Gag!

I had to put in ear plugs last night. Jade decided to do some . . . cleaning of her "special girl parts".

I just wish she hadn't gotten in to it so loud.

The Great Work of Art

There are those who would sit with quiet contentment in the putrid filth of this world because it is easier. Smelly, yes. Dangerous, yes. Teeming with horrific bacteria no doubt.

But the stopping spot is soft. It's close. It requires little effort. While it does not encourage a piece of anything that might constitute a smile, neither does it attack so as to ignite passion. Just apathetic people looking toward each other, searching to find any words that would justify such sloth.

Making the silent slip into the quick sand of depression with almost no effort. Usless lumps of humanity - a credit to the master of the world.

It's compelling for the young.Why do they never see that?


Wow. I got deep all of the suddens. I should be in politics.

Tick Tock

When I got to Kiellen, I looked at my watch. Did I have time to ride? What time should I get back? It was then I looked at my arm where my watch goes. The skin was snow white and super soft. The rest of my arm was brown. I got to thinking about how much time I spent checking time.

How much more time until the sermon is over?
When is it 8:30 so I can go to sleep?
I can only stay 20 minutes, then I have to get to church.
Is it time for the sermon to be over yet?
How much more time do I have to get this done before I have to be somewhere else for 10 minutes?
Hurry! We can't be late.
We don't have to leave yet . . it's too early.
Man! the baptists are gonna beat me to El Castillo now!

So I took the watch off. For all I know, it's still by the sink in the trailer.

Time is minutes lived, not minutes of time.

His name is Daniel

Sitting in the 2nd phase of a long wait at Brooks Army Medical Center, I was just a touch touchy yesterday.

Had an appointment. The thing took 2 hours, THEN I had to wait for labs then for x-rays, then for prescriptions. It was a less than happy day, but I kept remembering that I am the only chance some of these people might get to see Christ (Oversaved), so I was cheerful and friendly to everyone - even little kids (she says with a touch of pride).

He wheeled up to the changing room of the x-ray, a young guy about 25. He had no legs. They were gone mid thigh on both sides. Everyone (except me) did their best to look away, or smile nervously. But I just couldn't. I asked him if he'd served in Afghanistan, and he said no, he'd been in Iraq. I smiled and said, "People just don't get it, do they?" He began to talk as if I'd opened a floodgate.

He'd been active duty for 13 years. This was his first tour in Iraq. February 18, 2009 an IUD had exploded under his jeep. His buddy only had his knee missing, but they were trying to save it. He had no problem, ". . . except this." he gestured to his legs.

The nurse told me that I was cleared to go, and I stood and asked to shake his hand. "Sir, could I have your name?" I asked. Surprised, he took my hand and stammered, "Daniel. My name is Daniel." Trying not to cry, I told him that I was honored to be in the same area he was in.

As I left, I told him, "I'm sure you hear that a lot, but it's true. I am more than honored to meet you and shake your hand." He smiled a puzzled smile. "No," he said. "I don't hear it."

That Amy!

After reading Amy's blog, I figured I could put off another horse blog. (I heard that sigh of relief, Rob!)

To 'my' moms:

Barbara: Who will make you think stuff all the way through, no matter what she has to say to get you there. She so loves me.

Jaci: Who else would get a dog the size of JoJo when you already have three toddlers? The 'Patience' chick. She loves me.

Brandee: Who will forever be laid back. . . will she survive? Regardless of whether she does or not, that Kaia/Ava are amazing kids. I make her love me.

Amy: Who never seems to get in over her head - so gently in control. How I envy that! And for all my life, she will love me.

Jennifer: Who is loving every second of her new life and it shows in her glow. She loves to see me.

Kara: Who consistently won't let Ajane get the better of her - no matter how hard Ajane tries. She would like to pretend that she's indifferent, but that's not true. She thinks I'm adorable.

Darla: Who watches and treads with tenacious strength. Your children speak of your wisdom. I have never doubted her love, only missed being around it.

Jean: Who I never understood but am beginning to realize was flawed just as any human. And finally I am seeing past that. Perhaps . . just maybe, she did love me in her way.

. . and then . .

The Tesster: Who allowed Robert and I to be there through Major, Peanut and Chief. Who made that soft loving rumble heard only at birth, with me beside her. Who never let Chief get away with a thing. Who loves me still . . even past the feed.

One for the New Book

Chief and I stood at the foot of a hill that towered above us at about a 40 degree angle. It was strewn with rocks, gravel, cats claw and more rocks. Should we go for the top, following the faint trail where few had tried or take the safer, less direct route through the wooded trail? The woods were prettier, safer and it was just him and I. The wise rider wouldn't be standing here, debating. I would be doing it if I was on the Tesster.

We headed up it, of course. Chief was pushing for all he was worth, slipping on the rocks, gravel and clods of dirt flying down the slope behind. I was forward, giving him all the rein he needed. He was at such an angle, I could have reached down and touched the ground. I looked up and all there was was the blue of the sky and a line of the horizon.

Then, Of course, about 3/4ths of the way up, I panicked when I looked back and pulled him up. He twisted hard to the right, pivoting around so that his hind end was now facing the sky. He lost his footing and just almost went down, his chin hitting the ground. I swerved to the left, grabbing the saddle horn as I dropped the reins so he could regain his balance. He did, somehow, and we stumbled down the hill. I took the longer route. It took me another hour to get back, although I loped most of it.

When I got back to camp, I was taking off the saddle. The latigo strap fell off in my hand. (The latigo is the strap that holds the saddle on the horse around the girth). The leather that held it to the saddle had rotted and snapped. The only thing that kept it around the horse was my weight and Chiefs sweat. I had been riding, essentially, without a saddle.

Either I am a REALLY good rider or God was REALLY busy.

I'm goin with the latter.

Mon - thursday

I'm betting money we don't make it to Kileen next week. Robert was so 'over-timed' because of an inspection that they spent 6 months sweating over. Now, with nothing looming, he is still in at 5:30a, gone until 9p and then on the computer the rest of the night. He says he's gonna make it for Monday through Thursday next week . . .but, come on.

I'm thinking I'm going to have to learn how to back that trailer.