National “I Love Horses” Day!
Imagine our excitement when we realized that today is National “I Love Horses” Day!
While we have been horse owners for a year and a half now, we have been horse lovers since we were children. I remember longing for a little pony of my very own when I was just a little girl. My parents were not able to afford a horse, and so my dream did not become a reality until my early 40s. With such a passion for these gigantic, yet magnificent creatures, our hearts were thrilled as we worked hard around our house putting up fencing, getting troughs, salt blocks, and building a shelter preparing to bring these gentle giants home! After begging and pleading with my husband, as we surely had enough land to accommodate horses, he finally said, “Yes!” And … I took off with it! I set out to find THE perfect horse for us … and purchased three in one weekend. 🙂 Yes … I … Did!! I ran with it because I did not want my husband to have an opportunity to back out of this one. My dream was finally becoming a reality!
The three horses turned into five horses over the course of these 18 months, and we couldn’t be happier. My 10 year old daughter has horse fever as well, and she rides with us on the trails. We love that we share this passion for the horses together as a family.
My 18 year old daughter was interested in the horses for a short while. Then her interest turned to boys, music, and bands. It is our hope, though, that our youngest daughter will keep this passion alive within her heart for her horses and will be committed to this lifestyle. It really and truly is a way of life now. It isn’t a phase we’re going through. We are in this for the long haul. We understand that horses can live to be 30 years old, and we’re praying that we’ll be here to grow old with them. Then, when we are old and gray, we will still go out to the barn to love on our beloved horses.
These horses are more than just a hobby that never stops eating, as we’ve heard them called before. They bring us so much joy and happiness. Honestly, if I’m having a bad day, all I have to do is walk to the barn, grab a lead rope and halter, open the gate, and bring my beloved horse out to join me for a grooming session. With every stroke of the brush over their mane, looking into there dark eyes, feeling the soft velvet muzzle, and whispering my cares into their big ears … my cares seem to fade away as the stress leaves my body. These horses are more like therapists and counselors. Without saying a single word, they are there, ever present, offering their love. Horses are so calming and soothing as well. I can go outside to work with the horses and come back inside tired but feeling like the weight of the world has been lifted off of my shoulders.
In all my life, I never thought I’d say that I do not mind the smell of horse manure. It does not gross me out to see it or smell it, and I’m not embarrassed when my horse has to stop right there in the middle of the trail to do it either. It comes along with horse ownership, and I proudly clean up after my horse and pause for “poopy breaks” out on the trails as my daughter and I like to call them when the horses stop without warning on the trail to relieve themselves.
Yes, I have it bad if I’m sitting here even talking about horse manure and how I don’t mind that either. hahahaha
We are blessed to have these beautiful creatures as part of our family now.
For all you horse lovers out there, Happy National “I Love Horses” Day! For those that haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing being on the back of a horse, I encourage you to consider it in the near future. There is something so exciting and exhilarating about getting on the back of a horse. You are trusting these massive creatures literally with your life, and they respect and honor you in return. It truly is a partnership with your horse. Any time you get on the horse, you become a team. You are bonded as one, and you work together to accomplish things out on the trail, at a horse show, or even at a jumping event. You have to have a connection with your horse, and once you do, once you develop this bond … there is no breaking it and no turning back. You will never be sorry to have given your heart to a horse.
Even on days when I don’t feel like working them, as we have given them a break in this 100 degree weather this past week, you still go out to the barn to bond with them. We spend time with the horses, from sitting out in the middle of the pasture with them as they are busy grazing on all the available grass they can find, or giving them a cool bath in the hot Summertime heat and heaviness of the Southern humidity. You will make any excuse to be with your horse, even if all you do is give extra hay or apple horse treats, which are their favorite, by the way! The more time you spend with the horses, the more you are cementing the bond you share.
Here’s to horse lovers every where! And … to future ones in the making right this minute. Reach for the stars, and live your dream!
Our Little Getaway
Have you ever just opened your eyes in the morning and had this overwhelming need and desire to get away for a little while? With July 4th upon us, we had that very feeling Saturday morning. Thinking that trail riding with our horses would “scratch that itch,” we loaded up the horse trailer and spent several hours being one with nature. While that helped, I still felt a strong pull toward something greater that evening.
With my newly graduated daughter starting her “big girl” job at the bank on Monday, I had a desire to throw a few things in a bag and head to the ocean for a celebratory trip for her landing that job! So, we did! Our little getaway was a spur of the moment decision to go where we find joy. I do find the greatest joy in being with my family!
After hours of trail riding fun Saturday, I turned to my husband who was in the driver seat and said, “Let’s go to St. Augustine!” I’m sure he thought I was nuts, but he did not hesitate. I called my daughters and asked them to pack their bags, and we would be home to get them. They were EXCITED, and that thrilled my heart completely. My 10 year old always wants to go on outings with us, but some times our 18 year old would rather not. This time, though, she was rearing to go, having herself and her sister ready, as well as having both of their bags packed when we entered the house.
And away we went as a white and black striped lighthouse with a red top was calling my name. It was none other than the St. Augustine Lighthouse in St. Augustine, Florida. Ah, yes, I find joy in family time, lighthouses, and beautiful scenery!
I have been following their page on Facebook for a while now, even sharing some of their pictures and quotes from their page. I actually saw where they “followed” the shared post over to my Light Love Hope Facebook page and “liked” it, too! I felt a special thrill when I saw that. Yes, it is the little things that make me happy!
Seeing the newly renovated pictures, I was, indeed, drawn to this beauty.
We knew we would not have long in St. Augustine on this spur of the moment, spontaneous trip. Yet, we packed as much fun as we could into the time we did have. I wrote on my Facebook status a few of my favorite things, which are my family, lighthouses, and waking up in St. Augustine to see their lighthouse, and that IS how we began the next morning.
Shortly after the lighthouse opened, we were there to get our tickets for the tour. There were 219 steps that would take you all the way to the top of the lighthouse, and I walked every single step with great determination. While the others were panting, taking breaks, and slightly complaining, I was on a mission to get to the top. I took every step with great pride as I thought of the lighthouse keeper that would carry oil to the very top. While others complained, the keeper had an important job to do. There was no time for complaining for him! I was mindful of this as I made my way to the top.
I’ve heard that this particular lighthouse is haunted. There have been several deaths at the lighthouse through the years, and after hour tours are held where you will hear several of those stories.
This lighthouse is just intriguing to me. It is still a working lighthouse today and has the original lens from 1874.
While we did not encounter any ghosts on our trip, we did enjoy the breathtaking view at the top. You can see for 25 miles from there, and after hiking up steps equal to that of a 14 story building, the welcomed breeze as we stepped out onto the deck at the top felt marvelous. One tip, though. If you are afraid of heights, this would not be a good idea for you to try! Honestly. If you just want to say that you did it, just don’t look down when you’re up there. Look around … look left, right, and out in front of you. But, do NOT look down!
After our morning at the top of the lighthouse, we wanted to see the view of the historic city from the water! We set out in search of a cruise but did not have to go far as the marina was maybe 15 minutes away. We chose the one hour and 15 minute cruise, and we were delighted as we took in all the sights as the tour guide told all about this beautiful city. We even got to see the draw bridge open up to allow an extremely tall sailboat to go through. My 10 year old was fascinated by this!
We stopped for lunch and to browse a few shops along the way. Then we found the oldest house and the oldest schoolhouse, too!
We ended our time in St. Augustine at their wax museum. We saw famous people like Elvis Presley, Britney Spears, characters from Seinfield, and even Maleficent, too. They had people from history, also, like former Presidents and First Ladies, as well as members of Congress from many, many years ago. I was very impressed with this exhibit!
Initially, I wasn’t sure how my children would like the wax museum, but they said they loved it! Score one for Mom!
After playing around and posing like the statues, a huge thunderstorm rolled in … and we made our way to the car to roll out. We began our journey back home having enjoyed the holiday weekend together as a family doing things that bring us the greatest joy!
Ah, St. Augustine … with all of your history and beauty, we will see you again soon!
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This post goes perfectly with Karen’s prompt phrase of “I find joy in …”
Visit her each Tuesday for a new prompt phrase/word.
Happy 4th of July
Red, white, and blue flags are flying high with Lee Greenwood’s song ringing in my ears. Oh yes, I AM proud to be an American! Right now we are free, and I pray that we will stay that way. With the recent happenings in our state and the attention being drawn to another flag, the Confederate Flag, we hope that our freedom won’t be taken away much like there is talk of them taking down that particular flag. Heritage, not hate, is what that flag stands for, but so many view it differently. It is a source of pain for them. A reminder of a time when their ancestors didn’t have freedom. But thank God, we’re all free today!
Freedom. So many take that for granted. We have so many privileges here in the United States, so many opportunities. Let us not forget that we have our freedom due to young men and women who fought and who are currently fighting hard for our great Country. Take time to remember them today as the vast majority are not able to be home to celebrate Independence Day with their family.
Make memories. Lots of them! My daughter’s boyfriend is on his way to the beach tomorrow morning to kick off his 4th of July celebrations. They will laugh, soak up the sun, and get sand between their toes. They will come back refreshed, with sun kissed skin, and lots of memories that will carry them through the rest of their lives They will look back on this Summer and smile. Precious memories will be made this week with their family, and maybe they’ll remember to take a picture or two along the way to share. That’s what it’s all about, though. Make memories with your family this 4th of July!
Hold your loved ones close. My coworker is off this week as well to share time in the mountains with her two adult sons. This time will be different, though, than vacations in the past. She’s spoken to me about how this will be a lavish trip. She will make sure that she spares no expense as she hasn’t been with her sons on vacation in about ten years. About two years ago, she was told she has Lymphoma. She went through chemo that made her physically sick and weak. She suffered through the treatments, lost her hair, and struggled to find her sense of normal again. After her hair started to grow back, she felt she had a new lease on life. She was told she needed maintenance chemo, but this would not be the type that she had before. Thankfully, it wouldn’t make her as sick, and she wouldn’t lose her precious locks this time around. The treatments are so expensive, though, that she said she is no longer able to continue with them. In 2016, she has realized that she will not have the money for her maintenance chemo, so she is splurging on this vacation with her sons and is making those memories while she still can. Hearing this brought tears to my eyes. The thought that she’s having this extravagant vacation with them because she fears it will be their last. So, she’s going all out while she can. I gently reminded her to take those pictures. She isn’t one for pictures, unlike myself. I snap pictures all the time, every where, and LOVE it. But now is the time she truly needs to take the camera out, dust it off, and snap those memories so that her sons will have something to hold in their hands to remember the great time they had together. I wish that for them all. That this will be a beautiful time of bonding for Mother and Sons.
What about you? What will you do this 4th of July to celebrate our freedom? Whatever you do, make it count. Don’t let the day go by unnoticed. Whether you deck all out in your finest American attire showing your American pride, or you kick back at the lake to enjoy the beautiful array of colors that light up the sky, make every second count. You won’t get a “do over.” You will not be able to get this day back. Enjoy it to the fullest. Do an act of kindness for someone. Share your smile. And love. Show your love for your fellow man. That might be the only bit of God that some people see is through you. Shine your light proudly, and if given the chance … when someone notices your happiness and wants to know how they can find that happiness, too … lead them to Jesus.
Happy 4th of July to you all.
