Love Is

                                               Love is patient, love is kind. It does not
envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. 
I Corinthians 13:4-8
    
     This photo, taken by Anna Burnham, captures Britney in a tender, loving moment at the clinic.  She is holding a 5 day old baby girl who is jaundice while her mother goes home to grab some needed things before getting a ride with her baby, to the hospital for treatment.

     Love is when a husband lets his wife splurge on a three day weekend at a resort, to go horseback riding.  I went with Marj, and we had a great time at the Harpole Heartland Lodge near Nebo, Illinois.

     Marj got the truck hooked to the trailer and ready to go.  Joe dropped Roni and I off at Marj's at 7am Friday.  All three horses loaded fine, but our trip to our weekend retreat was a bit nerve racking.  The chosen route, which was scenic, ended up being impassable at one spot.  There was no way the horse trailer could make it over the railroad crossing.  So, we had to get directions over the phone to detour it.  The information was not very accurate so we got lost in the country and had to make two more phone calls.  Traveling very hilly,
winding, narrow roads did not afford the
opportunity to enjoy the scenery.  One very steep hill we barely made it up.  A few times Marj had to turn her big rig around in rather narrow drives.  But she did a fantastic job and we finally made it to our destination, over an hour later than expected.  We had pulled into this lot earlier in the trip to download a map on Marj's phone because one of our Map-Quest directions was so confusing.
                                                          
These three stalls were where Roni, Arboleda, and Vinni stayed.

     Charlie and Brenda, a couple who organize this Paso Fino group trail ride each year, had arrived just before us.  As it turns out, it was just us four this year.  We got the horses unloaded and situated in their stalls with food and water, and then unloaded our stuff in the room.  We had a much needed adult beverage to relax our frazzled nerves, while chatting with Charlie and Brenda.  Then it was time for a ride.

We all love our horses.

     Brenda on Tirador                                  Charlie on Empresa










                        Marj on Arboleda



    Marj on Vinni







          And of course, Roni and I


     It had drizzled off and on Friday, so the trails were muddy.  I forgot my camera for this first ride, but went on four more excursions during the weekend, getting plenty of photos. Brenda and Marj added their photos to my selection, so I have a bunch to share.  There was a huge group of about 20 4-wheelers who were having a blast on the muddy trails, and very cordial when near our horses.  But they were a loud bunch out in the woodland, so we were not sorry to see them all pack up and go at day's end.

     Each evening a huge dinner was served in the dinning room.  Friday evening we only filled one table, but Saturday it was a "full house".  A loving father, who brought his son to turkey hunt, joined us both nights.  They were fun to get to know. 

     A huge Cowboy breakfast was served at 9am each morning.  I got up early both mornings, due to my programed internal clock, and went to the barn to feed and water the horses. There was a continental breakfast for the hunters who left at 5am, so I had a muffin with my first cup of tea.


     A gift of love, like these flowers from Joe to Marj and I, was a surprise.

     A hay rack ride and bonfire were available each evening.  We had fun standing around the fire on the cool evening Friday night.  When Marj and I finally hit the hay, we continued to talk like school girls late into the night.

     Our love for our friends is bolstered when we share life's adventures with them.





     I went out to ride three times Saturday. 






     In the morning the four of us went.






     The warm sun and moderate breeze dried the trails considerably.








     We took turns leading and following.  It is good for the horses to be asked to travel in different places in the group.

     We stopped to chat and let the horses rest...









        ...or let them get a drink of cool
        running water.


Empresa loved to splash in the water.








     Sometimes we needed to get off to tighten girths, adjust tack, or pick up my jacket.  Roni was revved up almost the whole time all weekend.  During our morning ride, not once, but twice, I spooked him while taking off a jacket.

He panicked, spun, and tried to run off both times.  You would think I would have learned the first time, but I guess I was hoping he had learned not to fear it.  The second time I moved very slowly and was trying to tie the jacket around my waist.  It was so dumb of me.  Thankfully I didn't come off Roni or get hurt.  The patience and grace my three riding companions showed me, was a real demonstration of love. 

     Saturday afternoon I rode with Charlie and Brenda.






     Heading back to the barn, I did get Roni to drop back and not try to rush to keep up or get home.
  
     After dinner Saturday, just Marj and I went for a ride.  Marj worked Vinni in the corral first.  Roni had finally calmed down by evening and walked and gaited in a more relaxed manner.  We didn't get back until dark, and Brenda and Charlie had gotten so worried they came searching for us in their truck.  What a gracious act of love.

     It was a perfect weekend and location for riding.  The sun was warm, the breeze nice, the scenery pretty and the trails fun.   The ATV's made dual tracks, so the trails were extra wide and we could ride side by side lots of the time.   

     We had no problems sharing the trail with the 4 wheel riders, and I enjoyed watching them have fun.

     A road (about 3 miles long) ran across the top ridge of the property, with trails coming off all along it.

     We rode in the meadows up high, or down into the woods.





     Some hills were quite steep and challenging, adding to the adventure.





 



     We saw deer stands and lots of deer; also clay pigeon launchers and whatever this thing is.


     This small cave entrance was along one of my favorite trails.

     Sunday we enjoyed a great last ride together right after breakfast.  There was a small group skeet shooting (similar to the photo below).  It scared Roni at first, especially when we had to ride past them, but he got used to the gunfire.  I absolutely loved
the weekend get away.  I had no
worries with Joe taking care of the farm back home.  We four equestrians shared experiences and laughter, enjoyed each other and our horses, and each of us thought our horses had a great time too.  They often kind of fed off each other, getting excited, but they all got along great together.

     The trip home was much easier, quicker and relaxing.  We had to stop for gas, but still made great time.  Joe picked Roni and I up at Marj's.  After unloading Roni and all my gear, I did evening chores and then Joe and I went out to dinner at Jack's.

     I was completely exhausted Monday.  I did go to Water Lilies but the pool heater was broken, so it was freezing cold.  I worked at this Blog post in the morning and then went out and took a nap on the lounge chair. 
Roni was glad to be back with his friends.  There is still something on my camera lens in this photo, but I didn't notice it in any of my weekend photos.

   

     Just before I left for Growth Group, Courtney came over to work with Zorro, so I took a few photos.  The time and money she has poured into this horse is a true testament of love.

     Tuesday was warmer than Monday.  I worked at my computer a good part of the morning, but then spent much of the remainder of the day
                                                     outside.  I put the horses in the
grazing pen north of the corn crib.  The grass there is quite lush.  You can see Becks employees hard at work planting, off in the distance.







     When I was weeding the garden, I noticed that something had eaten the cherry tomato plants (right photo). The regular tomato plants (left photo) were untouched.  So I sprinkled slug bait around all of them.



     I rode Roni after lunch.  He actually did a little buck two times while I was gaiting on him in the round pen.  I think he was trying to jump over a shadow, but do not know.  Amiga watched from the paddock. 


 


  


     This ATV, near the railroad crossing in back, was full of seed bags.  It had been parked here most of the day.

     I was weaning Kabob of his afternoon bottle.  While working Roni in the round pen and riding, Bob stood there at the gate bawling.




     Courtney came out after work to ride Zorro.



     I was riding Amiga, but tied her near by so I could help Courtney.  Zorro had bucked her off the night before and we didn't want that to happen again.


 
     Zorro was not happy about the bit so Courtney was trying to figure out which bit would be best.  She and Zorro made good progress.  Once she was done, I headed back out on Amiga.  I am trying to muscle her up to see if she can eventually be ridden for a few hours without ending up lame.

     When I was finishing up after 7pm, there were a bunch of vehicles with sirens on, going down Brian's road.  I wasn't sure what was happening, but there was a lot of smoke.

     I went to Water Lilies Wednesday morning but it was cancelled due to unheated water.  So I came home, started my second cup of tea and took Kaysha for a walk.  We went down Brian's road to investigate what might have happened the night before.  As I suspected, it appeared to have been a brush fire out of control.

     Abbey slept in the sun, trying to block it from her eyes, while lying here on my desk as I worked at my computer.  I got so sleepy, I took a nap before 10 am.  Gee-sh.

     Finally back up-and-at em, I worked outside the rest of the day.  First I watered (with fertilizer) all of my flowers and last years plantings because it was hot and dry.  I moved the horses back into the grazing pen seen below.



     I hung up six bird houses, two which I first had to clean and repair. 
I weeded more of my flower beds and then picked up the yard of sticks and dog doo so Joe could mow when he got home.  Below, Kaysha rests in the shade while one of the hens takes a dust bath in another flower bed that I need to fence off.
                                                          Just after I fell asleep Wednesday
night, Kaysha woke me up, so I got out of bed and gave her a pill, even though there was no sign of a storm.  Many fields around us still had farmers in them.  Then, at 12:30,  I was woken by the dog again.  I gave Kaysha another pill and went out to the barn to close doors.  It was lightening and thundering off to the east, north and west.  Kabob came running in from the back field so I put him in his pen.  Farmers all around appeared to be finished for the night because there was no longer any activity in the fields.

     All was calm when I got up (later and tireder than usual) Thursday morning.  The storm had eventually passed around us and we hadn't gotten any rain.  I love it when the three horses are getting along with each other.



     I didn't attempt to go to Water Lilies because of the possibility of the heater not being fixed or of the predicted storm (with lightening) kicking us out.  We never did get rain all day, and it actually got hot enough the cows sought shade from the sun.

     I worked Amiga in the round pen and then rode her for almost an hour.  We went around Beck's fields because most of the commotion had come to a halt... but there was still a lot of activity around the building.




     I took Roni to Moraine View because I wanted new scenery and to go on the trails before the rains came and muddied them.  This pond was quite full.


     I was surprised, and a little disappointed with how muddy the trails were.  They must have gotten more rain in this neck of the woods than we did here, seven miles away.



      I can't get Blogger to post my videos taken using my new camera.  So I uploaded it to You-Tube.  Click here to view it.

     These two deer froze in the woods, when I stopped Roni to watch them.  I slowly got out my camera and  took a few photos before they decided to run off.  I was glad that Roni didn't get frightened, although he had spooked at several things during our ride.  At least he never refused to go where I asked him to go.  He was also listening to my cues and not running through the bit which I was happy about.

     No one was at the camp ground so I had parked in my favorite spot that stays shady all day.  The SUV mirror was reflecting sunlight, or someone was signaling us.  Ha ha ha

     I had commented to Carol last fall about taking a photo of this old barn on the way home from the park.  It has fallen down quite a bit more since then.

     Thursday, May 16th, was Amiga and Zorro's birthday.  They were born the same night and have the same sire.  They are now 7 years old.

      This is a photo, taken by their first owner Linda Field, up in Michigan, when they were babies.

     The pool water was still too cold Friday morning, so we didn't have Water Lilies.  I did the Elliptical and lifted weights.  Then I worked hard all morning cleaning house.  Our cat and dog manage to get hair everywhere.

     Abbey was in the garage playing with this barn swallow that had an injured wing.  I can't believe she could have caught it, but don't know.






     I took it out to the corn crib and gave it a safe hiding spot high up where I hope it is able to recover and fly away.

     Britney and Dra. Sara are walking with these students to do work at a clinic.  To the casual onlooker, this may not look like much of a place to live, but to Britney it has been home for the last two years.  She has poured her love into this community. 



     Tomorrow she leaves part of her heart in Guatemala as she says goodbye and heads home to the U.S.  I weep tears for my precious daughter because I know how hard it is for her to leave those she loves. 

     Britney has also been shown great love as she has shared her love of God and life with Dra. Sara Romero and nurse Francisca Juarerz (above photo).  They have worked side by side (and with visiting students) in the clinics and hospital. 

     I have worked much of the afternoon on this Blog.  I am going to post it now so I can get back to my housework.

     Love is patient and kind.  It is also working through problems together and being silly with each other.  You'll get a kick out of this video.  What happens when this adorable senior couple try out their new webcam is SO funny.