Now and then a blog takes off in a different direction than intended. This happened with the blog on Kentucky the other day. The blog was originally to be about this time of needing to be homebound for many around the world. As I often do, I decided to begin the blog by sharing a word image of how the easy, quiet rhythms of the horse here the Bluegrass has such an impact on our days...our lives. The next thing I knew my love for this unique Kentucky home where the horse is front and center took us all on a journey about this region.🤣
Think about it. We race about in our ever busier lives with work, family, friends, trying to do it all, to be all at such a rapid pace, many are reaching a place either at the end of their lives, or even much younger, realizing they haven't LIVED life. They haven't stopped their frantic pace long enough to appreciate, to explore, to know themselves, to know those around them, to know nature, to create, to laugh, to be inspired, to be at peace, or to love.
When we do not quiet ourselves, our soul cannot be at peace or grow. Many do not even know how to nurture or understand their inner self or stop long enough to try.
In a sense, all of my vast time spent in hospitals taught me well. Confined to a bed ones' options of what matters gets narrowed down drastically. So I kept a box packed specifically for hospital stays. In it were treasured books like those by Thoreau, Emerson...those who inspired me, photos of my horses, my boombox and a bunch of tapes I made of what I refer to as "my soaring music." The box also contained a sketchbook, drawing pencils, and oil pastels, so I could create if I felt able to, and often did. Staff and other patients would often gather outside my door just to listen to my music because it touched them too, and lifted them. I never went to a hospital without
my survival box. We all need an survival box for our inner selves whether we spend half our lives in hospitals or not.😃
As I have touched on here, during the intervals when I was not in hospitals, I would plunge back into my life and work like there was no tomorrow, because I never knew when I would be back in a hospital. Yet during those intervals of plunging, I was also with whichever horse I owned at the time, everyday, keeping centered with the gifts of nature which have always sustained me deeply. My life would
be full and busy but centered.💫
Isn't it interesting, how the very devices that make our lives easier, and connect us to the world, are making people busier than ever, throwing people into the rapid pace I touched upon earlier? These very devices people escape into so one does not HAVE to know oneself?
Part of the reason why I became in demand as a speaker is I caught the attention of people long enough to enable them to look within and be inspired to live more deeply. If you're reading this blog you likely have discovered by now the sharing of my life, humor, horses, with you hopefully has the same effect. That hopefully those reading this feel better, become aware, laugh, and are inspired. At least I hope so.🙏
Amazing things happen when we become quiet and listen. Thoreau's time spent at Walden Pond pausing, has inspired thousands and still does. Spending anytime with nature does because nature is a great teacher.👏
Thoreau went to the woods because he wanted to seek and be taught...to live deeply...to suck out the marrow of life. And not discover when he came to the end of his life, he had not lived.
Nurture yourselves, dear ones.💫
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Readers...
First, I cannot believe this hasn't occurred to me before now...that some of you may have tried to follow me on Twitter. One can get some crazy stuff so I have been a bit guarded about those I follow back. If any of you do want to follow me on Twitter, I would be delighted to follow you back. Please send me a brief Direct Message letting me know you read my blog and want to follow me on Twitter so I may follow you back.
Well one of my blogs finally BOMBED.😱 I mean royally bombed.🤣 It was yesterday's on Equine facts.😖 Hardly anyone read it, and I can't blame you at all!🤣 There are those days when I am at a loss of what to write, and yesterday was one. Can you believe since the 30th of January, 2020, I have posted 242 blog pieces including the quotes. Because many either miss blogs, and there are continually new readers, I repost earlier blogs too now and then, so not all of the 242 are original postings.
I am so amazed and grateful I have been able to do as much, what with the pain and illnesses I struggle with, but you are one of the reasons why I do this.😃 Advertisers would really like to advertise here, however, I am holding off on allowing them, because I know what it is like to have adverts intrude upon us.🙄 Eventually though, I would appreciate your feedback on this.
Again, please know how deeply grateful I am you are on this journey with me.😃🐎💕💫👍
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Interesting Equine facts...
Here are some things about horses I hope all may enjoy, interspersed with a few of my own personal things...😃👇
Newborn foals are on their feet within an hour after birth. Soon after, if necessary like in the wild,
foals can gallop with their herd.
Horses are not color blind. They have the largest eyes of any
land mammal.
Horses not only have teeth in the front of their mouth, but on each sides of their cheekbones further back. Actually one can tell the difference between a male and female horse by the amount of teeth they have. Males have 40, and females, 36. However, the majority of us tell the difference between the two the much easier tried and true way.
The hooves of a horse are made from the same protein as human fingernails.
It was in 1872 Leland Stanford made a bet that during each stride a horse makes while galloping, the horse is airborne, hence the quote "horses fly without wings." With the advent of photography, Eadweard Muybridge proved him right by using an astounding series
Newborn foals are on their feet within an hour after birth. Soon after, if necessary like in the wild,
foals can gallop with their herd.
Horses are not color blind. They have the largest eyes of any
Horses not only have teeth in the front of their mouth, but on each sides of their cheekbones further back. Actually one can tell the difference between a male and female horse by the amount of teeth they have. Males have 40, and females, 36. However, the majority of us tell the difference between the two the much easier tried and true way.
The hooves of a horse are made from the same protein as human fingernails.
It was in 1872 Leland Stanford made a bet that during each stride a horse makes while galloping, the horse is airborne, hence the quote "horses fly without wings." With the advent of photography, Eadweard Muybridge proved him right by using an astounding series
of 24 cameras photographing a racehorse named Sallie Gardner. Finally for the first time in history, we understood the amazing ability of horses galloping without wings.
Horses sleep both lying down and standing up.😴
The average lifespan of a horse is twenty or older, however many live into their late twenties and into their thirties. A friend of mine has a horse who recently turned 35!😃
With the eyes of a horse on each side of its head, they can see approximately 360 degrees.
The fastest recorded speed on record of a horse is 55mph. Most gallop at approximately 27mph. Thoroughbred racehorses gallop between 35 mph to approximately 45 mph.🐎💥🐎
The Przewalski's horse is the only true wild horse species still in existence in Mongolia if one wants to be technical and not emotional as some of us who are passionately devoted to wild horses such as the Spanish Mustangs, Corolla horses, Chincoteague ponies of the U.S., the Camargue Horses of Southern France, the Shetland ponies in Northern Scotland, and others throughout the world which are all considered as "feral" horses instead of wild.
When horses appear to be "laughing," they are engaging in a special smelling technique called "flehmen" which enhances their sense of smell to
determine if something is good or bad. Stallions do this a lot, to determine if a mare is ready to mate or not.
Horses use their eyes, ears, nostrils, and stamp their hooves to express mood or to communicate their feelings through facial expressions. Believe me, they do all of this very distinctly. Especially if they have a human who has the soul of a horse or is known as a "horse whisperer." Horses also use neighing sounds to communicate with one another, and their human. All my horses neighed in response to hearing me call them when I would arrive at the farm, then they would gallop to me. Patches would often "squeak" as he galloped to meet me.😃💕🐎💫
Individual bands of wild horses each have their own "language" within the band. When they are tragically rounded up by the Bureau of Land Management to primarily be slaughtered, band members are separated, throwing them into even more distress because they do not know how to communicate with the horses from other bands all thrown together.😭
In the wild, at least one or two horses act as look out for dangers, while its' companions are lying down sleeping. Cougars are a primary threat, but obviously, it is the two legged animal they regard as their worse enemy.😪
Wild horse bands can have anywhere from two to twenty in them. A stallion leads the band, and mates with the mares in his band. Stallions are highly protective of their bands, and known to show much affection not only with the mares, but his foals. Even if a mare enters his band with a foal by another stallion, the stallion will protect and show affection
to that foal as well.💕
When young males reach about the age of two, either the stallion will run them off, or they leave on their own, joining other young males, forming what are known as bachelor herds. Gradually, they are able
to slowly gain mares of their own by either stealing them from another stallion, or by fighting a stallion with a herd. If the herd stallion loses, he leaves and the new young stallion takes over the herd.💥🐎💫
Many cultures throughout the world regard horses with a place of honor, such as both Japan and China.
Horses obviously eat hay and grass. However they LOVE their horse feed, which basically consists of corn, oats, grain, sweet molasses. Often vitamins are added depending upon the need. But all horses ESPECIALLY adore sugar cubes, peppermint candy, bananas, and carrots. My pony Sadie loved beer.🤣 And all of mine loved drinking Cokes.😂
I have written about cleaning out the hooves of my horses, which must be done. On the underside of the hoof is a triangular shaped area known as the "frog," which acts like a shock absorber for the leg, and also helps pump blood back up into the leg.
The height of a horse is measured in "hands." In the U.S. each hand is equal to four inches.
An average heart of a horse weighs approximately
10 pounds. Secretariats' heart weighed after he
died, was an astounding 22 pounds! No doubt what contributed to his extraordinary feats.💥🐎💫
The first ancestor of today's horse lived about 50 million years ago, and was known as the
Eohippus, who had 4 padded toes on its front legs, and 3 on the back.
Horses cannot breathe through their mouth.
Horses drink about 25 gallons of water a day.
Horses are extremely social animals, and immediately form bonds with each other, and even other species such as goats, ponies, and cats. The 1956 Kentucky Derby winner, Needles, was attached
to a cat named Boots. And occasionally, horses become attached to their human. Especially those humans who happen to be walking around with a soul of a horse.😃💥💫🐎
Horses sleep both lying down and standing up.😴
The average lifespan of a horse is twenty or older, however many live into their late twenties and into their thirties. A friend of mine has a horse who recently turned 35!😃
With the eyes of a horse on each side of its head, they can see approximately 360 degrees.
The fastest recorded speed on record of a horse is 55mph. Most gallop at approximately 27mph. Thoroughbred racehorses gallop between 35 mph to approximately 45 mph.🐎💥🐎
The Przewalski's horse is the only true wild horse species still in existence in Mongolia if one wants to be technical and not emotional as some of us who are passionately devoted to wild horses such as the Spanish Mustangs, Corolla horses, Chincoteague ponies of the U.S., the Camargue Horses of Southern France, the Shetland ponies in Northern Scotland, and others throughout the world which are all considered as "feral" horses instead of wild.
When horses appear to be "laughing," they are engaging in a special smelling technique called "flehmen" which enhances their sense of smell to
Horses use their eyes, ears, nostrils, and stamp their hooves to express mood or to communicate their feelings through facial expressions. Believe me, they do all of this very distinctly. Especially if they have a human who has the soul of a horse or is known as a "horse whisperer." Horses also use neighing sounds to communicate with one another, and their human. All my horses neighed in response to hearing me call them when I would arrive at the farm, then they would gallop to me. Patches would often "squeak" as he galloped to meet me.😃💕🐎💫
Individual bands of wild horses each have their own "language" within the band. When they are tragically rounded up by the Bureau of Land Management to primarily be slaughtered, band members are separated, throwing them into even more distress because they do not know how to communicate with the horses from other bands all thrown together.😭
In the wild, at least one or two horses act as look out for dangers, while its' companions are lying down sleeping. Cougars are a primary threat, but obviously, it is the two legged animal they regard as their worse enemy.😪
Wild horse bands can have anywhere from two to twenty in them. A stallion leads the band, and mates with the mares in his band. Stallions are highly protective of their bands, and known to show much affection not only with the mares, but his foals. Even if a mare enters his band with a foal by another stallion, the stallion will protect and show affection
to that foal as well.💕
When young males reach about the age of two, either the stallion will run them off, or they leave on their own, joining other young males, forming what are known as bachelor herds. Gradually, they are able
to slowly gain mares of their own by either stealing them from another stallion, or by fighting a stallion with a herd. If the herd stallion loses, he leaves and the new young stallion takes over the herd.💥🐎💫
Many cultures throughout the world regard horses with a place of honor, such as both Japan and China.
Horses obviously eat hay and grass. However they LOVE their horse feed, which basically consists of corn, oats, grain, sweet molasses. Often vitamins are added depending upon the need. But all horses ESPECIALLY adore sugar cubes, peppermint candy, bananas, and carrots. My pony Sadie loved beer.🤣 And all of mine loved drinking Cokes.😂
I have written about cleaning out the hooves of my horses, which must be done. On the underside of the hoof is a triangular shaped area known as the "frog," which acts like a shock absorber for the leg, and also helps pump blood back up into the leg.
The height of a horse is measured in "hands." In the U.S. each hand is equal to four inches.
An average heart of a horse weighs approximately
10 pounds. Secretariats' heart weighed after he
died, was an astounding 22 pounds! No doubt what contributed to his extraordinary feats.💥🐎💫
The first ancestor of today's horse lived about 50 million years ago, and was known as the
Eohippus, who had 4 padded toes on its front legs, and 3 on the back.
Horses cannot breathe through their mouth.
Horses drink about 25 gallons of water a day.
Horses are extremely social animals, and immediately form bonds with each other, and even other species such as goats, ponies, and cats. The 1956 Kentucky Derby winner, Needles, was attached
to a cat named Boots. And occasionally, horses become attached to their human. Especially those humans who happen to be walking around with a soul of a horse.😃💥💫🐎
Friday, May 29, 2020
I could live with animals...
I think I could turn and live with animals, for they are so placid and self contained. I stand and look at them long and long. They do not sweat and whine about their condition. Not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with the mania of owning things. Not one kneels to another, nor to his kind that lived thousands of years ago. Most of all animals can make us a better human if we open our hearts to them.
Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman
When hilarious Patches & Adelaide bloopers were shown...on...television...
As I have shared, as soon as anyone hears I own and ride horses, the first question I am asked is not what kind or colour but, "How do you get ON your horse?!!"🤣
So when television stations were featuring Patches and I during the time of our famous Ride, they wanted to film my getting on Patches, because our fanbase was keen to know this. When I addressed this very subject in my funny blog, "How a Little Person gets on her horse," I touched on the fact horses cannot be depended upon to remain still for more than a few seconds so hilarious things can happen when making the getting on process.
First, what I used most, was my car hood. All of my horses knew the process, which involved them standing next to my car, as I quickly climbed onto the hood, then got on their backs. Twenty-four out of twenty-five times the process would go quite well. And usually when that one time happened when it didn't go so well, there
would never fail but be an audience on hand laughing hysterically.🤣
Which happened when two television stations were filming their segments on how I got on Patches, got off Patches, and cared for Patches. They had already done a segment filming how Patches came galloping to me when I called his name. And that segment went quite well, because once and awhile, Patches in his excitement to come to me, could misjudge the stopping distance necessary at a full gallop, and slide into me.🙃
Anyway, I lined Patches up next to my car, then rushed to get onto the hood of the car before he moved. Only he did...just a bit. No problem. I knew I could still make the distance. But the thing is, you see, I needed to really propel myself to do this, and had done it successfully a thousand times. However, if one propels oneself TOO hard, one goes sailing high in the air right OVER the
horse to the ground with amazing aplomb. Which is exactly what I did. As the cameras were rolling. And
the crews were laughing. Uncontrollably.🤣
Next, the crews wanted to get a clip of Patches and I galloping towards them from the fields. We were doing quite wonderfully, Patches and I...that is until he decided to suddenly stop way before we arrived at the place where we were SUPPOSED to stop. I promptly went flying over his head, yet very heroically managed to somehow keep the forward momentum going by beautifully landing back on my feet (eventually) with amazing finesse.👏🤣
THIS...was turning out to be one of THOSE days.🥴
Next the television crews wanted to film me caring for Patches, like grooming him, and cleaning out his hooves.
To clean the hooves of a horse, one must balance their hoof in one's lap while squatting, then deftly clean and check each hoof. Usually there very seldom is an
incident where anything can go wrong during this process. Perhaps it was because Patches' normal
day was being interrupted to accommodate our being filmed, you see. For as I was squatting with his right REAR hoof in my lap, I suddenly noticed his tail raising
up, which can mean only ONE thing. He was SHITTING.
I managed to dive out of the way just in time. PLOP.🤣
Then it was time to film me grooming Patches. What could POSSIBLY happen doing THIS, right?!! WRONG.
Patches absolutely loved whenever I groomed his back
or scratched his back. When I did, it felt so good he would completely relax with closed eyes loving it. However, on very rare occasions, he would REALLY relax. And I mean RELAX. As in a certain organ of his anatomy dropping down. THAT kind of relax.😱
Well, Patches happened to get THAT kind of relax with television crews filming. Oh, they REALLY began laughing then. I mean they just totally lost it. They went absolutely bonkers.🤣
Finally, they wanted me to get back on Patches again, and film us galloping away across the huge expanse of fields. Now with THIS segment everything went right. Beautifully right, as we galloped off without wings soaring away into the distance.😃
I made the television crews promise me to PLEASE not ever use those OTHER parts of the filming in anything. They assured me they would not ever THINK of doing such a thing like that to me.🙄
Several months later, for our fanbase, a thirty minute piece was done all about our very touching, inspiring story again. And wouldn't you know, within the piece there just happened to be this funniest bloopers segment...🤣
After three decades people are STILL laughing...
So when television stations were featuring Patches and I during the time of our famous Ride, they wanted to film my getting on Patches, because our fanbase was keen to know this. When I addressed this very subject in my funny blog, "How a Little Person gets on her horse," I touched on the fact horses cannot be depended upon to remain still for more than a few seconds so hilarious things can happen when making the getting on process.
First, what I used most, was my car hood. All of my horses knew the process, which involved them standing next to my car, as I quickly climbed onto the hood, then got on their backs. Twenty-four out of twenty-five times the process would go quite well. And usually when that one time happened when it didn't go so well, there
would never fail but be an audience on hand laughing hysterically.🤣
Which happened when two television stations were filming their segments on how I got on Patches, got off Patches, and cared for Patches. They had already done a segment filming how Patches came galloping to me when I called his name. And that segment went quite well, because once and awhile, Patches in his excitement to come to me, could misjudge the stopping distance necessary at a full gallop, and slide into me.🙃
Anyway, I lined Patches up next to my car, then rushed to get onto the hood of the car before he moved. Only he did...just a bit. No problem. I knew I could still make the distance. But the thing is, you see, I needed to really propel myself to do this, and had done it successfully a thousand times. However, if one propels oneself TOO hard, one goes sailing high in the air right OVER the
horse to the ground with amazing aplomb. Which is exactly what I did. As the cameras were rolling. And
the crews were laughing. Uncontrollably.🤣
Next, the crews wanted to get a clip of Patches and I galloping towards them from the fields. We were doing quite wonderfully, Patches and I...that is until he decided to suddenly stop way before we arrived at the place where we were SUPPOSED to stop. I promptly went flying over his head, yet very heroically managed to somehow keep the forward momentum going by beautifully landing back on my feet (eventually) with amazing finesse.👏🤣
THIS...was turning out to be one of THOSE days.🥴
Next the television crews wanted to film me caring for Patches, like grooming him, and cleaning out his hooves.
To clean the hooves of a horse, one must balance their hoof in one's lap while squatting, then deftly clean and check each hoof. Usually there very seldom is an
incident where anything can go wrong during this process. Perhaps it was because Patches' normal
day was being interrupted to accommodate our being filmed, you see. For as I was squatting with his right REAR hoof in my lap, I suddenly noticed his tail raising
up, which can mean only ONE thing. He was SHITTING.
I managed to dive out of the way just in time. PLOP.🤣
Then it was time to film me grooming Patches. What could POSSIBLY happen doing THIS, right?!! WRONG.
Patches absolutely loved whenever I groomed his back
or scratched his back. When I did, it felt so good he would completely relax with closed eyes loving it. However, on very rare occasions, he would REALLY relax. And I mean RELAX. As in a certain organ of his anatomy dropping down. THAT kind of relax.😱
Well, Patches happened to get THAT kind of relax with television crews filming. Oh, they REALLY began laughing then. I mean they just totally lost it. They went absolutely bonkers.🤣
Finally, they wanted me to get back on Patches again, and film us galloping away across the huge expanse of fields. Now with THIS segment everything went right. Beautifully right, as we galloped off without wings soaring away into the distance.😃
I made the television crews promise me to PLEASE not ever use those OTHER parts of the filming in anything. They assured me they would not ever THINK of doing such a thing like that to me.🙄
Several months later, for our fanbase, a thirty minute piece was done all about our very touching, inspiring story again. And wouldn't you know, within the piece there just happened to be this funniest bloopers segment...🤣
After three decades people are STILL laughing...
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Kentucky...
Here in the heart of the Kentucky Bluegrass horse country the miracle and delight of foaling season has taken place, as it has here since the 1790's. Foaling season begins in January and usually goes through May. Everything is all about the horse here. And everything abides by the rhythms of the seasons...of the horses. Almost anywhere in this region outside of Lexington, there are endless farms and pastures with grazing mares, their foals, and stallions in their paddocks. Nothing is hurried for one cannot help but to be immersed in the equine rhythms. During the summer months mares and foals can be seen quietly sleeping beneath the shade of trees. The tranquility in itself is such a treasure, for this, is our separate peace. This...is our Kentucky horse country.😃
Many have heard of Mammoth Cave, the second largest cave system in the world. Kentucky is sitting on a massive amount of limestone, rich in nutrients found in our grass and water. And yes, we do have BLUEgrass. You see, the limestone nutrients contribute to this effect. Those nutrients are also why we are known as the Horse Capital Of The World too.🐎💥🐎
Kentucky became a state in 1792. Daniel Boone's grave is not far from where I live. But during the years before we became a state, wherever people bet their horse could run faster than another's horse here and throughout New England, they soon discovered it was the horses from this region in Kentucky winning all the races. People didn't know why back then, and attributed this region in Kentucky as having something very magical in its' grass and water.💥🐎
Actually, there IS magic in our grass and water, because the "magic" was later confirmed to be the rich, high concentration of those nutrients in our grass, mostly calcium, which naturally builds strong bones. But horse racing lovers in the 1790's and after didn't care. All they knew is there was something magical having an astounding effect on horses here.💥🐎 Soon horse enthusiasts flocked to this region establishing farms.
And the rest is our proud history.😍
Colonel Matt Winn who owned what eventually became our iconic Churchill Downs in Louisville, began the Kentucky Derby. The first Derby was in 1875, and is the oldest sporting event in the United States. It has been running ever since, on each first Saturday in May, except for two. One time it was delayed until June as WWII ended.
The second time is now. Due to the virus, the Kentucky Derby had to be either cancelled altogether, or moved, and a date was decided. The Derby this year will be held on 5 September 2020. Our two beloved sister races making up the historical Triple Crown races, The Preakness in Baltimore, Maryland, and The Belmont, in New York, had to scramble with changes too. The Belmont will now be the first of the three this year, held on 20 June, and the Preakness will be on 5 October.
Here in the Bluegrass, in Lexington, is another beautiful racetrack surrounded by horse farms...Keeneland, that is as historical as Churchill Downs. This year, 2020, Keeneland is to host the world renown Breeder's Cup Classic in November. However, everything can change. We may have to hold the Derby, Preakness, and Breeder's Cup without spectators. It will depend where we all are then with the virus situation. Or the unfathomable: IF they may all have to be cancelled due to a worsening virus situation. Obviously, the hopes are for the best.
Not far from where I live is the famous Kentucky Horse Park, began in the late 1970's. I was actually a part of the team which helped create some of its' logos back then which was an honor and fun.
Each year in April the world renown Rolex Three Day Event is held at the Horse Park. Also at times, the World Equestrian Events are too. Of course the Rolex Three Day Event understandably had to be cancelled, besides all other activities. So did the Spring Meet at Keeneland as well. But so has everything else around the world too.😭
This is very touching: many from around the world come here throughout the year, especially during the spring just to visit our farms and their favorite horses. Obviously due to the virus, trips planned for a year or more, had to suddenly be cancelled. The farms also had to close their "gates" to visitors anyway. However, the farm owners came together, and with the help of a wonderful organization here called Horse Country Tours, began doing live virtual tours of many farms here, including all aspects of each farm, and its history. Mill Ridge Farm has been especially instrumental in doing this, touching deeply the many throughout the world who come here for the love of Kentucky horse country. Mill Ridge Farm personifies everything we treasure most here. As with a number of our farms their history dates back into the 1800's and earlier. Farms like Mill Ridge Farm make me proud to be a Kentuckian.👍😃👏 Anyone here interested in taking these virtual horse farm tours may access them via Horse Country Tours on Facebook.
Anyway, back to more tidbits about this place I proudly call home. Another benefit discovered after Kentucky began due to the abundant limestone in our water, is our Kentucky Bourbon. There are numerous historical distilleries throughout the region. One is not far from me, and if the wind is just right, I can smell the mash being boiled which is a sweet smell. About two years ago one of our distilleries lost a warehouse filled with bourbon whiskey as it was aging due to a huge fire. Our bourbon whiskey is so important around the world, even more than I realized. I soon discovered I was getting more news and updates on what was happening regarding the loss of this warehouse on the BBC than our local news! One thing the BBC did was speculate on how the loss of this warehouse could affect the amount of bourbon we produce. The BBC even focused on what our wildlife officials were doing about trying to save the fish in the river all the bourbon poured into! There wasn't anything in the local news about THAT here! By the way, though a lot of fish were lost, our wildlife officials were actually able to avoid a huge loss of our catfish and carp, by neutralizing the effects of the bourbon. A fact I learned from the BBC in the U.K.!!!🤣
Another product Kentucky is famous for, and also one benefiting from the limestone here, is tobacco. We are the leading state in tobacco. Oh, and hemp too.😃
Kentucky is of course, also famous for Kentucky Fried Chicken. In my blog about the famous people I have met, I wrote about my friendship with Colonel Harland Sanders himself, and his wife Claudia, whose home was not far from the farm where I boarded some of my horses. I used to join them for tea on their veranda now and then. They both were up in their eighties by then, and so dear and charming. I am grateful to have had that time visiting them at the Colonel's insistence when he discovered me on my horse one day.🐎🤠🐎
There are many more wonderful things about Kentucky, like Bluegrass Music, our theatres, and uniquely beautiful natural wonders. Yet it is our equine culture I am most proud to be a part of. Since so many famous horses reside here, our evening news broadcasts often have news pieces featuring their births, fame, retiring here, and when they pass away. When Secretariat was euthanized due to laminitis, it was the only news here for days.😭
When Secretariat retired here, arriving at Bluegrass Airport, local and national news teams were there with
live news updates, following the procession to Claiborne Horse Farm, and as he stepped off the van. Many years later, it was the same for American Pharoah. Also, many of our commercials here are related to the horses and farms too.
Back to foaling season. Those making sure all goes well during the cold wee hours of winter/early spring in barns throughout the region during foaling season, often have been doing their job for decades. They all say the same thing too...that each foaling never loses it's wonder and magic...and they're right. The miracle never ever ceases to amaze.😍💫
And then, oh what a delight it is to see all the many playful foals trying out their legs in fields of bluegrass on a misty Kentucky morning! Or when they encounter their first snowfall. These joys and wonders never diminish.👏
This, dear ones, is my beloved old Kentucky home.😍🐎
[Following is a page of photos opening a window just a bit for all to see.]😃
Many have heard of Mammoth Cave, the second largest cave system in the world. Kentucky is sitting on a massive amount of limestone, rich in nutrients found in our grass and water. And yes, we do have BLUEgrass. You see, the limestone nutrients contribute to this effect. Those nutrients are also why we are known as the Horse Capital Of The World too.🐎💥🐎
Kentucky became a state in 1792. Daniel Boone's grave is not far from where I live. But during the years before we became a state, wherever people bet their horse could run faster than another's horse here and throughout New England, they soon discovered it was the horses from this region in Kentucky winning all the races. People didn't know why back then, and attributed this region in Kentucky as having something very magical in its' grass and water.💥🐎
Actually, there IS magic in our grass and water, because the "magic" was later confirmed to be the rich, high concentration of those nutrients in our grass, mostly calcium, which naturally builds strong bones. But horse racing lovers in the 1790's and after didn't care. All they knew is there was something magical having an astounding effect on horses here.💥🐎 Soon horse enthusiasts flocked to this region establishing farms.
And the rest is our proud history.😍
Colonel Matt Winn who owned what eventually became our iconic Churchill Downs in Louisville, began the Kentucky Derby. The first Derby was in 1875, and is the oldest sporting event in the United States. It has been running ever since, on each first Saturday in May, except for two. One time it was delayed until June as WWII ended.
The second time is now. Due to the virus, the Kentucky Derby had to be either cancelled altogether, or moved, and a date was decided. The Derby this year will be held on 5 September 2020. Our two beloved sister races making up the historical Triple Crown races, The Preakness in Baltimore, Maryland, and The Belmont, in New York, had to scramble with changes too. The Belmont will now be the first of the three this year, held on 20 June, and the Preakness will be on 5 October.
Here in the Bluegrass, in Lexington, is another beautiful racetrack surrounded by horse farms...Keeneland, that is as historical as Churchill Downs. This year, 2020, Keeneland is to host the world renown Breeder's Cup Classic in November. However, everything can change. We may have to hold the Derby, Preakness, and Breeder's Cup without spectators. It will depend where we all are then with the virus situation. Or the unfathomable: IF they may all have to be cancelled due to a worsening virus situation. Obviously, the hopes are for the best.
Not far from where I live is the famous Kentucky Horse Park, began in the late 1970's. I was actually a part of the team which helped create some of its' logos back then which was an honor and fun.
Each year in April the world renown Rolex Three Day Event is held at the Horse Park. Also at times, the World Equestrian Events are too. Of course the Rolex Three Day Event understandably had to be cancelled, besides all other activities. So did the Spring Meet at Keeneland as well. But so has everything else around the world too.😭
This is very touching: many from around the world come here throughout the year, especially during the spring just to visit our farms and their favorite horses. Obviously due to the virus, trips planned for a year or more, had to suddenly be cancelled. The farms also had to close their "gates" to visitors anyway. However, the farm owners came together, and with the help of a wonderful organization here called Horse Country Tours, began doing live virtual tours of many farms here, including all aspects of each farm, and its history. Mill Ridge Farm has been especially instrumental in doing this, touching deeply the many throughout the world who come here for the love of Kentucky horse country. Mill Ridge Farm personifies everything we treasure most here. As with a number of our farms their history dates back into the 1800's and earlier. Farms like Mill Ridge Farm make me proud to be a Kentuckian.👍😃👏 Anyone here interested in taking these virtual horse farm tours may access them via Horse Country Tours on Facebook.
Anyway, back to more tidbits about this place I proudly call home. Another benefit discovered after Kentucky began due to the abundant limestone in our water, is our Kentucky Bourbon. There are numerous historical distilleries throughout the region. One is not far from me, and if the wind is just right, I can smell the mash being boiled which is a sweet smell. About two years ago one of our distilleries lost a warehouse filled with bourbon whiskey as it was aging due to a huge fire. Our bourbon whiskey is so important around the world, even more than I realized. I soon discovered I was getting more news and updates on what was happening regarding the loss of this warehouse on the BBC than our local news! One thing the BBC did was speculate on how the loss of this warehouse could affect the amount of bourbon we produce. The BBC even focused on what our wildlife officials were doing about trying to save the fish in the river all the bourbon poured into! There wasn't anything in the local news about THAT here! By the way, though a lot of fish were lost, our wildlife officials were actually able to avoid a huge loss of our catfish and carp, by neutralizing the effects of the bourbon. A fact I learned from the BBC in the U.K.!!!🤣
Another product Kentucky is famous for, and also one benefiting from the limestone here, is tobacco. We are the leading state in tobacco. Oh, and hemp too.😃
Kentucky is of course, also famous for Kentucky Fried Chicken. In my blog about the famous people I have met, I wrote about my friendship with Colonel Harland Sanders himself, and his wife Claudia, whose home was not far from the farm where I boarded some of my horses. I used to join them for tea on their veranda now and then. They both were up in their eighties by then, and so dear and charming. I am grateful to have had that time visiting them at the Colonel's insistence when he discovered me on my horse one day.🐎🤠🐎
There are many more wonderful things about Kentucky, like Bluegrass Music, our theatres, and uniquely beautiful natural wonders. Yet it is our equine culture I am most proud to be a part of. Since so many famous horses reside here, our evening news broadcasts often have news pieces featuring their births, fame, retiring here, and when they pass away. When Secretariat was euthanized due to laminitis, it was the only news here for days.😭
When Secretariat retired here, arriving at Bluegrass Airport, local and national news teams were there with
live news updates, following the procession to Claiborne Horse Farm, and as he stepped off the van. Many years later, it was the same for American Pharoah. Also, many of our commercials here are related to the horses and farms too.
And then, oh what a delight it is to see all the many playful foals trying out their legs in fields of bluegrass on a misty Kentucky morning! Or when they encounter their first snowfall. These joys and wonders never diminish.👏
This, dear ones, is my beloved old Kentucky home.😍🐎
[Following is a page of photos opening a window just a bit for all to see.]😃
To walk in kindness...
You get more than you give when you give more than you get.
For if we walk in kindness, we walk in love.
For if we walk in kindness, we walk in love.
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
My prison time...
Compassion is what you give because of who YOU are...not because of who THEY are.
Unless you find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many years ago I visited a group for the families of alcoholics, to try to better understand the alcoholism in my family. At the same church was a meeting for Alcoholics Anonymous, and afterwards, both groups mingled drinking coffee.
This is when I met Nora...
"You're short."
"No shit. You're black."
"No shit. I like you!"
"I like you too!"
Though Nora was many years older than me, we became very close friends. She was a recovering alcoholic, and oh, what a journey she had been on!
Briefly, after many years of hard drinking, Nora was dying of alcohol poisoning in the old General Hospital. She had been wheeled to the area for those soon to die. Only God had more for her to do, and spoke to her. Told her she was going to get sober, and help others.
She lived, got sober, and became a powerful speaker.
One day the Warden of a women's prison an hour out of the city asked Nora to come speak.
She asked, "Can I bring a friend? I don't drive and I need her to bring me, but she too, has quite a story to tell."
The Warden told her he would be thrilled to have us both.
So off to prison we went. Neither Nora or I had ever been in a prison before. There are a lot of guards. And a lot of iron gates. After the fourth one clanged shut behind us, Nora whispered to me, "I sure hope they let us back out of here!"
The women, guards, and Warden absolutely loved us. We were asked to come back many times. The Warden, guards, and most of all...the women, said we reached them in ways no one else ever did before.
I think one of my favorite African American writers, Zora Neale Hurston says it best, "You have to go there to know there." Meaning you have had to walk through it to be able to inspire...that we weren't talking "at" them with just words, but "to" them as survivors like they could be too.
Anyway, it was quite an experience for us both.
Eventually Nora married, and I continued my challenge surmounting and galloping on my horses everywhere. Yet no matter where I moved or which hospital I was in, Nora and I remained close until her passing.
We just never know what treasures may be found through the compassion we give, dear ones.
Unless you find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many years ago I visited a group for the families of alcoholics, to try to better understand the alcoholism in my family. At the same church was a meeting for Alcoholics Anonymous, and afterwards, both groups mingled drinking coffee.
This is when I met Nora...
"You're short."
"No shit. You're black."
"No shit. I like you!"
"I like you too!"
Though Nora was many years older than me, we became very close friends. She was a recovering alcoholic, and oh, what a journey she had been on!
Briefly, after many years of hard drinking, Nora was dying of alcohol poisoning in the old General Hospital. She had been wheeled to the area for those soon to die. Only God had more for her to do, and spoke to her. Told her she was going to get sober, and help others.
She lived, got sober, and became a powerful speaker.
One day the Warden of a women's prison an hour out of the city asked Nora to come speak.
She asked, "Can I bring a friend? I don't drive and I need her to bring me, but she too, has quite a story to tell."
The Warden told her he would be thrilled to have us both.
So off to prison we went. Neither Nora or I had ever been in a prison before. There are a lot of guards. And a lot of iron gates. After the fourth one clanged shut behind us, Nora whispered to me, "I sure hope they let us back out of here!"
The women, guards, and Warden absolutely loved us. We were asked to come back many times. The Warden, guards, and most of all...the women, said we reached them in ways no one else ever did before.
I think one of my favorite African American writers, Zora Neale Hurston says it best, "You have to go there to know there." Meaning you have had to walk through it to be able to inspire...that we weren't talking "at" them with just words, but "to" them as survivors like they could be too.
Anyway, it was quite an experience for us both.
Eventually Nora married, and I continued my challenge surmounting and galloping on my horses everywhere. Yet no matter where I moved or which hospital I was in, Nora and I remained close until her passing.
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Throw open your heart...
Give all to love,
Throw open thy heart,
Follow it utterly,
Hope beyond hope,
Far and high,
With wing unspent,
Soar into the sky,
And ever ascend.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Throw open thy heart,
Follow it utterly,
Hope beyond hope,
Far and high,
With wing unspent,
Soar into the sky,
And ever ascend.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
My true love and I being daring...
To be daring one must be more than a little crazy at times, mixed with courageous spunk.
In a earlier blog I wrote about my dear 5'11" Aiden, whose horse Sierra had bonded with Patches and brought us together. Sierra had been a challenge
for Aiden to catch...that is, until Patches and I came along. Sierra became attached to Patches, and since Patches always came running to me, Sierra did too. So Aiden timed his visits to the farm with mine.
It wasn't long before we were deeply in love, and became each other's "THE ONE," before he tragically died.
One day we discovered a mile long horse trail with many hairpin turns. On each sides of the trail were trees, rocky cliffs with high drop offs far below and a rushing creek in places. At the very end of the trail was a huge fence, with a major highway just beyond.
When we reached the end, and turned the horses around, they became excited, knowing we were heading back. And that's when Aiden had an idea.
"Adelaide, let's gallop all the way back!"
"But honey, what about those turns? And did you notice those drop offs?!!"
You see, by then I was older, and a bit less crazy.
"Aww, common, let's try it! I think it will be FUN!"
"Okay, I'm in...let's do it! We should take..."
Before I could finish, Aiden took off on Sierra, with Patches leaping into a fast gallop right behind her. It was one of the wildest, most thrilling rides I have ever had. I am not kidding, on some of those hairpin turns, Patches and I were going so fast, when he leaned into the curve, my face was inches from the ground. On one of the curves I saw nothing but the depths below the edge.
Since Patches was smaller than Sierra, he was galloping very fast to keep up, so our ride was indeed thrilling. Certainly different than fast gallops across fields!
After we finally came to a stop, Aiden let out a huge,
"WOW! THAT WAS INCREDIBLE! Sierra was really flying! Yet Patches stayed right behind! When I glanced back once, he was leaning into the turn so fast you looked like you were hanging over the abyss!"
"Because I WAS hanging over the abyss! This was AMAZING! I LOVED it!"
"What were you trying to say to me when we took off?"
"We should take care around those turns..."🤣
On Christmas Day a few months before Aiden died,
there was about a foot of snow on the ground. He was especially anxious we take the horses out for a ride to a clearing beyond the fields into the woods.
"Now?!!"
"Especially now."
So off we went and the scene was magical. It was late in the day, with the bright setting sun shining through the trees on the snow. When we reached the clearing, Aiden suddenly dismounted Sierra.
"Why are you dismounting? The snow is so deep here..."
"THIS...is why."
And that is when Aiden took a ring out of his pocket, placed it on my finger, and asked if I would marry him.
He said my daring spirit was one of the things he fell in love with.🥰
I still wear the ring and always will.💕
In a earlier blog I wrote about my dear 5'11" Aiden, whose horse Sierra had bonded with Patches and brought us together. Sierra had been a challenge
for Aiden to catch...that is, until Patches and I came along. Sierra became attached to Patches, and since Patches always came running to me, Sierra did too. So Aiden timed his visits to the farm with mine.
It wasn't long before we were deeply in love, and became each other's "THE ONE," before he tragically died.
One day we discovered a mile long horse trail with many hairpin turns. On each sides of the trail were trees, rocky cliffs with high drop offs far below and a rushing creek in places. At the very end of the trail was a huge fence, with a major highway just beyond.
When we reached the end, and turned the horses around, they became excited, knowing we were heading back. And that's when Aiden had an idea.
"Adelaide, let's gallop all the way back!"
"But honey, what about those turns? And did you notice those drop offs?!!"
You see, by then I was older, and a bit less crazy.
"Aww, common, let's try it! I think it will be FUN!"
"Okay, I'm in...let's do it! We should take..."
Before I could finish, Aiden took off on Sierra, with Patches leaping into a fast gallop right behind her. It was one of the wildest, most thrilling rides I have ever had. I am not kidding, on some of those hairpin turns, Patches and I were going so fast, when he leaned into the curve, my face was inches from the ground. On one of the curves I saw nothing but the depths below the edge.
Since Patches was smaller than Sierra, he was galloping very fast to keep up, so our ride was indeed thrilling. Certainly different than fast gallops across fields!
After we finally came to a stop, Aiden let out a huge,
"WOW! THAT WAS INCREDIBLE! Sierra was really flying! Yet Patches stayed right behind! When I glanced back once, he was leaning into the turn so fast you looked like you were hanging over the abyss!"
"Because I WAS hanging over the abyss! This was AMAZING! I LOVED it!"
"What were you trying to say to me when we took off?"
"We should take care around those turns..."🤣
On Christmas Day a few months before Aiden died,
there was about a foot of snow on the ground. He was especially anxious we take the horses out for a ride to a clearing beyond the fields into the woods.
"Now?!!"
"Especially now."
So off we went and the scene was magical. It was late in the day, with the bright setting sun shining through the trees on the snow. When we reached the clearing, Aiden suddenly dismounted Sierra.
"Why are you dismounting? The snow is so deep here..."
"THIS...is why."
And that is when Aiden took a ring out of his pocket, placed it on my finger, and asked if I would marry him.
He said my daring spirit was one of the things he fell in love with.🥰
I still wear the ring and always will.💕
Soaring without wings across fields...
Did you know that every three fourths of each stride a galloping horse makes is spent in the air? Three fourths! I have always cherished the quote, "When God created the horse, He said, 'And thou shalt fly without wings.'"
This is why galloping across the fields for me, was flying.
In all the decades I owned horses, I only ever had two injury accidents, which were not their fault. Or mine.
The first involved flying across a field on my horse Bashum. We apparently disturbed these huge grasshoppers, and one suddenly flew into Bashum's eye. He stumbled west, and I flew east...with my tailbone connecting with the ground first. We were a LONG way from the barn phone and my car.
Thankfully, we were near a fallen tree I managed to climb on. We made it to the barn. Bashum's eye was torn in the corner, so I called the vet to come. Then I had to leave, driving myself to the ER. I feared two things: that I injured my spine, and/or my dear orthopaedic surgeon was going to kill me.
He fell over laughing.
It turned out I only fractured my tailbone. In two places.
Bashum's eye had to be treated with medicine, but all was fine there too.
The other injury involved my horse Selah. It was summer. I was barefoot. In order for a Little Person like myself, to put a bridle on a horse, I had to lean into her to get the head strap over her ears. Summer means flies. At the exact moment I was leaning into Selah to do the head strap, she raised her hoof to knock away a fly.
Only when she put her hoof back down, it was ON MY FOOT. She couldn't know it, so I had to push her off, but because of the position we were both in, she TWISTED off my foot. Then I did what any respectable owner would do...I rode her. Thirty minutes later I looked down at my foot. By then it was three times its' size and every color. Oops.
I rode Selah to my car, fed her, then drove myself to the ER. Again, my dear orthopaedic surgeon fell over laughing.
I was lucky. Because I was barefoot, and Selah didn't have shoes, everything was only severely bruised...not crushed.
To this day though, I proudly have Selah's clear hoofprint on my right foot.
In five decades these were my only injury accidents. And not their fault!😄
That I was so blessed to fly without wings for many years, I had been given a gift worth the price of a very bent tailbone, and a hoof shaped scar on my right foot.
This is why galloping across the fields for me, was flying.
In all the decades I owned horses, I only ever had two injury accidents, which were not their fault. Or mine.
The first involved flying across a field on my horse Bashum. We apparently disturbed these huge grasshoppers, and one suddenly flew into Bashum's eye. He stumbled west, and I flew east...with my tailbone connecting with the ground first. We were a LONG way from the barn phone and my car.
Thankfully, we were near a fallen tree I managed to climb on. We made it to the barn. Bashum's eye was torn in the corner, so I called the vet to come. Then I had to leave, driving myself to the ER. I feared two things: that I injured my spine, and/or my dear orthopaedic surgeon was going to kill me.
He fell over laughing.
It turned out I only fractured my tailbone. In two places.
Bashum's eye had to be treated with medicine, but all was fine there too.
The other injury involved my horse Selah. It was summer. I was barefoot. In order for a Little Person like myself, to put a bridle on a horse, I had to lean into her to get the head strap over her ears. Summer means flies. At the exact moment I was leaning into Selah to do the head strap, she raised her hoof to knock away a fly.
Only when she put her hoof back down, it was ON MY FOOT. She couldn't know it, so I had to push her off, but because of the position we were both in, she TWISTED off my foot. Then I did what any respectable owner would do...I rode her. Thirty minutes later I looked down at my foot. By then it was three times its' size and every color. Oops.
I rode Selah to my car, fed her, then drove myself to the ER. Again, my dear orthopaedic surgeon fell over laughing.
I was lucky. Because I was barefoot, and Selah didn't have shoes, everything was only severely bruised...not crushed.
To this day though, I proudly have Selah's clear hoofprint on my right foot.
In five decades these were my only injury accidents. And not their fault!😄
That I was so blessed to fly without wings for many years, I had been given a gift worth the price of a very bent tailbone, and a hoof shaped scar on my right foot.
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Compassion like ripples of water...
We all have the strength to share the burdens of those we love and those we do not know, because this is what the best of humanity does. This is what compassion does, and no one has the power to make it stop, yet we all have the power to pour it on. Pour compassion out like the spreading ripples of water touching all and make a bright shining difference.
Adelaide
Adelaide
A story of compassion...
The Webster Dictionary definition for compassion is the act or capacity for sharing the pain of another; a desire to help, or to spare one in trouble; expressing words of comfort, especially when one has suffered a loss; tender concern; entering one's emotional experience.
In my previous blog, "When Patches remembered me," I touched on the Christmas week spine surgery where everything went wrong nearly paralyzing me. Eighteen hours in I suddenly began bleeding out and they nearly lost me. Immediately following surgery a huge hematoma began pressing on my spinal cord slowly paralyzing me. My dear orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Mortara rushed back in to do emergency surgery to remove the hematoma, so we were in surgery for twenty-one hours that day.
Dr. Mortara has featured in two other blogs here, where I have shared the humorous bond we had, bantering back and forth with each other. Like when I fractured my tailbone in two places after my horse Bashum stumbled while galloping. I feared Dr. Mortara would be upset. Instead he came in laughing, teasing me how I couldn't just fracture my tailbone in one place, but two. I then responded I liked to think BIG. He not only loved my attitude, but the ways I didn't let my dwarfism define me. And that I was a fighter. I had been his patient for several years prior to the spine surgery, so we knew each other quite well by then.
Two days after the spine surgery in ICU on Christmas Day, I finally awoke just in time to see Dr. Mortara coming to me. He looked terrible. He was very anxious to see if I still had any movement in my legs. As hard as I tried only some toes on each foot moved. I already knew what had happened as I was the one who alerted them something was wrong immediately following the eighteen hour surgery, which is when the hematoma was discovered.
Suddenly I discovered how much I meant to Dr. Mortara as a patient because tears began pouring down his face as he struggled to say, "Everything was going so well, and then the bleeding from out of nowhere happened. Then this...this hematoma. You have your horse, your work, such a full life...and..." He really began choking up, and I was choking up...not for me but him. And profoundly touched by his compassion...moved by his tears.
Though there were tubes everywhere, I managed to grab his hand.
"Dr. Mortara, none of this is your fault. WE are going to surmount this, okay? I've got movement in some toes, and that is a start. I will be focusing on my toes until they all move, then my feet, and legs. When I leave this building, I will walk out of it. And I will gallop on Patches again."
Then he cried harder.
Through his tears, Dr. Mortara managed to tell me though, it was because he was so moved by my comforting HIM. He had been feeling devastated.
"Adelaide, that your fighting spirit hasn't been lost, is the best Christmas gift I have ever been given. And I believe you WILL walk again. When you leave this place, I will be there to walk with you."
Two months later, I did, and he did.
Only due to hospital protocol I had to ride in a wheelchair TO the door. I was symbolically allowed to do my hard won "shuffle" by then, through the doors escorted by Dr. Mortara to the waiting ambulance taking me home, with
a host of nurses, doctors, and cleaning staff who had come to know me too, all clapping.
Compassion is the most healing of all our emotions, though not everyone has it. Yet for those who do, compassion is a quiet super power, transforming lives, and can transform the world. Especially a beloved surgeon in ICU one Christmas Day in tears...
In my previous blog, "When Patches remembered me," I touched on the Christmas week spine surgery where everything went wrong nearly paralyzing me. Eighteen hours in I suddenly began bleeding out and they nearly lost me. Immediately following surgery a huge hematoma began pressing on my spinal cord slowly paralyzing me. My dear orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Mortara rushed back in to do emergency surgery to remove the hematoma, so we were in surgery for twenty-one hours that day.
Dr. Mortara has featured in two other blogs here, where I have shared the humorous bond we had, bantering back and forth with each other. Like when I fractured my tailbone in two places after my horse Bashum stumbled while galloping. I feared Dr. Mortara would be upset. Instead he came in laughing, teasing me how I couldn't just fracture my tailbone in one place, but two. I then responded I liked to think BIG. He not only loved my attitude, but the ways I didn't let my dwarfism define me. And that I was a fighter. I had been his patient for several years prior to the spine surgery, so we knew each other quite well by then.
Two days after the spine surgery in ICU on Christmas Day, I finally awoke just in time to see Dr. Mortara coming to me. He looked terrible. He was very anxious to see if I still had any movement in my legs. As hard as I tried only some toes on each foot moved. I already knew what had happened as I was the one who alerted them something was wrong immediately following the eighteen hour surgery, which is when the hematoma was discovered.
Suddenly I discovered how much I meant to Dr. Mortara as a patient because tears began pouring down his face as he struggled to say, "Everything was going so well, and then the bleeding from out of nowhere happened. Then this...this hematoma. You have your horse, your work, such a full life...and..." He really began choking up, and I was choking up...not for me but him. And profoundly touched by his compassion...moved by his tears.
Though there were tubes everywhere, I managed to grab his hand.
"Dr. Mortara, none of this is your fault. WE are going to surmount this, okay? I've got movement in some toes, and that is a start. I will be focusing on my toes until they all move, then my feet, and legs. When I leave this building, I will walk out of it. And I will gallop on Patches again."
Then he cried harder.
Through his tears, Dr. Mortara managed to tell me though, it was because he was so moved by my comforting HIM. He had been feeling devastated.
"Adelaide, that your fighting spirit hasn't been lost, is the best Christmas gift I have ever been given. And I believe you WILL walk again. When you leave this place, I will be there to walk with you."
Two months later, I did, and he did.
Only due to hospital protocol I had to ride in a wheelchair TO the door. I was symbolically allowed to do my hard won "shuffle" by then, through the doors escorted by Dr. Mortara to the waiting ambulance taking me home, with
a host of nurses, doctors, and cleaning staff who had come to know me too, all clapping.
Compassion is the most healing of all our emotions, though not everyone has it. Yet for those who do, compassion is a quiet super power, transforming lives, and can transform the world. Especially a beloved surgeon in ICU one Christmas Day in tears...
Saturday, May 23, 2020
The day Patches remembered me...
Along the way now and then, I have been blessed with those bright, amazing touch of wonder moments. Rare moments, which happen out of the blue.
Not long after Patches came into my life, I had yet another spine surgery. Through no fault of my dear surgeon, everything went wrong. I suddenly began bleeding out thirteen hours in. Immediately following eighteen hours of surgery, a huge hematoma formed on my spinal cord and began pressing on it. I was becoming paralyzed. My surgeon rushed back in, and it took another three hours to remove the hematoma. Twenty-one hours in surgery that day!
Days later on Christmas Day in ICU, we discovered I still had a tiny bit of movement in a few of my toes. For all I was worth I focused on my toes until they ALL began moving. Then my feet...legs. I had a life I wanted to get back to!
The spine surgery was the week before Christmas. It was Spring when I finally reached the place where I could walk with a cane instead of a walker. I wondered if Patches would still remember me. He was only six months old when I "disappeared," and now he was ten months old!
One bright Sunday, friends from the farm offered to take me with them out to the farm since I still couldn't drive.
The farm was busy that day. I was so touched because many had come out when they heard I was going to be there, and we were all thrilled to finally see each other again.
I saw Patches way off in the distance high on a hill. Someone offered to go get him for me.
"Thank you...first, please wait just a moment," I said.
I cupped my hands and called his name. Suddenly, his head shot up and he began excitedly looking around as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. I called again, and waved my arms.
All of a sudden he loudly neighed, and began flying down that field. Then he briefly disappeared into the small grove of trees. Suddenly Patches burst out the other side at full gallop charging up the hill, at the same time so excited, he was trying to neigh but squeaked.
EVERYTHING but Patches stopped right where they were, watching. Hard bitten men were wiping tears from their eyes. All the horses even stopped and watched. We all realized we were witnessing something very beautiful and magical.
Patches slammed to a stop a few feet from me, then walked up to me happily rubbing his head up and down me again and again. Oh my, did he ever remember me!
This...was indeed...one of those amazing...rare, "touch of wonder" gems in life to hold forever.
Not long after Patches came into my life, I had yet another spine surgery. Through no fault of my dear surgeon, everything went wrong. I suddenly began bleeding out thirteen hours in. Immediately following eighteen hours of surgery, a huge hematoma formed on my spinal cord and began pressing on it. I was becoming paralyzed. My surgeon rushed back in, and it took another three hours to remove the hematoma. Twenty-one hours in surgery that day!
Days later on Christmas Day in ICU, we discovered I still had a tiny bit of movement in a few of my toes. For all I was worth I focused on my toes until they ALL began moving. Then my feet...legs. I had a life I wanted to get back to!
The spine surgery was the week before Christmas. It was Spring when I finally reached the place where I could walk with a cane instead of a walker. I wondered if Patches would still remember me. He was only six months old when I "disappeared," and now he was ten months old!
The farm was busy that day. I was so touched because many had come out when they heard I was going to be there, and we were all thrilled to finally see each other again.
I saw Patches way off in the distance high on a hill. Someone offered to go get him for me.
"Thank you...first, please wait just a moment," I said.
I cupped my hands and called his name. Suddenly, his head shot up and he began excitedly looking around as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. I called again, and waved my arms.
All of a sudden he loudly neighed, and began flying down that field. Then he briefly disappeared into the small grove of trees. Suddenly Patches burst out the other side at full gallop charging up the hill, at the same time so excited, he was trying to neigh but squeaked.
EVERYTHING but Patches stopped right where they were, watching. Hard bitten men were wiping tears from their eyes. All the horses even stopped and watched. We all realized we were witnessing something very beautiful and magical.
Patches slammed to a stop a few feet from me, then walked up to me happily rubbing his head up and down me again and again. Oh my, did he ever remember me!
This...was indeed...one of those amazing...rare, "touch of wonder" gems in life to hold forever.
How I saved my horse from slaughter...
Since I have told The Ride story in the "And what a plunging forth and not backwards blog," I want to share how Patches, the little unwanted foal in dire need and I came together. My previous horse went blind, but a lady looking for a companion for her blind horse in a safe facility, was thrilled our mutual vet told her about Havilla, so I donated Havilla to her. I then began looking for a foal to raise and have for its' lifetime.
The farm where I boarded my horses for years was a beautiful place, owned by brothers who could be tough with their horses. One day Paul called me, to say he had found the perfect foal, a registered six month old Quarter horse colt, he put in the box stall at the farm. Then he warned me, "The man threw in this three month runt of a foal for me to get rid of, and it is in the stall too. BE CAREFUL! It's dangerous! It took four of us and a lot of beer to finally get him!" My heart immediately went out to the "dangerous runt."
I rushed to the farm and found the lovely fancy colt and the "dangerous runt," who had just been ripped away from his mama by four loud beer drinking men, with a heavy long rope tied around his neck, looking very dejected. As I slowly entered the stall the "runt" began to back up, but I stepped on the rope. He trembled. I whispered I was only going to stroke his forehead, so he could end the day by being touched GENTLY. He relaxed.
From the barn phone, I called Paul. "I'm taking the 'runt!'" He kindly replied, "What?!! You're crazy!!! He's dangerous I tell you!"
I said, "I'm taking him anyway! Besides, you will have no trouble selling the fancy colt, and I will save you the trouble of taking the "runt" to slaughter."
"I still think you're making a huge mistake you'll regret!" he said.
"I'm taking him anyway. How much?"
The next day I took sweet feed and grooming stuff with me. The "runt" began to back up, then stopped, and didn't tremble. While he ate, I gently groomed him, with no sign of any fear or "danger" at all.
Patches was a white pony with palomino patches, hence the name I immediately gave him, so he would not be known as "the runt."
Day three, he nickered when he saw me.
I needed to get him out of the dirty, dusty stall. Told Paul I was turning him out.
"What?!! You're crazy! You'll never be able to catch him again!"
"Don't worry," I said. "We've got this."
I turned him out. Day four, I arrived and found Patches on a hill. I called him. He stared intently. When I went up to him, he made no attempt to run.
On day five when I called him, he neighed and came running TO me! The "dangerous runt" was mine...and we became very VERY close. They know when they are in danger and they know when they are safe. Love grew Patches into a much larger pony than was expected.
When Patches was a little over a year old, I put lead shanks on each side of his halter one day. Got on him, and simply began riding him. THAT was all it took!
One day Paul happened to come along and see me riding Patches. He stammered, "You're RIDING him! How did you...I...I can't believe this!"
"Yep! This is the 'dangerous runt' bound for slaughter. Still think I'm crazy?"
The farm where I boarded my horses for years was a beautiful place, owned by brothers who could be tough with their horses. One day Paul called me, to say he had found the perfect foal, a registered six month old Quarter horse colt, he put in the box stall at the farm. Then he warned me, "The man threw in this three month runt of a foal for me to get rid of, and it is in the stall too. BE CAREFUL! It's dangerous! It took four of us and a lot of beer to finally get him!" My heart immediately went out to the "dangerous runt."
I rushed to the farm and found the lovely fancy colt and the "dangerous runt," who had just been ripped away from his mama by four loud beer drinking men, with a heavy long rope tied around his neck, looking very dejected. As I slowly entered the stall the "runt" began to back up, but I stepped on the rope. He trembled. I whispered I was only going to stroke his forehead, so he could end the day by being touched GENTLY. He relaxed.
From the barn phone, I called Paul. "I'm taking the 'runt!'" He kindly replied, "What?!! You're crazy!!! He's dangerous I tell you!"
I said, "I'm taking him anyway! Besides, you will have no trouble selling the fancy colt, and I will save you the trouble of taking the "runt" to slaughter."
"I still think you're making a huge mistake you'll regret!" he said.
"I'm taking him anyway. How much?"
The next day I took sweet feed and grooming stuff with me. The "runt" began to back up, then stopped, and didn't tremble. While he ate, I gently groomed him, with no sign of any fear or "danger" at all.
Patches was a white pony with palomino patches, hence the name I immediately gave him, so he would not be known as "the runt."
Day three, he nickered when he saw me.
I needed to get him out of the dirty, dusty stall. Told Paul I was turning him out.
"What?!! You're crazy! You'll never be able to catch him again!"
"Don't worry," I said. "We've got this."
I turned him out. Day four, I arrived and found Patches on a hill. I called him. He stared intently. When I went up to him, he made no attempt to run.
On day five when I called him, he neighed and came running TO me! The "dangerous runt" was mine...and we became very VERY close. They know when they are in danger and they know when they are safe. Love grew Patches into a much larger pony than was expected.
When Patches was a little over a year old, I put lead shanks on each side of his halter one day. Got on him, and simply began riding him. THAT was all it took!
One day Paul happened to come along and see me riding Patches. He stammered, "You're RIDING him! How did you...I...I can't believe this!"
"Yep! This is the 'dangerous runt' bound for slaughter. Still think I'm crazy?"
Friday, May 22, 2020
The self esteem project...
Back in 1996 I was asked to take part in a very unique project to help others. Serena, a psychologist, had known about me for years, due to the media coverage about my art and The Ride with Patches, my horse. She had also been hearing about what an inspiring speaker I was too.
Serena was acquainted with my orthopaedic surgeon and one day called him to see if he would tell me about this self esteem project she wanted to conduct.
So I get a call from my orthopaedic surgeon.🙂
"Adelaide, a psychologist I know wanted me to see if you could take part in some kind of self esteem doll making project for women with self esteem issues, and no, not because YOU need help in this area, but because she strongly feels your presence will benefit these women in ways she can't."
"A doll?!! What kind of a doll?"🤔
"I don't know. But knowing you, and knowing how you
and your friend have been successfully speaking at the Women's Prison, I think you would have a huge impact. Her name is Serena, and she can explain it all to you. By the way, I think you'd be a cute little doll."🤣
So I spoke to Serena. She felt since I attained all I did and was doing in MY body, I could have an impact on the women struggling with self esteem, who were insecure and unhappy, because they focused on perceived things wrong with their bodies which inhibited them. Some seriously.
The doll. Over three days we all, Serena and I too, would be making life-size three dimensional dolls of ourselves taken from our exact measurements...head to toe.
"Uh, and then what?"🤔
"Focus on reshifting the negative self image these ladies have of themselves into positive ones. And to help them begin to learn to accept and embrace their bodies."
Serena received a small grant to do this project. She had to spend a large amount of the grant for the supplies and refreshments needed, yet was trying to still give me a stipend for my time. Since I happened to be free the weekend this would be, I waived the stipend. Like how many opportunities does one get in a lifetime to make a life-size doll of themselves anyway?🤣
Nine ladies in addition to Serena and I were there. As we began to introduce ourselves, all the ladies blurted out, "YOU'RE THE PATCHES LADY!" They all had followed our story during The Ride saga, and knew me as everyone did, by my horse Patches' name because no one could remember my name. I was touched. I then briefly told them the rest. Now THEY were touched.😃
Then each of them shared their stories and reasons for being there. One lady was struggling to overcome being bulimic; two others were overweight; one had a problem with aging; another had a problem with being too short but just meeting ME already had a positive effect she said; one had a liver transplant a few years earlier but was struggling with how the anti-rejection drugs changed her appearance; another was struggling with how the chemo treatments she was getting had made her look; and one was just very insecure and had never felt good about herself.😪
The time came for us all to begin making a doll of ourselves. We were asked to choose partners, and immediately they all asked to be mine. So we worked out a way for me to be a partner with each lady through the three days of the project.
First we had to measure each other from head to toe. Then as one lay on sheets of newsprint paper, another drew their outline to make a pattern to be pinned on muslin and cut out. By the end of our first day, arms, legs, torsos, heads, hands, and feet were strewn everywhere.
The next day the sewing by hand process began bringing the body parts together. As we sewed, there was serious talk, as Serena and I spent time individually with each lady. They all were especially keen to know how I got where I was, as in accepting myself even with the mean ridicule I lived with. I shared how my friend Joseph had me make a "Dwarf Card," and the huge affect it had upon my young life. Then focusing upon the positives; not the negatives. Having a gratitude attitude. I also gave them
a list of the books which had also made a difference in
my young life. They all, including Serena, wrote down much of what I shared. Since Serena was privately counseling the ladies, I had given them ways they
could attain self acceptance by working together
with her.
The third day we had fully completed our dolls and dressed them with clothes we brought. Then placed them in chairs across from each of us. There was a long silence. Serena asked me first about the thoughts I had.
My first thought I told them, was "Oh my, I REALLY am a DWARF!" I realized just how much self acceptance I had been blessed to attain along my journey and grateful I did, because there had been a time in my young life when seeing my exact image in 3-D form across from me would have been painfully difficult.😖
Every lady was forced to see themselves in a whole new way. Yet in a way which kick started a new journey of self acceptance and self esteem for each of them.💥
So what happened to my life-sized doll replica? After a few years she began "aging" by graying and losing her "innards" as I did too when I had surgery for cancer and abdominal surgeries. Then I moved and the doll was in
my car trunk and scared the hell out of people whenever
I opened it, who actually thought the doll was a real human until I showed them it wasn't.😱
Finally, it was time to bid my doll replica goodbye before I got arrested for having a body in my trunk...so I sent her off in a very nice black trash bag.🤣💫
Serena was acquainted with my orthopaedic surgeon and one day called him to see if he would tell me about this self esteem project she wanted to conduct.
So I get a call from my orthopaedic surgeon.🙂
"Adelaide, a psychologist I know wanted me to see if you could take part in some kind of self esteem doll making project for women with self esteem issues, and no, not because YOU need help in this area, but because she strongly feels your presence will benefit these women in ways she can't."
"A doll?!! What kind of a doll?"🤔
"I don't know. But knowing you, and knowing how you
and your friend have been successfully speaking at the Women's Prison, I think you would have a huge impact. Her name is Serena, and she can explain it all to you. By the way, I think you'd be a cute little doll."🤣
So I spoke to Serena. She felt since I attained all I did and was doing in MY body, I could have an impact on the women struggling with self esteem, who were insecure and unhappy, because they focused on perceived things wrong with their bodies which inhibited them. Some seriously.
The doll. Over three days we all, Serena and I too, would be making life-size three dimensional dolls of ourselves taken from our exact measurements...head to toe.
"Uh, and then what?"🤔
"Focus on reshifting the negative self image these ladies have of themselves into positive ones. And to help them begin to learn to accept and embrace their bodies."
Serena received a small grant to do this project. She had to spend a large amount of the grant for the supplies and refreshments needed, yet was trying to still give me a stipend for my time. Since I happened to be free the weekend this would be, I waived the stipend. Like how many opportunities does one get in a lifetime to make a life-size doll of themselves anyway?🤣
Nine ladies in addition to Serena and I were there. As we began to introduce ourselves, all the ladies blurted out, "YOU'RE THE PATCHES LADY!" They all had followed our story during The Ride saga, and knew me as everyone did, by my horse Patches' name because no one could remember my name. I was touched. I then briefly told them the rest. Now THEY were touched.😃
Then each of them shared their stories and reasons for being there. One lady was struggling to overcome being bulimic; two others were overweight; one had a problem with aging; another had a problem with being too short but just meeting ME already had a positive effect she said; one had a liver transplant a few years earlier but was struggling with how the anti-rejection drugs changed her appearance; another was struggling with how the chemo treatments she was getting had made her look; and one was just very insecure and had never felt good about herself.😪
The time came for us all to begin making a doll of ourselves. We were asked to choose partners, and immediately they all asked to be mine. So we worked out a way for me to be a partner with each lady through the three days of the project.
First we had to measure each other from head to toe. Then as one lay on sheets of newsprint paper, another drew their outline to make a pattern to be pinned on muslin and cut out. By the end of our first day, arms, legs, torsos, heads, hands, and feet were strewn everywhere.
The next day the sewing by hand process began bringing the body parts together. As we sewed, there was serious talk, as Serena and I spent time individually with each lady. They all were especially keen to know how I got where I was, as in accepting myself even with the mean ridicule I lived with. I shared how my friend Joseph had me make a "Dwarf Card," and the huge affect it had upon my young life. Then focusing upon the positives; not the negatives. Having a gratitude attitude. I also gave them
a list of the books which had also made a difference in
my young life. They all, including Serena, wrote down much of what I shared. Since Serena was privately counseling the ladies, I had given them ways they
could attain self acceptance by working together
with her.
The third day we had fully completed our dolls and dressed them with clothes we brought. Then placed them in chairs across from each of us. There was a long silence. Serena asked me first about the thoughts I had.
My first thought I told them, was "Oh my, I REALLY am a DWARF!" I realized just how much self acceptance I had been blessed to attain along my journey and grateful I did, because there had been a time in my young life when seeing my exact image in 3-D form across from me would have been painfully difficult.😖
Every lady was forced to see themselves in a whole new way. Yet in a way which kick started a new journey of self acceptance and self esteem for each of them.💥
So what happened to my life-sized doll replica? After a few years she began "aging" by graying and losing her "innards" as I did too when I had surgery for cancer and abdominal surgeries. Then I moved and the doll was in
my car trunk and scared the hell out of people whenever
I opened it, who actually thought the doll was a real human until I showed them it wasn't.😱
Finally, it was time to bid my doll replica goodbye before I got arrested for having a body in my trunk...so I sent her off in a very nice black trash bag.🤣💫
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Horse bit...
Here is a very funny story NOW, but to me back THEN, I was not amused.
During one of my many long hospital stays, I had asked my friends Bob and Tom to visit the farm to check on my pony Sadie. That was all they had to
do. "What could possibly go wrong?" I thought. But you see, one day things did not quite happen as planned, and they screwed up. I mean they ROYALLY screwed up.
Since Bob and Tom knew Sadie could pull a cart, they had what THEY thought was a very bright idea one day. Only I didn't own a cart nor did I like them because I wanted to be ON my horses, not behind them! However I did have Sadie's cart harness which came with her. Unfortunately, the guys knew where the harness was kept.
So they decided to make a two wheel cart. They were really very proud of themselves too. In fact they thought what they built was brilliant. Truly, a state of art pony cart.
Somehow the very inexperienced Bob and Tom managed to get the harness
on Sadie, so they told me later...and attached it to this brilliant state of art homemade cart the two were so proud of. Perhaps it really might have worked too, who knows? But one of them had the ridiculous bright idea to shake a huge, very LOUD old cowbell one could hear in the next county, to get Sadie moving.
Oh, she moved all right. She absolutely went FLYING! Neither the state of art cart nor the harness survived. What remained on Sadie, got caught around a tree, which not only stopped her but brought her to her knees until she could be extracted. Thankfully though, SADIE was fine.
The cart was NOT fine, ending up in many pieces. One of the wheels was never seen again. And the guys?
Since they knew I would be hearing about this they decided to hurry up and visit me before news could reach me, to confess. Uh, that is once they got out of the emergency room of the exact hospital I was in upstairs. So imagine my surprise when Bob and Tom entered my room, with Bob's arm broken in a cast and sling. Tom's ankle was broken and in a cast too, besides being on crutches.
At first I was very upset they both were injured in some terrible way. And then, AND THEN, they told me, beginning first to quickly assure me Sadie was fine. Hearing THIS, my compassion level for them suddenly dropped. Hearing the rest, it PLUMMETED. For a few moments I wanted to throttle them. And they were scared too. But admitted how very grateful they both were I couldn't get out of the bed to break any of their other bones.🥴
Realizing they obviously had suffered enough, and would surely have the scars to carry with them always, I couldn't help but to begin laughing. And laughing so hard tears were running down my cheeks. We all three did. In fact we have laughed about this brilliant endeavor of theirs for many years now.
One thing for certain though...those two knew better than to try using one of my horses for one of their bright ideas again.🤣
During one of my many long hospital stays, I had asked my friends Bob and Tom to visit the farm to check on my pony Sadie. That was all they had to
do. "What could possibly go wrong?" I thought. But you see, one day things did not quite happen as planned, and they screwed up. I mean they ROYALLY screwed up.
Since Bob and Tom knew Sadie could pull a cart, they had what THEY thought was a very bright idea one day. Only I didn't own a cart nor did I like them because I wanted to be ON my horses, not behind them! However I did have Sadie's cart harness which came with her. Unfortunately, the guys knew where the harness was kept.
So they decided to make a two wheel cart. They were really very proud of themselves too. In fact they thought what they built was brilliant. Truly, a state of art pony cart.
Somehow the very inexperienced Bob and Tom managed to get the harness
on Sadie, so they told me later...and attached it to this brilliant state of art homemade cart the two were so proud of. Perhaps it really might have worked too, who knows? But one of them had the ridiculous bright idea to shake a huge, very LOUD old cowbell one could hear in the next county, to get Sadie moving.
Oh, she moved all right. She absolutely went FLYING! Neither the state of art cart nor the harness survived. What remained on Sadie, got caught around a tree, which not only stopped her but brought her to her knees until she could be extracted. Thankfully though, SADIE was fine.
The cart was NOT fine, ending up in many pieces. One of the wheels was never seen again. And the guys?
Since they knew I would be hearing about this they decided to hurry up and visit me before news could reach me, to confess. Uh, that is once they got out of the emergency room of the exact hospital I was in upstairs. So imagine my surprise when Bob and Tom entered my room, with Bob's arm broken in a cast and sling. Tom's ankle was broken and in a cast too, besides being on crutches.
At first I was very upset they both were injured in some terrible way. And then, AND THEN, they told me, beginning first to quickly assure me Sadie was fine. Hearing THIS, my compassion level for them suddenly dropped. Hearing the rest, it PLUMMETED. For a few moments I wanted to throttle them. And they were scared too. But admitted how very grateful they both were I couldn't get out of the bed to break any of their other bones.🥴
Realizing they obviously had suffered enough, and would surely have the scars to carry with them always, I couldn't help but to begin laughing. And laughing so hard tears were running down my cheeks. We all three did. In fact we have laughed about this brilliant endeavor of theirs for many years now.
One thing for certain though...those two knew better than to try using one of my horses for one of their bright ideas again.🤣
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