Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
things that make me go hmmmm....
Ok, well, it's only actually one topic, but several hmmmmm moments in relation to that.
There are moments that happen that make me stop and wonder and question things, like the sanity of those around me. For example my son's football team. I may take a whole lot of flack for this but here goes. This is his first year playing not for lack of trying to get him on a team in the past but still a first year player. He's one of only a few boys on the team that have never played tackle football before, and there are a few that have played for over 5 years. Mind you I'll admit that I know very little about the game and I have little interest in learning a whole lot about it, but that is not the case for my son. He is a sponge when it comes to learning about the game and is willing to try anything asked of him by the coaches. I'm not sure there is anybody on that team who wants to play more than he does which is why it is so frustrating to watch the games. At least three of the coaches have sons on the team, I do not have a problem with that at all; I think it's wonderful and am truly happy for both father and son. I hope it bonds them closely. What I have a problem with is the fact that on a team of 30 ish kids there only seem to be 11 that are allowed to play, and some of those kids play on both offense and defense for the entire game! Meanwhile the rest of the kids are chomping at the bit or more accurately thier mouth guard to get on the playing field too! I understand that not all 30+ kids cannot be on the field at the same time and that some plays take longer than others but c'mon!! They boys play 4 - 8 minute quarters which in real time (takes forever) is more like and hour and a half of playing time. I think there is a way for Andrew and the other kids to get more then about 5 minutes of playing time, don't you?!
In my world it's not about winning the game or scoring all the points or winning touchdown, not at this level; it's a game! Games are supposed to be fun! Hmmm... At this level they are supposed to be learning how to play the game and which positions do what and being allowed to try different positions so that when points and winning actually matter they will know how and hopefully play in a position they like and want to play in, not being a sub for a position the coach stuck them in. Andrew told me tonight he doesn't even like the position he was placed in! But he's going to play his heart out for the 2 1-minute intervals he's on the field, because he loves the game. He wants to try the positions of running back, wide receiver, tackle, and quarterback, "just for a game, to see what it's like." and why shouldn't he be allowed that, why shouldn't the other kids on the team be allowed to try those positions as well. It's been said that you'd better understand another person if you walked a mile in their shoes, so try it coach! It might make them better understand how they can best play and help the other players as well.
Now I'm not fool enough to think he'll make it to the NFL, (or a college scholarship from this) I'm a realist and I wouldn't want that for my son to be quite honest, (the NFL part, a scholarship would be great, unlikely, but great lol!). Besides, how could he be a cowboy? ;-) I'm not even thinking my son is the best player on the team, he's not, but does that mean he should not have equal time to try? to learn? to have fun? Hmmm......Every night when we come home from practice and today after we got home from the game he thanks me for signing him up for football. It makes me so happy to hear that because I know it comes from his heart from a place of pure joy and yet breaks my heart.
It's not like the games are so close that you'd blow the game by sending in your 'b' or 'c' team, his team has been annihilated at every game, they've only scored one touchdown in 3 games and 2 scrimmages.... but then there's the definition of insanity, doing the same thing and expecting a different result. Hmmmm. Why not mix it up, it cannot hurt, it's might even work better! You might even be surprised, especially if it unifies the team!
I appreciate the coaches, the time, effort and work they put in, I'm sure its not the easiest job in the world and likely very often a thankless job especially when you have to deal with bad ref calls and angry parents. And it's not a job I'd want to do, so I try not to complain, but then the mother side of me emerges and I hurt for my son. I try not to vent my frustration with all of this in front of him because he's having such a wonderful time and I don't want to tarnish any of the memories he's making with complaints so I'm telling y'all instead and fyi, thanks for listening. Don't worry, I have no intention of being one of those parents that get spoken to at every game or that need to be escorted out of a game, no way! Besides being a good example to my son on how an adult conducts themselves, I want to see him play if he gets the chance to go out and I wouldn't get to do that if I was kicked out of the game. Hmmmmmm...... (Nor am I one of those people in a drunken stooper at a concert, those tickets are expensive, and I want to hear them sing!) A wise Southern lady once told me "you get a whole lot more flies with honey, darlin' than with vinegar," so I've often heeded her advice and been fairly successful, of course I've yet to figure out just why you'd want all those flies...
There are moments that happen that make me stop and wonder and question things, like the sanity of those around me. For example my son's football team. I may take a whole lot of flack for this but here goes. This is his first year playing not for lack of trying to get him on a team in the past but still a first year player. He's one of only a few boys on the team that have never played tackle football before, and there are a few that have played for over 5 years. Mind you I'll admit that I know very little about the game and I have little interest in learning a whole lot about it, but that is not the case for my son. He is a sponge when it comes to learning about the game and is willing to try anything asked of him by the coaches. I'm not sure there is anybody on that team who wants to play more than he does which is why it is so frustrating to watch the games. At least three of the coaches have sons on the team, I do not have a problem with that at all; I think it's wonderful and am truly happy for both father and son. I hope it bonds them closely. What I have a problem with is the fact that on a team of 30 ish kids there only seem to be 11 that are allowed to play, and some of those kids play on both offense and defense for the entire game! Meanwhile the rest of the kids are chomping at the bit or more accurately thier mouth guard to get on the playing field too! I understand that not all 30+ kids cannot be on the field at the same time and that some plays take longer than others but c'mon!! They boys play 4 - 8 minute quarters which in real time (takes forever) is more like and hour and a half of playing time. I think there is a way for Andrew and the other kids to get more then about 5 minutes of playing time, don't you?!
In my world it's not about winning the game or scoring all the points or winning touchdown, not at this level; it's a game! Games are supposed to be fun! Hmmm... At this level they are supposed to be learning how to play the game and which positions do what and being allowed to try different positions so that when points and winning actually matter they will know how and hopefully play in a position they like and want to play in, not being a sub for a position the coach stuck them in. Andrew told me tonight he doesn't even like the position he was placed in! But he's going to play his heart out for the 2 1-minute intervals he's on the field, because he loves the game. He wants to try the positions of running back, wide receiver, tackle, and quarterback, "just for a game, to see what it's like." and why shouldn't he be allowed that, why shouldn't the other kids on the team be allowed to try those positions as well. It's been said that you'd better understand another person if you walked a mile in their shoes, so try it coach! It might make them better understand how they can best play and help the other players as well.
Now I'm not fool enough to think he'll make it to the NFL, (or a college scholarship from this) I'm a realist and I wouldn't want that for my son to be quite honest, (the NFL part, a scholarship would be great, unlikely, but great lol!). Besides, how could he be a cowboy? ;-) I'm not even thinking my son is the best player on the team, he's not, but does that mean he should not have equal time to try? to learn? to have fun? Hmmm......Every night when we come home from practice and today after we got home from the game he thanks me for signing him up for football. It makes me so happy to hear that because I know it comes from his heart from a place of pure joy and yet breaks my heart.
It's not like the games are so close that you'd blow the game by sending in your 'b' or 'c' team, his team has been annihilated at every game, they've only scored one touchdown in 3 games and 2 scrimmages.... but then there's the definition of insanity, doing the same thing and expecting a different result. Hmmmm. Why not mix it up, it cannot hurt, it's might even work better! You might even be surprised, especially if it unifies the team!
I appreciate the coaches, the time, effort and work they put in, I'm sure its not the easiest job in the world and likely very often a thankless job especially when you have to deal with bad ref calls and angry parents. And it's not a job I'd want to do, so I try not to complain, but then the mother side of me emerges and I hurt for my son. I try not to vent my frustration with all of this in front of him because he's having such a wonderful time and I don't want to tarnish any of the memories he's making with complaints so I'm telling y'all instead and fyi, thanks for listening. Don't worry, I have no intention of being one of those parents that get spoken to at every game or that need to be escorted out of a game, no way! Besides being a good example to my son on how an adult conducts themselves, I want to see him play if he gets the chance to go out and I wouldn't get to do that if I was kicked out of the game. Hmmmmmm...... (Nor am I one of those people in a drunken stooper at a concert, those tickets are expensive, and I want to hear them sing!) A wise Southern lady once told me "you get a whole lot more flies with honey, darlin' than with vinegar," so I've often heeded her advice and been fairly successful, of course I've yet to figure out just why you'd want all those flies...
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Oh what a glorious day!
I cannot tell you how much I needed a day like yesterday. After the lovely year we've had, the stress, death, heartache we've endured and all the ups and downs yesterday was a day to let go of all the craziness surrounding me, turn off all the chaos and worry in my head, silence the wolves at the door and do nothing but breathe in and out and ride. It was one of the single best days of my life! For two years my friend Elaine and I have gone to this farm and ridden in the Harvest Hunter Pace they host for the local pony club. I blogged about last years ride here. This year I brought the camera so I could take you along as well because I'm sure we could all use a day like yesterday because we're all facing something.So that's me, taking pictures of the day for y'all, I think it's great Elaine got that shot, too funny!
Here are Harry and I ready to go, and GO! is exactly what Harry wanted to do, I think he'd have run all or at least most of the course if I'd let him. Harry is a sweet, sweet horse, and due to the fact that he looks so similar to Garlic I find him even more endearing. He's got a very kind eye and wonderful easy-going temperament. Having not ridden all summer with the exception of one short 10 minute ride a couple months ago I was certain I was going to die after this 8 mile endurance ride. Mercifully I was not really even that sore! Thanks in large part to a mount that rides like a rocking chair, who's stride would take us up hills and across green pastures in the blink of an eye and an extremely comfortable saddle.
This year Elaine rode Zeus, a.k.a Zeus the MOOSE! This guy is stunning! He's an appendix Quarter Horse with a hind end that, well, quite honestly most women would be horrified to have, but he wears it well. It's more like a couch than anything else, but it's quite a powerful engine, carrying them up and over the hills and through the streams and pine groves with ease.
I love this shot of the boys, I wonder what they were thinking...."Ok, let's do our best and give these ladies a great ride, they both need a break as they are both dealing with a ton of stuff right now. We can do this for them, they are both horse lovers and safe forever homes and they need this." "Absolutely, my thoughts exactly!"
Elaine and Zeus, getting ready to head out! At this point it was impossible to tell which had the bigger grin on our faces, we were both so happy to be away from everything and have this glorious day.
One shot of the barn from the course. The barn isn't really slanted despite the fact that it's so old, it's just hard to take a good picture when the horse you're on does not want to stop, he wants to just go go GO!
another shot from the course...
Elaine and Zeus heading down to and obstacle, then back up to head into the pines!
Ahhhhh, does a view ever get more glorious than that?!
I mean seriously?!
If I could capture the scent in this part of the course, we'd be debt free in no time! The potent elixir of horse sweat, leather, pine, sweet grass, warm afternoon sun, fresh clean air and a bit of dirt is so powerful that you cannot help but stop and breathe it in in a way as if your soul had never been given oxygen or seen the sun. If ever I am stricken with a terminal disease and..... ....take me to such a place and let me breathe.
Harry and I on the other side of the hill Elaine and Zeus were on in an above picture. There were several water obstacles we crossed, one nearly cam up to Harry's chest! (Maybe if we go again next year I'll try to get a picture of that one! It's AWESOME, I can certainly see how this type of thing is addicting!)
Harry and I had run across the finish line and were able to turn around and take this picture of Elaine and Zeus at the finish!
A view of part of the course from the finish line, up near the barn.
Harry and I after the ride, sweaty, covered in mud and ready for lunch, oh and Harry was too!
Grinning from ear to ear! That my friends is a picture of a VERY happy, stress and worries forgotten for a day, woman!
Thank you Harry and Zeus for a ride fit for kings on gallant steeds, thank you Elaine for allowing me to tag along and having a day that I will never forget, thank you God for allowing all things to be possible.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
{this moment}
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
hot off my needles!
These little beauties are looking for a new home! Maybe yours? Contact me for details!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
something new
I tried my hand at making glycerin soap, I think they turned out kinda neat! All of these bars need new homes, do you have room for some? ;-)
Friday, September 2, 2011
good quote
"Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear and no concept of the odds against them. They make the impossible happen." -- Dr. Robert Jarvik
ours vs. theirs
I've wanted to make this post for a long time, and I'm thrilled to be about to do it now! This is why organic free range eggs from a local farmer are more costly than a dime a dozen....they're worth more! This is a side by side comparison of our eggs and one that isn't. Our yolk stood up higher on the plate, was firmer, and the white stayed around the yolk while the 'other' egg's white was almost water-like and ran all over the plate, as you can see in the photo. The color speaks for itself and the nutritional value of our eggs will beat out any 'other' egg hands down! So if you want to know what all the rage is over these eggs go to a local farmers market and pick up a dozen and test them for yourself. If you need to "justify" why you're spending 5 dollars or more on a dozen eggs, think of it as an investment. An investment in your health!
be still
I had a particularly stressful day yesterday, you know the kind where everything is going along according to what might resemble a haphazard plan then one simple thing goes awry and sends the day into a tailspin? Well, that was yesterday. My stress level went from moderate and manageable after the insanity that we've been dealing with, I'll update you later... things finally seemed like they were progressing nicely and falling into a humble routine, to full blown all out freak out! Finally, after being driven to tears; I crawled into bed and laid there listening to the chorus of crickets, whispered a prayer, felt the chill of a crisp late summer evening and 'heard' "Be still and know that I am God." I slept peacefully.
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