Life Lessons From A Stranger.

On July 26, 2023 By AveryIn Dogs, Horses, Life4 Comments

Happy day to you!

Keep it simple, like a Merle. They call it a dog’s life for a reason!

How are you?

I had an interesting day yesterday. I had to take my truck into the shop for some regular, routine benchmark service (and fork over a lot of monies, but oh well, better than a more expensive problem because I did not do it). Here is your reminder to take care of your vehicle before you have a problem!

Anyway, I had some encounters with two strangers that had a lot to share about how their days and lives were going. I think I have one of those faces that people like to share things with, I do not know. Maybe they just needed someone to share with and because I asked how they were doing and how their day was going, and they answered truthfully. Their words and feelings really struck me.

Mean what you say and say what you mean, as they say. Whoever ‘they’ are. I try to ask those questions because I really do care about the answers. Words and how we say them really matter. I think people often forget that. I hope their days got better.

This is what Texas feels like. Never be too far from water.

I will not share their stories as they are not mine to share, but they served as good reminders for walking through life.

A reminder to always be kind. A reminder that any one person can have no idea what troubles another is facing.

A reminder that your struggles are no bigger than any other person’s. Everyone has them and they all add up to the same thing at the end of the day.

It is more than the Golden Rule. It is compassion and grace.

A reminder to keep moving and not stay in the troubles. A reminder to not judge a book by its cover. Or one page. Or one chapter. Any one thing does not define us.

A reminder that one person’s definition or vision of success is not another’s. A reminder that difference does not mean less.

A reminder again that there is more than one way to make a life and that one is not better than the other.

The best way to get through summer afternoons is to nap in the shade.

Walk in love, dear readers, and offer some kindness to your fellow stranger today. Coffee break is over, let us all get back to work! It is yours to get!

It Is My Fault

On June 29, 2021June 28, 2021 By AveryIn Dogs4 Comments

You know.

It is all my fault.

And you will not be able to convince me otherwise.

You know that spark of terror that comes when you see a skunk and you have a dog running loose?

You see, I was just saying to myself…

You know how you do…

After seeing a baby of what I can only assume is a family of skunks around our barn several times…That I am pretty sure live under our barn if you ask Merle…If you can get him so stop paroling every hole that goes underneath said barn long enough…

Anyway, like I said, I was just saying, “Man, I can not believe Merle has not gotten skunked by that baby skunk yet. It must be some kind of miracle for a dog as into everything as he is. What a wonder.”

Off I went on my day.

Big mistake.

BIG.

Fat.

Mistake.

You see.

Merle has not only now been skunked, and quite properly I might add, he has now been skunked twice in as many months.

Now that has got to be the real wonder!

Never fear! I am an expert now.

If you ever find yourself in this same boat, I have some information that will really help you. A home remedy that will actually do the trick.

It only takes three common household ingredients.

The recipe goes something like this…depending on how desperate or frantic you are. The quicker you do this, the better.

~Some liquid dish soap…somewhere between a teaspoon or two and two big fat Tablespoon squirts.
~Some baking soda…about a 1/4 Cup or a fist full or a dumping.
~Some hydrogen peroxide…a whole Quart bottle. Take stock of your resources to make sure you have enough in case you need to do this a second time!

Mix together in a bucket or bowl or bottle. Whatever you have! Cover the effected areas…or the whole dog…in the foamy mixture, let it sit for about 10 minutes, say ‘I am sorry’ to your dog’s coat, and thoroughly rinse everything out. An ‘I’m sorry’ to your dog for practically water boarding him might be beneficial as well if they get sprayed right in the mouth and nose. Both times.

You are welcome! Write it down in that secret book that contains the keys to life.

Luckily the second incident from Sunday morning was not quite as bad as the one a month ago.

Have you or your dog or cat ever been skunked?

I am hoping we have no more of these incidences!

Walk in love, dear readers!

Lighting Strike

On January 29, 2020January 29, 2020 By AveryIn Faith, Life4 Comments

I was at the farm a couple weeks ago strolling past a special pecan tree while my Merle and I were on a walk. Really they are all special trees just because, but this one is unique.

It is under this special tree’s far reaching branches that offer a favorite shady summer napping spot for all the horses, and myself on occasion, where the final resting places for our old horses lie. Our original heard. All back together. Mansebo was put to sleep under that very tree on a beautiful, sunny day. Indeed under this very tree is my Darcy girl. Her final resting place after a final dip of the paws in the pond to get farm dirty like she liked (I do not know if that will ever stop punching me in the gut).

My niece took a nap under this tree on a a special day.

So, this is a special pecan tree, obviously, and I generally take special notice of it.

A few years ago it got struck by lightning on a windy and stormy fateful night in late March. I remember the following morning I was feeling anxious and worried as I not so patiently waited for Cheetah to go into labor. I wanted to meet my Lito man! I was riding Ike bareback before I left the farm to go visit Cheetah at the barn she was at to foal out.

Anyway, as I rode under this pecan tree I discovered the previous night’s damage. It appeared extensive and I was immediately saddened. The visible strike ran from the base of the trunk all the way up and out one of the branches to the very tip. On I rode with a sigh and was off to visit my Cheetah.

As the years went by, like they tend to do, I continued to observe that lightning strike on that pecan tree. It eventually morphed and healed into a scar from an open wound. It eventually became part of that tree. Somebody not privileged enough to know that tree’s story might think it grew up just like that. With a unique mark like a person’s hair color or a birth mark, adding to its very beauty.

So. Here is the AHAmoment for you.

Ya, you there.

Brought to you straight from a wise pecan tree.

Have you been feeling fragile lately? On edge? Cracked or about to? Or full on broken? Struck from top to toe?

Last time I checked, broken crayons still color (and hey, I would know. I am a geologist. I color for a living!)! Not only that, they are still colorful and bright as are their drawings! Have you ever even seen all the things you can do with broken crayons? It is fascinating. Really. Go get on Pinterest and just look at all the things you can do.

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What about those cracks you say? Here is the thing about those. They let the light in, my friends! For you and everyone else. Let your light shine! Shine out the darkness!

A while back (as in just about the beginning) here on AHAmoments in desperation for positivity, I shared a Japanese tradition about how broken objects are repaired.

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Is that not cool?! I have a broken ceramic pot on my patio (thanks, Merle!) that I am going to glue back together. I am then going to paint the cracks gold and remember the beauty.

Just like that special pecan tree, your lighting strike will heal and make you more beautiful and wise than you were before. You will keep on coloring like those broken crayons and you will create a masterpiece. Your golden cracks will be your crown. Have the faith. Embrace it and shine that light. In our weaknesses we are made strong!

Remember that!

Walk in love, dear readers.

Screaming Mare

On August 21, 2017August 21, 2017 By AveryIn Horses, Life11 Comments

Quiet woman, screaming mare. Exciting sounding, right?

Well, it is not as exciting as this, which is where we eventually ended up, thankfully…

Many life lessons can be learned from the horse. I was reminded of one on Saturday:

Sometimes it pays to walk away from something for a little, go do something else, and come back later. It is not giving up or quitting. AHAmoment.

I woke up early as per usual to get going before the heat. All was serene and quiet on the farm, including Cheetah. A very pretty morning, honestly. Well, that is what I get for thinking.

It became very clear shortly after mounting we were going to be spending almost the entirety of the ride convincing her to walk. Just walk. And not lose her mind. Would not have been able to even think about stopping enjoying the scenery. Or smell roses. If there had been roses. Clearly just her running thoroughbred side is the only side that showed up to play.

She was literally SCREAMING the whole time. Lito, of course, innocent little man he is, answered in kind every time. Thanks, buddy. Let us not do that next time. Scratch that out of your book of life.

Anyway, after about an hour of consciously not reacting to her antics and a pool full of sweat (hey at least I have a horse that sweats, right?), we were walking without trying to run and scream. I decided to hop off, loosen her girth, and tie her up for a while. I went to take care of a few other things. Give us both a little time to cool off and relax.

I came back a little while later and mounted back up for a quick walk loop around the farm to see if she would be any better.

And? She was a completely different horse. Back to being my best mare.

It is amazing how quick the switch can flip. Now, do not you say any quick witted comments about women. We know how we can be, OK?

The point is, sometimes things can just be off, for any one reason or another. If a change in approach in the moment doesn’t help, take a break. Let it sit for a while. Take a breath. Get centered. Then come back and try again. Sometimes powering through is the answer, but on Saturday it just didn’t feel that way. And, we didn’t have to. We had the option to take a break and try again. Which paid off handsomely.

Have you ever noticed that?

Happy Monday!

Walk in love, dear readers!