Saturday, January 26, 2008

Finding Comfort


The week-ends can get pretty busy around here. As I go over my schedule for the next two days, I am sad to see that it is packed. Driving my daughter back and forth to her activities, entertaining two house-guests, taking care of my mom who just had a minor operation, the list looks endless. So, this morning, I took a few extra minutes in the barn, despite the freezing temperatures.

My horses anchor me at the beginning and the end of each day. Siete loves to get kisses and is especially happy when I blow my breath into her nostrils. It’s a scent that she’s known since the moment she was born. Silk is not so demonstrative. She prefers it when I just lean on her and put my head on the side of her neck. We stand there together just breathing. So, that’s what I did this morning at 6 am, with frozen fingers and toes.

As I listened to the comforting sound of my horses munching hay - which is one of the most relaxing sounds in the world to me - I thought about all of you out there. Reading other people’s blogs and your responses to my writing, I am so glad that there are still so many good people in the world. We hear a lot about the bad stuff, and we rush around not taking the time to appreciate each other. Yet, here in the blogosphere, I meet folks who have such kind hearts and show compassion for each other and for animals. It’s reassuring, considering all the cruelties that exist around us.

I think about what Sandra Ingerman, a shamanic practitioner who is also a very good writer, refers to as the “web of light” (www. shamanicvisions.com). Each month, on the full moon, she asks people around the world to shine their light and their good intentions so that we can create a web of that energy. When I recently posted the photo of the moon, I received messages from across the globe telling me that they were admiring the same moon in their backyards. How lucky we are that we can all connect this way and share our trials and our dreams and support each other’s good efforts.

Rubbing my face against Silk’s soft furry neck, I understood that people are more alike than we might think.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a lovely post :-)

Deejbrown said...

There is a special link between those whose greatest comfort is nuzzling the furry neck of a horse on a winter morning.

Trée said...

Oh my, now I want to hear the sound of hay. My imagination is in overdrive, the sight, the smell, the sound, the peace and quiet of a still morning where love rises in our hearts as surely as the morning sun over the horizon. You paint the most wonderful and heartwarming pictures with your posts. Thank you.

I've met some wonderful bloggers--not sure I would still be blogging without them hanging around. Have a great weekend Victoria. And rub those horses for me. :-)

Anonymous said...

I'm with djbrown...before dawn, a quiet barn, before I turn on the lights, we communicate on our own...whinnies and snorts...There is no denying the love between a person and their horses, its hard work with a huge payoff. Now I have to leave my warm house and head to the barn, where I really do feel at home.
Thanks Victoria, for slowing me down a little today

detroit dog said...

Hi Victoria. Just thought to let you know that I've been thinking about your post the other day, mentioning Siete's boredom. It motivated me to do a little research about toys for horses - and I did find some things. I've made a new post on my The Dog House blog about toys for horses. Thanks for the inspiration!

Maryannwrites said...

What a delightful read. Thank you so much for sharing. I, too, enjoy watching and listening to my horse munch his hay. I also have two goats who dine with him, and it is really interesting to see how differently they approach this "hay-eating" endeavor.

Anonymous said...

i hope your mom gets better

billie said...

I still remember the first night I had my horse, settling him into his stall at the boarding barn and listening to him munch.

And the same sound the first day they came to our new home and barn. It was such a luxury to have them right here with us, and the sound of that munching in our own backyard was so much sweeter.

It's wonderful knowing other people, in daily life and in the world of blogs, who appreciate these fine moments with horses.

Thanks for being here!

Heidi the Hick said...

Oh my gosh, this is a great blog!

I always breathe into my horse's nostrils. Some people think I'm weird, but I don't care. I love horse breath!

I also love listening to them chew hay in the dark barn. Soon one will suddenly stop, look up, ears focused, and everything halts. We all hold our breath.

Then when it's decided that everything's cool, normal chewing resumes.

Love it.

Rising Rainbow said...

I can't think of a better way to start or end a day that with my horses. I think that feeling is the thing that bonds us all togther. Most of the world thinks we're crazy but those of us that understand what it means to bond with a horse are connected by that bond.

Grey Horse Matters said...

The quiet peaceful time we spend with our horses is always rewarding. I love the contented munching of hay too, and I especially love the slurping sound they make when they have a nice sloppy mash and enjoy it so much. Hope Mom is feeling okay.

tammyw said...

Beuatiful blogs, i miss having horses
and also; i lused to love nuzzling into my horse in winter, when he was all hairy :)

escralan said...

I think I need a horse.

There is much much more good in the world than bad. Don't let the cable tv get to you!

Strawberry Lane said...

There is nothing so comforting as a warm nuzzle from our horses.

Nice thought about the moon ... we are all so connected in so many wonderful ways.

CohibAA said...

Life is so busy. Glad you have time to update your blog. Thanks.

grandmatexas said...

Thanks for the info on "web of light". I will be visiting the site. With your thoughts, you could put therapists out of business.

My twin granddaughters are my grounding-to-life connection, and the inspiration for my blog -

www.watchgrandmaonduty.blogspot.com

My hope for my little blondies is that they meet people like you in their lifetimes.

Snaggle Tooth said...

Congrats- found you on "blogs of note" today. I'm in NE also. (Go Pats!)

I've always loved and wanted horses, too. I can't have them yet, tho- I'm just a bit jealous of your adventure!
Your equines are very lucky to have such a caring person.
They make the best friends.

We DO blog to live loud- excellent point, n to share ourselves, tho some by alias...
Great blog. Thanks for sharing!

Chason Laing's Blog said...

Nice post. Maybe someday if I have a decent piece of land. For now, it's the dog I guess. Very enjoyable blog.

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Randi said...

Hi Victoria - thanks for writing such a beautiful blog you are a wonderful writer - keep up the good work - you are right , we dont focus on the good in life enough and our blogs are a great opportunity to that

Ewa said...

I love this post. I like your writing Victoria :)
I do not have horse, but I loved to read about it.
Full moon - interesting information. There is something special about that night - here somewhere are special workshops on that night to improve your intuition, cos that night is very spiritualy important.

Mars Crafters said...

Hi Victoria, hope your mum recovers soon.
Another lovely post! I wish I had a horse. They are so sensitive and beautiful and powerful.
Cats are (or can be) sensitive too. For instance, when I was really stressed and upset after finishing fostering the kittens, Tia would try and comfort me by lying next to me at night, curling up around my head and licking me or rubbing her head on mine. I don't know if you have seen before but tigers rub their heads together to greet one another and Tia does that with me. Rani purrs whenever she is near me, hears me or sees me. I often lie next to her with no TV on, no music, just listening to her purring and that relaxes me. So much so that I end up falling asleep! :)
I love the smell of fresh hay. We used to go to farms and animal sanctuaries every weekend and the smell of the hay and the straw was really nice.
Blogland is a great thing, I've met some wonderful people too through things we have in common; whether it be animals, arts and crafts, beliefs or just simply someone to chat to. I think we've all made friends from different parts of the earth. Thank you for being one of mine!
All the best to you all, from Meg and cats xxx

Victoria Cummings said...

Thanks for stopping by, Everyone - Welcome to the newcomers and I'm glad that some of my old friends are checking in - I'm happy to hear from all of you!

Jenna said...

Victoria-
There is nothing so special as those quiet moments alone with our horses. I think it's these times when we can connect with our horses, our best friends, the most; a true example of saying the most by not saying a word.
I really enjoy your blog, and will continue to check in to see your latest posts :)

Cameron Jackson Burke said...

I had a 2-legged baby a few months ago and have been a neglectful horsie mom since, as I try to learn how to be a mom at this late stage in the game. I do think of my 4-legged girl every single day but take a bit of comfort in the fact that she's adored at the barn boarded at in my absense. Your blog is reminding me of what I'm missing out on, but also its nice to know I'm not the only horse crazy grownup out there :) I hope your "to do" list shortens soon!

Magaritas said...

We own a grey dapple filly which we went to see yesterday in the cold, and she was munching on her hay too. She was being quite nosey as well and was sniffing us up and down. She is a beauty and I love spending time in the barn, just to get the peace and quiet, of course, while my daughter is grooming or getting ready to ride. What a peaceful time, in the midst of so many other things going on around us.