Last night we had dinner with D's brother and his family, which included his niece and her 4 year-old daughter, D's Mom, and his son and 3 year-old grandson. We went to a national steakhouse chain as we needed someplace with decent food that was also kid friendly. It was the re-tying of a knot that got undone a long time ago, and it went very well. This was the first time D's brother and family had seen C in 24 years. The kids were adorable together and we all took pictures of each other, including a very good shot of D's Mom and niece, taken by 3 year-old S.
There were many hugs and kisses at the end of the evening and I was once again so proud of C and S and D. My heart is healed a little more every time we are together.
C and S haven't met D's sister and her family yet, but another four people at this dinner would have been too much. One step at a time.
And now for the horse update! I went down to the farm yesterday and got Mystere out of her stall and tied her up at the washrack to groom her. She was filthy again, as it was after turnout and one of her favorite things to do is roll. It took me a good half hour to get her to the point where I felt she looked respectable, but I didn't mind, every touch is part of the relationship-building process. I made an appointment with the farrier to get new shoes in a couple of weeks. He's a sweet older man with a heart of gold, he congratulated me and told me Miss was a sweet girl and never gave him any trouble, and that she had his favorite trot on the property. It's slowly sinking in that I have a very valuable and enviable horse.
Willow took me to the tack store and I bought brushes, sponges, buckets, a lunge line and whip and ordered a padded bridle. She found a good used Pessoa saddle online for me, we're hoping to negotiate down from the price, but with saddles you really get what you pay for. You can buy a Yugo or you can buy a Ferrari; I'm looking for something in the BMW range. The older Pessoas were made in England and are much better quality then the newer ones, which are made in Venezuela. We put all her new stuff in the tack box and pretty much filled it up. This is all happening so fast, but I'm already thinking how long its going to be before I can actually ride her.
One step at a time. I'm off to see Miss.
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That sure looks like a tiny saddle for a lot of money!
ReplyDeleteEverything in this post revolved around cultivating family and being patient while celebrating the small joys. You're in such a good place, even with the job transition.
I ran across your blog when I was searching for websites with horse sounds. Anyway, I am 47 years old and have been taking riding lessons for the last year and half and am looking forward to buying my horse in the next year. I love your horse! She's so beautiful and graceful.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking saddle and a used one is the very best solution. It will be all broken in and soft. I use an old close contact saddle that I always prefer to my big heavy western Roper.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite wonderful that the family is coming together.
What a treat, as the relationship with Mystere unfolds! And good news about the dinner going well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming to look at my blog, it prompted me to check yours out and I read back a few posts.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on Missy, she is a beautiful mare and I hope that you will both bond and get along well together. You are so fortunate to have such good support from the stable that you board at.
I had to wait until I was 41 before I owned my first horse, up until then it was just a dream, and now I have 16 paint horses aged from yearling up to 18 years old. Lots of work for one person as my husband is quadraplegic and I have to do all the work myself, cant get anyone reliable here to help me out.
Anyway I just wanted to say hi and I will check in regularly to see how you are doing.
Lori
Glad your dinner went well! I'll bet it takes a while to really grasp the idea that you have Mystere now! Fun to shop for her stuff, I bet! -Kym
ReplyDeleteFamily reunions can be tricky things. Especially with years of accumulated history and complications. Every family has them. It sounds like you all put your hearts first and navigated this one well! I'm so pleased that things are going well for you, and especially with Mystere. She is a gem.
ReplyDeletePatience is the hardest part. The weather is so great and everyone else is hitting the trail and I am stuck doing ground work and mounting exercises. That patience will pay off in the end. Right now you are facing a huge learning curve...just take things a day at a time and focus on making your girl your partner. She really is lovely.
ReplyDeleteHave you gotten to the part about the whale in She's Come Undone? It's been a long time since I read that book, but somehow I think Mystere and the whale have something in common other than being really heavy...
ReplyDelete