Calm, Forward, Straight

Calm, Forward, Straight

Friday, January 3, 2014

All's well that ends well...

A few highlights of the last month of 2013, where things finally began to look up. Nonetheless, I couldn't be happier for the debut of 2014 - Year of the Horse, as of January 31. Has a nice ring to it right?!


Val has spent much of his semi-retirement learning new skills, and catching up on beauty sleep. Hoping the doc clears me for normal activity next week. It's been a long 10 weeks out of the saddle, for both of us.

 Had the jolly ball for four years - this is the first action it's seen...


Val develops a strategy for getting the tasty hay crumbs out...


Just resting my eyes...


Until recently, the weather's been delightful. Sunny, in the 60's. Sorry - not bragging folks from up north - we're getting our comeuppance next week so I hear...

Lots of visits from critters... a great horned owl has been hanging out nearby - you can hear him whoo-whoo-whooting after dark. On warmer evenings I've been treated to multiple bats performing their aerial displays at dusk, and the other morning I discovered this fine fellow staring at me from a remarkably close distance. Apparently he knows hunting season is over too. 


 We've been treated to some dramatic skies as well. The other night there was a double rainbow arching right over the Shimmy Shack at sunset, which I couldn't help but take to be a positive sign.



Christmas was lovely. Gorgeous weather, and family gathered together for the first time in many years. Several afternoons my pop and I sat on the porch in shorts and flip flops, cracking delicious, icy cold, salty oysters. Heaven.


And today - !!!!! - I received a most wonderful package.

Jen from Wyvern Oaks, my secret santa, sent me a beautiful gift with a sweet note. She picked it up in Austria, and wrote she hoped I could find a spot for it in the Shimmy Shack. I absolutely can, but I'm also dreaming of the day I can give it a place of honor in the future farmhouse. Thank you so very much for the thoughtful gift Jen - I LOVE IT!!!


15 comments:

  1. Happy New Year! I hope that double rainbow reveals 2014 to be one of the best years ever.

    WRT comeuppance - my barn thermometer read 0 this morning just before sunrise. Crazy.

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  2. So glad to hear you'll be back in the saddle soon. Those are great photos and the rainbow over the Shimmy Shack is awesome!
    Loved the Secret Santa gift. Very nice.

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  3. Love all your pictures. The rainbow definitely is a good omen for you and Val in this Year of the Horse!

    Lovely gift from Austria. I hope your doctor clears you for some riding soon.

    I'm a little jealous of your warm weather. We had -11 last night and lots of snow.

    Your deer friend is beautiful. Glad hunting season is over.

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  4. Happy new year! Here's hoping that 2014 is full of nothing but good adventures for you. What a beautiful post - Val, and Jen's present, and mmmm oysters, and those skies!

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  5. Gorgeous skies for sure, and I agree that the double rainbow should be a harbinger of wonderful things for 2014! And I'm glad you liked the secret Santa gift!

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  6. jenj -

    Seriously - you made my Christmas. Thanks so much. :D

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  7. Loving the pictures! Val's so cute.

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  8. What an awesome gift!

    Here's to more saddle time in 2014.

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  9. So much personality in those photos!! And oysters, YUM! One of my fave foods!! Good news that you will be riding soon!

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  10. I love Val sleeping in the sand. Happy New Year to you!

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  11. Val is getting creative with his time :)

    Love love love the present!!!

    Here's to the dr clearing you!!

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  12. I love your new header! I hope this year is a good one for you. Ironically the 'Year of the Horse' is going to be less horse-y for me, but I'm still following along with my favorite equine bloggers.

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  13. Your new header is awesome! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Being from the northern hemisphere I can't imagine oysters and warm weather on Christmas!

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  14. Lovely post - happy and hopeful for the new year!

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