing or pulling.  Especially with an animal as big and strong as a horse.
There are ways to work with an animal and have cooperation.

I'm continually fascinated with horses and the interaction with them.

Lightness comes up.
It sometimes requires one to take a different approach and not react.

I've had moments when riding when it was such a lightness and connectedness I could almost hear the "music of the dance".  Wonderful.
Yet I've also found it's not just when riding. 

Some moments in my day at volunteering at LAH farm.

I had finished cleaning one paddock with a small amount in the wheel barrel.  I moved onto Lady's paddock.
I did Lady's paddock and the wheel barrel was getting full.
I had to do her stall next.  For a moment I thought about dumping out what I had.  I spoke of it-  yah  I talk to myself.  But I didn't follow through.  I thought I'd just finish the stall.
Lady was in her stall.  I gave her a couple of nudges on her side and asked her to move over.  She didn't move.  I tried again, and she just kept eating.
With a sigh, I thought.  Then I choose to go dump the wheel barrel and come back to it.
I dumped out the wheel barrel and came back to her in her stall.  This time I made sure I was more light about it and gently asked "Can you please step over. She did.  I asked for one more step over.  Good- perfect.  I thanked her.
Was it my pushing?  Did she pick up on my wants to dump the full wheel barrel or just finish? Did she feel my uncertainty?
Perhaps
I gave her a pat.

Another time it was Cozmo.
I was going to enter his paddock.  He greeted me at the gate.  He was being sort of nosy and wanting attention.  I moved his face away and said, "Can't I just come in".  ( yes I talk to them) He just stood there.
He didn't want to be pushed away.
I had an idea.  To take a different approach.  Use this big brain with the sensitivity.
I thought "he wants to be near me".  So I moved to the corner of the fence and asked him to come to me.  He did.
Guess I got it right, because I then was able to enter the paddock.  I talked to him as I cleaned.  Good

Reframing to lightness.
Clearer, softer message.



    

Rawness of Nature

Rawness of Nature

One day as I walked home from seeing my girls off at school, I saw a baby bird on the sidewalk. It was chirping like crazy. I looked at it and it just chirped. I didn't see an adult bird around. I gathered by the fact it couldn't seem to move that it had fall out of a nest.

When I got home I called the local animal rescue. Then I checked on the baby bird.

Unfortunately my efforts were to no avail. The little bird didn't make it.

I'm not sure what kind of bird it was. It looked like it was pretty young with only a few short feathers.

Nature takes it's course. Things happen in a way that spells the future or not.

This was not my first encounter with animal rescue.

Last year I managed to save a young Robin from our next door neighbor's cat.

I had noticed the cat in our yard was eyeing something that it wanted to get near. Yet something was keeping it from doing so. I walked out in the yard to look. In the garden was a young robin amid-st the green plants. The cat kept eyeing it. The Robin started to move away by walking through the plants. It appeared to not be able to fly. It kept struggling. It appeared the bird was favoring one wing. I put myself between the cat and the bird. The cat backed off. I grabbed a small pail and we managed to get the bird in it. I called the animal control and they said they'd be there soon. I decided that the pail wasn't such a good idea since the bird would start to spook when I tried to move the pail. We grabbed a big cardboard box and slipped the bird into that. Then we took it to the front of the house to wait for the animal control to get there. We made sure the bird was out of danger.

The animal control person came. I showed her the box it was in. She gentling took hold of the bird and picked it up. The bird seem to look at us and the animal control person. It's mouth was open, yet it didn't struggle as much.

I asked the animal control person what would happen next. She told me that there is a wild animal rescue in the state and a woman who's known as the “Bird Woman”. She rehabilitates the birds. That if this bird had signs toward recovering they'd see it through.

She gave me a number to keep.
I called a week later and was told the bird was moved to this woman's place and eventually would be released back out in the wild.

This bird was a fledgling and looked similar to an adult bird yet not there yet.

My husband noticed later that an adult Robin seem to be hanging around our place. He thought maybe it had to do with my rescuing the youngster. I don't know for sure, yet feel good.

Nature can be quite raw, yet also amazing.

Fly Free

One evening a Fly got in the house.
Couldn't find it.

We had windows open to let in air.

We went to bed.

Morning- I wake up to see Fly on the ceiling near the light.  I put the light on to look at it.  Shut off light.  It flew.
Unlike others I try to free the Fly.
I open the windows so it can be attracted to the open  window and land on the screen.  I then shut window trapping Fly in between window pane and screen.
Fly was curious and went to window.  I shut window.
I waited until the Fly settled on the screen.  Then opened window slightly to push up screen- way out.  Of course this took a couple of times because Fly flew a little around space. 
I had time and patience.  Once Fly settled I got it done- opened window to push up screen.  Then I closed window so Fly doesn't fly back into house.
Fly finds- notices opening and flies out.

I check to make sure Fly is gone, then open window. 

When Max got back from his walk I told him I got Fly out.  He mentioned he knew Fly was in the room, just couldn't find him.
I can't be bothered to look for something that small and that can fly.
Window method has worked a few times.

oh, sometimes when I find a spider I get it into a plastic container with cover. Then walk outside to drop it in the garden.

Strange I know. 
Am I  strange because I'm an artist or the other way around.  oh I guess it doesn't matter.  :-)
oh yah, We're suppose to be strange- that's what society expects.  :-D
Good to be complying with such permission.  Lovely  

Like Speed?

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Like speed?

It's been hot lately.

I got to LAH farm as early as I could to do my volunteer work.

- though it's not easy to get there really early since the kids are still in school and I work as the monitor at the school's breakfast.

After school work, I eat a breakfast and then get ready to go.

I made sure to put sun screen on and to have water with me.

Deb's been riding Lady at shows on the weekends. Cool.

Deb seems to especially like the speed events, as barrel races and gymkhana. They did good. She mentioned she hadn't really done shows before so this was new for her. They're enjoying it. Sounds like the two of them are good partners.

She shared her pictures with me.

Cool

I mentioned I have showed before though not speed events.
I did shows in Berkley that had equitation, trail, and low jumper classes.

She likes the Speed events. Like speed.

me- not so much.

Though it is fun.

Not'in like feeling the wind in your face and really moving.

There was one lesson I was riding a black QH.  Instructor Carol asked me to do a canter.  A canter is sort of like a gallop but slower--and technically a three beat motion.
Note- riding some horses at a canter can feel like riding a moving rocking chair,  rolling forward and back while motion forward.  cool
I had had a few months of lessons and was feeling quite comfortable.  I asked for a canter lightly and we went.  We were mov'in.  woot.
Halfway down the long side of the arena she asked me to slow down and change direction.  I did so- sort of aw, OK- yet smoothly.
She asked me if I thought it was a canter or gallop.  I was  like "um".
She said, "That was a gallop".

"Oh, I thought I felt the wind in my face", I said with a big smile.

I'm sure she felt good too since I was clearly at ease with it.

Another time I was riding Instructor Carol's thoroughbred, Cameo, in lessons.   Cameo was going OK. 
There was another student I knew that was watching me too in my lesson.  I guess they were talking amongst each other.
Carol asked me to canter in 2-point position.
2-point position- like a hunter or jumper rides. I've done 2 point at trot and walk.
My first attempt down one long side wasn't quite right I bumped back into saddle because I didn't quite have my feet at the right position. I softly said, "sorry Cameo, didn't quite have it".  I kept riding at canter - seat in.  Carol looked at me to try again.
I was like OK.  I knew how to correct it.
Around the short end of arena Cameo looked at me in a "waiting" manner.  At the corner I set up in 2 point position and took a small amount of her mane between my fingers for "just in case".   This time I "got it".
There was a slight glance back at me, then Cameo lunged forward into a gallop.  Man, it felt good.
Halfway down the long side I could feel the position right too.  A Tia Chi kind of position.  Like nothing could knock me over. Amazing.  I let go of the mane between my fingers.  I was in balance with her.  At the corner I asked her to adjust through the turn.  She responded-  ..made a great turn at high speed.
The two of them at the other end of the arena yelled and woot-ed, "Go Lisa".   Oh, what fun.  I rode her the full arena then slowed down.
So cool.

Pride.

So yah, sometimes it's great. 

Why do birds suddenly appear, every time you are near.......

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Nice to see E-pig's pen was finished and in a spot with trees for shade. E-pig lounged in the shade of the trees. Lovely. She always grunts when anyone visits her. Sweet.

Meanwhile, I got to scrubbing a couple of the water troughs.

Most of the horses are good. I'll say “hi” to them whether they come over or not, just to acknowledge them.

Mooney-horse stood by me quietly when I was in his paddock. He stood and just watched me clean and fill the trough.

Caliber -horse is young and can sometimes not have as good manners.

As I cleaned his trough He stood over me and nuzzled me at times. I would take one step away and try to get him to give me my space. He's insistent and nosed the trough and me. So when I finished cleaning the trough I placed it so and stepped outside the paddock. I filled the trough from outside the fence.

He still tried to stretch out his head to me yet the fence was in the way. Maybe eventually he'll learn. He's still young.

He was taken later to the side pasture, which was good.

I then cleaned his paddock alone.

Barney, the Great Dane mix-who is a lovely dog, likes to sit on his haunches when I pat him. He always seems to end up sitting on one of my feet as I give him attention. I don't mind since he does move on when I stop patting.

Closeness

Other creatures seem to value closeness too.

Others have some sense of curiosity.

I remember once when I was younger I was out in the yard. I sat down in a spot where I could lean up against the back wall of the house. I sat there quietly thinking of things. I don't remember what I was thinking about, though it's not important here.

There's a small bush at that side of the house too. I felt I could be alone with my thoughts. Well, at one point I noticed some movement out of the corner of my eye. I wasn't startled, just noticed it. When I looked to the side a Robin was standing near- within a foot-inches, from me. The bird sort of looked at me. I looked away figuring it would fly off since I looked at it. Well, I looked again and it was still there for a few moments more.

I was like “hmmm”, then “huh, cool”.

I wonder what that Robin was curious about, why he came so close.

I couldn't help think of that song from The Carpenters, "Close to You". “why do birds suddenly appear, every time you are near...”

anyway

You get what you Need

"You get what you need....."

The words from one of The Rolling Stones song. 

yup

I participate in illustrationfriday.com's "word of the week" event.
Last week's word was "Sweet".

After some thought I decide to post my pastel portrait of "Missy and Foal".















Interesting. I've had horses come and go in my life, though I've yet to own one.
hmmmm

"Missy" as most called her was one of those horses.

I remember the first time I saw her.
I had been taking riding lessons at Haskins farm in Berkley.  There were "school horses" one could ride if one didn't own their own horse.
I rode a couple of different ones over time. 

This one day when I got to the farm I heard one of the mares had a foal.  I went with one of the girls to go see it before my lesson. We stood on a stool and peeked into the stall.
There they were.  The foal was sleepily lying on the ground. Standing over the foal was the mare- Missy.  She was a dark brown, almost black horse with a little white star on her forehead.  The stall's light made her dark coat shine. She was a proud mare watching over her newborn foal.
The girl with me said, "oh, isn't the foal so cute." I was like "yah, and her mom is beautiful". 
Yes the foal was cute, yet something about this mare struck me- she was beautiful. 
Missy was a broodmare that was bred to the farm's stallion. She was owned by the farm too. 
They would  breed a couple of mares to the stallion and would then sell the babies.
I remember wondering about whether there would be a chance to ride her.  At the time she was a broodmare on the farm.

I just didn't know.

I remember thinking about her.  Time passed and I was enjoying my lessons. 
Then one day I arrived for a lessons to have my instructor tell me to go get "Missy" to ride today.  I was surprised and so happy.  I got the chance to ride her after all. 
That was just the first day of our rides. I would ride her mostly in lessons and at shows for the next two yrs.  We developed quite a good bond working together. There were many ribbons and a trophy won.  There were also a couple of foals to see too.  She was a great mare. I loved the time with her.
Later at one point she developed a stifle problem.  It can happen to some mares that have foals. She could no longer do the riding program. She was sold to a woman who didn't ride so frequently- more of a pet.
Though I've never seen her again, I think of her. 
She came into my life for a time.
That was special.
She'll always have a special place in my heart.

Sometimes things come and go, ..are in and out of our lives. 
Perhaps it's perfect in it's way.

Not that long ago I was missing being around horses.
I did an internet search to see what would come up in our area.
I found a place to volunteer so I could be around horses again.  Lend-A-Hand farm. 

One can only imagine what will come into one's life next.

 

Run like the Wind

Tuesday I was at the farm. 
I can't seem to say enough how therapeutic I find it going there.

At one point I happen to look out toward the far pasture to see Cozmo going for a run.  His long, white mane and tail flowing behind him.
His breeding is the Haflinger breed.  They have gold- light or dark- body coloring, white socks and a beautiful white flowing mane and tail. He sports a white blaze down his face.
The breed is build broad, sort of drafty, yet as all horses, they are strong and can go fast.  
Seeing him run made me feel good to.  Like"Yay, Go for it".  So free. 

I haven't ridden in a time, and seeing him run reminded me of the times I have had the experience of riding with the wind in my face going fast.  What a thrill. It's so freeing.
When I was in high school, many moons ago, I volunteered for a time at a riding stable.  I cleaned for a chance to ride.  For a little while the other kids and I would take turns riding a horse the owner had bought to resell.
Then there was a time it was just me and another boy there.  The owner let me ride her horse.  She had palomino coloring- gold body, white main and tail.  I think she was a quarter horse. 
Similar to Cozmo who isn't a young horse, Star was about 22 yrs old.  Yet she had spunk still in her as Cozmo does. I'd ride her around the yard. The barn was set sort of on a hill.  When we'd get to that part she'd insist in cantering up the hill every time. 
I certainly honed my skills through that.  She was attentive too.  If I seemed a little unsure she'd go a little slower. 

There was one time in early spring.  We started around the yard, but there was a bit of snow still in areas, so I turned her around to go back up a slight incline the way we had come.  She seemed rather happy to be out.  As we got to the end of the fence she looked back at me on her back.  Her eyes twinkling and ears turning back and forth.
I sensed what she wanted, "lets go fast up incline".  There was only a little snow there maybe barely an inch.  I thought and barely spoke, "yay, OK" when she went into the most flowing trot up the incline. The cold wind brushed my face. Her warm body was beneath me- I rode her a lot bareback. Her hoof steps were rhythmic crunching sounds in the snow. 
What a ride that was that day. 

Run sound and free.
 

Awareness and Learning

This week the Providence Entrepreneur group had a Lunch Lab.  I'm a member of the group.  This is a day where there are round table discussions on business topics. This week's topic was websites.
I've found these meetings fruitful.  There's always such good information and perspective from those in this group. 
We meet at the organizer's house.

He has a cute little dog.  I met him another time I went to his house- that time I thought the meeting was that day yet it wasn't.  We sat and talked anyway.  Nice.
When I was leaving, he noted that his dog was rather quiet and calm around me.  I was like "oh huh.  I do have a sensitivity toward animals.  I think they pick that up."

This time it was as if I was having that confirmed.  Dog barked a welcome to everyone , including me as we came in.  At the end a few people left and he barked them out-  a "bye".
I left after those few and by myself.  Dog quietly looked at me.  I stopped and said "goodbye, see you later".  He watched me go, Quietly.

hmmmmm

There's Awareness and Learning.


Like once when I was young I was a little bothered that our neighbor's dog seemed a little uncomfortable when I patted her.  She was mostly a nice dog, but sensitive. My sister happen to point out that maybe I was patting her too lightly.  When I adjusted how I did it she relaxed.


Then there have been times when I have been "spot-on". I've felt odd about this.  Thought "Here we go again. There it is again."
And yet I have come across people that see it and think pretty well of it.

I remember going to the Boston Aquarium on a school field trip.  This was years ago.  My teacher wanted us to visit the tidal pool.  So a few of us went with him.  It was a small exhibit then.
There were snails, mussels, and a horseshoe crab.  I picked up a snail for a short time.  I got to talking about how my sister and I, when visiting the Cape, would explore the breakwaters-  A line of rocks reaching out from the beach.
In between the rocks one could find snails, mussels and tiny fish.  Cool to admire them.
We noted the horseshoe crab.  My teacher asked if anyone wanted to pick it up.  I couldn't resist the opportunity.  I've never picked one up before. I made sure to be gentle and sensitive.  I carefully picked it up and turned it so it was cradled in my hand, shell against my palm. I was able to see the creature under the shell.  It's bony like legs were bent.
I hovered my other hand over it yet didn't touch it.  I just wanted to see some movement. I was rewarded. I admired the living creature within.  So alive and covered in a protective shell. I then placed it gently back in the pool. 
On the ride home the kids were noisy.  Yet it felt like a good trip. 
Teacher was a little annoyed about some of the kids behavior and he expressed it the next day when he talked about the trip.  Then he mentioned one good thing- how I picked up the horseshoe crab. He came over later and told me "That was quite good".  I remember thanking him though I found I couldn't quite look up.  Odd feeling there.  And yet I had had no instruction and did the right thing.

I've been to the Aquarium another time.  They now have a larger tidal pool and beach exhibit and have associates there to answer questions and engage others in exploring the exhibit.  Neat.

Something to it perhaps.


Another significant moment in time was when I was at a horse show one day.  I was checking out the horse show and had my camera with me.  I ended up spending a good amount of time there that day watching each class, and occasionally taking pictures.  I take pictures for my art reference file.  There was a girl and her horse there that were doing pretty well. I found myself watching the pair a bit.
Near the end of the day there was one more class- a jumping class.  I was standing a little off from others watching.  A woman was standing not far from me.  As we watched the pair, the horse slightly tossed it head, yet went ahead. 
The woman asked out loud "I wonder why that horse did that".  There was a surge through me.  I had an answer and I couldn't hold back.  I said - trying to sound casual- "oh, he's probably just tired.  They've been going all day". 
She looked at me. "Oh, do you know them." she asked.  I could feel myself blush, and tried an answer "no, but I've been watching them all day"---yah that's it,sounds good.
"Here I go again" I thought.  I tried not to make eye contact really.
This woman gazed at me for a moment. 
Then said to me "You know something". 
I was like "huh".  I bravely looked at her. 
She said "You know that's a gift". 
I was like " uh, yah".
Since I looked a little unsure she added, "It is a gift". 
I replied to that.  "Yes.  Yet sometimes it's not received so well--odd thing. But yah". 
Her last words "Do cherish it, It's a Gift.

Lately I'm thinking  I should see it as that-is - A gift.


Here' an image I created from that show.  I noticed near the barn a couple of black draft horses in a paddock.  They were nuzzling each other occasionally. I got a picture of it.  Later I created a Pen and Ink drawing of it.

things come up

At farm things happening.

Larry had arranged dumpster pick up and didn't want anyone in the yard.  He also was using the tractor to pull up trees and had plans to build a ramp to manure.
"Emily", pig, was still sick, though no one mentioned of what.
"Lady", horse, had thrush and was sort of stiff besides being lame.
All I could do was be available to help.
Ann had me clean a hay cart so we'd have another wheel barrel to sort of finish the paddock cleaning.
We did as much as we could.

I felt bad for sick ones, yet it does happen.

I'm not a veterinarian.  Though the thought of one has crossed my mind.
In school I was sort of OK in math.  When I entered high school I was placed in pre-algebra for 2 yrs then Algebra and earth sciences.  No calculus or physics, that would be needed to enter into a medical degree.  I was steered in another direction.
The Art direction was there.
Thoughts of "must be practical", "not become stereotype starving artist". 
Yet the path to being an artist was showing up strong.  Moments in my life were pointing in that direction.  Could I be strong, courageous, persistent enough to follow.
Yes.

I am.


oh, there was a short time I thought about being an animal technician assistant.  But I became allergic to cats a number of years ago.  So not.

Being an artist does suit me well.  I create works that express my view of the world.  A closer look.  A way to draw viewer in to see what I'm seeing.  I do that.
When I've had an exhibit on display I can't help notice how people seem to go right up to the art work and look closer.

Perhaps part of this highly sensitive person's gift. 
I see things that others may pass over or not notice.  And part of me wants to share it.
I can tell you there have been times it's been received well and others well...not so much. 

Got out to farm- Good

Last Friday the Honda's brakes were feeling a little odd.  So I brought the car in to our repair guy.  The car needed a master cylinder.  Repair guy made some calls to find a good one through used parts places.  It is one of those things that takes more than one day.
We managed with the other car.  On Monday after my work at the school, I went with Max(hubby) to work, then drove Chevy back so I could get to my dr. appt. I did some food shopping too.
I didn't get in time to go to farm until Wed.  Tuesday I managed without a car.

By Wednesday I was antsy and thankfully had the car back and fixed.  yay.

I'm a country girl at heart.  I like the more open places and nature.  I feel like I can take a true breather there.
I can de-stress and open up.  It refills and energized my sensitive side.  My kind of therapy.

I got there and they had had some help, so I just did one of the last paddocks that needed to be done.  I did "Lady's" Paddock.  She was at the gate.  She's sort of silly and very sweet.  I gave her a pat as she smelled and nuzzled me-her welcoming me in. Too cute.
It was a day for horses to have their hoofs trimmed and some shoes.
Ann, who's in charge, mentioned she wanted to have them hand grazed after their turns as a reward. Tommy Girl was the first to get trimmed and shoed. She's a veteran at this and was very calm. We- women there watched and talked. Barney, the great dane mix, and Milky, poggle, came in to visit us in the barn.  I've known Barney.  He loves affection and sits on his haunches and on one of my feet when I've patted him.  He may be the size of a pony, but he's so sweet.  Milky was one of last years puppies.  I met her last week. She may be small, but her happiness bubbles over. Barney and Milky sort of jockeyed for pats from me.  I couldn't help giggle.

Ann noticed Milky seemed so excited about me.  I just told her, I've met her before so she sort of knows me.
I noted that Barney seems to like to sit on my foot.  Her comment was, "He doesn't want you to go anywhere-stay".
I feel that,"yup".
Milky is one of those small dogs that gets so excited you'd swear that she thinks in a Big way.   Lots of energy.

I watched the bunnies in one stall.  They're pretty cute.  Ann mentioned they love to sit in the boxes.  Some two in a good size box.  With the smaller box they sometimes compete to sit there.
They do move fast.  There is 8 all together, though the most I found were 7.

There was talk about horses.
Tommy Girl and Zoe know the shoeing routine well.  On the other end of experience is Cosmo.
I was told he's a 2 yr old.
"Hmmm", I thought out loud.  "That explains things." 
When I've worked in the paddock he's in he has playfully tipped over the wheel barrel.  Ugh, yah.  Like a kid who doesn't listen well, He'd keep coming back over even when I shoo-ed and yelled.
It was decided I wouldn't do his paddock unless there was someone with me, or if someone moved him.  Can't have him misbehaving.
Interesting.  One day when I was working in one of the stalls in the paddock adjacent to him, I could hear a horse in the stalls in the "his" paddock. I couldn't see him, yet something in me just "told me".  I thought to myself, "hah, can't get to me here".
anyway

I hand grazed Tommy Girl and Zoe.  They were good.  Zoe quickly knew where she wanted to start near the barn.  Interesting how they seem choosy when eating grass.  They pick just the bunches of blades that seem the best to them.  They seem to know.  Neat.  I kept them from eating the flowers in the pot. I said to them "No, don't eat the flowers, though you can eat the daffodils,  That's just fine".

Ann is the executive director of the farm.  It's been nice getting to know her.
She seems to have a keen eye too.  I could feel her taking in watching me and noting skill.  You know how sometimes one can feel another person watching.

I quietly felt good about that since I'm an "observer" too.

Horses Help

I volunteer on Mondays at a therapeutic riding farm called “Lend-A-Hand” farm.

The farm does Hippo therapy. 

“Hippotherapy, from the Greek word for "horse," is based on the idea that the rhythmic, repetitive movements of the horse work to improve cognitive skills, balance, posture, and strength in the disabled rider. Individuals benefiting from this kind of therapy can have a variety of diagnoses, including cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, autism, and learning or language disabilities.”

Part of the farm involves volunteers working in its program and on the farm.

I work my schedule around my children’s school.  So, volunteering in the mornings work best for me.

When I went to the volunteer orientation, they mentioned they needed cleaning help on Mondays.  I was good with that. 
Monday mornings are spent doing my volunteering at LAH farm.  

I live in a city.  So going to the farm is refreshing.  It’s beautiful there. 
Pastures and field.  Horses, some dogs, a cat and a sweet “mama” pig. 
I often see robins and others birds.  At least once when I was driving up the driveway I spotted a Red Tailed Hawk.  Cool.

More so, I enjoy being around the horses.  

I’ve loved horses since I was very little.  To be exact it was at my first pony ride.  I loved them from first site.  I thought they were one of the most beautiful creatures I’d seen.  Being up in the saddle on their back and being led around the farm’s dirt lane, I felt like I could see so much more of the world- what was around me- as this pony carried me along.  The pony seemed so gentle too to me.  What a feeling.
I also couldn’t help notice too once in the car, that I was probably one of the few that didn’t get scared up in the saddle above the ground.  I was too enamored with the experience- I loved it.  That was only the beginning. 
Horses books, drawing horses, reading about horses, some breyer horse models.  

And I can tell you, this woman, me, has never out grown it. 

Feathered friends

Today, while near Providence Plaza, I think I got a glimpse of a Peregrine Falcon.  Cool.
I occasionally have been checking out the Audubon Society of Rhode Island's website and webcam of a pair of Peregrine Falcons.
There has been a nesting pair of falcons on one of Providence's taller buildings for a few years in a row.  The Audubon had set a "nest"- three walled box and a webcam to watch.
One can see the parent sitting on her rocky nest.  When she moves away, one can view her eggs, or young.  They hatched last week.
It's cool.
http://www.asri.org/general-conservation-info/providence-peregrine-falcon-webcam.html

Yes, I also feed and like to watch the birds in my yard.  We get some pigeons, a cardinal pair, mourning doves, sparrows and of course squirrels- gotta love them.
The city of Pawtucket has it's birds and animals.  Granted we're in a more suburban part of the city.  The houses are close yet not on top of each other and every house has some amount of a yard.
One day I saw a ground hog.  And oh, one year there seemed to be a population boom of wild turkeys because we spotted one or two here and there.  who knew.  :-D

I do know the birds seem to sort of know me and fly and sit off a way when I go out in the yard.  They chirp a bit when I fill the feeder.  Let everyone knows "it's refilled, seeds here". 

Hi I'm Lisa

Hi I'm Lisa.
And I'm a highly sensitive person.

I've known that I'm pretty sensitive. I've known my awareness is rather acute. I notice things that others may or may not notice. (no- i don't see dead people) I seem attuned to animals, nature in a way that some others don't. Sensitive to listening to sounds, music, seeing things around me, ect.
I must say I seem to have a "good ear" for music, though I haven't followed the musical path as much.
I'm more a visual artist.
Having rather fair skin, I sometimes feel like I'm baking in the sun and need to cover up.
I was a rather shy child and am still more on the quiet side.

"Like what's all of this?", I've thought. Nothing like feeling "odd" about oneself.

Mom would say "It's because you're an artist."
hmmm. yes, I am an artist and proud of it.
Yet doesn't being sensitive led itself to becoming an artist.
anyway

I've been listening to the Soul Purpose workshop led by Beverlee Garb. It's been a wonderful series of workshops. One speaker was Jim Hallow's , Highly Sensitive People website. One of the things he did was go through a series of questions drawn together by Dr. Elaine Aron, an expert and author on this subject matter.
Sure enough I answered most questions, "True". Nice to confirm something I couldn't quite find a way to explain or know.
I'm not just over sensitive, odd,...
There's something to it.
20% of the population.
Hmmm, Interesting

I thought I'd do an experiment myself and blog about my experiences.
If you can relate- Great.
if not- well the World Wide Web is big enough to find other blogs more your interest.
This is my intro post.

Thank you