Pray It Again, Sam

Good Mornin'

Well, another trip to Albuquerque, never quite happened. Rides didn't line up, again. But, one thing ya learn out here, limited resources and all, is just to keep tryin'; keep an eye on what's important and don't give up. Sooner or later, it'll work or, it comes clear that it wasn't as important as it first appeared.

I suppose, it has the added advantage of curin' one from undue concern for public opinion, as to most folks, it can appear quite pathetic. Kinda reminds me of that poem by Mother Theresa, where she basically, says, "people will critcize you no matter what you do; do it anyway. It was never about 'them', in the first place!".

And, I suppose, just gettin' ready to go, I got another glimpse of things around me and another chance, look at my priorities. Hauled a tank a water out to "the wild bunch" and, finally, got out to the north end, start on the fences up there; quite shabby for losing battles with the elk. The "bunch" need trimmin' and wormin'; some of the young ones quite some. While I did get a start on the fences, it was only a start and there's a whole world of it to go; then, a course the well, water pipe and drinkers. And, at that, I didn't get to the boys, more than a "howdy do" and a flake.

So, I gotta look at the way I spend my time and, I suppose, factor in my age and health. So much of this computin' and eSocializin' might impress my notions of some future ranch/foster situation, but a) it sure is taxin' and b) curious. I spend time with the bunch or the boys, I find myself, immediately richer. I fix some fence, get the drinkers goin', pull out some old wire, ain't nothin' but dangerous and ugly, I just got some good exercise, spent a day in the sun and the wind and the ranch is safer and more beautiful, all in one day.

There's a good question! And, I dare say, for myself, student of the timeless, a very very good question! Something about lovin' today and leaving tomorrow in the hands of a larger self, but I wouldn't want to cheapen or over simplify it. I do reckin' I'm like to experiment, however, afterall, there's Kabir; "if you are hungry, eat now; up ahead, there are no shops!".

Seems, I've always been like that and, I suppose the logic is simple; if you figure to put off the good, for a greater good tomorrow and for some reason it doesn't pan out, there's no goin' back, for all the "todays", slipped through your fingers.

Can't be too sure either way; I suppose, "the how" to the invention of prayer. And, maybe that's the beauty; play it from the heart and boy, are you like to learn to pray.

Have a great day!

Best, always

P.S. Sorry about the picture; kinda corny. But, same time it is kinda fun and relevant. Young Brandon and I were playin' with pictures from the book and come up with this one, though, upon deliberation, we left it out.

P.P.S. "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." Uncle Albert Einstein

Simple As a Rock

Good Mornin'

Well, got kinda side tracked yesterday with some un-expected correspondence. By the time I'd got it all addressed, didn't have no more writin' in me, had ta get out and see a pony, gather some wood and breath some fresh air.

And, likely have ta keep it short this mornin'; try and line everything up, see if I can't make Albuquerque man~ana, open an account for the book.

Kinda funny, all the stuff ya have to do, keep the good, simple stuff aloft. No way around it, near as I can tell, but it's a great reminder, keep things as simple as possible; they'll get complicated, all by themselves, but if my focus is "simple", then, at least, there's a chance of a balance.

Have a great day!

Best,

On My Married Way

Good Mornin'

Well, got a little rain, afterall; not a lot, but a couple a good showers. Still overcast this mornin'; kinda nice, really, the soft grey quiet, all the green, greener, a gentle breeze stirrin' on occasion as the clouds consider, movin' off, turn another pasture so.

Didn't get too much done yesterday, still recoverin' from my upside down, way too early rise, of Wednesday mornin'; the trip to Albuquerque, never quite happened. And, it was blowin' and sprinklin' off and on, so, 'tween feedin' and writin', checkin' on the last stages of the book prep, I tried to get some wood in and retarp the tent, enough to get us past the squall.

Otherwise, just workin' on the "marriage"; ya, I'm finally startin' ta understand, it's all about the marriage! Guess I knew it, ever since I was pretty small, just never quite had it clear in my mind, or heart as the case may be. And, I suppose, I've raised an eyebrow or two; "wait, wait, I thought you were 'the bachelor cowboy'! What's this marriage stuff?". Well, it's just gettin' more and more clear, that there is a "world of stuff" and a "well of meanin'" and 'less I can marry the two, it's all kinda broke up and zig-zag.

I guess that's what I was gettin' at, yesterday, talkin' about relationship. On one hand, I was describin' a bunch a different people, all workin' with horses, but the outcome were very different. On the other, I was kinda tryin' to point out the difference; awareness and feel. Same old song, my horse mentor, old Tom; "feel, timin' and balance, observe, remember and compare". Then a course there's the voice a my "heart teacher"; "whenever I approach this life from my ideas, this voice comes along and says 'watch it'!". And, Tom, too, on occasion, if he thought someone was really listenin', would add, "oh, and one other thing! I'm not sure what to call it, but it's somethin' like spirit.".

So, there's my hypothesis for the mornin'; "it's all about marriage". Workin' out this marriage, 'tween all the "stuff" might be a part of our lives, and the meanin' we can draw from "the well". This, to me, the difference 'tween that "broke up zig-zag" and some kinda harmony, where the meanin' we draw and allow, to ourselves and all that surrounds us, gives everythin' proportion and place; softens the "hard lines" and reconnects. And, I suppose, gives birth to a great repose, like findin' the oasis in the vast desert; a beautiful pond, custom made for soakin' weary souls. A break from the heat and emptiness and a palpable sense that we are all connected; part of a whole, like fish in the sea.

So, how about Kabir; "there's fish in the ocean, dyin' of thirst, and every time I think of this, it always makes me laugh". There's no gettin' outta the pond, it's impossible, but sometimes we get so far from the meanin', we'd swear, "it's a desert".

Have a great day!

Best,

Reality Check

Good Mornin'

Well, got some cloud cover; come in yesterday afternoon. No moisture yet, but even the cover gives the grass a break and chance ta drink up what's already in the ground.

Never did make it to the Querque City, yesterday, but, as it turned out, I wouldn't a made it if I tried; my ride's truck broke down half way. Little "thank you" in there on my part; whatever "came up" on my end, pulled me outta the game, saved me a whole day a sittin' around Cuba, waitin' for a ride home.

And, even a little disco embobulated, from my three o'clock risin', I did get quite some done, even if most folks'd likely disagree. What I mean is, it might not a looked like much; visitin' the wild bunch, playin' with Ruben. And, well, I did haul some water and fix a little fence in the process, but truly, the real thing was the ponies.

Not only was it "be you tea full", in it's own right, but I think it mighta took me one step closer ta seein' exactly what it is, I'd like ta pass on, given a chance.

Now, this may well be too large a topic for a weblog like this, but really, quite a bunch a things come together yesterday, paintin' quite a picture; the long and the short of it "relationship".

One, was a story from a friend about a couple he knew, retired. They just got a place in the country and some horses, so they could "ride"; they didn't know anything about horses. He was goin' to visit them in the hospital.

Another, was a friend from California all upset about a relationship that wan't goin' well.

Another, was a conversation with a friend, had some big ideas about doin' x,y and z with horses and kids, soon as they got outta the hospital, since his horses ran over him.

Then, there was my visit with the wild bunch, (nobody hurt!), and my hour, hour and a half, exchange of ideas and affection with Ruben, where I do believe, we came a little closer to some real understandin'; again, nobody hurt.

Now, as I said, this may be too big a topic, for a brief undertakin', but the most stunnin' detail in all of this, seems to me, my visit with the wild bunch. Why; 'cause so little "happened" and yet, it was so remakable.

I hadn't seen 'em for a day or three and I could tell they'd come by the low gate, down the hill, 'cause I'd heard the boys hollerin' their "hallooos" from the barn. It had cooled off and a small flake, never hurts, spring time, as the fiber slows down the rush of sugar from the new grass. So, I took a few flakes, filled up the water tank and headed out to "the grove in the middle" where I set the stock tank. I come across the bunch, half way out, munchin', but noticin' and wonderin' if I might stop by. I stopped on the dirt road quarter mile from the bunch, gathered up my four flakes and headed out to visit. Queeny, a course, the first ta figure a bite and a visit, a good interlude, give up the grass and begun ta sachay my way, the rest, one by one, considerin' she was right.

I spread out three flakes in six piles and walked the last flake out ta big, who don't walk more than he must, on account a his sore feet. We visited and traded scratches with the curry I'd brought; checked all our legs for cuts, bumps and/or ticks. Snuck in a kiss here and there, just the girls a course, and had a few good ear rubs and long moments of "chin on the shoulder, nose in the hair".

When I figured we'd about covered it, I headed back to the truck. As I started it up and continued on North to the grove, I noticed all the ponies, spread out like small sailboats moored in a harbor, all pointin' into the wind, just dozin' content; only the wind was the water and our love, clearly tether and sail.

Have a great day!

Best, always

A Dog's Life

Good Mornin'

Well, an early one this mornin'. Supposed to go to Albuquerque, but it might get re-scheduled, due to unforeseen circumstances; see what happens.

Funny, seems to me, one of the most common things an owner might teach his or her dog, is to stay. Yesterday, rememberin' the story of Odysseus and talkin' about "waitin' and watchin'", ya could say it's kinda similar. In order for Odysseus to "wait and watch" he must have had to "stay" with somethin' inside himself, or he'd a been all over the place; doin' stuff, tryin' stuff. I mean there were the cliffs and it was blowin' and there had to be a voice inside himself, screamin', "we're all gonna die!"; not to mention the crew, joinin' the chorus.

It's a very fine question, but, seems to me, there's a point, right there, where he must have chosen not to listen to that voice, but somethin' else; somethin' that allowed him to "wait and watch". And, dimes to dollars, in a situation like that, odds are, to be able to make a choice like that, it must have been somethin' he'd done before; maybe a choice he'd made again and again, consciously.

And, I guess, this is why this story resonnates so much for me. I feel like Life just keeps askin' me to "stay"; stay in this place where I can "wait and watch". And, such a nice touch, there was actually somethin' Odysseus did have to do, but it was very small and a matter of simple timing. I just find that huge; huge!

So, much runnin' around, huffin' and puffin' goes on every day and, funny enough, half, more like most, of it, just to impress somebody with money, convince them, we actually did somethin', so they'll give us some. What a strange piece a theatre! And, ta think that mentality, could become a habit, in such a precious situation, as a life. A show, pure imagination, all to impress. And, worste part, all to impress, someone, likely, cares very little; probably ain't even, really, payin' attention.

"What you practice, you will get good at", a wise man told me so.
And, so, I pratice "stayin'", with the one I will never impress, but seems to care a lot, and definitely pays attention.

Have a great day!

Best,

The Company, Keeps Me

Good Mornin'

And, shapin' up another peach! Did get my new tarp up, but I think I gotta switch the orientation. It's nice the way I got it, ground to ground, side to side, but I'm thinkin', "too many corners for reptile hidin'" and, with Stinky and I both gettin' a little weak on the vision side, more light trumps the rain and wind factor. Luckily, I restrained myself from cuttin' a hole for the stove pipe, so, we still got options.

And, good news, I seem to be doin' a little better with the heat and all. Few years back when my teeth blew up so bad, seems I was left some short on tolerance; eleven o'clock, the heat comin' on, I'd just fold up and sleep. I still lay down a spell, after lunch, but I don't seem ta disappear quite so long or hard. And, that's a welcome turn of events, special, where I feel like I'm gettin' some sense for the how and why of goin' forward and sortin' out the things I could do, make it work.

Fascinatin' really; it never occurred to me, kinda breakin' off from the pack like I have, that I'd have ta face some different kinda questions. And, I might have ta come up with my own answers, 'cause most of the normal questions and answers, just don't come close ta "fit" out here, livin' like I do. And, it does remind me, one a my favorite stories, old Odyseus; that time his ship was gettin' blown up on the cliffs and near as he could tell, there was no gettin' away from certain doom. But, he waited and watched and, way it turned out, last minute, he discovered it wasn't a solid cliff; there were two, one slightly in front of the other. And, with a slight correction, he made it around the first and slipped between the two, and back to open water.

Very much the way things seem ta work around here. I keep anticipatin' some big change, but they don't come and they sure don't figure. Those are the days, I fall into the "pit of worry"; tryin' to figure what I never will. But, I wait and watch and, son of a gun, just a little correction and there it is, open water. I guess those are the little miracles, ya just can't explain if ya try; so personal, nobody'd ever, understand.

So, I'm left, small and grateful, no words to explain, just a little more inclined, keep that sweet company, makes it work, against all odds. Same one makes a flower grow, middle a the desert, just like that.

Have a great day!

Best,

More Gold

Good Mornin'

Another peach! Sunny, cool and still. Kinda nice this stuff, more like fall, really, with the cool nights, warm days and unusually calm; spring's generally way more windy. Little bit a mercy in there somewhere, where the wind tends ta suck up all our moisture; now, less snowfall, less wind, we're not losin' like we could.

And, little by little, the debris from my spring cleanin' is movin' East, away from the palace and closer to the barn; part for storage, part, the dump.

Weekends are often a curious time, the subtle shift of focus, ingrained, I suppose, the tendancy to back off just a bit, look around, take stock. I often find myself a little lost. But this mornin' I'm considerin', "how much of that ingrained stuff is well thought out and how much of it, just so happened". Either event, I suppose, I did re-surface with a small pearl and I reckin' that's a good thing. I remember a wise man once remindin' me that, in a gold mine, there's mud and gold, then with a lovin' look, askin' me, "what's your interest?".

There are parts of my life, moments, that are, no doubt about it, golden. There are moments of my life, that are kinda muddy. And, there's two points afoot, here. One, the difference 'tween "gold and mud" and two, if we suppose that gold is good, how to make more. What I'm gettin' at, is that slightly lost feelin', to me that's kinda like mud; those moments just don't seem to shine or carry the solid heft, of others, like gold. And, they aren't strictly a matter of what I'm doing, as pretty much I do the same stuff, everyday. So, I'm suggestin' it might be that "subtle shift of attitude", I mentioned up above, where I start lookin' at stuff and wonderin' "where'm I goin'?" and lookin' for answers in my head, steada my heart.

The second point, which follows, natural, "o.k., if that's the mud, and it doesn't have the shine or heft, how can I get more a those golden moments and less a the muddy ones?". Then, I gotta go back to the little story, got me off on this anyway; "what's your interest?". My interest, what I pay attention to, plain and simple.

And, I look around, I'd have ta say, "ya, he's got a point!". Look how interested I am in the horses and look how my understandin' grows, simple as can be. And, everytime I turn around, no doubt about it, there's more; more horses, more interest. So, I guess it's pretty simple and, old as time; interested in the good, remember the good. Pay attention and good'll grow; it's natural as lovin' a horse and endin' up with a herd.

Have a great day.

Best,

P.S. Thanks, always to Brandon Johnson and his wonderful camera!

Circles of Influence

Good Mornin'

Well, another peach of a day. Did wake up kinda slow, but it's Sunday, so at least I got a flimsy excuse. Anyway, might be I need ta take advantage, do some pointed quiet time. There's an old Chinese fella once talked about the blessing of his poor health and how it made him exercise. For myself, I suppose, it be my ability to worry; I'm so good at it, less I pay real attention to my quiet time, it'll take over and wear me out. Lucky, it's become quite a habit, me and my quiet time, and it don't take too long, notice when my company's changin'.

Otherwise, got my "apron" cleaned up and raked, mostly, and that's always a treat; when I'm done, stand back and look, there's no doubt about it, it's got somethin' to say. It's really quite pronounced; kinda like an old fashion security system. "Notice; any reptiles crossin' this stretch, a sand, yes, there is a question of pro-priety and you may be asked to leave; kindly, but surely!". Really quite amazin'; kinda like a "spell", left around the place, though it must be freshened up regular, or it loses it's power. And, I do understand there may be skeptics among you, figure I'm off my rocker, but it's quite scientific, it's just so advanced, they haven't yet invented the math to prove it.

And, ya, I am quite surely, "off my rocker", but the thing about rockers, is they just go back and forth and life is all over the place.

Have a great day!

Best,

Two Rivers, One Ocean

Good Mornin'

And, what a mornin'! Fresh and cool, blue sky and sunshine. Seems ta me, the gift of a mornin' like this, is an invitation not to go anywhere with it, but just to soak it in.

And, I suppose, there's a confluence here; two rivers, each comin' from their own sources, makin' one larger. Yesterday, my run to the tradin' post, sometimes drivin', takin' in the landscape and the different ranches along the way, some belongin' to white folks, some spanish, some native, I'm apt to ask myself what I'm doin' and where I'm goin'. I am comin' up on the big "6-OH", I am camped on someone else's land, I have a large family, all be it, four leggers, none of whom have a job and, aside from a few mules I still trim and the five dollars a day I get feedin' cows, neither do I.

Last night I got to watch a video clip from a documentary about Wounded Knee, the 1890 encounter 'tween U.S. Soldiers and a band of Sioux, tryin' to make it to Pine Ridge, from the Cheyenne River Reservation. I couldn't help think how this tragedy reflected some part of our evolution as human beings; yours and mine.

Afterall, this was the "twain meetin'". One kind of culture that developed and spread west, through Europe and one that developed a different way and came east, through Asia and over the straits, down through Alaska, best I understand; seems to me on one hand, those with little but a rich inner life and those who had mastered the "more", but maybe less aware of the sacred. And, however accurate, that portrayal, or my understandin', there might be somethin' for me to consider as, I suppose, this war is not entirely over, and still plays out within' each one of us; me, too.

How do I live this life?

It's not so easy anymore, pick sides. Some of those ranches I drove past yesterday, I called 'em spanish, white and native, but I guarrantee ya there's white folks married to native, spanish to white and every other combination you can imagine. And, I've met full blood native folks, so "white", it'd scare ya to death, and white folks, so native, ya have ta wonder how that works.

And, I'd have ta say, I can see both in me.

Anyway, point bein', I suppose, for myself, that I just have to walk away from the fight. Fact, come ta think of it, there was one little kid, did just that; his gramma and him we're tryin' and she got shot. She told him, "just keep walkin'" and as it turned out, he was the only survivor, lived ta pass on the story, from that side.

I understand, there's a place for plannin' and all; I also understand there's somethin' sacred, I musn't, can't anymore, forget. And, so, I suppose, I favor the sacred, like a spring mornin'; one that's so perfect, ya just have ta leave it alone, listen with all you are, hopin' it makes you, takes you, a little more, into itself. And, you, me, I, can live this life with trust, that it will work out, if I don't plan to much, or become intolerant of any plannin', but dare to live it from the gift of beautiful; the place no war was ever faught.

It's temptin' take sides; brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles, lost in these wars; unspeakable injustice. But then there's Creator; and I can't help feel he's always askin', "Let go. I know, I know, but, there's a good, so good, that none of our mistakes and crimes, can or will, remain and so, we must keep walking".

That's a tall order, but I don't figure Creator made a human, out knowin' how tall they were.

Have a great day!

Best, Always

P.S. Let the burros out, see if they'd head for the hills, or if they bonded with the barnyard and us that live around it. So far, so good; they wandered down to the bottom, me watchin' them, them watchin' me. They found the fence and the gate, notice Hutty, keepin' her distance and stayin' behind me, then started ta browse. I came in finished the blog, went back out and there they were nappin' under the pin~on, just outside their pen! Next step, see if I can get 'em in this evenin'.

P.S. Phase, one and a half! I left their gate open just enough where they could go back in, but a horse might not and walked in and out, a few times myself, where they could get the point, maybe. Anyway, just went by again and they had wandered in, get a bite a hay. Just reminds me, my old friend Ray; "it's all about freedom. A critter feels free, they're like ta follow ya anywhere."

Burros and Beans

Good Mornin'

Well, sunny and still; I reckin' we got some heat comin' now. Not the big heat we'll get June-July, but some compared ta years past.

Better make a run to the tradin' post today; beans. Try and line up a trip to Albuquerque Monday, get the checks in the bank, so we can get the book off to the printer. Spring, and so many hats; oughta be one a me, just stay home and fence. Another, stay home and work horses. Maybe another just ta keep up with correspondence and paperwork; that free up the other, go to town, though a fifth, keep up with the cookin' and cleanin' wouldn't be a bad idea.

Upside is I won't likely get bored, anytime soon. And, looks like, we get the book goin', I'll have an excuse hit the Eastern Navajo, Arts and Crafts Fair, beginnin' of June, Torreon, New Mexico and I sure am lookin' for that. Day to day, we all kinda run our own circles, so, a chance, spend some time with them neighbors, a little more west, spend a while in their world, well, that'd be a real treat.

Anyway, might leave it there for today. Bull Chapman, a distant relative, drives a water truck for a local service company, just stopped by, look at Burros and there went an hour I wasn't countin' on. But, that's life and it's always interestin' and pleasant, lettin' go and takin' it on it's own terms; trustin' the music.
He's got a couple a little girls he'd like ta get ridin' and thinkin' the burros, where they're smaller, might be a good introduction, help build confidence and understandin'. His folks first homestead out here back in the 20's when the government first opened things up; made their way with the wild horses. Always a pleasure, tradin' stories; he's one nice fella. Loves his family, works hard, knows his critters, fair and good as a day is long. Inspirin', youngsters like that; just plain inspirin'.

Anyway, have a great day and, hopeful, I'll have more ta say "man~ana".

Best

Off the Wall

Good Mornin'

Well, finally got around to my spring cleanin' and as we speak, the wind is finishin' up; it's come up a blowin' and, now, "sans" sidin', the soft sides are flappin' and the wind is carryin' off the last of the dust that my broom wouldn't get.

Pretty cool, wakin' up in a bare tent; I also removed my three year old, tore up and stitched together tarp. Hold on a "second"; I got tie up the sides, so the winter dust goes out the door, stead a "up the nose".

There, anyway, ya, I woke up this mornin', surrounded with golden light! Kinda like the rapture, I suppose, but much simpler, in fact; once I pull the tarp, the mornin' light comes in every which way and all the leaks that left their rusty marks, turn the light all gold. Reminds me of an old Japanese print, I found once, when I was helpin' a friend clean out their basement. It was an ink-brush paintin' of an old buddhist monk, holdin' a young tiger by the tail, with a meat cleaver in his other hand; always seemed ta me he was debatin' the merits of dead and alive, time and trouble.

Anyway, it too had become water stained and had some mold spots, so it had become, even more beautiful, then it may have ever been, for the years and rust and mold. And, same, same my tent; tattered edges and all.

Now, to pick up the pieces, 'fore the wind takes 'em all ta Oklahoma; give the apron a nice rake. I have got over my "freakies", far as the reptiles go, but a nice clutter free apron is money in the bank, as I have noticed that they aren't fond of open spaces; crows and owls, too happy to snack.

But, there ya have it; spring cleanin' in all it's glory; light ta see with, clutter removed, the color of water and years, fresh air ta breath, and the smooth grain of planks, polished by foot and another winters mud. Can't complain with that; I can still go to my friends house, see that wonderful paintin', come home and curl up in mine.

Have a great day!

Best,

Show or Tell

Good Mornin'

Well, it's definitely spring! Everything wantin' attention all at once! Kinda easy ta get upset, but luckily, I'm older and I been through this before; some recollection kicks in and there's a hand on my shoulder, "easy youngster, one step at a time and don't get too far from the Heart! It will work out!"

And, it does slow me down and draw me back; while I have been here before in one sense, I've never been here, on the other and I gotta go back and sit with the Heart, let it tell me stories of what it's like to be me, older, here, now, in a world I've never walked through before. Amazing thing about the Heart, it lives, I believe, in a place beyond time and space, and, so knows, all that's ever been, this moment and all that ever will be.

The other day, someone posted a quote about the purpose of time; something about how time keeps everything from happening all at once. And, there in, the power of Heart; the bridge 'tween then and now. And, the beauty and wisdom of spendin' time by it's fire, 'cause the language of the Heart is definitely, not a worldly tongue and gettin' with it, takes some adaptation. Our little words are like pieces, seconds or minutes, mornings and afternoons, seasons and holidays, but the Heart know only one and says forever and everything all at once. Not hard to imagine, there's some wisdom there, but learning to cipher, that's a trick.

Brings me back to the horses, again, and just how grateful I am for their gift; ya just have to pay attention and be open. Other day I went over ta tend the critters at the neighbors. Bucky Roo, their horse, was waitin', out in their over grazed pasture, knowin' it was time. Simple thing, really, but as soon as he saw me he pretended to be eatin', though I knew there was nothin' but dirt, under nose. It touched me like never before; "ya, he doesn't know words, but look at him show, exactly what's on his mind".

Seems ta me the Hearts like that; spend time and it might not "tell" you anything. Spend some more and ya just might find, it's tryin' to show you a bunch. Or maybe I have it backwards, could be neither or both, but pay attention and you'll never be the same; that I know for sure!

Have a great day!

Best

No Tomorrow

Good Mornin'

Well, cool, but sunny and still; headin' for the seventies, accordin' to the radio. Definitely time, pull the sides and raise the flaps; my reptile friends do wake up hungry and I better get some light and air in here.

Sure is good ta get out and see the rest a the ranch, winter time, focus can get kinda narrow; firewood and now, with this eLectronic gizmo and the virtual world it opens to, rememberin' there are critters and fences and grass and ponds, boy that's a welcome turn of events.

Hauled a tank a water out to the drinker, middle of the spread; headin' into spring with most a the ponds dry. But, the small doses of snow, we got fairly often, have give the grass a start and there's still hope for thunderstorms, 'fore the big heat comes on June. Also, been gettin' out to the woods, up back here, hit some a my wood piles for small wood, now that temps are up into mild territory. Amazing, all the different shades a green; all the different plants and grasses, puttin' on their springtime best, even the the dirt, barks and trunks, stems and twig are rich with the moisture they still hold from the winter snows.

I suppose it's reassurin' seein' how the "garden grows" and what a "whole" it weaves; just a reminder how Life has a way and it seldom involves a lot of thinkin'. I guess you could say it just has faith in it's own genius. And there's some inspiration. There's a line from an old book about lillies and birds, how they don't "work" and I reckin' it's similar; it's not that they don't do anything, heck, there likely way busier than we could imagine, but there's an element of fret and worry, tomorrow, maybe, that they just never picked up. Maybe, a sense, that if ya just give, whatever ya got, Life will go on and it'll be good and that's a lighter load.

Maybe that's how come the birds can fly and just ta see a flower, can stop ya in you're tracks.

Have a great day!

Best,

Happy Returns

Good Mornin'

Well, still pretty cool, but the precips over for a spell, it seems; breezy, with a few clouds, but maybe, now it'll start ta warm up again.

And, otherwise, a quiet day; funny how I'm startin' ta figure there's two different kinds a quiet. There's the weekend quiet, where the oilfields are quiet, 'cause the workers and trucks are all parked, but there is a possibility some weekender'll come by, wonderin' where they are, who I am and what I do out here. Then there's the weekday quiet, where the workers and trucks are all back at work, and there's little chance anybody'll show up, wonderin' who I am and what I'm up to 'cause the weekenders have all gone home.

And, I am findin' that these little articles do leave a mark; and, a course, I can't speak for anyone else, but, I read 'em, too. And, I suppose, that one yesterday about "plowin' the field", definitely left a mark on me. I guess it's one a those "karma" things, a fancy word for things that "come around, once they go around", ya offer what ya can, terms of understandin', and a little more comes back around. I sure, found myself happily reminded, "don't neglect your field; it is beautiful in it's own right and it is the most lovin' answer, to the most lovin' promise!"

Have a great day!

Best,

The Tender Soil

Good Mornin'

Well, overcast and cool, cool; snow showers, off and on through the night, but nothin' on the ground.

Been occurrin' ta me, over the past few days, some a the stories that come out in the course a writin', how life really is a sort of treasure hunt. And, it's possible, if ya remember that comment I made about "what we're doin' here" and how it gets so abused, that there really is an important "clue" there. What I mean is, the reason that question is and can be so often and easily abused, is 'cause something inside of us humans, really perks up at the mention. And, the math is simple, somewhere inside, we KNOW that's important; really, really relevant.

The problem comes, when it's called to the front, again and again and offered a bad answer; answers that turn out ta serve someone or somethin' else, and not the call of the heart. And, by now, so many generations past, here on Mother Earth, and that question, so abused, we have by and large become a culture of "foxes"; the one that walked away, decidin' the "grapes" were surely sour, and we'll just have to settle for less.

But, the math IS simple and the clues ARE laid out. The voices that call, "over here, over there", forget; somethings are good ta give up. But, that quiet voice within' that seeks and hopes, that part of us that knows and figures, sooner or later, the taste of a "bad apple", same part of us knows the question is important, it must know a whole lot more, or it wouldn't know a good answer from bad!

See what I mean; this is a wonderful situation. There's a whole bunch a "knowin'" goin' on. It's possible, we've just been lookin' at the "no" side and missin' the "know" side of it. And, I guess, this is what brings me back to St. Exupery's line, again and again; "ones sees clearly, only with the heart; anything essential, invisible to the eye.". There's a kind of seein's, more like feelin'.

There's a great story of a farmer, worked hard and made a lot of money. Shortly before his passin' he converted it to gold, put it in a box and buried it in his field. Just before he passed, he called his children and told them, "I am leaving you with something very precious; I am leaving you with my farm. Plow the fields and you will become rich beyond your dreams!". Some of the children left, disgusted; went to town and got a job. The ones that stayed, accepted the simplicity of the farm, plowed the field, the spade running back and forth below the humble earth, came upon an "answer", like the promise, buried within the tender soil.

Woke up this mornin' imaginin' the feel of the spade, runnin' through the soil; maybe day after day, just turnin' the earth. And, what it must a felt like, that day, when that spade hit a box.

Maybe you could say, we all give up; but, some give up and walk away, some give up and stay. Maybe the difference, only one consideration; "that promise was givin' with love; I don't see and I don't understand, but I'll try. I will run that spade, through that simple soil, and I'll do it for two reasons; one, gold or not, it's beautiful in it's own right. And two, all said and done, it's the only lovin' answer, to such a lovin' promise!". Rich upon riches.

Have a great day!

Best,

Big Doin's

Good Mornin',

Well, it's a "blustery day", quoth the Pooh! And, the bunch come in; mighta been a flake, with the cool air, mighta been "the mystery"; how they seem to know, when some part a their spread needs checkin'.

Anyway, pretty funny, a small addition, two actually, all the comotion and, a course, Gramma meetin' each new arrival with her instincts; need more burros. And, Big, the old ropin' horse with the sore feet, well, sore feet be darned, "there's burros in the barnyard and nobody asked me!". Now, whether, it's his AQHA background and never havin' come across critters like that, or whether it's some territorial thing, some ancient feud thing with burros, I have no idea, but concerned, oh, my! And, then, a course, everybody feelin' that this is one grand excuse, catch the blustery, cool air, buck and kick and prance around, like something's wonderfully wrong.

But, Big's the boss, and sore feet or not, he takes his "bossin'" serious. When I first come out, first lieutenant, Tubby, was up checkin' out the burros, along with Sargeant Rustoleum, Queeny and Big Missy. Had to go out throught the woods to the pasture, spot Big, nappin' down by the low gate, with Funny and Graceful, dutifully standin' watch. The girls heard me whistle and after a little respectful stirrin' informed Big, they really could use a bite and started up the hill. Everybody quite happy for the bite, 'till Big showed up and started in with his consternation over the burros. Then, as I mentioned, everybody took the excuse, climb on the "tizzy wagon" and put on the show. Mustang boys in the background, figurin' this was all quite fantastic, lightenin' their loads, sniffin' the loads and threatenin' each other with utter destruction, as, certainly, there must be somethin' at stake. The burros takin' it all in, equally amazed and grateful, it seems, that there pen, while in the middle of all this, was big enough, so they could camp in the middle and not get too close to any of it.

Anyway, there's the news from Grateful, New Mexico and....

Have a great day!

Best,

The Eyes Have It

Good Mornin'

Well, sunny, mild with a few high clouds; gentle breeze from the south and, a course a little cooler, with the front that came through.

Looks like it's a go, pick up the burros, so I better not stay too long here, this mornin'; I still gotta get a couple of panels up, finish off their pen. And, Stinky's crashin' about the tent this mornin', lookin' for a scratch. If I don't get out the brush, here, pretty quick, he'll have the whole place tore up.

But, I do enjoy, takin' a little time, say good mornin' and seein' what might come out. Funny, we are us humans; seems we really come in layers. One layer, we seem, all about doin', but given a chance, like writin' a smidge and, lo and behold, there might be all kinda stuff goin' on, just under that layer. And, thing I find, if I get a feel for the stuff, just under the "doin' part", it seems ta kinda smooth out the doin' and put it all in a better light.

Seems like I been comin' across a lot of referrences to the power of awareness, late. And, sure enough, seein' it with my mustang boys; Julio with his mites and gettin' him used to soap and sponges and me scrubbin' some a his more personal spots, Ruben with his wild ways and lack of any good reason, associate with the likes a me. Thing I see, is me gettin' quiet and admittin', "I really don't know", waitin' and watchin' for clues. It's really quite funny, special with them; there's a part a me wants to jump in and say, "look, this is how it is and this is where we're goin'". Then, special with them, as I've noticed with "wilder" critters, I'm re-minded, "if it ain't right, it ain't right and forcin' it, ain't never gonna make it right!".

Really and truly, a fantastic process! Again and again, asked to let go, re-examine, get smaller and smaller, 'till the little things I'm missin', get large enough for me to notice. Ya know that sayin', "the devil's in the detail"? Well, to me, this is the fantastic truth a the matter. And, curious enough, a wise man, couple a thousand years back, talked about "size" as a factor, as regards our destination; I'm rememberin' the camel and the eye of the needle.

So, here's my two cents for the mornin'; those devilish details are only devilish, if we forget where we're goin'! Remember what we're up to, here on Mother Earth, what's on the other side a "the eye" and those "devilish details" might just turn into to gifts, angels, from the "other side", help us come along; get a little smaller.

Wonderful thing about smaller, it's generally lighter.

Have a great day!

Best,

Whatever You Do...

Good Mornin'

Well, it sure enough blew yesterday and they're stirrin' again, today. See if they kick up the same, or if this is the tail end of the front; I guess that'd be the end of the beginnin'.

Anyway, see too, if that "little story" let go of me last night; yesterday I couldn't quit thinkin' about it, all day. I guess it's just that thing of co-munication; how rare it is and how stunnin' it is, when it actually, takes place. We can talk about all kind a little things, like hammers and nails and dishes and trash, but the whole question of what we're doin' here on Mother Earth, well, that's a whole another question; and, all too often, avoided, where it's all so often abused.

And, I guess I'll move on to other matters, for now, though that last line lingers and won't be forgotten.

Reason bein', I have ta get a pen ready for Grampa Stump and Gramma Daisy. Yes, the burros are comin' home ta roost. And, if you're thinkin' I don't need more critters, we'd be in perfect accord, but whatya do? Comin' up on ten years I've been workin' with and trimmin' on these guys and now the owners are gettin' old and thinkin' ta turn 'em loose; actually send 'em to the sale barn, and I just can't see that comin' to a happy conclusion. Oughta be a song about the way we forget our elders, no? Or, maybe one about our "disposable" culture. Ya can't point fingers, but it's a heck of a question, how we own things some days and walk the next, then complain about all the litter by the side a the road. Well, the world is round; we keep walkin' and sooner or later, we'll have to travel the road we walked before.


Anyway, home they come! Wish I could take 'em all, but already too many, I agreed ta take Gramma and Grampa, keep them from "litter" and, my friend Sandy said she'd find a home for the daughter, Jazz and the grand babes. So, another layer of society, round the barn, complete with all the conversations, help weave it together; a harmonious whole.

And, I better get to it.

Have a great day!

Best,

Just a Little Story

Good Mornin'

Well, another beautiful mornin'; a few high clouds and amazingly mild temps. They say the winds, like ta come up, but that'd be more normal than the temps; winds just a fact a life, spring time New Mexico.

Quite amazing, these days, my internal "garden" and external "playground"; all seems packed with meanin' and full of wonder. Makes me feel a little bit like that character in the movie, "what's his name and the temple of doom"; not that I feel the shadow of doom, looming over me, but listenin' to my heart and noticin' my dreams, wakin' and walkin' with the critters, bits and pieces of news and comments from friends, seems just as fascinatin' and plenty excitin'.

Got to thinkin' about a story, past few days; Japanese. There's a tradition among some of asian schools, of givin' a student a sort of puzzle, in the form of a short story or question; sometimes called "Koans". Well, I got thinkin' about this one and, puzzle on top of puzzle, I never even considered it a puzzle!

It's a really simple story of someone askin' an old monk what he did before enlightenment; the monk answerin', "chop wood and carry water". The same person, then asked, "and what did you do after enlightenment?". The old monk answerin', "chop wood and carry water". Now, there's a lot of "hoopla", in western culture about enlightenment, often presented like a "great earthquake" of a moment. On the otherhand, I've heard, from some I consider to be truly and deeply enlightened, that this may be a sadly, misleading case of "P.T. Barnum" in "spades".

So, here's my, otherwise, dawnin' consideration of our old monk, my original smug assumption, that nothing changed; oh, so Zen! But, lately it occured to me, "what a clever little story"! Could it be, that part of the beauty of the story, is the consideration of the person askin' the question, who would seem to be an "outside observer" and the way the old monk answered the question was perfectly honest and true to the question, the asker and their, once removed point of view? Could it also be true, that, contrary to my "oh, so Zen" take on the story, that there is a glaring omission, or question I failed to accept? "So, reverend monk, you mean to tell me that absolutely nothing changed; oh, so Zen, or not, that's a big #@"?*&$+; waste!"

"No", our old monk might say, "but that's not what you asked".

Time to feed the cowboy. Have a great day!

Best,

Amazing, Grace

Good Mornin'

Well, slightly overcast, but mild and still, with fair sunlight.

Gotta run to the post office this mornin', get my taxes in the mail; stop at the cafe', cook shack to us locals, see if I can sweet talk Ms. Ella into cashin' my check. It sure is hard ta leave my backwoods, here, but all for the best, I suppose; the constrast, even a few miles, reminds me just how lucky I am and how much I love my critters and all the chores go with 'em.

Give "juli", really "julio", pronounced "wheely", a good brush last night and a second, just water, get the iodine to soak in and dilute the "soap" part; startin' to wonder if the soap wasn't irritatin' him and makin' him scratch, even if we got the mites on the run. Checked him out this mornin' when I fed and, while not entirely sure, I'm thinkin' he's lookin' better; different for sure, better or worse, time'll tell.

Seems like I mighta been in a bit of a "funk", past couple a days, but luckily, experience, when that happens, I'm like ta remember, "it's not that anything's worse, it's more like my attitude/focus has slipped". So, I try not to get excited or worried, but just do what I can and spend a little more time with my attitude; see where it mighta gone and bring it back to the basics.

I'm alive, that's a miracle. I can make effort, that's a gift. Make effort, grace happens. It's all impossible. Grace washes away the "im"; don't worry.

Have a great day!

Best,

Forget Ain't

Good Mornin'

Well, another nice, mild mornin'; breezes stirrin', here and there. And, despite my good intentions, my winter panels are still up and my new tarp is still in the box; my floor, still an inch deep with the winter's mud. All I can say is, "we're gettin' there!".

Takes some doin', adjustin' to this "cowboy AND publishin' executive" stuff. I suppose why cowboys, mostly just stay cowboys; critters and fences, way plenty for anyone, not ta mention gettin' older, on top. Also, I suppose, why a lot of cowboys have a religious bone, as believin' in miracles, about the only way ya keep from givin' up. But, I sure can't complain; by any measure, mount a time I spend happy's, got ta be way above average!

Last night, it was pretty near dark, time I got around ta brushin' Julio with the iodine soap, keep those mites, headin' for the door. And, I do believe we're winnin', but it sure was sweet, see him so clear, that whatever we've been doin' it's worth it. He was standin' right by the fence where I'm used ta brushin' him, waitin' for his dose and proceeded ta nuzzle me the whole while, for thanks, seemed ta me. So, just seein' all the way he's come, since he first come in, well, that's enough, fill anybody's "happy cup" right to the top.

So, I reckin' that's the trick; stead a lookin' at all the "ain'ts", really appreciatin' the little "ares". The "ares", special the "are wells", they kinda fill ya up with "all right". Start lookin' at all the "ain'ts" and ya just wanta go back ta bed and that don't move nothin' from "ain't ta are", if ya see what I mean.

There'll be a quiz tomorrow.

Have a great day!

Best,

Raw Data

Good Mornin'

Well, it is, without a doubt, a beautiful mornin'! Mild, sunny, with only a gentle breeze, a stirrin'.

I'm sure I dreamnt; fuller moon, peakin' through my "third window", the one up top, just under the peak a the roof. But, what I dreamnt, I have no idea. Always brings me back to the quiet world of the horses, where after years of talkin', ya start ta get quiet and notice all the data goin' back and forth, too quick for words, and consider how it's the same, 'tween us and Creator; things we feel, longings we have, fears and aspirations, maybe, for which, we don't even have words and yet they're heard and addressed. And, we wake, maybe no answers to write down in words, but more aware of the greatest answer there could ever be; it's intimate, it's personal, we are not alone. We are loved. Walk with the beautiful fact!

Have a great day!

Best

A Lower Horse, A Higher Aim

Good Mornin'

Well, quiet so far; few high clouds and mild temps. If the winds don't come up, might see about packin' up my winter sidin', trimmin' off the old tarp and puttin' up the new! Get some light and air in here, give the whole place a good "sweep, shovel and scrub".

And, another tiny glimmer in the sands of my larger project, this mornin', with the discovery of the Albuquerque Indian Center. See what happens, but I'm hopin' it might be one more little connection, toward the horse rescue/workin' ranch/summer camp for native kids.

I'd have to say, that I sure, owe some gratitude to my heart path and heart teacher, as I notice the course of my life and the evolution of things with the horses, out here. Practcin' meditation all these years, sure has taught me patience and persistance; the simplest thing on earth and over the years, seein' how difficult it can be, come to terms with such a simple reality, well, it just kinda let's the air outta the, whole "pride ballon" and opens ya up to a lot of gratitude for the littlest signs of progress. And, for myself, that's huge. I think of ALL the times my teacher has talked about the power, the nature of water; "if it can't go this way, it'll go that, but it nevers forgets where it's going". Or, the ability of water, turn a mountain to a beach, carve a "grand canyon"; take life, give life.

Truly, there is something so powerful, about comin' to one point of concentration; I suppose, that's what a laser is all about. And, in my case, it's not, necessarily, about "the ranch" or the horses, but comin' home to the heart; lettin' go of all the rest and just askin' to live from there. Nothin' to the left, nothin' to the right; just there. And, for someone to give me the tools and inspire me, take it up, with a voice and a person, so modestly, full of "been there", boy, that is truly huge!

Living in our illusions of grandure, it's so easy miss the gifts; get a little closer to reality, it gets clearer, "wow, it didn't HAVE to be like that; THAT'S a gift and THANK YOU!".

Have a great day!

Best,

P.S. Just considered, addin' another little piece to the "puzzle". That part about "illusions of grandure", well, number one, I wouldn't have enough fingers ta point, special, at me. And, number two, 'fore we go to criticizin' and blamin', special, me, it's always nice to remember what old Ray used ta say, regardin' such matters; "Don't blame the horse, it's just what they learned!". Blamin' folks, special, ourselves, never really gets us anywhere real positive! The real point would be "what is missed", whether it's us, or someone else. See, what I mean? "Good" and "Bad", shame and blame, it's a strange game, but if there's actually "something missed", like an opportunity, now we're talkin' "practical". So, nothin' wrong with "high horses" if that works for ya, but if ya miss "the gift" of it all, for that high horse, well that'd be a shame, seems ta me. 'Cause it's "the gift", noticin'the kindness, allows us let go and really appreciate, feel gratitude; and nobody'd wanta miss that!

To Sea or Shining See!

Good Mornin'

Well, sunny mild, maybe breezy, sound a things. Got my new tarp, but might let the breezes blow off 'fore I set 'er up. Combine it with my spring cleanin', panel removin' and side flap raisin'; it's pretty early, but it's no fun behind the curve, where the snakes 'er up but my flaps ain't. Light has many meanings and quite some advantages, not to mention the fresh air and cleanin', remove any lingerin' "mouse aroma"; that'd be like us tryin' ta diet and havin' ta walk past the bakery every mornin', for a snake that hasn't had a bite all winter.

Another dreamy night, this time with childhood references; grew up by the ocean up toward Nova Scotia and spent some fair time around the fishin' boats. I was in an old office down by the piers and was a storm in full throw; seas we're mountin' like mountains and headin' straight for shore. I could see 'em comin', way taller that the old buildin' we were in, early mornin' and everybody was talkin' real calm about goin' ta work. I kept thinkin' "how'd I get here, these folks are NUTS"; "they wanta go out in this for a couple a fish". Just then sure enough the waves hit, crashin' through the windows and washin' us and everything else, up shore. Seemed like they was still talkin' about "goin' ta work". Maybe why I grew up with a question of value and how I spend my time; a couple a fish won't do anybody much, if they're dead, no? Simple math, but shockin', seems, how rarely grasped.

Have a great day!

Best,

Time, Sound and Travel

Good Mornin'

Well, one be you tea full mornin' and quite a night; mighta been the full moon and maybe, pieces fittin' together, inside and out, but I sure dreamnt last night.

Can't remember exactly, what and how, but it sure feels like some kinda "threshold" was crossed; something resolved, something born. Talkin' to an old friend this mornin' about efforts made over the past four or five years, maybe ten or twenty, could be 60, but little pieces. Pieces so small, ya wonder what on Earth they have to do with anything. Then, all of a sudden, you get a feelin' they've been talkin' to each other and some kinda "life" is takin' shape and startin' to breath; maybe, what some folks call "alchemy".

Anyway, curious; I remember hearin' that an aircraft is apt ta shake, violent just before it crosses the sound barrier, but when it does, it's very still and quiet on the other side. Guess, that's kinda the way I feel, this mornin'; quiet, with a new sense of travel that's quite different, unfamiliar but certain.

Have a great day and we'll keep you appraised a developments!

Best,

Anything Worth Doin'

Good Evenin'

Well, lost the electricity out here; some 24hrs. Not a big deal, 'cept the water pump goes and I couldn't charge my phone, which doubles as computer. And, it has been a long day; a little dis-combobulated in the mornin', unable to do my usual co-respondin', catchin' up and checkin' in, but ironed out pretty fair. Made a run to the tradin' post, grab a bite and a couple a groceries; pinch a gasoline, make it back next week. Lay down a spell. Got up and got back after Julio and the mites. Got enough firewood, make it 'till mornin' and give Ruben a little exercise and visit; keep him comin' along.

Best, part, I suppose, sides playin' with the boys, was realizin', "I need help". I've known that for some years, but these days it's plain old, unavoidable fact! And, seems, recent events been highlightin' the "something" about the situation, the horses, the possibility of makin' a rescue/ranch/place for kids, that's just movin' me, get the courage, and take a step. So, I placed an ad on Craig's list for volunteers; "Get Away With Meanin'".

See what happens; tarred, again! Maybe, I'll make more sense in the mornin'.

Have a nice night!

Best,

Time'll Tell

Good Mornin'

Well, it snowed! Won't last the day, but two or three times, what the weatherman said.

Slept like a log! There's a lady down the way, insists the government is lacin' the clouds with drugs; sedate the population. While, I wouldn't put it past 'em, I'm more inclined ta think it's simply toxins, chemicals and junk, us humans happily spread about, certain that they could never amount to any harm; I do notice when we get a little "precip" after a warm dry spell, my mental and physical systems sure seem to go haywire, then shut down, hard, for maintenance.

Anyway, needles ta say, I didn't get much done yesterday, 'cept for com-putin' and co-nectin'; bound ta go somewhere, sooner or later. Keep comin' back to the question of trust and the horses; somewhere, somehow, it will go forward and there'll be a way, expand, explore and share this with kids. There are so many in difficult circumstance, this work is so powerful, healin' and helpful, there will come a time and a way, connect the dots.

It's funny, like other things I've run into in my life that have been so huge, they are so simple, most folks won't believe it. Fallout, I suspect, from our "whiz bang" culture; so much hype and spin, everywhere, the truly important things are often dismissed as "old wives' tales", fairy tales that couldn't possibly be relevant. Upside, "so without, so within", the mal-nutrition of our "whiz bang" culture is becomin' an inescapable fact and folks are startin' ta consider, "maybe, we missed something".

Guess, I believe, this is where "perseverance" comes in; if you found somethin' and you know it's good, don't let go. Sooner or later, it's time'll come.

Have a great day!

Best,

P.S. A song from my friend Geoff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&hl=en&client=mv-google&v=95Ta9vaILgM

Gettin' It Together

Good Mornin'

Well, the temp did drop; froze last night. First time in a week, or so, but were, supposed ta be back up in the 60's man~ana.

Quite a weekend; playin' with Julio and visitin' with friends, here and there. Come up with a little backin' for my horse rescue and every little bit helps a lot! Not only on the practical side, which is no small bit, but also in terms a morale. 'Tween the two, workin' with Julio and that offer of support, just woke up believin' in myself, the horses, people and the potential good I been seein' all these years, movin' forward.

Really and truly, seein' the way a horse can trust, overcomin' all kinda obstacle and reasons to the contrary, it's just a powerful thing! Such a feelin', that somehow, trust is the fabric of good. Consider, how, so much a what goes on, lyin', cheatin', stealin', the rape of the Earth, it really comes back to broken trust. No tellin' how far ya'd have ta go, find the beginnin' of that story, but, no matter how far it goes back, forward begins with a step; forward begins with a step.

And, it's quite amazin', no, seein' so practical, with the horses, how trust opens the door and allows two completely different creatures consider, it could be a dance; no ulterior motives, just a dance, and dancin' is just a celebration of bein' alive, together.

Someone posted an article on facebook yesterday; an anthropologist in a remote part of Africa, workin' with tribesmen. He was playin' a game with some children and set up a race; whoever got to a tree first, could have all the fruit he'd put there. When he said go, all the children, joined hands and ran together; sat down and shared the fruit. When he asked them why they did that, they just said one word, in their native language; translated it meant, "I am, because we are!".

All it takes is one step.

Have a great day!

Best,

A Kinder Garden

Good Mornin'

Another butte! I can here the breeze comin' up, as the weatherman said it might, but the big "drop" has been postponed; they say, maybe Monday. Funny, though, a big drop would only put us in "normal" range; 40's and 50's and that's good livin'. They always make it sound like the end of the world; lesson in there somewhere.

Had a wonderful day, playin' with "Jules", there, yesterday. (Julio) Funny how somethin' seems so distressful can turn out to be just the thing makes everything better in the long run. Actually, some years now I've been waitin' and wantin' take my relationship with the mustang boys, Ruben and Julio, a little futher down the road, but, there's all these other things, seem like priorities. All of a sudden, here's the situation with the mites and we gotta get closer; take the trust to a whole, another level. What a gift!

I suppose, it's really kinda perfect; 'cause even in the waitin', time passin', just bein' together day to day, feedin', brushin', gettin' out, comin' in, watchin' each other, carin', there really is a WHOLE lot's gone on. I remember I'd often say to my customers, "we can think, that "trainin'" all happens in the round pen, or horseback, but the horses are watchin', figurin' and addin' things up, 24/7! Maybe, even more, all the little things, go on, when we think "nothin's" at stake."

Reminds, me somethin' old Tom used ta say, "always makes me laugh, watchin' folks listenin' to me; I can see, just when I'm gettin' to somethin' important, them kinda drift off, politely smilin' and waitin' for me ta say somethin' important!".

Anyway, already, I can see Julio changin' and now, looks like I'll have ta start with Ruben, too; I noticed him startin to scratch his behind on the rails. But maybe the biggest gift, has just been the reminder; this is what I love, watchin' trust grow. I suppose for some that'd be like "watchin' paint dry", but, a little patience and a little understandin', generally, thanks to a good teacher, and "trust" is the most amazin' garden you'd ever like ta grow.

Have a great day!

Best,

P.S. I might add, just case any horse people read this and wonder why I'm takin' SO much time with theses mustang boys, for me it's about learnin' and variables. One, these are real mustangs, been out in the mountains, undisturbed, mostly three or four hundred years, and odds are way good, I'll never have this kinda opportunity again; maybe no one! Two, I do believe they got somethin' like that "post traumatic stress disorder", with the shock a gettin' pulled out a the forrest and thrown inta the forrest service pens; Tom used ta call it "overexposure", too much, too soon. And, three, my skill level, my feel timin' and balance, is only what it is. So, I figure, more trust, more I watch, really understand, what's important to them, how and why, closer I can get to accurate, as we get ta workin' more close. And, the trust might help fill in for any "inaccuracy" due to age or skill; whatever. I could write a book on this one little topic, but I guess I'll leave it there.