Thursday, June 23, 2011

Mouth Wash

It finally got warm here in the mountains! So some fun in the water...



Rosebuds first experience with the sprinkler...

Zip



Paisley has always been really good at zipping heavy winter jackets, with their big pull tags, but here she worked the little tag out of the fabric and zipped the sweatshirt.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Sharing

An oat for the chick
A scratch for Sage
And a kiss for Rosebud

Flowering

The Dogwoods

Wild Azaleas
Rhododendrons
Tree frog in the Dogwood

Friday, June 17, 2011

They Need Help

Right now in Michigan there are 29 mustangs that were purchased from the BLM in February 2011 who are now starving and dying. Please read all the information about them on Where The Wild Horses Are blog...

photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition
Baby who died at Michigan State University
photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition
Jewel, the baby's mother, now in Foster care
 photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition

Monday, June 6, 2011

Timeless

This video was made by a 16 year old girl, who lives in Norway, to express how she feels about her pony…



This story is unusual how?
A naughty little pony showed an advanced level rider the truth about the riding activities she once thought she loved. As the girl learned about the damage and pain she was causing her beautiful pony she could no longer participate.

Her parents did not like her new understandings, about the pony, and all living beings, so had sent her for a psychiatric evaluation. The community does not understand her views of allowing her pony to live unfettered and have called the authorities saying it was cruel not to nail metal shoes to her feet and ride her.

This girl is truly courageous.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Magical Melodies

Gentle Thunder mesmerized, moved, and inspired the large group that came together at the Alaska Center for Spiritual Living, on May 17th, to spend an evening of music with her. She playfully and powerfully wove together her beautiful Native American Flutes, Hammer Dulcimer and moving stories, touching and awakening hearts. She says “Each of us has a unique gift to bring to the world” and thanks everyone for simply showing up to be exactly who they are in these difficult but important times.

Musicians from the centers music department were invited to play piano and drums, and to sing with her. She also invited two local flute players to play an impromptu piece, and another couple played an Irish Jig medley on the Hammer Dulcimer and guitar. All of which was fun and deeply moving for the musicians as well as the audience.
The music was beautiful, the messages profound!


An Apology

While visiting Alaska I met so many extraordinary, beautiful, wonderful people, who I will write more about, but today I will let this man speak for himself.

I received the following email from him...

Dear Cate:
As a reward for listening to one of the (looong....) lectures on Mind/Body Healing, I have been periodically treating myself to little tours through your blogspot. What fun! I confess a real weakness for buckskins. I swear, Paisley looks as if she is looking right into my soul. I love your horses, large and small.
But then I came across The Cruelty of Equestrian Sport. This really bothered me. As a member of the human race I was embarrassed and ashamed how we, as a specie, treat other living beings. It was Wednesday and we were having a service that evening. I normally do not attend the Wednesday service but there is opportunity for meditation prior, so I went. I meditated for an hour or so and then just prayed. What came up for me was that it is not right that I do nothing. But what can I do? I decided that an apology is in order. I know it does not seem like much, but it is something one guy in Alaska can do now, in this very moment. So here goes:

To: All horses who have ever been harmed or hurt in any manner by human beings, to all horses who are now being hurt or harmed by human beings, and to all horses who may be hurt or harmed in the future by human beings.  

 From: Don Fleming, member of the human race.

I apologize for all of the cruelty and pain and agony that my specie has heaped upon you since the beginning of time. There is no excuse for our ignorance, lack of compassion or lack of understanding. Please know your beauty and magnificence is cherished. As a creation of God, the Living Spirit Almighty, you are loved beyond measure. I am ashamed at the way we have treated you. I am sorry for all of the cruelty, pain and agony we have created. I am so very sorry. I apologize.

Well, that's it for now. Thank you so much for creating such an exciting site.
Love,
Don

On the 17th, at the Alaska Center For Spiritual Living, my friend Gentle Thunder offered an evening of musical prayer and inspiration. It was powerfully transformational and a deep spiritual journey for all who attended.

Don and I met that afternoon while setting up for this event. He is not a horseman but has always admired horses, and, it seems to me, with a pure heart. I am deeply touched by his words and wanted to share them here.

Thank you Don, from me, from everyone who loves, and from all of the Horses.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Duck Days

Monday,
The little ducks go into fits of joy running on top the water, swimming the length underwater, shooting out of the water like a rocket with a big quack! The more I laugh the crazier and funnier they get. I get soaked as they run across my lap or dive under and kick water all over me. Then they suddenly just stop and preen, what nice ducky’s. Another quick decision... time to eat the pond flowers.



Tuesday,
Not too much plant damage and the water has cleared right up so must be time for those ducks to get back to work! Come on duck duck ducks...
Ally Pup takes here duck herding/caretaking duties very seriously.



Yep they are messy!


Wednesday,
June 1st and it was snowing!
The ducks are not even the slightest bit concerned about the weather. The snow piled up on their backs and they paid it no attention. The fish started chasing their legs and bumping them from below, the little ducks hop out of the water, waggle around a bit, then hop right back in. The fish have really livened up with the new silt kicking floaty toys around. The loud noise in the background was the new duck house construction underway.




Today the fish were really chasing the ducks around... what a fun new game!

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