A Little Bird & Other Stories

Today was special.

This morning as I led Mercedes out to work with her, I spotted a bald eagle sitting on the very top of our "Lone Poplar". It was an awesome sight. I tried to take pictures of it with my IPhone, but it was too far away. Still, it was amazing to see that huge bird sitting on the very top branch of the tree.

Then Mercedes worked with me the best I've ever seen her do. I really have to thank Clinton Anderson and his "No Worries" method of horse training. The first part of this month, Willa and I went with two other friends to Reno to see him at one of his Walkabout Clinics. It was one of the most informative weekends I have ever experienced. And even better was coming home and trying out my new knowledge on my two horses. What a difference it has made in both of them! But Mercedes really has shown the most improvement. She was incredible to ride today. She did everything I asked of her. She is beginning to flex just like Clinton showed us, and moving the feet has made a world of difference in her respect for me.

Then this afternoon we had a great community meeting. I have such high hopes for the future of Dream River Ranch. There are exciting things yet to come! I can't wait to see them come to pass. And as they happen, I will try to keep this journal up to date, so that you can share those exciting things with us.

I don't usually do the chores (we're calling it "horse care" nowadays--because that's what it is) in the evenings. Willa usually does them, but this evening her back was bothering her, so I went instead. We have a little "cabin trailer" where we keep all the grain and blankets, some vet supplies, etc. When I turned the light on, there was a little Finch flying frantically, trying to get out of the cabin trailer, but unable to find the door. Every so often, it would stop and rest a moment before trying again. I wanted to help this bird, because the cabin trailer is a favorite napping place of two of our barn cats, and I knew that if the bird didn't get out tonight, it would be dinner before morning.

So I thought, "What the heck." Gently, I put my gloved finger out to the bird as though it were a tame bird and to my complete amazement the little bird stepped onto my finger! So I carefully carried the Finch over to the door and then let it fly away into the darkness. It was free!

I don't know what made that bird decide to trust me, but I've been trying to think what words I could use to describe how I felt at the time, and I guess the main word I come up with is: gratitude. I was so grateful and amazed that this little wild bird stepped out onto my finger with such confidence. I believe it was a gift.

This whole entire day was a gift. I want to share this gift with you. I hope that knowing there are places where Bald Eagles still fly, and horses become better, and little wild birds can trust helps you all to look out for the gifts that come to you each day and adds a bit of brightness to your lives.

For this I give Thanks

Time passes quickly in my life, and here it is 2 months since I wrote the last blog! Ouch!

This will be my third Thanksgiving at the Ranch and the second one since I started blogging for the ranch. Once again, this year, I find myself very thankful for many things:

I'm thankful for the people in my life: Willa, Joseph, Steve, and Tammy (all the ranch folks who are my ranch family), for Gail and Jan (who went with Willa and I to Reno for the Walkabout Clinic), for Douglas and Connie (who will hopefully become ranch partners, we loved your visit), for Deborah and Jana (who came all the way from Germany to see us), for my own family (you know who you are), for the many volunteers who helped us out all summer (we love you!), for the kids who came to camp this summer and learned so wonderfully about horses and riding and being courageous, for Bill who worked for peanuts (and a little pipe tobacco) but did so much, and of course for any of you who are now fans of Dream River Ranch on Facebook, just because you love us and are interested.

I'm thankful for the animals: for the cats, Tuffy who moved in when Grace died (and broke my heart), Shadow, and Pepper (who might still be Stoner, but we're debating) thanks girls for keeping the mice down, for the chickens (including our new "peep" the first DRR natural born chicken), for the dogs, Rusty, Sam, Hal, and of course Boss (who is a little crotchety in his old age) thanks boys for keeping the coyotes far away and for being so lovable, and of course the Horses who hold our hearts, carry our bodies, and heal our souls. We LOVE you all.

It's been another year of adventure, fun, sorrow, joy, and most of all LIFE!

I'm thankful most of all to the Creator who makes all of this possible.

As we say in the SCA, "Vivat!"