Month: April 2018

Astonish

On By dprastkaIn daily posts8 Comments

via Daily Prompt: Astonish

I am writing about Astonish, a daily prompt here on WordPress. I find these word prompts interesting and it makes you think outside the box and stimulates your creative juices.  As I think about being astonished so many things come to mind. I am astonished at all the people who live in southern California which in turn makes me very astonished at all the traffic. I shouldn’t be astonished since it is really become the norm, and I’m thankful for my crazy work hours because I travel the opposite direction of all the crazy traffic.

I found a list of synonyms for the word astonish, which in turn makes you think of what makes you dumbfounded? or bewildered? I know there are many days I feel overwhelmed, another synonym. When I feel overwhelmed it is mostly from my job – since I’m a supervisor there are days that it just gets overwhelming needing to take care of all things on my plate. Sometimes I feel dumbfounded with things I see in the news, how can you not right? Astounded, blown away, stupefy, dazed? a few more synonyms and boy, you can make a long laundry list of things that amaze you, maybe something you read stuns you but really what exactly blows you away? makes you wonder right?

I didn’t think I would write a whole paragraph full of question marks, but I just did! I can think of things at my stables or in my town full of horses that can sometimes be astonishing. I don’t want to be specific, and there is not just one way to ride a horse, or take care of a horse or even train a horse, but some things are just astonishing. I am thankful that I have my horses at a super nice boarding facilities with like-minded folks that love and take care of their horses like I would and do. I’m very thankful for that!

I think that I would be astonished if I got 100 likes for this post. Wouldn’t that be amazing? I know that it would be really cool.  Even though I may not be writing a very intriguing blog, because you have to admit what is in this story or blog? just words explaining how I would be amazed or astonished about this that or the other thing, but it makes you think, what exactly is the thing we all really want? recognition? likeability? to be enjoyed, to get a smile a laugh, a giggle? I’m giggling at myself. I need to get some sleep so I’ll apologize now for this silly post. As I think this all may be a bit meaningless but I wrote it and I’m going to publish it and it is what it is, right? I know I’m right! 😀

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I’m amazed at the full palm trees! They have since all been trimmed. I like them full but they will grow full again. ❤

3 Day Quote Challenge – Day 1

On By dprastkaIn Living life1 Comment

I have been nominated to write a quote a day for three days by Norcal Zen, Ms Zen – thank you Maria as this is inspiring to think of quotes that I love. I am truly honored by this nomination. Let’s see, I’m going to cheat a bit and do several quotes from something that I have loved for 40 years.  STAR WARS!

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“Do. Or do not. There is no try.”  – Yoda

I think this is an iconic quote, and I think if you said it to anyone they would know immediately who said this. I grew up with parents that told me there is no such thing as “I can’t” they actually said you can try, always try. Of course Yoda is definitely more direct and very confident in his teachings.

“When gone am I, the last of the Jedi will you be. The Force runs strong in your family. Pass on what you have learned.”  – Yoda

And since I have Luke standing next to Yoda, these words were some of the last words spoken to Luke answering questions and opening the door to others at the same time. I love the story that George Lucas created and how this universe is still alive today is so incredibly awesome for all of us HUGE Star Wars fans. I am easily entertained and have loved each and every movie. I can’t wait for the new SOLO: A Star Wars Story coming out soon.  Han Solo is one of my favorite characters, partly because I am a huge Harrison Ford fan. I even named one of my son’s Harrison after him – my son should be glad I got vetoed in naming him Harrison Ford Stuckey, he got a different middle name and I’m sure he is thankful for that. 😀 😀 😀

“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate; hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear in you.”  – Yoda

I think I love Yoda’s quotes and might as well stick with just his today. Since it’s suppose to be one quote but I shared several, I’ll just stick with one characters quotes. I love this quote because I actually think there is a lot of truth to the quote. I suppose in our world we do not have a dark side, and we don’t have the force, wouldn’t it be cool if we did? I would love to be able to just concentrate on an item and move it with my mind…. the possibilities…. But if you think of the dark side as sadness, who wants to be sad. I think fear and especially anger leads to sadness. I can’t imagine being angry all the time, it takes so much energy, and negative energy is bad. I think anger leads to suffering, I think that is sad and I do not know how people go through life being so angry. I know they may have had bad things happen to them, but you have to sometimes put the past behind you and look to the future. If you were to be more positive and think nice or happy thoughts and let all your anger go, you will be a much happier person. At least that’s how I see things.

 

 

 

 

Lastly, I’ll share a few more photos of a few more Star Wars character’s I have crocheted and I thought I would add a photo of Harrison with Chloe, such a great selfie if I do say so myself! He did a great job, and has a wide-angle lens on his phone!. (I’m so jealous!). My Harrison, you make me giggle!!

❤ ❤ ❤

 

 

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It’s Friday, sharing my horses

On By dprastkaIn Horse stories5 Comments

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I never get tired of these two. I know they never tire of each other, they always spend some time grooming each other every time they are turned out together. They have the best relationship, it is fun to watch them and even though Chloe is the leader of the two of them, I feel very fortunate they realize that I am the leader of the two of them when I am in the vicinity.  I’m so thankful for the relationship I have with both of these lovely horses.  They both listen and watch me, looking for cues. They are both so eager to please and in return they get groomed, exercised and well fed. Maybe too well fed, but fed with the best intentions. I think Chloe should lose some weight but Zack is at a good weight and doing well with his Insulin resistance disease. Chloe is borderline Insulin resistant so I need to keep her exercised and watch her diet and weight. They are so much fun and bring me so much pleasure and joy. Amazing animals! AND I get to share them with my family! ❤ ❤ ❤

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I am sharing Chloe with this cutie-patutie and boy, she is in LOVE with horses! I can’t believe how much she wants to “go up there” as she asks each day she is at the stables. I told her today that she is “riding” as she loves to “go up there”.  When she is at the stables with me she only rides in the stall which is very large as I walk her around. I am now keeping my bareback pad near my stall as I put it on today and I feel much more comfortable having her sit on the pad. Much less slippery than the bare back of a horse. And with her being so small, its much better and safer. Miss Chloe is a steady stead, she turns 14 years old this year so she has been around the block as they say…. I realize there really isn’t a perfectly safe horse as I always keep in the back of my mind, ANY horse can spook even in it’s stall. But I am always alert, never leave her alone, my radar on high watching every move. I think most horse owners will attest that most horses take care of little ones, even have a sense of handicaps and young people, hence why they are such great therapeutic animals. So I’m probably worrying for nothing, but I’d rather be safe than sorry and Miss Chloe absolutely loves people and kids especially.  I think she’s in good hands! 😀

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Look how naturally she sits “up there” at home on the back of a horse. I love this photo of my beautiful granddaughter, like she’s musing how lucky she is to be sitting on her beloved horse. These beautiful creatures evoke such deep feelings in me, they make me think of how lucky we are to be here and to be outside with nature with them.  When you have this connection with such a huge animal that look to you for direction and what us crazy horse people say “Love” our hearts just melt. I can tell you that even though they neigh loudly when I arrive at the barn each day, yes maybe they may be thinking “oh good, I get to eat!” but my horses are pushing at the gate wanting to get out and they know they have to be out with ME. They do not run to the back of their stall, or look away or pin their ears which displays unhappiness or meanness. No, they are very excited to get out, to run around or go for a ride. They are eager to please and it’s the most fulfilling thing to be able to help them exercise and get them groomed and fed. I know they do not know the emotion of LOVE, but I do know that they enjoy my company and they look forward to seeing me each and every day. That I know is the God’s honest truth, how they look when I arrive the excitement in their whinny, they love the love they receive. ❤

 

As I think about my week, its Friday and I have had a rich fulfilling week. I work which has it’s rewards, and I babysit to help my son and his beautiful wife and daughter which in turn helps my relationship with everyone. Then I fit in these horses who bring me so much joy, and I also help a few friends with their horses and ponies too! My husband is my rock and the most understanding person I know on the face of this earth. What he puts up with, he is not a horse lover like me, so he has to somehow understand my purchases, my needs and sometimes he has to help me with my horses which he does willingly and lovingly, it’s just not his thang. Ha ha…. I’m so very, very grateful for his LOVE and RESPECT, and I try my hardest to LOVE and RESPECT back.  I think it is the least I can do and am thankful for my week. It’s been a great week!  I hope you all have had a great week too! ❤

 

Chloe Fun with this cutie patutie!

On By dprastkaIn Horse stories7 Comments

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I can’t say enough about how lucky I am to have a granddaughter who just happens to love horses. She is so adorable as she asks “see grandma’s horsies” and as we drive up to the stables she claps her hands with glee, saying “YAY! We are here! grandma’s horsies!!” The excitement is contagious as we get her out of her car seat. As we walk into the stables my horses recognize me from afar and whinny and she can hear them call out, and she whinny’s back. She pulls my hand walking faster and faster eventually letting go and trotting herself back to Miss Chloe’s stall. Careful I say, don’t trip and fall as she jogs down the aisle way.  She gets to the stall and says open up and then – go up there! She wants to sit on Chloe, she can’t wait. How can I say no? I always put on the halter and lead rope to be safe as I walk her in the stall. Chloe lives in a very big stall, being very long and easy to walk her around safely and my granddaughter gives her big hugs, lies on her neck and gives her kisses. She has no fear, loving every minute! ❤

I ponder sometimes how I ended up with this horse that has had injuries and basically disabilities that keep her only walking on the trail. She can run around the arena on her own and I make sure she stretches her legs almost everyday in the arena lose so she can trot and canter. But when I ride her I keep her at a walk as I trail ride around our neighborhood. But I came to a realization that I believe I have Miss Chloe so that I can teach my granddaughter all about horses. Because Chloe does not have any get up and go, meaning the last thing on her mind is running around, or running fast. With newbies on her back she mostly stands, and it is hard to get her to walk with them. I feel like she says, heck, if they can’t make me walk than we are just standing. I think this makes her the perfect horse to learn on and she doesn’t have a mean bone in her body wanting to please every minute you are around her. She is my blessing, such a sweetheart, I love her so much! ❤

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I use to show hunter/jumpers and I was very involved with horses growing up even working full-time for a well-known horse trainer back in the day. I always thought that someday I’d get back into horse shows but I’m so darn busy I don’t know how I would fit that in and I do not own show horses now. I realize that show horses are very expensive and I can’t just “find a home” for my unsound ponies that are actually serviceable sound and can be ridden and they bring me so much joy. I groom them constantly trying to keep them clean and happy. Chloe LOVES the grooming, Zack my other horse, not so much. He just puts up with it but I never stop, I enjoy the grooming, the riding, horse stall cleaning EVERYTHING I need to keep my horses happy and healthy it’s all FUN and enjoyable. I wish cleaning my tack was that fun, maybe I will clean all my gear this weekend, it needs it badly. I wipe it down but it needs a good cleaning. One day this little one in the photo will be able to help me at the stables, it will be great FUN to show her all there is to know about horses! 😀

My son came down and got to ride a couple of times in the last couple of weeks. I took photos on one of those days. It was so much fun to have them ride and enjoy these ponies. I’m truly blessed and even though they will never be show ponies, I still have a ton of fun with them and I hope they are having a happy life, I think so….  ❤ ❤

Weekend Get Away

On By dprastkaIn Living lifeLeave a comment

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We had such a great time visiting my daughter and husband last weekend for a fun get away!  We helped my daughter buy a new car which is something she has been working on for months. She wanted a sporty car and more importantly she wanted to learn and own a manual car.  Back in my day it was called a stick shift, but these days most refer to it as manual and the car she bought has a lot of horse power. It’s get up and go is fast and fun to drive. Now her and her husband are practicing in her new Subaru. Photo to follow.

She actually wasn’t planning on buying the car last weekend but I am glad she did since we were there to help her and her dad helped teach her the manual shifting. She actually has some experience, but you know each car is different so it takes some time to get in sync with the new cars clutch and gears. Since she wasn’t exactly planning on buying, she was then unprepared to be practicing, but practice we did and I had a lot of fun watching these young in’s driving their new car. What a fun adventure they are on as they start this new adventure together, she wanted a challenge and I think she got one!

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We had such a great time and where they live there are a lot of farms and so we went out on these quiet roads to help them learn to drive their new car. We ended up driving to a small town nearby called Orcutt, and while we were there we went into this cool antique store and had lunch at a great place, Jack’s. We then drove back through the farmland on the quiet back roads so that they could continue practicing their driving. The weather was beautiful and with the recent rains the countryside was so pretty and green! It was just a fabulous weekend and what better way to spend it then with family! ❤ ❤ ❤