Life Always Looks Better Through the Ears of a Horse!

No matter how bad things are.  No matter the challenge or stress. No matter the shitty bits of life.
Everything looks and feels better, when looked at between the ears of a horse!

PS: we had galloped up that long lovely laneway an hour or so previous to this - here, we are heading back across country to the homestead, dinner and a glass of red wine.  :)

Invigoration

Isn't life interesting?  You just never know what it is going to throw up at you.  It's all part of the journey I reckon.  The challenge is not the difficulties we face, but how we choose to respond to them.
I am now studying and have a new job.  I've ditched the 'career' and profession that I have worked in for over 20 years and am trying something new. Being a Human Resource Manager when you really don't like most people was getting just too difficult.
So now, I'm studying a Bachelor of Equine Science via distance education and am enjoying being a part of a team again - this time as a Medical Receptionist/Administration Officer. 
A new challenge?? Tick!
All that means more time to spend doing the things that please my soul - reading, riding, cooking and being with Paul and the dogs.
Here are Toby and Darcy at Coningham Beach Tasmania enjoying a trot along the sand.

That Some Things Are Still Done the Old Fashioned Way

Oaten Hay Stack - Summerhill Farm Cambridge Tasmania - February 2012

The Joy of Cooking

I reckon I probably inherited my love of cooking from my mother....my 2 brothers and 2 sisters all love cooking too! And eating of course.  They are all great cooks. 
There is something wonderfully pleasing about preparing a meal from scratch and serving up and having it enjoyed by others.
Friends of ours who come to our place for dinner regularly say it is their favourite restaurant.
I grow almost all my own herbs too and just love going out to the garden, scissors in hand, picking the herbs and sticking them straight into whatever it is that I'm cooking.
Tonights dinner was a fish tagine - Trevalla with capers, cinnamon and cumin.  I put some preserved lemon in as well (home grown and home made) and served it with a couscous and chickpea salad - with toasted almond.  Paul really enjoyed it!  I thought it was OK....fish isn't my favourite really, but I will make some changes to the sauce next time to pick it up a bit....nothing like playing around with a recipe to suit your own tastes.
I'm grateful that I have the skills to cook (thanks Mum!); can eat fresh food everyday and can grow and use my own produce.
I am ever conscious that so many squillion people in the world don't have these luxuries.

Ahhh, the Bliss of Endorphins.

I joined a gym today.
I didn't mean to - I was only going to the hairdresser.
But whilst she had the clippers (yes, clippers!) to my hair, she told me about how much she was enjoying her time at a new gym she was going to.
Well one thing led to another and I joined, got on those scale things that pump out a whole lot of bad numbers - like body fat percentage - had my waist and hips measured (seriously, she read the figures out and I couldn't believe she was talking about me) and then did a quick warm up and circuit to show me the workings etc.
I left there feeling quite happy with myself.
Now all I have to do is stay motivated and see some of those figures go down week by week.
Endorphins are nature's wonder drug.
I'm grateful for them.

Soothing Sound of Rain on an Iron Roof

There is something quitessentialy Australian about the sound.
This afternoon a rather robust cold front came over after we have had days and days of lovely warm to hot weather....but the garden and fields were definitely starting to show for the heat without water.....so the heavens have opened up obligingly and we are now been well and truly soaked!! I feel blessed, thank you.

Getting Lost - In a Book!

I love reading.  I always have a book on the go.  I have rather eclectic tastes in books.  I have put up a list on the right hand side of the blog of the book that I am currently reading and the most recent past reads....
I love finding a book that takes you along with it.  My current read - The River of Doubt is doing just that.  I find I keep wanting to turn the page.  Who would have thought that a past President of the USA would be so interesting!
I am grateful for the ability and desire to read and to authors who write great books!

Thought For The Day

Healing Hands and Minds

Today I had a wonderful sauna and massage session at a Spa and Wellness Centre here in Margate Tasmania.....Opened my mind, and soothed my body......
I survived 58 degrees Celsius in a dry sauna, and then had a Japanese Chi Energy Healing (KIKU) 'massage', following which I had an Indian Ayuvedic massage.
As that famous Divinyls song says: "There is a fine line between pleasure and pain!"  I am grateful!

Words of Wisdom and Aspiration

"Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion."  Thich Nhat Hanh (pictured right)

Pema Chodron (pictured left): Start Where You Are"If we begin to surrender to ourselves—begin to drop the story line and experience what all this messy stuff behind the story line feels like—we begin to find bodhichitta, the tenderness that’s underneath all the harshness. By being kind to ourselves, we become kind to others. By being kind to others—if it’s done properly, with proper understanding—we benefit as well.  So the first point is that we are completely interrelated. What you do to others, you do to yourself. What you do to yourself, you do to others." 

Children Playing the Role Played By Us As Their Parents

Talking to my son about the issues we are dealing with, he said:

"It's not apocalyptic you know."

Helps get one's perspective in place. Thanks Steve.

ps: whose shadow is that to the left of Mel Gibson in this photo?

Winds of Change

....or should That be the Winds of Opportunity!

Cullenswood Church near St Marys Tasmania

Is the bird looking backward, as a last look, before he goes headfirst in the totally other direction????
Replace the feathers with a pair of tracky dacks and a tee shirt and that could be me......
I could see it all from up there....the very fancy estate next door or the duelling banjos property over the fence (and that's being nice!).
I can imagine myself sitting there (the rules are that NO ONE else is allowed up there with me; call up to ask if I'm alright; ask me the time; or what I can see; or other such tripe.......The point is...excuse the pun....that I could be that bird.....sitting there looking....looking at all the pieces that make up my life right now, they are all there...If I sat up on that steeple long enough, and some lovely soul brought me up a cuppa tea every now and then, I have great faith that just by allowing thoughts to happen, being open to them, the pieces of the puzzle will begin to move themselves around to their right alignment.  This great force, whatever it is you want to label it......does have a plan........it is just so easy to get pissed off with what are pretty shitty periods of time which appear outside our control.  My own journey seems like a never ending ride on a 1972 Landcruiser SWB 4WD over 600km of cattle train country.  Not particularly comfortable, you have no idea where you are going, and  you just want to get the heck off!!

Real tea, real teapot, real china tea cups!
Everything is right with the world.

But, I've survived thus far and I'm sure I will continue to - as long as someone brings me a great cup of tea!

PS::We had great meal for very little cost at Rosie's Cafe in Kettering....again!  And real tea, in real china cups! Thanks.

The Truth

The Insight and Wisdom of an Objective Observer

I sat with a professional today and shared some of the issues plaguing me...the crushing anxiety created and the unknowns in my life....
I was feeling overwhelmed with it all, so I sought him out....
He listened, really listened, and shared some observations and insights; gave me some wonderful visual images (without deliberately doing so); assisted me to recognise the 'space' within which 'I' exist and from which I operate and most of all he helped me put some perspective back and make some positive plans.
Thank you.....I am grateful.

Another Catch Up.......

17 January.......
So very tired today and anxious.....but making myself think about the Gratitude Project I have started but been finding it all a bit hard today - but I didn't have to look far......he was right there....with me all the time (even when he isn't)........Paul.  My rock and inspiration.  Thank you.  I am extremely grateful everyday that I have been blessed with the privilege of being your wife.  xxxx Whatever challenges I face, I know I don't face them alone.

16 January.....

I am grateful that I am the sort of person who would rather help someone than hurt them.  Even if it did mean a whole day given over to benefitting others.  I was dirty, tired and a bit cranky from the heat and not enough food or drink during the day.   But it provides a good distraction for me during this difficult time and keeps my mind and body occupied.  I am grateful that I am in a position to be able to help others.

15 January.....
A long, long drive from Launceston to Hobart via St Mary's......but we did find the grave of one of Paul's convict ancestors.  I am grateful for a safe and rewarding journey.

Not all treasures in this life is made of silver and gold. So, treasure the "things" that are not made from the fires of this Earth. The gift of life, love, and happiness, is the only true treasures in that, this World may offer.

14 January.....
I was a ring steward at the Tasmanian Riding Pony Show held in Launceston today.  A long hot day on my feet, sunburn and dehydration being the order of the day.  But I so very grateful for the opportunity to see some of the best ponies in the State.  Some lovely riders too.  Met up with some friends and shared a few moments amongst the madness of the centre of the Ring.

Quality Time

Spending quality time with my old friend.  Even if he didn't appreciate having his face washed!

Pema Says it Best......

"We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don't really get solved.  They come together and they fall apart."

Pema Chodron  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8052.Pema_Ch_dr_n

Taking a 'Nana Nap' with Friends!

So, it's a rainy, windy, cool afternoon in Margate.  House is quiet. What's a middle aged woman supposed to do??
I'm sound asleep in this photo - I cropped my face out....the tummy is enough, but I can do without the visual reminder of the double chin! 

That's Daisy, the Tonkinese cat, and Toby the 37 kilo Chocolate Labrador.  Notice, my Ugg boots match the colour of the dog?? There is method in that madness.
From the time I was so very little I have taken great comfort in the warmth and company of my various pets over the years.  They don't question you, they don't care what you look like, they love you because you love them - they know and trust me.  As you can see, they do take advantage, just a little.
I am grateful everyday for the comfort, love and warmth of the animals in my life.  They help me make sense of the world.

Fresh Water Everywhere

I am grateful for the abundance such easily available fresh water as I know that millions of people and animals around the world do not have this necessity of life.
I am feel genuine gratitude that I live in a place in which my horse's water trough, fills automatically with cleaner, fresher, healthier water than that available to millions.  I feel spoiled and privileged and I seek, through donations to charities etc, to contribute to the availability of potable water to those who currently don't have this luxury.
Each drop is precious. Each drop is unique. Each drop offers life and comfort.
I am grateful.

Daily Ritual - Stealing Dad's Socks

Never one, but always both socks.....gathered up and carried around the house.  Once collected, and after making them suitably soggy from the slobber,  Toby the Wonder Dog likes to rest his head on them.  Such daily habits can be taken for granted.  I find them comforting and am grateful for them.

The Infectious Enthusiasm of Others



 





I am grateful for being inspired by the enthusiasm and drive of others. Hearing of their dreams and hopes and their plans for getting there.

Let's Catch Up!

3rd January - A Lazy Afternoon on the Boat
My son, Steve and his fiancee Catherine joined Paul and I for bubbly and antipasto on our boat.  I love and appreciate having time with my family.  I love the sideways look my son is giving me...."do you HAVE to take that photo!".....Special people, lovely time.



5th January - After Riding
Lovely ride......love the smell of horse gear.



6th January - Nice Clean Float
Laughing, cleaning, getting sprayed with wet horse poo!
Shiny Float!



A New Year, A New Journey.....and it all starts with being Grateful.

2nd January 2011

It was hot! Well for Tasmania it was....28 degrees Celcius....! The horses, Slate and Georgia were hot as were Sophie and I.
We had intended to ride in the indoor arena out of the sun, but it was being used, so on the spur of the moment I hitched up the float and the horses and drove the 10 minutes to the beach.
Slate became unaware of his 18 years of age and was quite toey.  Georgia on the other hand was calm, as always.  The funniest part of the day was watching Sophie trying to mount her growing horse without the aid of a saddle or a leg up!  We had a lovely time, as did the horses. 
I am grateful for the beautiful day, the ability to ride my own horse on the beach, and in the water and the smile on Sophie's face as she rode her OTTB around bareback on the open beach!