So I upgraded my theme … and lost my customization in the process. No time to fix it just now, as I am headed out soon for Lily’s follow up ultrasound. She’s feeling pretty good, trots out sound for now, but her hind suspensory branches are sore on palpation.

It’s been a quiet month. Hay was picked up and stacked, so my storage space is bursting. I sampled twenty bales and have sent that off for testing. Lily started to gain weight on the new hay and just eat herself silly, so I’ve had to start rationing it. She was getting free choice, but when she ate through more than half a fifty pound bale a day, I had to draw the line! She now gets about 3-4 flakes per meal in smaller pillow nets I made out of the same hockey barrier netting that I’ve used before. I am putting them in a small water trough, though I still have to retrieve them from the weeds. It does take her a bit longer to eat when they are on the ground, than hanging, so that’s good.

It appears that my trailer has sold. Yay! The next task is to clean up my truck (and find the paperwork that’s lost in my house somewhere.) and put it up for sale. I have downsized and am VERY happy with the change. I love my new (to me) 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD (diesel). I am shifting it over to biodiesel slowly, as I don’t know if it’s ever run it before. The first day I drove to work, I got 25 mpg. And eventually, I plan to look for a used Brenderup trailer to pull with it. Jeep only made these with a diesel engine for two years. I wish that more cars came with this option. I really like being able to run my car on a fuel that is mostly non-petroleum based.

This is a year of many changes and I am riding the wave along with you all. I am sure that there will be more to come as the days go by. Stay tuned for updates to the look of my blog this weekend. I’ll get it back in shape soon!

So my short list of things to be grateful for this week:
Lily is feeling good!
New wheels!
Trailer sold!
Great weather!
Yay!

Yes, there have been trials as well this week, but the good things really do outweigh the not so good.

How:

Ah, Blueberries!

I found this post today, that I started nearly a year ago. The text in green is all that I had written, next to the photo of my harvest. Yesterday, I was doing the very same thing. Gardens make us see that life comes full circle with the flow of the seasons.

I don’t like the heat. I tend to stay inside if I can. This afternoon, I found myself out in the sun harvesting blueberries instead. There is nothing quite like fresh berries eaten off the bush. This year’s early crop is on the tart side, but the berries are large and plump. We have two bushes fruiting now, one is the largest and oldest. It was here when we moved in, maybe twelve years ago. We were so impressed with it’s lovely, red, fall foliage that more bushes were added the following year. We have added four more blueberry bushes this spring with more to be planted. At the end of this season, we will have one whole end of backyard edged in them.

The other bush that is bearing early, is the smallest and new this year. Our yard has quite a few different varieties, so we have a long season to pick berries from small, sweet ones to larger, juicy ones. I like them all!

Lately, I’ve been more and more grateful for simple things, like picking blueberries in the yard; leaning on Lily’s back, closing my eyes and just breathing with her; sharing moments with my family and friends; and smelling my freshly opened oil paints.

I’ve been absent from my blog lately, as changes are afoot in my life. It is a year for shifts and mine seems to be moving right ahead. There may be a change coming in my web space, as I move to being less involved with my horses and more with my artwork. Stay tuned – I’ll let you all know what’s up, when I have it more figured out.

Take a few minutes today to create your own Thankful Thursday.

How:

Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

I loved the message of this talk by Steven Tomlinson. When he asked for advice at the age of 28, about how to choose between the three things he loved, he got the answer, “Don’t discard. Find a way to keep all three of these things in the mix.” I’ll leave you with this as I found very inspiring. It made me look at issues in my life with a new perspective.

How:

“Horses should be trained in such a way that they not only love their riders, but look forward to the time they are with them.” Xenophon, 400 BC

I know I feel similarly about my horses. I visited with Lily and Vinnie this evening. Now that I am home, I miss them already. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have two such wondrous beings to share my journey this time around. I can only hope that they look forward to our time together as much as I do.

How:

When considered the coming year, these two words came to me. Then I thought about what they mean to me and how I may shift to accommodate them. I’m not much for New Year’s resolutions. What really set me to look at this was my recent back injury, not the just the change in calendars.

Clarity – It’s about knowing what is important. Injuring my back has really made me look at my health and lifestyle. I had settled into patterns that, while not horrible, were not the most healthy for me. Things like staying up late surfing the net. Watching too much TV on hulu.com, eating late in the day, not exercising; that sort of stuff. I am much more clear now about where I need to make changes and am starting to do that. Now that I am nearing fifty, staying fit has to be more of priority.

Simplicity – This is about getting back to my core beliefs. What are my motivations for the doing the things I do? What is important to me, not just day to day, but for my lifetime?

Every few years, I make The List. I put it in Excel with columns for what, why, benefits to me, my family and others, do I do it out of obligation, duty, or pleasure, and how much time it takes. I put down everything I spend time doing, from the basics like eating and sleeping to things like work, volunteer activities, etc. Then I can look at where things are out of balance. Does something need to be culled? Or do I need to do more of this or that? It helps me see clearly why I am involved with what I do. I can explore my motivations, both good, bad and in between. I can better explain to my family and friends, when that needs to be done. And I can make intelligent choices based on sound reasoning.

Going through this exercise doesn’t mean that I don’t keep some things just because they are fun! That reason goes in the Why column and is vitally important!

What came up to change now…

Doesn’t that list look awfully familiar? Isn’t most people’s list around the New Year very much the same? I guess it just shows that most of us humans have similar challenges.

A few solutions I’m trying…

Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

Silkscreen Print © 2009 Simrat Khalsa

I’ve been researching all this week, educating myself about spinal anatomy. This involved looking at MRI images (mine and other’s), reading blogs and websites and googling terms that are in my MRI report. Things like Degenerative Disk Disease, hypertrophic endplate changes, annular tear, bilateral foraminal regions. And I’ll say that I now understand much more about this very important part of my body.

Our disks are made up of the nucleus pulposus, the shock absorbing “jelly-like” center of the disk, contained by the annulas, a fibrous outer layer (much thicker than I imagined). These structures must stay hydrated through movement. Without maintaining this hydration, they slowly become thinner, eventually loosing their shock absorbing, elastic qualities. As they thin, the openings in the spinal column for the nerves becomes narrower. Without the ability to absorb shock, arthritic changes may develop in the spine as well. Tears and bulges in the annulus also occur as elasticity is lost. While drinking adequate water is vital to maintain these “small hydraulic shock absorbers”, movement is vital to get that fluid to where it is needed. Another vital thing that I learned, is that the vertebral disks rehydrate at night during your sleep! Another reason to get a full night’s rest.

Basically, I have a few disks at the base of my spine that are drying up. The lowest one is already degenerated. The one above is bulging and the one above that has a tear in the annulus. It all makes quite a bit of sense to me now. All the years that I have been sitting at a desk at work must have contributed to this, along with my slacking on my sadhana and yoga practice. Well, it’s time for me to get back in gear. Pun intended!

All during my reading, I kept remembering the many hours of lectures and yoga classes I sat though with the Siri Singh Sahib (aka Yogi Bhajan). He talked about how a practicing Kundalini Yoga would create a healthy, flexible spine and how important that was; that it would keep us young. I wish that my twenty something self had listened a little better! I was thinking about it more on the level of raising my consciousness, not merely keeping my body healthy. I suppose that’s one of the follies of youth; thinking that you are indestructible. It’s not too late for me now, twenty years later. I know that I can heal myself. Time will tell if I follow through and do the day to day work. I fully intend to, but I now that follow through is not always my strong suit. It may be challenging for me.

Please join me over this next year to see how I manage. I’ll be starting in on some basic spinal exercises and will post what I’m working on as I go, along with my results. I welcome your support. Feel free to keep my on track! Maybe I’ll actually start to teach. I did get certified as a Kundalini Yoga instructor many years ago. It’s one of the many hidden talents I haven’t really used yet…

How:

Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

Today, a day late …. I am grateful that I have not succumbed to my usual winter dark moods. Despite my back issues, my spirit remains buoyant. It’s quite wonderful to actually enjoy these dark days. Instead of cursing at the lack of light and the cloudy skies, I see their innate resplendence. This entire winter, I have been amazed at the transcendent beauty of the air around me.

Yesterday, I renewed my AERC membership and added Vinnie to the roster. He is young yet, but if he gets enough conditioning next year, I may consider taking him in his first 25 mile ride in October. He will have reached the 48 month age eligibility in August. I won’t push him. but if he does turn out to be in shape and ready, we will plan for the Foothils ride on October 16th.

I also rejoined PNER (Pacific NW Endurance Rides). I am on the PNER email list and also PNERgaited list. I may get to the PNER convention too, so figured it was worth supporting my local organization. Lily and I plan to make it to one or two Limited Distance rides in the spring and summer.

Maybe my sunny disposition is due to the fun of planning for next year’s outings. My horse activities are shifting from the NW Expo and dressage schooling shows to trail riding and endurance rides. I hope to throw in some driving training for Vinnie and a parade as well. It is nice to settle into working with my two horses. I’ve had a few years of more horse numbers, different ones moving through my hands, thinking of all the possibilites of breeding, etc. It was maybe too many possibilities to consider. So it is nice to scale back and have more focus. And also to just think about doing what’s fun!

As the year draws to a close, I am thankful for all that has come before and all the opportunities that the future holds.

How:

Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

The road onwards ... © 2009, Simrat Khaslsa

By waiting to post my Thankful Thursday this week, I am able to share this with you. A guest blogger on The Pony Expression has asked a group of excellent questions. The pertinent one for me is… How do we maintain gratitude? At first, when new experiences of consciousness are felt, there is a rush of wonderment and it’s not too hard to be grateful for that. But what about when these come daily and become more part of the norm? That for me, is the challenge and one of the reasons that I started Thankful Thursday almost a year ago, January 15th.

As things have progressed for me, my challenge is not becoming complacent and taking my awareness for granted. You know how wonderful the flush of excitement is when you have a realization or an incredible meditative experience or other epiphany? What then happens when these come daily and the moments of wonder start to become connected into a continuous stream?

I want to share a second post from The Pony Expression, by my friend, Susan. I think that many of us now are being called to offer a space of healing to others. For some, like me, who are not already in a healing profession … we have to figure out what form that will take. For me, will it be a formal modality or just holding a space for others to find their way? Or will I manifest my vision to train horses as my contribution to conscious life? I don’t know yet…

I started Thankful Thursday nearly a year ago specifically to retain that wonder and to acknowledge it. I want to thank all those who have joined me on this journey. It is inspiring and also humbling to see this blossoming and expanding outwards.

Thank you all.

How:

Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

How:

Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

Lily and I playing around in 2006.

And I will certainly be happy to have my girl back. It’s been wonderful to have her at Tired Dog Ranch and I’m thrilled that Rita will have such an excellent home. But … I will never send Lily to another person as long as I am alive and able. I really look forward to rebuilding our partnership together.

Romina, Sally, Amy Jo, me & Megan

I’ve been feeling change coming for a long time. Now there is an undercurrent flowing, and a charged atmosphere along with it. We are on the cusp of this shift. I came across this article and found it very helpful in validating quite a lot of things for me. Maybe it will for you too…

Astrologer Maurice Fernandez on the coming changes

While there will be challenges, I also see incredible opportunities. Breaking down and rebuilding give us the chance to recreate anew.

How:

Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

Getting the Idea

We had a great day last Friday. I helped out with vet work there. Multiple horses had teeth done, little Luis was gelded and then I worked with Rita on halter training. I also got in a short, fun ride on my Lily mare.

I am very thankful that I have these wonderful horses to play with; That I have great friends to share them with; And that we are headed out for another Cowgirl Campout this weekend, this time at Megan’s place.

The best one I got right now of last night's ride...

The ride before that, I worked him a bit around the pastures. He has a great trot. I ended up taking him down the road and met up with a lady from my new barn. I also met Laura, who lives across the street. She was on her 2 year old, …another green bean. We rode the local gravel roads until after dark. What fun! Vinnie was a champ. He really likes to move out.

I’m starting to think that if I can find a part leaser for Lily, who wants to trail ride at Pisgah … that I might be able to afford to keep them both. It’s hard to think about selling Vinnie. I’m just going to hold that thought and see what comes of it. Plans right now are to bring Lily home sometime in November. And THAT I’m thankful for as well.

How:

Amy Jo & Cornelius on Saturday

Romina & Sky on Sunday

Megan & Diamond on Saturday

Me & Paisano on Sunday

Me & Paisano on Saturday, just before finding a nest of ground bees!

I am thrilled to have found a wonderful group of women to ride with. A weekend get together had been in the works for quite some time and it finally happened last month. Amy Jo arranged for us to meet up with Megan and Romina for a weekend of riding and visiting. We all stayed at Romina’s and rode two days in really wonderful settings.

Saturday, we rode out from Romina’s around dormant cropland, through huge open fields and around acres of Christmas trees. The views were incredible and expansive. I felt like I could see the curve of the earth fall away around me.

Paisano did well, riding with the two mares and one gelding. We had ridden together before, but in the more familiar setting of Tired Dog Ranch. On our arrival, we tried Paisano in a pasture with Cornelius and Diamond. After maybe twenty minutes of sparring with no one really settling down, I moved Paisano to a small paddock out back. He was totally fine hanging out on his own, so there he stayed for the weekend. He enjoyed riding out with them, but sharing living space was not quite so cozy.

After a wonderful dinner Saturday evening, provided by Romina, and very nice, restful sleep, we trailered to Silver Falls State Park for our Sunday ride. Even at noon, it was jacket temperature under the trees. We unloaded, tacked up and headed out for a loop of about eight miles. The only disappointment to the day was finding out that none of the horse trails go by any of the falls so prominently displayed on the park website.

The scenery was beautiful none the less. There had been some rain, which made the trails slick in some areas. At one point, we all dismounted and led our horses. Paisano was wearing his Easyboot Bares. They don’t have the greatest traction, so he was practically skiing through the slick clay. He took it all pretty calmly. I was just glad that I was not astride! I will look forward to returning in the dry summer months.

It’s a real treat to ride in new and interesting locations. This sort of experience is why I have been wanting the freedom of having my own, well trained, easy going horses. The last few years of green horses, organizing and gathering gear, trailer, etc. have all been worth it, as we are here! Now that’s something to be thankful for!

How:

Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

Silver Falls photo courtesy of billtex48 (Bill and Mavis) at Flickr.

How:

Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

How:

Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

When we got down to the road (we have to ride 7/10ths of a mile from the trailhead to the barn), dusk was falling even in the open. The nearly full moon rose above Mt. Pisgah. I had a vignette between two hills that could not have been more perfect a view.

There was little traffic, most drivers were very considerate. Note to myself … I need to remember to bring my safety vest for all future rides. I have to give credit to Paisano for his level headedness. We were passed on the bridge by a car with headlights and he still trotted calmed over. The one vehicle that passed us faster than I liked was, of all things, a truck and horse trailer.

I went down the road a bit and came back to the barn through the farm fields. This gave Paisano a few minutes of rest and a good bit of thistle eating, his favorite. And it gave me the opportunity soak in the broad vista of cumulus clouds lit by the moon and enjoy the perfect temperature of the air.

I can’t think of a better way to end a long day at work… and that I am thankful for. Rides under the moonlight are a wonderful thing, when you have a perfect pony to share them with.

On the level of training for our LD ride, we did about 3.5 miles with about half or a bit less at a trot in just under an hour. Most of the trotting was uphill too. Yes, he was at his jog trot. I hope to get in some rides with other horses to encourage him to move out more. If you are in Eugene and want to meet at Pisgah on weekend, please email me.

How:

Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

I ended up at a few Sat Nam Rasayan classes years ago, as part of a camp I was at. I didn’t seek it out, but did the classes just because they were there. In the last year, I’ve been considering starting the practice again. To the point that I had put it in my calendar at work. I just didn’t go. Well, last month I did. And then it just so happened that Guru Dev Singh was coming to do a SNR workshop and meditation class. I signed up.

Both turned out to be excellent. This is jump starting me back into a regular practice. Yes, for a number of years now, I’ve been just coasting. If the spiritual journey is likened to a trail spiraling up a mountain, I was bivouacked on the side of the path with my feet up on a rock, probably the dark side too. Well, I’m packing my rucksack and on the road again now.

And last week, I won something! Something great too! An intuitive counseling session with Bridget Pilloud. I had also had a session with Guru Dev Singh on Monday night. What Bridget shared with me dovetailed very well with much that I learned from Guru Dev, both in my private session and the workshop and meditation course. If you are looking for direction or clarity, I highly recommend Bridget.

I also recently subscribed to Notes from the Universe at tut.com. Here is one that came last week. Yes, I know that these are written by a person and not “the universe” but it’s fun to see the meshing of messages from all around.

Simrat, I know what it’s like. I’ve seen it played out a few zillion times. You’re waiting for that magical day when someone makes the connection and recognizes who you really are. Maybe they’ll first catch the sparkle in your eye. Or perhaps they’ll marvel at your insights and the depth of your spirit. Someone who will help you connect the dots, believe in yourself, and make sense of it all. Someone who will understand you, approve of you, and unhesitatingly give you a leg up so that life can pluck your ready, ripened self from the branch of magnificence. Ahhhhhhhhhhh…

Well, I’m here to tell you, Simrat, your wait is over. That someone, is you.
Good thing you rock,
The Universe

I guess when it is time, the message comes from everywhere. Now I have to step up and get on with it. I am grateful that, this go ’round, I get to be on a spiritual path, with the chance to explore all the infinite possibilities of the human consciousness.

How:

The SMR business meeting held in the Long House at TDR.

How:

Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

How:

Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

Paisano napping in the turnout among the tall orchard grass.

How:

Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

How: