Things Change December 24, 2009

Timer went to a new home yesterday. It is so easy to accumulate too many horses.  In an effort to keep our herd manageable, Timer will be a little girl’s present this year.

I know that he will be well cared for and loved, but it’s still hard to see him go.

It’s time for him to take care of another little girl who loves horses.  He will be an awesome Christmas present!

Meredith has outgrown him and he is too good of a horse to leave in the pasture while she rides more challenging horses.

He was my “go-to” horse as I  began to do equine-assisted learning and therapy.  He was always ready and willing to work with people.  He enjoyed the interaction with people.

Thanks, Timer!  I will miss you!

Books You Remember June 10, 2009

My friend, Stephanie, had a post this week on her blog, Pointed Meanderings, that challenged people to list 15 books that you remember in 15 minutes or less.  I was surprised at what surfaced.

Write your list first and then read mine.

Here is my list:

1. Gone with the Wind
2. The Ladies’ No. 1 Detective Agency
3. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
4. Mark of the Lion Series
5. Nancy Drew Series
6. Rascal
7. Happy Holisters Series
8. The Last Lecture
9. At Home in Mitford
10. Confessions of a Shopaholic
11. The Poisonwood Bible
12. The Giving Tree
13. Hope for the Flowers
14. Pippi Longstocking
15. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

This is like remembering old friends.  Try it.   It’s fun to bring back to mind these old friends.

I would love to see your lists.  15 minutes….15 books.

Ghosts of Summers Past May 1, 2009

Scott and I were asked to lead a retreat last weekend for a church. Actually Scott was asked to do it and he invited me to help. It was taking place at Camp Tahkodah were I spent every summer of my life till I married, save one. I spent one summer working for Joe Webb who trained Tennessee Walking horses.

Before we went to the retreat this weekend, we were asked which cabin we would like to stay in. My mom and I always had an affinity for the little cabin by the tennis courts. This is the cabin we lived in when I was just a baby and on and off as I grew up. It only has two small rooms, three if you count the bathroom.

I woke up Saturday morning surrounded by my ghosts of summers past. I was brushing my teeth when I saw it. Written in pencil, in my mother’s handwriting was my brother’s name above a small nail by the shower. Right beside it was another small nail with my name….over 40 years ago. What a precious find!

Should Be Laughing April 30, 2009

Frustration.  I know I should laugh, but I’m frustrated for now.  Perhaps by the end of the post things will change.  Here goes…

My children received their year books yesterday at school.  You know the ones, memories of the past year to be enjoyed for years to come.  It’s so fun to flip through the pages and remember what your year was like and how your friends and you spent the time together.

My oldest son has one or two pictures in the book. His nice formal picture and one of him in class with his head laid down on his desk in deep sleep…with pajamas on (Homecoming Week).  Great…this is how he will be remembered his Junior year of high school.

I know – “Get over it, Mom.”  But, yuck!

My next child was absent the day formal pictures were made, so re-take day comes along.  He doesn’t go for re-takes.  He claims re-take means “to take again”.  He never had his taken in the first place, so re-take didn’t mean him.  He has no picture in the book.

Ahhh…memories of the school year 2008-2009.

Oh, My, Barbie April 29, 2009

Many afternoons after school and long hot days in the summer, Lori and I would meet in the park near the creek under the big oak tree and play Barbies.  She had the plane and I had the camper…or vice versa.  Our brothers played G.I. Joe’s not far from us, but rarely included us.  We could play for hours.

Barbie turned 50 in March.  Wow!  Stephanie, my friend and fellow blogger, has a post that gives the problems with Barbie’s proportions were she an actual human.  As you have probably heard, she would have serious health problems.

I enjoyed reading the proportions related to actual human size.  I’ll keep my own imperfect body.  Click HERE to go to her post.

Old Hymns April 2, 2009

We sang some beautiful songs at church Wednesday night.  Old hymns that trigger precious childhood memories.

• Blessed Assurance
• Have a Little Talk with Jesus
• How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts
• Mansion Over the Hilltop

I can hear in my mind the strong alto leads from small country churches where my dad would preach as I was growing up.  Sweet memories of sweet people who loved the Lord.  I remember potluck Sunday dinners, outhouses, paper fans, wasps and good people.

I’m thankful for my memories of country people who gathered together every Lord’s Day to remember our Saviour.

What are some of your childhood memories of church?