January 15, 2011
My Lucky Jade
Meet my Quarter Horse, Jade. She's 12 years old, sweet but feisty and just wonderful to ride. Here, she is drinking with our other QH mare, Tinker, at our farm.
October 17, 2010
A Year of Changes
2010 was a year of changes, as predicted by the forecasters, horoscope readers, and pundits of trends. The Great Recession dragged on, affecting rural people more severely than residents of large cities. Resources, funding for government services, and job opportunities shrink. Sadly, this happened just as people needed help most.
What ever happened to Americans' can-do attitude? I saw little evidence of it and it has been discouraging for our nation. Prices for everything rose sharply since 2007 and continue upward. This was a another obstacle to Americans who struggle to pay their bills, put gas in the car and put food on the table. People have lost heart everywhere.
One good thing I noted in my rural community was the expansion of vegetable gardens, community gardens, raising farm animals for food and fibers, and classes on canning or freezing food. We used food stamps and got vouchers for buying produce from farmers' markets to help feed the two of us in 2010. We qualified for energy assistance in 2010 and 2011 and got some firewood help. We have had a long, cold, wet winter/spring in 2010 and again this year. We stocked up on firewood, food supplies and food for our animals, preparing for a long winter.
Another result of the Great Recession has been less going out and less travel, and more staying home to read books. We have read some great books and are grateful for the community libraries and for $1 book sales at bookstores.
We spend more time on home projects. I made two rock gardens flanking the driveway gate and the plants survived a hot, dry summer. I have been creating a fenced, private Zen Garden for quiet contemplation. I painted an antique door from our old house with a Japanese Crane and had it hung on the Zen Garden fence. We added fences for our horses, and replaced old gates, cleaned the gutters, and caulked where it needed caulking. The late frost in May killed the apple and pear buds in 2010, so we had no fruit that year. In 2011, we had super-bumper crops of fruits and veggies!
I had several personal setbacks and challenges. My beloved black cat, Sam, had to be put down as his illness progressed. He was obviously miserable, sleeping through most days. His last day was a good one. I cherish the image of him bounding across the pasture, sitting on the deck, watching the wild birds at the feeder, and napping on the bed. I miss him. We created a memory garden for him and buried him with a funeral ceremony. Our Scottie, Hannah, attended and she seemed to understand. She hung around there for several days, keeping Sam company.
Several months later, a friend was moving and gave me her young cat, Lily. Lily is semi-wild, but is a cuddler and has a loud purr when she curls up with me. In 2011, we rescued two large dogs from the local shelter, a white Shepherd/wolf mix and a Golden Retriever mix. Now all the cats stay indoors in the cold months. Two will go camp out in the hay loft in summer and avoid the dogs. We have so many animals now!
Another mind-bender was the sudden strange behavior of a long-time close friend in 2010. After a visit to see this friend and after planning a trip together with our spouses, this "best friend" decided we no longer had much in common and cut ties without saying why. After a month of tears and emails over the rift, I saw this friend in a different light. A true friend would not have treated me so. I had served a purpose and no longer satisfied the friend's needs. This, after we had come through many trials, adventures and sorrows together! let go finally and got over the painful ending, as there is no other choice but to move on. Later, the friend said she did not recall unfriending me. She now acts like we are still friends. I still enjoy her company when I see her once a year, but know the friendship as it was is gone. I have made new friends and am open to making more true friends and to being a real friend to those around me.
I have new activities and hold new offices in the local organizations. These give me joy and satisfaction and provide opportunities for socializing, personal growth, and serving my community. I am glad to have these activities to help keep me busy and moving forward. There have been more changes, but I will leave off for now. The year is not over, so I plan to write more later.
What ever happened to Americans' can-do attitude? I saw little evidence of it and it has been discouraging for our nation. Prices for everything rose sharply since 2007 and continue upward. This was a another obstacle to Americans who struggle to pay their bills, put gas in the car and put food on the table. People have lost heart everywhere.
One good thing I noted in my rural community was the expansion of vegetable gardens, community gardens, raising farm animals for food and fibers, and classes on canning or freezing food. We used food stamps and got vouchers for buying produce from farmers' markets to help feed the two of us in 2010. We qualified for energy assistance in 2010 and 2011 and got some firewood help. We have had a long, cold, wet winter/spring in 2010 and again this year. We stocked up on firewood, food supplies and food for our animals, preparing for a long winter.
Another result of the Great Recession has been less going out and less travel, and more staying home to read books. We have read some great books and are grateful for the community libraries and for $1 book sales at bookstores.
We spend more time on home projects. I made two rock gardens flanking the driveway gate and the plants survived a hot, dry summer. I have been creating a fenced, private Zen Garden for quiet contemplation. I painted an antique door from our old house with a Japanese Crane and had it hung on the Zen Garden fence. We added fences for our horses, and replaced old gates, cleaned the gutters, and caulked where it needed caulking. The late frost in May killed the apple and pear buds in 2010, so we had no fruit that year. In 2011, we had super-bumper crops of fruits and veggies!
I had several personal setbacks and challenges. My beloved black cat, Sam, had to be put down as his illness progressed. He was obviously miserable, sleeping through most days. His last day was a good one. I cherish the image of him bounding across the pasture, sitting on the deck, watching the wild birds at the feeder, and napping on the bed. I miss him. We created a memory garden for him and buried him with a funeral ceremony. Our Scottie, Hannah, attended and she seemed to understand. She hung around there for several days, keeping Sam company.
Several months later, a friend was moving and gave me her young cat, Lily. Lily is semi-wild, but is a cuddler and has a loud purr when she curls up with me. In 2011, we rescued two large dogs from the local shelter, a white Shepherd/wolf mix and a Golden Retriever mix. Now all the cats stay indoors in the cold months. Two will go camp out in the hay loft in summer and avoid the dogs. We have so many animals now!
Another mind-bender was the sudden strange behavior of a long-time close friend in 2010. After a visit to see this friend and after planning a trip together with our spouses, this "best friend" decided we no longer had much in common and cut ties without saying why. After a month of tears and emails over the rift, I saw this friend in a different light. A true friend would not have treated me so. I had served a purpose and no longer satisfied the friend's needs. This, after we had come through many trials, adventures and sorrows together! let go finally and got over the painful ending, as there is no other choice but to move on. Later, the friend said she did not recall unfriending me. She now acts like we are still friends. I still enjoy her company when I see her once a year, but know the friendship as it was is gone. I have made new friends and am open to making more true friends and to being a real friend to those around me.
I have new activities and hold new offices in the local organizations. These give me joy and satisfaction and provide opportunities for socializing, personal growth, and serving my community. I am glad to have these activities to help keep me busy and moving forward. There have been more changes, but I will leave off for now. The year is not over, so I plan to write more later.
February 11, 2010
Home Improvements
Another year and many changes are in the wind. We continue to make improvements to our property. We're adding a deck to the mobile and I've drawn up a landscaping plan for this spring. Am eager to start planting shrubs, trees and starter plants. Will incorporate herbs into the perennial beds around the deck.
We added the white oak lot across the dirt road from our front door to our property. Biff fenced it and has cleared out the poison oak, blackberries and brush. It's looks more like a park now. Our horses like to graze and hang out over there, as a nice change of scene from their regular pasture.
Connie has been training Stormy on his ground manners and getting him used to cues for going left, right, forward and stopping. She's had a saddle and bridle on him several times, getting him gently used to the feeling while she lunges him in the corral. He's 20 months old now and will bathe, load, stand for the vet and farrier, and for grooming. He's already taller than his mama, Tinker and is filling out. Tinker has trimmed down and is walking much better. She has plenty of pep for a 20 year old Quarter Horse. You should have seen her running and bucking in the pasture yesterday!
Winter's half gone and I'm ready for spring. The daffodils are already budding!
January 1, 2010
November 4, 2009
Cozumel
Mom and I enjoyed Cozumel in 1984. It was a dive trip for sister Beth's high school marine biology class. We snorkeled, shopped, ate lots of great food, drank freshly made margaritas, and watched the kids diving. As we snorkled on the surface, it was easy to see them and the coral and fish 60 feet below us in the clear waters. I went back the next year with a girlfriend and got to scuba dive myself, having gotten certified too. Fond memories of Cozumel. I love the Yucatan!
June 18, 2009
Birthday Bash
What a blast we had April 19 for my birthday -- planned and organized by John. The music was a great mix of everything good and all our friends enjoyed eating, drinking and listening or dancing. Just right!
May 13, 2007
Life in Oregon
Never did I imagine that all my dreams would come true in one lifetime. I dreamed of too many things -- adventures, travel, having a country lifestyle, owning my own trail horse, and retiring early from a demanding career as a paralegal. I dreamed as a child that I would be a great artist. Well, I "do" art. I paint and make artsy craftsy things, but am not the famous artist I envisioned. I had more talent in writing and that one talent has led me down some interesting paths. I wrote poetry and stories, edited newsletters for organizations, and helped edit two books.
Other writing experiences included a 6 month stint as a fulltime newspaper reporter. In that role, I had to completely relearn how to tell a story. It was hard to break old habits, but my writing improved. It became more concise. It was good training, but I am not a newshound and am happy not to be meeting newspaper deadlines anymore. Now, I write for my own purposes and express my own opinions and views.
Blogging can be dumbed down writing or it can be a fine art. It's up to the blogger how he or she wants to be perceived. Every word we write is like a footprint we leave behind for others to see. It tells them we were there and perhaps we leave a few important clues about our inner selves. Were we sloppy and just thrashing around in the underbrush? Did we leave candy wrappers and soda cans behind or pearls of wisdom? I try to write with care and thought..... who knows who will read my humble ruminations? Perhaps my observations will make a tiny difference for someone. I hope so. Till tomorrow.....goodnight, dear reader.
Other writing experiences included a 6 month stint as a fulltime newspaper reporter. In that role, I had to completely relearn how to tell a story. It was hard to break old habits, but my writing improved. It became more concise. It was good training, but I am not a newshound and am happy not to be meeting newspaper deadlines anymore. Now, I write for my own purposes and express my own opinions and views.
Blogging can be dumbed down writing or it can be a fine art. It's up to the blogger how he or she wants to be perceived. Every word we write is like a footprint we leave behind for others to see. It tells them we were there and perhaps we leave a few important clues about our inner selves. Were we sloppy and just thrashing around in the underbrush? Did we leave candy wrappers and soda cans behind or pearls of wisdom? I try to write with care and thought..... who knows who will read my humble ruminations? Perhaps my observations will make a tiny difference for someone. I hope so. Till tomorrow.....goodnight, dear reader.
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A little about me
- Linda
- Grants Pass, Oregon, United States
- Writer, reader, garden goddess, nature lover. A retired paralegal, I moved to Oregon in 2005 and live in the country surrounded by forests, mountains and clear rivers. I use the surname Corey-Woodward now (formerly Linda Clark).